Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Jack Stapleton

When even Sherlock Holmes admits that someone is a "very formidable opponent" (12.26), you know that person must be kind of a badass in the evil department. Stapleton is such a self-assured villain that he actually teases Holmes in London by stealing Holmes' name and identity in conversation with a cab driver whom he knows that Holmes will eventually track down. Still, while Stapleton may be a clever, daring villain, he can't escape the brilliant Holmes— or the Grimpen Mire, which eventually swallows him down.