# Mr. Blake — A Strange Disappearance character guide > Mr. Blake in A Strange Disappearance by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Blake of Second Avenue **First appearance:** 0000-i-a-novel-case ## Who they are A wealthy Second Avenue bachelor whose wife has vanished, he prowls the Bowery in grim silence, stopping ragged strangers as if they held the key. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. Daniels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/mrs_daniels) _professional_ Mr. Blake is the employer and Mrs. Daniels is a housekeeper or servant, with frequent interactions suggesting close oversight or dependence. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/mr_gryce) _professional_ Mr. Blake and Mr. Gryce collaborate as client and detective, working together to solve the mystery. ### [The Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/the_girl) _psychological_ Mr. Blake appears obsessed with or deeply concerned about the girl, possibly as a victim or object of his fixation. ### [The Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/the_lady) _family_ Mr. Blake and the Lady are likely married or closely related, given the high interaction frequency and domestic context. ### [Madame Dudevant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/madame_dudevant) _social_ Madame Dudevant is likely a social acquaintance or guest in Mr. Blake's circle, with limited but notable interactions. ### [The Master of the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/the_master_of_the_house) _family_ Mr. Blake and the Master of the House are probably father and son or close male relatives, given the domestic hierarchy. ### [Countess De Mirac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/countess_de_mirac) _social_ Countess De Mirac is a socialite or aristocrat who interacts with Mr. Blake in high-society settings. ### [Thompson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/thompson) _professional_ Thompson is likely a butler or manservant to Mr. Blake, handling household or personal duties. ### [Fanny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/fanny) _professional_ Fanny serves Mr. Blake as a maid or household employee, with interactions centered on domestic tasks. ### [Servants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/servants) _professional_ Mr. Blake interacts with the household servants collectively, giving orders or seeking information. ### [Mrs. Daniels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/mrs_daniels) _professional_ Mr. Blake is the employer and Mrs. Daniels is a housekeeper or servant, with frequent interactions suggesting close oversight or dependence. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/mr_gryce) _professional_ Mr. Blake and Mr. Gryce collaborate as client and detective, working together to solve the mystery. ## In the story ### [I: A Novel Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/i-a-novel-case) The master of the house on Second Avenue; a reserved man who dismisses the servant's disappearance and leaves household matters to the housekeeper. ### [A Few Points](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/ii-a-few-points) Master of the house, initially indifferent to the disappearance but eventually agrees to view the room. ### [The Contents of a Bureau Drawer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/iii-the-contents-of-a-bureau-drawer) Visits Emily's room briefly, dismisses the matter as serious but allows investigation, then leaves for an appointment. ### [IV: Thompson's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/iv-thompson-s-story) Dismisses knowledge of the sewing-girl and shows haughty demeanor; later seen peering through the gate at night. ### [V: A New York Belle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/v-a-new-york-belle) Attends the Charity Ball, where he encounters the Countess De Mirac and engages in a tense conversation about their past. ### [VI: A Bit of Calico](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/vi-a-bit-of-calico) Shows extreme restlessness, searching the streets for a woman; accosts a girl in a calico dress; prepares for a journey to Putney, Vermont. ### [VII: The House at the Granby Cross Roads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/vii-the-house-at-the-granby-cross-roads) Travels secretly to a remote Vermont inn, examines a pistol, and attempts to enter the deserted house before returning to Melville. ### [A Word Overheard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/viii-a-word-overheard) Returns home to find the Countess with Mrs. Daniels; escorts the Countess to his studio for a private conversation that alarms Fanny. ### [IX: A Few Golden Hairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/ix-a-few-golden-hairs) Mentioned in connection with the missing girl and a planned dinner party that may be interrupted. ### [X: The Secret of Mr. Blake's Studio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/x-the-secret-of-mr-blake-s-studio) Hosts a dinner party, initially dismisses the matter but is forced to accompany Gryce to his studio. ### [XI: Luttra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xi-luttra) Reveals the portrait is of his secret wife and narrates his past, including his father's influence and his encounter with Luttra. ### [XII: A Woman’s Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xii-a-woman-s-love) Narrates his decision to marry Luttra, his shock at her transformation, and his regret after she overhears his words. ### [XIII: A Man’s Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xiii-a-man-s-heart) Narrates his past marriage to Luttra, his father's death, and his obsessive search for his wife. ### [XIV: Mrs. Daniels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xiv-mrs-daniels) Confronts Mrs. Daniels, learns the girl was his wife, and declares his love and determination to find her. ### [A Confab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xv-a-confab) Discussed as the intended target of the Schoenmakers' blackmail scheme; his house is considered the focal point of the gang's plans. ### [XVI: The Mark of the Red Cross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xvi-the-mark-of-the-red-cross) Referenced as the husband whose wife Gryce seeks to protect from scandal. ### [Love and Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xviii-love-and-duty) Confronts his wife's father and brother after their capture; declares he will do nothing to free them and seeks reconciliation with Luttra. ### [Explanations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xix-explanations) Overwrought with emotion, he sends a note to Mrs. Daniels and confronts Luttra, demanding an explanation. ### [XX: The Bond That Unites](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xx-the-bond-that-unites) Reveals his father's will and urges Luttra to marry him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters/mr_blake - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/characters