The Moonstone: who's who, timeline and places

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John HerncastleHe is the narrator’s cousin, found holding a bloodied dagger beside a dying Indian.First seen in chapter 1
Franklin BlakeHe asks Betteredge to record the diamond’s arrival and disappearance at his aunt’s Yorkshire house.First seen in chapter 2
BetteredgeHe agrees to record the diamond’s disappearance and relies on Robinson Crusoe for guidance.First seen in chapter 2
Mr. BruffHe joins Franklin in wanting a written record to protect innocent people from suspicion.First seen in chapter 2
RachelShe is the young woman whom Penelope serves as maid in Lady Verinder’s household.First seen in chapter 3
Lady VerinderShe is Betteredge’s longtime employer and oversees Penelope’s education before making her Rachel’s maid.First seen in chapter 3
Three Indian jugglersThey question a boy about Franklin’s expected visit and an object Franklin identifies as the Moonstone.First seen in chapter 4
Rosanna SpearmanShe is an isolated servant whom Lady Verinder employs after imprisonment and a stay at a reformatory.First seen in chapter 5
Godfrey AblewhiteBetteredge favors him as Rachel’s likely husband and considers him Franklin’s strongest rival.First seen in chapter 9
Mr. MurthwaiteHe identifies the Indian performers as disguised Brahmins seeking the sacred jewel.First seen in chapter 11
Mr. CandyHe argues with Franklin about medicine at Rachel’s birthday dinner until Lady Verinder intervenes.First seen in chapter 11
Sergeant CuffHe investigates the missing Diamond and establishes when clothing smeared Rachel’s painted door.First seen in chapter 13
Ezra JenningsHe prepares an opium experiment with Franklin and arranges Rachel’s cooperation while suffering pain himself.First seen in chapter 28

Chapter 1
During the assault on Seringapatam, the narrator finds Herncastle holding a bloodied dagger beside a dying Indian.
Chapter 2
Franklin asks Betteredge to write an account of the diamond’s arrival and disappearance.
Chapter 5
Franklin arrives early, and Rosanna’s sudden blush and departure puzzle him and Betteredge.
Chapter 6
Franklin reveals that he carries Herncastle’s Diamond as Rachel’s birthday gift and suspects someone watches him.
Chapter 9
Franklin grows close to Rachel while Betteredge favors Godfrey as her likely husband.
Chapter 10
Franklin gives Rachel the Moonstone, delighting her while her mother distrusts Herncastle’s motives.
Chapter 11
Murthwaite identifies the returning Indian performers as disguised Brahmins seeking the sacred jewel.
Chapter 12
The Diamond disappears overnight, and Seegrave’s unsuccessful investigation turns suspicion toward the servants.
Chapter 13
Sergeant Cuff arrives and establishes that clothing smeared Rachel’s painted door during the night.
Chapter 14
Rachel refuses Cuff’s proposed wardrobe search, stopping his attempt to find paint-stained clothing.
Chapter 17
Cuff tells Betteredge that he suspects Rachel keeps the Diamond and uses Rosanna to attract suspicion.
Chapter 19
Rachel leaves despite Cuff’s warning, and the household discovers that Rosanna is missing.
Chapter 20
Rosanna’s footprints and farewell note support Cuff’s conclusion that she dies in the quicksand.
Chapter 24
Franklin leaves England, while Limping Lucy keeps Rosanna’s sealed letter for delivery to him alone.
Chapter 25
Miss Clack recounts attacks in which Godfrey and Septimus Luker are bound and searched.
Chapter 26
Rachel ends her engagement after Bruff reveals Godfrey’s inquiry into her inheritance.
Chapter 27
Franklin returns to England, reopens the inquiry, and receives Rosanna’s letter directing him toward the quicksand.
Chapter 28
Ezra Jennings prepares an opium experiment with Franklin and secures Rachel’s cooperation.
Chapter 29
Franklin reconciles with Rachel, and Cuff’s inquiry reaches a tavern where a disguised corpse reveals Godfrey.
Chapter 30
Cuff reports that Godfrey kept and pledged the Diamond, then was murdered after redeeming it.
Chapter 31
Candy reports Jennings’s death and preserves the diary pages concerning Franklin.
Chapter 32
Betteredge records Rachel and Franklin’s marriage and later learns that they expect a child.
Chapter 33
An investigator traces the Indians toward Bombay, while Murthwaite joins a religious gathering near Somnauth.
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