The Case of the Deadly Toy

Cast of Characters

MERVIN SELKIRK — The rich son of a powerful man, he has perfect manners — and a lightly concealed sadistic streak

NORDA ALLISON — Breaking her engagement to Mervin was a good move, but soon after she begins to get very ominous letters

ROBERT SELKIRK — Mervin’s seven-year-old son, he is allowed a deadly plaything — a .22 pistol

NATHAN BENEDICT — Norda’s new suitor, he finds that their romance, and Norda’s life, are both threatened

LORRAINE SELKIRK JENNINGS — Mervin’s former wife, she desperately wants custody of her son Robert

BARTON JENNINGS — Lorraine’s new husband, he appears calm and substantial

PERRY MASON — Crack criminal lawyer whose responsibility to his client leads him into some strange byways

DELLA STREET — Mason’s confidential, executive, and private secretary — and his constant companion

PAUL DRAKE — Head of the Drake Detective Agency, and Mason’s old friend, he sends along a maiden in distress

MR. AND MRS. JONATHAN GALES — The Jennings’ next-door neighbors, they are disturbed to see Robert with a real gun — and even more disturbed by the blood on the sidewalk

LIEUTENANT TRAGG — The doughty Homicide man whose bark is worse than his bite — if he doesn’t suspect you of murder

HORACE LIVERMORE SELKIRK — One of the most powerful men in California, Mervin’s father thought he could control anybody — until he met Perry Mason

HANNAH BASS — A babysitter with a strange notion of children’s toys

MISS M. ADRIAN — The sort of neighbor who hears all — and tells all

GRACE HALLUM — A babysitter asked to take her charge a long way — to Mexico City

MANLEY MARSHALL — Trial deputy for the district attorney’s office, he has an eye witness to a murder — but who did she see?

SERGEANT HOLCOMB — Of the police — thought his evidence was brilliant, until Mason began his cross-examination

HAMILTON BURGER — District Attorney beleaguered by Mason’s methods — and his results

MILLICENT BAILEY — A date with her boyfriend gave her a chance to see a murderer