# The Man in the Laboratory explained — The Man Who Knew

> Chapter companion for The Man Who Knew by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

John Minute discusses his mining shares and his ward May Nuttall with his secretary Jasper Cole, revealing his distrust of Sergeant Smith and his premonition of a violent death. Jasper secretly receives and burns a letter from a private investigator, hinting at a hidden search.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Knowledge

Jasper Cole secretly intercepts and burns a letter, while John Minute hides his past dealings with Sergeant Smith.

### Class and Wealth

John Minute's wealth and his control over May Nuttall's inheritance highlight class dynamics and financial power.

### Family and Betrayal

John Minute's distrust of his nephew Frank Merrill and his preference for Jasper Cole suggest underlying family tensions.

## Character check-ins

### John Minute

Reveals his wealth, his ward May Nuttall, his fear of Sergeant Smith, and his belief he will die violently.

### Jasper Cole

Acts as John Minute's confidential secretary, secretly intercepts a letter, and burns it.

### May Nuttall

Mentioned as John Minute's ward and the beneficiary of half the Gwelo Deeps shares.

### Frank Merrill

Mentioned as John Minute's nephew and an accountant at a bank, formerly secretary of the Gwelo Deeps.

### Sergeant Smith

Referred to as a dangerous rascal whom John Minute pays weekly to avoid trouble.

### Constable Wiseman

Mentioned as a foolish policeman who has summoned John Minute three times.

## Key lines

> I shall die a violent death; I know it.

John Minute is convinced he will be killed violently.

_Foreshadows the murder of John Minute._

> Sergeant Smith is a pretty tough proposition. I know, and I have known him for years.

John Minute admits he has a long history with the dangerous Sergeant Smith.

_Establishes the threat Sergeant Smith poses._

> He lured me into the Gwelo Deeps against my better judgment. We sank a bore three thousand feet and found everything except gold.

John Minute was persuaded by May's father to invest in a failed gold mine.

_Explains the origin of May's shares and John's lingering resentment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/i-the-man-in-the-laboratory
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_who_knew_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters