Dr Rosen

In the short story The Four Suspects, Dr Rosen was a former member of the German secret service. As part of his duties, he penetrated into the innermost circles of the German secret society "The Schwartze Hand" and was instrumental in bringing about its downfall.

As a consequence of this, Rosen knew that he was a marked man. Although the organisation was destroyed, he knew that there were former members still at liberty who would be planning revenge. Rosen came to England with letters of introduction from the German police and was interviewed by Sir Henry Clithering. He told Sir Henry that he knew the end was inevitable. He accepted his fate but hoped to have enough time to write his memoirs.

With the help of Sir Henry, Rosen installed himself in a small cottage in the quiet Somerset village of King's Gnatton. Sir Henry even sent one of his men, Charles Templeton, to act as his secretary. The only other inhabitants of Rosen's cottage were Gertrud Swartz, an old servant, Rosen's niece Greta Rosen, and the local handyman gardener Dobbs.

Five months after moving in, Rosen was found dead, apparently having fallen down the stairs. The police were certain it was murder. All the four other inhabitants of the house did not have an alibi for the time of death but equally, none of them would appear to have a motive.