Character Relationship Map: The Argyle Case

Characters

• Hurley (played by H.B. Warner) — protagonist

  A former attorney for Argyle and a permanent guest in his home, Hurley cooperates with the investigation while Kayton suspects him of involvement. He is eventually exposed as Kreisler, the counterfeit...

• Alexander Kayton (played by Thomas Meighan) — supporting

  A clever detective hired by Bruce to investigate Argyle's murder, Kayton questions the household and uncovers deceptive statements and clues, including a counterfeit bill. He uses surveillance and a c...

• Mary Morgan (played by Lila Lee) — supporting

  Argyle's adopted daughter, Mary is suspected of his murder because his decision to restore Bruce's inheritance threatens her fortune. She refuses to give her fingerprints at first and suspects Bruce m...

• Mrs. Wyatt (played by Zasu Pitts) — supporting

  Mrs. Wyatt is Mary's companion and a member of Argyle's household. After Argyle is murdered, she rushes into the library with the maid, the butler, and Mary to find him dead. The investigation reveals...

• Bruce Argyle (played by John Darrow) — supporting

  Argyle's son, Bruce had been estranged from his father for months but was at his home on the evening of the murder. He hires Kayton to investigate the killing. Because his quarrel with his father led...

• Sam (played by Wilbur Mack) — supporting

  Sam is one of Kayton's assistants and works alongside Joe during the investigation. He helps monitor the dictaphone wires from the attic of the neighboring house, listening to conversations in the boa...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Sam → Hurley (Professional Surveillance Subject) — Sam gathers indirect evidence against Hurley.

  Sam monitors the boarding house wires and hears conversations involving Hurley during Kayton's surveillance operation.

• Alexander Kayton → Sam (Professional Detective And Assistant) — Sam supports Kayton's investigation and surveillance operation.

  Kayton arrives with Sam as an assistant, and Sam later helps monitor the dictaphone wires from the neighboring attic.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Hurley → Mary Morgan (Conflict Threatened Suspect) — Hurley's criminal secret places Mary within the danger of the investigation.

  Hurley enters the boarding house while Mary is hiding there, and Kayton later uses their connection to expose Hurley's concealed identity and guilt.

• Mary Morgan → Mrs. Wyatt (Social Household Companions) — Mrs. Wyatt is connected to Mary through the household.

  Mrs. Wyatt is identified as Mary's companion and rushes with the household members to the library after the murder.

• Alexander Kayton → Mary Morgan (Conflict Investigator And Suspect) — Kayton treats Mary as a possible suspect while using her to expose the conspiracy.

  Kayton's suspicion of Mary increases when she refuses to have her fingerprints taken, and he later arranges a trap involving her apparent disappearanc...

• Mary Morgan → Bruce Argyle (Alliance Mutual Protectors) — Their mutual protection complicates the murder investigation.

  Mary suspects Bruce may be guilty, while both Mary and Bruce endeavor to protect each other.

• Alexander Kayton → Hurley (Conflict Investigator And Suspect) — Kayton investigates Hurley until the concealed murderer is exposed.

  Kayton suspects Hurley of complicity in the murder, later plays Hurley against Mrs. Martin, and establishes that Hurley killed the victim.

Story Analysis

A murder investigation follows deceptive household suspicions toward a concealed counterfeiting identity and a final arrest.

Plot Progression

1. Murder in the Library — A hidden attacker murders the household patriarch at midnight. The household discovers the body, and Bruce brings Kayton into the investigation.
2. Suspicion and Deception — Mary becomes a public suspect because of the inheritance change. Kayton examines the household and obtains Mary's fingerprints through deception.
3. The Counterfeit Trail — A counterfeit bill links the murder to an old counterfeiting network. Kayton advertises for a missing woman and prepares a controlled hiding place for Mary.
4. The Boarding House Trap — Kayton and Sam wire the boarding house and monitor its conversations. Suspicious gang members threaten Mary's position while Hurley's behavior exposes his connection to the mystery.