CAST OF CHARACTERS

Young Roderick Alleyn (Ricky)

Chief Superintendent Roderick Alleyn: his father

Troy Alleyn: his mother

Inspector Fox: his godfather

Jasper Pharamond

Julia Pharamond: his wife

Selina & Julietta Pharamond: their daughters

Louis Pharamond: their cousin

Carlotta Pharamond: his wife

Bruno Pharamond: Jasper’s brother

Susie de Waite

Dulcie Harkness: an equestrienne

Cuthbert Harkness: her uncle

Gilbert Ferrant: of Deep Cove

Marie Ferrant: his wife

Louis Ferrant: their son

Sydney Jones: a painter

Bob Maistre: landlord of The Cod-and-Bottle

Sergeant Plank: of Deep Cove

Mrs. Plank: his wife

Their daughter

Dr. Carey: police surgeon, Montjoy

Bob Blacker: veterinary surgeon

Police constables Moss & Cribbage

Jim Le Compte: a sailor

Sundry fishermen, waiters, and innkeepers.

i

With all their easygoing behavior there was, nevertheless, something rarified about the Pharamonds. Or so, on his first encounter with them, it seemed to Ricky Alleyn.

Even before they came into their drawing room, he had begun to collect this impression of its owners. It was a large, eccentric, and attractive room with lemon-colored walls, polished floor, and exquisite, grubby Chinese rugs. The two dominant pictures, facing each other at opposite ends of the room, were of an irritable gentleman in uniform and a lavishly bosomed impatient lady, brandishing an implacable fan.