# The Girl Who Cried explained — The Man Who Knew

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

## What happens

A young girl arrives at King's Cross station, bewildered and burdened with parcels, and is met by a harsh, irritable man who berates her for her perceived stupidity. He takes her to a house in Camden Town, where she is treated coldly. Later, a motorcyclist surveils the house, and a man named Crawley visits the girl's husband, discussing blackmail, a dangerous secret, and a plan involving John Minute's relative. The husband, revealed to be a drug user, prepares a hypodermic syringe while the girl weeps alone.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Knowledge

The husband's insistence on hiding his relationship with the girl, the surveillance by the motorcyclist, and the secret discussions between Crawley and the husband highlight the theme of hidden knowledge and dangerous secrets.

### Love and Manipulation

The girl's submissive devotion contrasts with her husband's brutal manipulation and threats, illustrating a toxic relationship built on control and fear.

### Crime and Justice

Blackmail, drug use, and the threat of exposure permeate the chapter, with characters engaging in criminal activities and seeking to evade justice.

## Character check-ins

### The Girl

A young, timid girl of about eighteen, struggling with parcels and bullied by her husband; she is left weeping in the cold dining room.

### Mr. Crawley

A dark, dour man of fifty, a former member of the Matabeleland mounted police, who meets with the girl's husband to discuss blackmail and a proposition.

### Rex Holland

The girl's husband, a harsh and secretive man who uses aliases; he is involved in drug use and blackmail, and is concerned about John Minute's relative.

### John Minute

Referenced as the old man who may have something against Crawley and whose relative is a target of the men's schemes.

## Key lines

> You are a stone around my neck

You are a burden to me

_The husband expresses his resentment toward the girl, viewing her as an obstacle._

> I have to hide you, and all the time I’m in a fret as to whether you will give me away or not.

I must keep you concealed, and I constantly worry that you might expose me.

_The husband reveals his fear of being discovered through the girl._

> I’ve got a fortune in my hand if I work my cards right

I have the potential to gain a large sum of money if I play my hand cleverly.

_Crawley boasts about his blackmail scheme involving John Minute._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/ii-the-girl-who-cried
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_who_knew_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters