# Alison West — The Man in Lower Ten character guide > Alison West in The Man in Lower Ten by Mary Roberts Rinehart. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Alison, West, Allie, Miss West **First appearance:** 0001-ii-a-torn-telegram ## Snapshot A young woman in blue with an unforgettable face, whose dejection and clenched secrets pull the narrator into the wreck's deeper mystery. ## Who they are She meets the narrator on the train and again in the aftermath of the disaster, where she binds his broken arm and improvises a child's straw hat into something radiant. Something weighs on her — a small object clutched tight, a startled look at his borrowed clothes, a gaze fixed down an empty road. Her composure and her evasions make her both the story's romantic center and its most guarded witness. ## In the story ### [I Go to Pittsburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/i-i-go-to-pittsburg) John Gilmore's granddaughter; her photograph is seen on Gilmore's bedside table, and she is mentioned as the recipient of a letter possibly forged by Bronson. ### [A Torn Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/ii-a-torn-telegram) The narrator associates John Gilmore's granddaughter with the name 'West' that McKnight had flung at him; her picture lingers in his thoughts. ### [Across the Aisle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/iii-across-the-aisle) A young woman in blue with an unforgettable face, seen by the narrator as he emerges from the dressing-room. ### [V: The Woman in the Next Car](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/v-the-woman-in-the-next-car) The young woman who approaches the narrator, mistaking him for someone else, and later asks for a stimulant for a fainting woman. ### [The Girl in Blue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/vi-the-girl-in-blue) The girl in blue who accompanies the narrator through the train, reacts with fascination to his cigarette case, and later defends him, saying 'They are all mad.' ### [VII: A Fine Gold Chain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/vii-a-fine-gold-chain) The girl in blue (Alison West) tries to speak to the narrator urgently just before the crash. ### [VIII: The Second Section](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/viii-the-second-section) The girl in blue who aids Blakeley after the crash, cutting the sealskin bag from his arm and helping him to safety. ### [IX: The Halcyon Breakfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/ix-the-halcyon-breakfast) Alison reveals her name and that she was on her way to meet Richey McKnight. She is troubled and perplexed, but shares a peaceful breakfast with the narrator. ### [Miss West's Request](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/x-miss-west-s-request) Shows extreme distress and secrecy; asks Blakeley to conceal their meeting and her involvement in the wreck; makes a cryptic request about her reputation. ### [The Gold Bag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xii-the-gold-bag) The narrator's thoughts constantly return to her; her gold bag contains a broken necklace that matches the bloodstained chain from the crime scene. ### [The Cinematograph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xv-the-cinematograph) Referenced as the woman from the train and the empty house; the narrator is conflicted about her involvement. ### [The Shadow of a Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xvi-the-shadow-of-a-girl) The girl in white at dinner; she speaks directly to Blakeley for the first time, and later has a tense balcony conversation with him about the purse and the forged notes. ### [A New World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xviii-a-new-world) Found hiding in the farmhouse; reveals her grandfather's power and offers to help Blakeley. ### [A Night at the Laurels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xxiii-a-night-at-the-laurels) Mentioned as part of the party that boarded the train with Mrs. Curtis and Sullivan; subject of the investigation. ### [XXIV: His Wife’s Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xxiv-his-wife-s-father) Mentioned as a guest at the estate; Sullivan was attentive to her, and Mrs. Curtis wanted him to marry her. ### [XXV: At the Station](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xxv-at-the-station) About to leave for Richmond; found by the narrator at the station with McKnight. ### [The Sea, the Sand, the Stars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xxvii-the-sea-the-sand-the-stars) Found sitting alone on the shore, despondent; she avoids dinner and has a quiet conversation with Blakeley. ### [XXVIII: Alison’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xxviii-alison-s-story) Tells her story of meeting Mrs. Curtis and Sullivan, her near-marriage, and her relief at escaping. ### [XXX: Finer Details](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xxx-finer-details) Present during Sullivan's confession; Blakeley defends her from being dismissed. ### [And Only One Arm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xxxi-and-only-one-arm) Meets Blakeley on the balcony, whistles a tender tune, and becomes engaged to him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/characters/alison_west - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/characters