Epigraph
to
Norbert L. Lederer
Άγαθὴ δἑ παράφασίς έστιν έταίρου
Murder most foul, as in the best it is;
But this most foul, strange and unnatural.
—Hamlet.
Characters of the Book
Philo Vance John F.-X. Markham District Attorney of New York County. Mrs. Tobias Greene The mistress of the Greene mansion. Julia Greene The eldest daughter. Sibella Greene Another daughter. Ada Greene The youngest daughter. Chester Greene The elder son. Rex Greene The younger son. Dr. Arthur Von Blon The Greene family physician. Sproot The Greene butler. Gertrude Mannheim The cook. Hemming The senior maid. Barton The junior maid. Miss Craven Mrs. Greene’s nurse. Chief Inspector O’Brien Of the Police Department of New York City. William M. Moran Commanding officer of the Detective Bureau. Ernest Heath Sergeant of the Homicide Bureau. Snitkin Detective of the Homicide Bureau. Burke Detective of the Homicide Bureau. Captain Anthony P. Jerym Bertillon expert. Captain Dubois Finger-print expert. Dr. Emanuel Doremus Medical Examiner. Dr. Drumm An official police surgeon. Marie O’Brien A Police nurse. Swacker Secretary to the District Attorney. Currie Vance’s valet.