The Adventure of the Devil's Foot characters

Appears from the start

A consulting detective recuperating on the Cornish coast after overwork. Although meant to avoid demanding cases, Holmes is drawn to a household catastrophe whose victims appear to have been struck by overwhelming terror.

Appears from the start

Holmes's friend, doctor, and narrator, who has brought him to Cornwall to recover his health. Watson helps examine both deaths and follows Holmes into a dangerous experiment intended to reproduce the mysterious symptoms.

Appears from the start

A local man who lives separately from his sister and two brothers after a family dispute. He reports that, after spending an evening playing cards with them, he returned to find Brenda dead and the brothers out of their minds.

Appears from the start

Mortimer's sister, found dead at the card table with an expression of extreme fear. Her death, while her brothers survive in madness, is the first part of the mystery brought to Holmes.

Appears from the start

One of Mortimer's brothers and a victim of the strange event at the family house. He survives physically but is left insane by whatever filled the room after Mortimer departed.

Appears from the start

One of Mortimer's brothers and the second survivor of the night at the family house. Like George, he is found laughing and singing without reason and cannot explain what happened.

Appears from the start

A renowned explorer and hunter with extensive experience in Africa. He returns abruptly to Cornwall after hearing of Brenda's death and shows an urgent personal interest in Holmes's investigation.

Appears from the start

The local vicar and Mortimer Tregennis's landlord. He accompanies Mortimer when the first deaths are reported and introduces the seemingly inexplicable case to Holmes.