# Halsey Innes — The Circular Staircase character guide > Halsey Innes in The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Halsey, Mr. Halsey, Halsey B. Innes, XI Halsey, Poor Halsey **First appearance:** 0000-i-i-take-a-country-house ## Snapshot Rachel's restless nephew, quick to grab a revolver and dash down a haunted staircase, but strangely evasive about where he goes at night. ## Who they are Halsey is the energetic, well-liked young man of the household, whose gloom over Louise Armstrong and unexplained absences unsettle his aunt long before any crime does. When a scream rings out, he takes charge without hesitation—yet his own movements that night, and the revolver found in the tulip bed, quietly implicate him. His divided loyalties between family, romance, and some secret obligation make him both the story's most capable protector and its most suspicious figure. ## Relationships ### [Gertrude Innes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/gertrude_innes) _family_ Gertrude and Halsey are siblings, with a teasing but caring relationship, often united in their concerns about the family's secrets. ### [Louise Armstrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/louise_armstrong) _romantic_ Halsey and Louise share a romantic attraction, with Halsey acting as her protector and suitor amid the unfolding danger. ### [Jack Bailey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/jack_bailey) _friendship_ Halsey and Jack are friends, though Halsey becomes conflicted when Jack is implicated in the crimes. ### [Arnold Armstrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/arnold_armstrong) _rivalry_ Arnold and Halsey are antagonists, with Arnold's hostility toward Halsey stemming from jealousy and suspicion over Louise. ### [Jack Bailey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/jack_bailey) _friendship_ Halsey and Jack are friends, though Halsey becomes conflicted when Jack is implicated in the crimes. ### [Gertrude Innes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/gertrude_innes) _family_ Gertrude and Halsey are siblings, with a teasing but caring relationship, often united in their concerns about the family's secrets. ### [Gertrude Innes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/gertrude_innes) _family_ Gertrude and Halsey are siblings, with a teasing but caring relationship, often united in their concerns about the family's secrets. ### [Arnold Armstrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/arnold_armstrong) _rivalry_ Arnold and Halsey are antagonists, with Arnold's hostility toward Halsey stemming from jealousy and suspicion over Louise. ### [Louise Armstrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/louise_armstrong) _romantic_ Halsey and Louise share a romantic attraction, with Halsey acting as her protector and suitor amid the unfolding danger. ### [Louise Armstrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/louise_armstrong) _romantic_ Halsey and Louise share a romantic attraction, with Halsey acting as her protector and suitor amid the unfolding danger. ### [Arnold Armstrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/arnold_armstrong) _rivalry_ Arnold and Halsey are antagonists, with Arnold's hostility toward Halsey stemming from jealousy and suspicion over Louise. ## In the story ### [I: I Take a Country House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/i-i-take-a-country-house) Rachel's nephew, who suggests renting a country house and is attentive to Louise Armstrong. ### [III: Mr. John Bailey Appears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/iii-mr-john-bailey-appears) Brings Jack Bailey as a guest; his bed is found unoccupied after the shot. ### [Where Is Halsey?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/iv-where-is-halsey) Missing; his revolver is found buried in the garden. ### [V: Gertrude's Engagement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/v-gertrude-s-engagement) Absent during the investigation; mentioned as having left with Jack Bailey after a phone call, and his revolver is later found in the tulip bed. ### [VI: In the East Corridor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/vi-in-the-east-corridor) Halsey is absent and his whereabouts are unknown. A scrap of paper with his signature practiced repeatedly is found among Arnold's effects. ### [VIII: The Other Half of the Line](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/viii-the-other-half-of-the-line) Suspected by Jamieson of admitting Bailey and possibly shooting Armstrong, then fleeing. ### [IX: Just Like a Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/ix-just-like-a-girl) Returns to Sunnyside, confesses his love for Louise Armstrong, and explains his secret departure but refuses to reveal his whereabouts. ### [X: The Traders’ Bank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/x-the-traders-bank) Halsey defends Jack Bailey and reveals he expected the bank's collapse, but not so soon. ### [XI: Halsey Makes a Capture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xi-halsey-makes-a-capture) Accompanies Rachel on a walk, discusses the murder, reenacts the crime scene, and attempts to capture a mysterious intruder on the staircase, falling and cutting his forehead. ### [XII: One Mystery for Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xii-one-mystery-for-another) Suspicious of Mrs. Watson, accompanies Rachel to the lodge, and recognizes Louise Armstrong. ### [XIII: Louise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xiii-louise) Confronts Louise about her refusal to marry him, expresses hurt pride and defiance, and is seen leaving after the emotional conversation. ### [An Eggnog and a Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xiv-an-eggnog-and-a-telegram) Goes for a walk with Gertrude; implied to be in love with Louise. ### [XV: Liddy Gives the Alarm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xv-liddy-gives-the-alarm) Halsey is distraught over Louise's refusal to see him; he discusses the situation with Rachel and later investigates the pounding sounds. ### [XVI: In the Early Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xvi-in-the-early-morning) Runs to the staircase, finds Louise, examines the circular staircase and entry with Rachel, and takes notes on a scrap of paper. ### [XVII: A Hint of Scandal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xvii-a-hint-of-scandal) Testifies about his interactions with Arnold Armstrong and Jack Bailey on the night of the murder. ### [XVIII: A Hole in the Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xviii-a-hole-in-the-wall) Halsey dismisses the hole as old plaster, grows moody watching Louise, and arranges a phone call to speak with her privately. ### [XX: Doctor Walker’s Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xx-doctor-walker-s-warning) Halsey is present during the discovery of Thomas's body and suggests searching the grounds, though Jamieson disagrees. ### [XXII: A Ladder Out of Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxii-a-ladder-out-of-place) Plays golf, sleeps on the davenport, and later guards the house with Alex; helps remove 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) Halsey organizes the watch with Sam Bohannon, responds to the fire, and later searches the house for the intruder. ### [XXIV: Flinders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxiv-flinders) Mentioned as having not fully confided in Rachel; he called Mr. Jamieson about the fire. ### [XXVI: Halsey's Disappearance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxvi-halsey-s-disappearance) Disappears after crashing his car into a freight car; last seen visiting Doctor Walker and Louise Armstrong. ### [XXVII: Who Is Nina Carrington?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxvii-who-is-nina-carrington) Remains missing; Rachel believes his disappearance is linked to Nina Carrington and Doctor Walker. ### [XXVIII: A Tramp and the Toothache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxviii-a-tramp-and-the-toothache) His watch is recovered; revealed to have been attacked, gagged, and left in a boxcar; believed to be alive but missing. ### [XXX: When Churchyards Yawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxx-when-churchyards-yawn) Reported found alive at City Hospital in Johnsville, prompting Gertrude's journey. ### [XXXI: Between Two Fireplaces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxxi-between-two-fireplaces) Mentioned as recovering from his injuries; Rachel reconstructs his confrontation with Doctor Walker. ### [At the Foot of the Stairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxxiii-at-the-foot-of-the-stairs) Expected to return home that night; his arrival is signaled by the sound of an automobile. ### [The Odds and Ends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-odds-and-ends) Learns the truth, goes to Louise, and is reconciled with her; had been kidnapped and left in a box car for three days. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/halsey_innes - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters