Mr. Gaskell

John Maltravers

Gaskell is John's loyal and trusted servant, managing his household and personal affairs with deep devotion.

Johnnie

Johnnie is a junior servant under Gaskell, assisting with household duties and errands.

Dr. Frobisher

Dr. Frobisher and Gaskell coordinate care for John, with Gaskell providing practical support and Frobisher medical oversight.

Constance Temple

Constance relies on Gaskell for information about John's state and trusts his loyalty to the family.

Sir Edward Maltravers

Gaskell serves Sir Edward as a family retainer, reporting on John's activities and maintaining the household.

Adrian Temple

Adrian interacts with Gaskell as a family member, discussing John's welfare and household matters.

Johnnie

Johnnie is a junior servant under Gaskell, assisting with household duties and errands.

John Maltravers

Gaskell is John's loyal and trusted servant, managing his household and personal affairs with deep devotion.

John Maltravers

Gaskell is John's loyal and trusted servant, managing his household and personal affairs with deep devotion.

Dr. Frobisher

Dr. Frobisher and Gaskell coordinate care for John, with Gaskell providing practical support and Frobisher medical oversight.

The Lost Stradivarius

John's close friend who confirms the supernatural presence and is a witness to the strange occurrences.

Miss Sophia Maltravers’ Story

Friend of John, who is involved in the events surrounding the violin and the supernatural occurrences.

I

Plays the same suite with John and also hears the chair creaking, expressing unease about a possible unseen listener.

II

Proposes playing the gagliarda to humor a possible spectral visitor; later confined to college for late hours.

Chapter III

Attends the Freemasons' ball with John and accompanies the party to St. John's College gardens.

IV

Provides a rational-sounding supernatural explanation, linking the music to the spirit's history and suggesting a 'sixth sense' induced by passion and music.

V

His imagined coat of arms is found on the music book, providing a rational explanation.

Chapter VI

Advises moving the bookcase and notices the acoustical improvement; present during the discovery.

VII

Visits John after the discovery, inspects the cupboard, and speculates about its former occupant, but is not told about the violin.

IX

Attempts to renew friendship with John, hears the violin, and is hurt by John's refusal to play together.

The Summer and the Wedding

Receives a first-class in examinations alongside John, but their correspondence lapses.

XIV

His description of a hall from a dream is revealed to be a real place.

XV

Accompanies John and his brother; explains the Christmas morning violin incident as sleepwalking; reassures the narrator.

Mr. Gaskell’s Note

Narrator of this chapter, provides his own perspective on Sir John's decline and the events surrounding it.