Eldroth is a sinister, brooding character. Even his name conjures up fear. He is a hired assassin of the House of York, hired to do their dirty work. He has gained military experience in the Hundred Years War with France and we learn that he is a despoiler of nuns and a murderer of children. Ideal qualifications for putting him on the trail of young Henry Clifford. Eldroth is a skilled operator and moves about the shadows of the book, seemingly unstoppable. Just when we think he has gained the upper hand, he is thwarted by honest Tom Lawkland and meets his death in remarkable circumstances.