Sergeant O'Connor

In the novel Cards on the Table, Sergeant O'Connor is a handsome and tall police sergeant. He is "erect" and "broad-shouldered", but it is "less the regularity of his features than the rogueish and daredevil spark in his eye" which makes him irresitible to women. He is known for getting facts from women for police investigations, earning him the nickname of "The Maidservant's Prayer". He is involved in the murder case of Mr Shaitana.

Sergeant O'Connor is tasked with approaching Elsie Batt unofficially, to get information about the Craddocks, for whom she had worked. He takes her to the Willy Nilly Revue, and mentions that he once worked for a man who was named Craddock. Elsie then says that she had worked for a couple named Craddock.

Sergeant O'Connor learns about how Mrs Craddock always complained about her husband negecting her, and how she was always sending for Dr Roberts. He also learns of a row between Mr Craddock and Dr Roberts, where Mr Craddock was accusing the doctor of unprofessional conduct, and threatening to have him struck off the Medical Register. The doctor had calmed Mr Craddock down, and had washed his hands in the dressing-room before going on to his next case. Sergeant O'Connor thinks that it is fortunate that Elsie was approached unofficially, because in a proper interrogation, she would not have admitted to overhearing any of the argument.

Sergeant O'Connor later tells Elsie that he has to go away on business for his firm, and may have to go abroad.

Portrayals
In the the film adaptation of Cards on the Table in Series 10 of ITV's Agatha Christie's Poirot drama series, the part of Sergeant O'Connor is played by Philip Wright. Elsie Batt does not appear in this adaptation, and Sergeant O'Connor is not tasked with getting information from her. Instead, he assists Superintendent Wheeler during the interviewing of the suspects on the night Mr Shaitana is killed.