Rod Hoze was the adult nephew of the wealthy Mrs. Hoze. Rod had narrow eyes, dark hair and a moustache. Rod lived on his aunt's estate with his cousin Nilon. When Nilon and Rod learned that their aunt intended to marry Mortimer (a wealthy man from the west with whom she had been corresponding), they became worried. Believing that a marriage would interfere with their lavish lifestyle (and plans to inherit their aunt's fortune), Nilon and Rod plotted to prevent the marriage.