Aristides's research establishment

In the novel Destination Unknown, the fabulously wealthy Greek financier Mr Aristides had funded and established a medical research establishment in a remote location in the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This is, for Hilary Craven and her fellow travelers, the titular "Destination Unknown".

Among the facilities of the research station, there is a leper settlement of about two hundred people with a research lab which produces very valuable work concerning the treatment of leprosy. There is also a cancer research lab as well as a tuberculosis sanatorium. The establishment is highly respectable and well-known world wide, and features the French president among its patrons.

The remote location and the mountainous terrain makes it easy for the establishment to accomodate other darker purposes which Aristides has in mind. The structure is built like a labyrinth making it easy to hide sections of the building away. Secret labs are also tunneled into the mountains out of sight. Whenever visitors turn up at the research establishment, people associated with the undeclared projects are moved into secret sections and kept away until the visit is over.

Besides vast facilities for all kinds of scientific research, a wide range of amenities are available for the living and receational needs of the people at the research station. There is a theatre, lecture hall, squash and tenis courts, a ballet corps to put up performances, a fashion department to cater to the dress needs of the personnel, and even a group of prostitutes to serve the unmarried.

Staff

 * Mr Aristides
 * Director - he is not named but a former revivalist preacher, chosen for his ability to give stirring speeches.
 * Dr Nielson - deputy director
 * Paul Van Heidem
 * Miss Jennson
 * Mademoiselle La Roche
 * Mohammed
 * Dr Schwartz
 * Dr Rubec
 * Hertz

Scientists and family

 * Hilary Craven
 * Thomas Betterton
 * Andrew Peters
 * Torquil Ericsson
 * Helga Needheim
 * Dr Louis Barron
 * Simon Murchison and his wife Bianca
 * Schwartz - a scientist from Munich
 * Jeffreys - English scientist
 * Davidson - English scientist
 * Paul Wade - US scientist
 * Ricochetti - Italian scientist
 * Bianco - Italian scientist
 * Dr Kolini