# Alexander Graham — The Circular Staircase character guide

> Alexander Graham in The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Alex

**First appearance:** 0003-iv-where-is-halsey

## Snapshot

Halsey's friend, drawn into the Sunnyside vigil, who alternates night watches at the east entry and is first down the stairs when the stable burns.

## Who they are

Alex Graham belongs to the small circle of men Halsey trusts to guard the house against intruders, sharing the rotating watch through the night while Sam signals from outside. He is practical rather than dramatic, awake and moving the moment the fire bell sounds, one of the few figures in the household whose role is simply to be where he is needed. His presence matters because the early arc depends on this improvised defense — and on how easily it is breached.

## In the story

### [XIII: Louise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xiii-louise)

Arrives as the new gardener, described as pleasant-faced with black hair and blue eyes, and is noted to play an important role later.

### [XVI: In the Early Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xvi-in-the-early-morning)

Moved to sleep in the east wing for security after the night's events.

### [XXII: A Ladder Out of Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxii-a-ladder-out-of-place)

Alex the gardener is seen on the bridge smoking a pipe; he helps guard the house and removes the ladder from the chute.

### [XXIII: While the Stables Burned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxiii-while-the-stables-burned)

Alex assists Halsey in arranging the watch and helps search the house after the fire.

### [XXVIII: A Tramp and the Toothache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxviii-a-tramp-and-the-toothache)

Brings the tramp to Sunnyside; found Halsey's watch and secured it; recounts the tramp's story about Halsey's attack.

### [XXX: When Churchyards Yawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxx-when-churchyards-yawn)

Brings the spades and helps dig up the grave.

### [At the Foot of the Stairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxxiii-at-the-foot-of-the-stairs)

Determined to liberate Rachel from the hidden room.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/alexander_graham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters