The Man Who Knew · Chapter
III: Four Important Characters explained
The narrator introduces the unusual story of 'The Man Who Knew', reconstructed from trial reports, confidential material from Saul Arthur Mann's bureau, and May Nuttall's diary.
What happens
The narrator introduces the unusual story of 'The Man Who Knew', reconstructed from trial reports, confidential material from Saul Arthur Mann's bureau, and May Nuttall's diary. The narrative cuts into the lives of characters on July 17, 19—, beginning with a dead man lying on the sidewalk in Gray Square, Bloomsbury. A constable and a visiting Sussex constable, Wiseman, attend the body. Meanwhile, Frank Merrill and May Nuttall observe a peculiar little man watching the scene. Frank expresses jealousy over Jasper Cole's influence on his uncle, John Minute. May, who is supported by John Minute, works as a nurse in the East End. That night, while making her rounds in Silvertown, she is astonished to see Jasper Cole in a dark courtyard.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Knowledge
The chapter is built on reconstructed reports and confidential material, emphasizing hidden knowledge. May Nuttall's diary and Saul Arthur Mann's bureau are sources of secret information.
Appearance vs. Reality
Frank Merrill perceives Jasper Cole as a 'sly, soft-footed sneak' while May finds him polite and kind. The dead man's sneer and mean appearance contrast with the softening effect of death.
Characters to notice
- Frank Merrill
Walking with May Nuttall in Gray Square, he comments on a peculiar little man and expresses jealousy towards Jasper Cole's influence over his uncle John Minute.
- May Nuttall
Accompanies Frank Merrill, discusses her gratitude to John Minute, and later works as a nurse in the East End. She is astonished to see Jasper Cole in a dark courtyard during her rounds.
- Jasper Cole
John Minute's secretary, whom Frank Merrill distrusts. He is seen by May Nuttall in a dark courtyard in Silvertown, surprising her.
- John Minute
The Rhodesian millionaire who supports May Nuttall and employs Jasper Cole. He is mentioned as having suggested a marriage between May and Cole.
- Constable Wiseman
A Sussex constable who joins the crowd around the dead man in Gray Square and offers assistance to the London constable.
Key passages
“Truth is stranger than fiction, and has need to be, since most fiction is founded on truth.”
Reality is more unusual than invented stories, and it must be, because most fiction is based on real events.
The narrator justifies the unusual nature of the story by asserting its basis in truth.
“He is one of those sly, soft-footed sneaks you can never get to the bottom of.”
He is a cunning, quiet person whose true motives are impossible to uncover.
Frank Merrill expresses his distrust of Jasper Cole.