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Dr. Yu Tsun

The protagonist, a Chinese man working as a spy for the German government during World War I. Yu Tsun is clever, bold, and determined. He takes decisive action without regard for his personal safety or feelings and feels satisfaction when he achieves his goals.

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Dr. Stephen Albert

An elderly British man who studies Chinese culture, in particular the works of Ts-ui Pên. Albert is patient and intellectually curious, devoting his life to the painstaking study of Ts-ui Pên’s work. His calm and open demeanor reminds Yu Tsun of a priest.

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Captain Richard Madden

An Irish man working for the British government, hunting spies. Because he is Irish, Madden is suspected by his English colleagues of not being devoted to helping England. 

Ts'ui Pên

Yu Tsun’s great-grandfather, a Chinese leader and intellectual. Ts-ui Pên was fascinated by labyrinths, time, and the idea of infinity.  

The Chief 

The officer in Germany overseeing Yu Tsun and Runeberg. The Chief, a racist, hates Yu Tsun because he fears Chinese people. 

Editor

The narrator whose commentary begins the story. 

Viktor Runeberg

A colleague of Yu Tsun, also a spy for Imperial Germany working in Britain. Also known as Hans Rabener.

Children on the platform

Children at Ashgrove who direct Yu Tsun to Dr. Albert’s house. 

Captain Liddell Hart

A historian who has written about the bombing of a British airfield in World War I.

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