The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady

A determined private investigator who is drawn into the necklace plot and pursues the truth assertively. He suspects treachery around Joan and Lanyard, and his pursuit intensifies as the clues narrow in on the killer. Ultimately, he becomes a casualty of the case, meeting a fatal end before the truth is fully revealed.

A socialite entangled in the murder and necklace intrigue, she escapes custody and navigates later suspicions with care. She provides and withholds information to protect herself and others, playing a pivotal role in shifting suspicion and revealing key details. Her actions drive the narrative toward the final confrontation.

A retired gentleman thief who aids Joan by offering a cover story and strategic insight. He hides his own motives behind charm and calm demeanor, using a hidden tactic (a recording device) to gain the upper hand. His actions pivot the investigation toward the killer and help uncover the truth.

The husband Joan believes to be dead, who resurfaces as a blackmailer threat before being killed in her presence. His role catalyzes the conflict and intensifies the pressure on Joan. His murder is a key turning point that pushes the investigation toward the true culprit.

A fence who knows about jewelry markets and helps move information about the necklace. He provides crucial advice and warnings that steer Lanyard toward the final solution. His street-smart perspective highlights the criminal underworld surrounding the case.

Joan's fiancé and the owner of the Penyon mansion where the necklace is presented. His relationship with Joan and his status as a potential benefactor or suspect add personal stakes to the crime. His actions and loyalties are tested as the truth comes to light.

A methodical police inspector who evaluates evidence and questions suspects. He balances skepticism with the need to protect Joan, gradually narrowing the field of suspects as the case unfolds. His presence anchors the procedural aspect of the plot.

A principal suspect among the affluent set, whose motives intertwine with the necklace’s provenance. He embodies the social circle's potential duplicity and adds pressure to Lanyard and Crane to unravel the truth. His involvement complicates the chain of evidence.

The killer identified by the climax, whose actions connect the necklace, the murder, and the chain of misdirection. His reveal resolves the central mystery and confirms the method by which the crime was executed. He represents the culmination of deception and motive.