# XIV: The Man Who Looked Like Frank explained — The Man Who Knew > Chapter companion for The Man Who Knew by Edgar Wallace. ## What happens Saul Arthur Mann continues his investigation into John Minute's murder, uncovering more mysteries. He learns from Constable Wiseman about Sergeant Smith's daughter, a pretty dark girl who lived with him briefly. Mann also discovers that Rex Holland, a man who inquired after Frank Merrill at Montreux, is a distinct figure. Frank expresses despair over losing May Nuttall to Jasper Cole's influence, hinting at secrets he cannot reveal. Later, Mann witnesses a shocking scene in Flowerton Road: a man who is the exact double of Frank Merrill strikes a girl and flees, deepening the enigma. ## Themes in this chapter ### Identity and Deception The appearance of a man who is the exact double of Frank Merrill creates confusion about identity and suggests deliberate deception. ### Secrecy and Knowledge Frank Merrill withholds crucial information about Rex Holland and the quarrel with his uncle, while Saul Arthur Mann struggles to uncover hidden truths. ### Appearance vs. Reality The double of Frank Merrill appears to be a violent man, contrasting with Frank's own character, and the surface of events masks deeper mysteries. ## Character check-ins ### Frank Merrill Frank is distressed about losing May Nuttall to Jasper Cole and refuses to disclose all he knows about Rex Holland, hinting at hidden secrets. ### Saul Arthur Mann The investigator tirelessly pursues leads, interviews Constable Wiseman, and witnesses a man who looks exactly like Frank Merrill striking a girl. ### Constable Wiseman Provides information about Sergeant Smith's daughter, a pretty dark girl who lived with him briefly after his arrival in Eastbourne. ### Rex Holland A mysterious figure who inquired after Frank Merrill at Montreux, described as a young man with a languid manner, distinct from Sergeant Smith. ### Jasper Cole Exercises a sinister influence over May Nuttall, causing Frank to fear losing her; he visited John Minute's house only once after the murder. ### The Girl A pale, pretty girl seen pleading with the man who looks like Frank Merrill; she is struck by him and pushed back into the house. ## Key lines > The most strenuous efforts which the official police had made, added to the investigations which Saul Arthur Mann had conducted independently, had failed to trace the fugitive ex-sergeant of police. Despite extensive police work and Mann's own inquiries, the former police sergeant remained untraceable. _Highlights the difficulty in locating Sergeant Smith._ > It was as though fate had conspired to show the boy in the blackest light. Circumstances seemed to deliberately portray Frank Merrill as guilty. _Reflects the theme of appearance vs. reality._ > The man was the exact double of Frank Merrill. The man looked precisely like Frank Merrill. _Key moment of mistaken identity._ > She again grasped his arm and raised her face imploringly. Mr. Mann gasped, for he saw the young man’s hand come up and strike her back into the house. The girl begged him, but he hit her and forced her inside. _Shows the violent nature of the double._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xiv-the-man-who-looked-like-frank - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_who_knew_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters