Cast of Characters
MONSIEUR LE MARQUIS, an elegant gentleman who merits his mask but not his white hairs
DEMETRIUS PAPOPOLOUS, a venerable dealer in unique antiques
ZIA PAPOPOLOUS, whose resemblance to her father, Demetrius, is more than physical
RUFUS VAN ALDIN, a hard man, with plenty of hard cash
MAJOR RICHARD KNIGHTON, Van Aldin's secretary—quick, intelligent, and resourceful
RUTH KETTERING, another daughter who resembles her father, Rufus Van Aldin
DEREK KETTERING, Ruth's husband, the future Lord Leconbury
MIRELLE, an exotic dancer who was not made to be poor
KATHERINE GREY, a grey-eyed saint with a sense of humor—and a brand-new fortune
VISCOUNTESS ROSALIE TAMPLIN, who has an eye (blue and charming) for a quick penny
THE HONORABLE LENOX TAMPLIN, who does not resemble her mother
M. HERCULE POIROT, the semiretired Belgian detective who is semimodest about admitting that he is always right
ADA MASON, lady's maid to Ruth Kettering, and English to the tip of her red nose
COMTE ARMAND DE LA ROCHE, a plausible scoundrel with a fatal fascination for women