# William Knollys — Lost Man’s Lane character guide > William Knollys in Lost Man’s Lane by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** William, Mr. William, little William **First appearance:** 0003-book-i-the-knollys-family ## Snapshot The Knollys brother whose harsh laughter, blundering tongue, and sullen rages threaten to betray whatever the family is working so hard to hide. ## Who they are William is the volatile male presence at the gate and in the stable, mocked as foolish yet clearly trusted with the family's heaviest errands. He resents the restraint imposed on him, snaps at Lucetta's fears, and lets slip remarks that make even a neighbor start with horror. His unpredictability keeps the household on edge and gives the investigation its most dangerous loose end. ## Relationships ### [Lucetta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/lucetta) _romantic_ Lucetta and William are deeply entangled in a romantic relationship, though it is fraught with secrecy and potential danger. ### [Deacon Spear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/deacon_spear) _rivalry_ Deacon Spear and William Knollys are antagonists, with Spear likely suspecting William of wrongdoing or opposing his relationship with Lucetta. ### [Mr. Trohm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/mr_trohm) _rivalry_ Mr. Trohm and William Knollys are in conflict, possibly over Lucetta or hidden family secrets. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/mr_gryce) _professional_ Mr. Gryce questions William Knollys as a person of interest in the investigation, creating a formal but tense dynamic. ### [Saracen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/saracen) _friendship_ Saracen is a loyal dog who accompanies William Knollys, indicating a bond of companionship. ### [Mother Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/mother_jane) _social_ Mother Jane and William Knollys have a distant, wary acquaintance, with Mother Jane possibly knowing his secrets. ### [Lucetta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/lucetta) _romantic_ Lucetta and William are deeply entangled in a romantic relationship, though it is fraught with secrecy and potential danger. ### [Lucetta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/lucetta) _romantic_ Lucetta and William are deeply entangled in a romantic relationship, though it is fraught with secrecy and potential danger. ### [Deacon Spear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/deacon_spear) _rivalry_ Deacon Spear and William Knollys are antagonists, with Spear likely suspecting William of wrongdoing or opposing his relationship with Lucetta. ### [Saracen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/saracen) _friendship_ Saracen is a loyal dog who accompanies William Knollys, indicating a bond of companionship. ### [Mr. Trohm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/mr_trohm) _rivalry_ Mr. Trohm and William Knollys are in conflict, possibly over Lucetta or hidden family secrets. ### [Deacon Spear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/deacon_spear) _rivalry_ Deacon Spear and William Knollys are antagonists, with Spear likely suspecting William of wrongdoing or opposing his relationship with Lucetta. ## In the story ### [Book I: The Knollys Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/book-i-the-knollys-family) The young son of the Knollys family, who first draws Miss Butterworth's attention. ### [A Strange Household](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/v-a-strange-household) Stolid and indifferent, he makes crude remarks about Mr. Trohm and refuses to work, causing Lucetta visible distress. ### [The First Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/vii-the-first-night) Heard swearing in the hallway, confirming his presence and rough demeanor during the nighttime disturbance. ### [On the Stairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/viii-on-the-stairs) Heard speaking roughly with the coachman about keeping 'the old girl' out of the house. ### [A New Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/ix-a-new-acquaintance) Shows selfishness and resentment toward his sisters; expresses desire to have the house to himself; laughs rudely at the lane's reputation. ### [Secret Instructions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/x-secret-instructions) Carries Lucetta inside, criticizes her fears, and argues with her about Mr. Trohm. ### [XIII: Gossip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xiii-gossip) Described as stupid and brutal, holding a third share in the house, and lacking heart and brains. ### [XIV: I Forget My Age, or, Rather, Remember It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xiv-i-forget-my-age-or-rather-remember-it) William appears at the gate, interrupting Mr. Trohm's warning to Miss Butterworth. ### [XV: Lucetta Fulfils My Expectation of Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xv-lucetta-fulfils-my-expectation-of-her) Displays brutish behavior, seizing Lucetta's wrist and cursing, yet reveals a conflicted nature. ### [XVI: Loreen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xvi-loreen) William is boorish at dinner until a warning glance from Loreen silences him; his earlier rude question about 'the old girl' reinforces Amelia's suspicions. ### [The Flower Parlor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xvii-the-flower-parlor) Referenced as the owner of the Flower Parlor and seen from the window in the courtyard with a dog. ### [The Second Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xviii-the-second-night) Mentioned as being well and feeding the dogs in the morning. ### [A Knot of Crape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xix-a-knot-of-crape) Whistles cheerfully in the window; reluctantly accompanies Amelia on her garden tour, grumbling at her botanical interests. ### [Questions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xx-questions) Mentioned as having left Miss Butterworth at the gate after she refused to drag her skirts through the briers. ### [Mother Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxi-mother-jane) Suspicious of Mr. Trohm's motives; asks Amelia to help communicate with Mother Jane; shows irritation and anger. ### [The Third Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxii-the-third-night) Participates in carrying the body; his stolid tones are heard. ### [Room 3, Hotel Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxiii-room-3-hotel-carter) Surly brother of Lucetta; he drives Miss Butterworth to the village and is dismissive of her, but she manages to shake him off at the hotel. ### [The Enigma of Numbers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxiv-the-enigma-of-numbers) Mentioned as having a secret passion for vivisection, and his room contains a knot of crape and an open Bible. ### [A Point Gained](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxvi-a-point-gained) His room is the site of the discovered evidence, and his character is questioned. ### [The Text Witnesseth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxvii-the-text-witnesseth) Drives Miss Butterworth home, expresses bitterness toward the neighborhood and hints at an imminent change in the family's circumstances. ### [Strategy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxxi-strategy) Shows impatience and anger at the investigation; Miss Butterworth plants tacks in his boots. ### [Relief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxxii-relief) Unwittingly reveals the location of hidden evidence by his footsteps; later returns angry, blaming his sisters for exposing his vivisection and declaring he will play detective. ### [XXXIII: Lucetta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxxiii-lucetta) Bursts in with news about the police searches at Deacon Spear's and Mr. Trohm's houses, expressing glee over the former. ### [An Hour of Startling Experiences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxxvi-an-hour-of-startling-experiences) Accompanies Miss Butterworth to Deacon Spear's house, displaying a mischievous and mocking attitude. ### [I Astonish Mr. Gryce and He Astonishes Me](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxxvii-i-astonish-mr-gryce-and-he-astonishes-me) Drives Miss Butterworth; expresses his belief that Deacon Spear is responsible for the disappearances and defends Mr. Trohm. ### [Explanations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xl-explanations) Agrees to fix the grounds using his own money and expresses his intention to live and die in the house. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters/william_knollys - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/characters