Mentioned as the returned bride whose brothers (the Vicario twins) intend to kill Santiago.

The bishop whose steamboat’s arrival frames the day’s events, though he never disembarks.

Proprietress of the milk shop where the Vicario twins wait; she first sees Santiago exiting his house.

Santiago’s friend who walks with him toward the square and promises to visit Margot’s house.

Introduced as Victoria’s daughter, who serves Santiago coffee and interacts with him nervously.

Retired colonel and long‑time mayor who waves to Santiago, expressing personal belief he is safe.

Local priest who claims he saw Santiago safe and dismisses danger.

Mentioned as a former lover of Victoria and relative of Santiago, who bought the old warehouse.

Narrator’s sister, present at the docks and later reflects on the murder’s impact.

The other twin brother who plans to kill Santiago, also waiting in the shop.

One of the twin brothers who plan to kill Santiago, waiting in Clotilde Armenta’s shop.

Introduced as Santiago’s mother, a dream interpreter who recalls his childhood and his habits.

Introduced as the young ranch owner who awakens on the day of his murder, dressed in white linen and carrying firearms but leaving ammunition aside.

Introduced as the house cook, quartering rabbits and serving Santiago coffee.

Butcher friend who saw the twins sharpen knives at the market

Woman who first saw the brothers' knives in the street light and wept

Officer who bought milk for the mayor and overheard the twins' murderous plans

House where the twins initially searched for Santiago

Vicario brothers' fiancée who supplied newspaper for wrapping knives

Physician who treated Santiago at age twelve and later comments on the autopsy

Bayardo's father who receives the telegram about his son's condition

Witness who saw Bayardo San Roman unconscious and later alive

Centenarian matriarch who gave the twins a remedy of passion‑flower and absinthe

Widower who later discovers Bayardo's drunken collapse

Daughter of Poncho and Flora who describes Santiago’s dignified walk

Woman who offers Santiago coffee to buy him time

Santiago's fiancée who tries to shelter him before his murder

Townsperson asked by the twins to warn Santiago but loses his nerve

Newly graduated magistrate who writes marginal red‑ink notes while investigating

Town mayor who promises to secure the twins’ knives but delays

Narrator’s acquaintance who thanks God for the perceived resolution

Flora Miguel’s father, Bedouin‑clad, who confronts Santiago in his house

Husband of Flora Miguel who witnesses Santiago’s blood‑covered entrance

Uplander who distracts Cristo Bedoya with her dying father

Shoe‑store owner who is frightened by Santiago’s pallor

Aunt who sees Santiago stumbling after the murder

Arab counselor and former card partner of Ibrahim Nasar who tries to warn Santiago