Gabriel Syme / Thursday
A poet recruited by the police to defend order and beauty against philosophical anarchism.
Lucian Gregory
An earnest anarchist poet whose final accusation gives the nightmare its moral challenge.
Sunday
The council's gigantic president, at once comic villain, police authority, creator figure, and unknowable force.
Professor de Worms / Friday
An apparently decrepit nihilist revealed as an actor recruited by the same unseen police chief.
Dr. Bull / Saturday
A frightening council member whose dark spectacles conceal an ordinary, friendly detective.
The Marquis / Wednesday
A courtly apparent conspirator unmasked as Inspector Ratcliffe after his duel with Syme.
The Secretary / Monday
The council member whose pursuit sustains the detectives' fear longer than most disguises.