# Frank Merrill — The Man Who Knew character guide > Frank Merrill in The Man Who Knew by Edgar Wallace. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Saul Arthur Mann, Mr. Mann, Merrill **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-man-in-the-laboratory ## Snapshot Frank Merrill loves May Nuttall with a devotion shadowed by his own instinct that Jasper Cole is his worst enemy in the world. ## Who they are Frank moves through the novel as the man May half-accepts and half-resists, a suitor whose warnings about Jasper Cole carry an almost prophetic weight. His jealousy is complicated by genuine affection for the rival he distrusts, and by the suspicion that clings to him after John Minute's death. His struggle to be believed — by May, by the police, by himself — gives the early mystery its emotional pulse. ## Relationships ### [The Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/the_girl) _romantic_ Frank is deeply infatuated with the mysterious Girl, who seems to be a central figure in his emotional turmoil and the plot. ### [John Minute](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/john_minute) _family_ Frank is John Minute's nephew and heir, but their relationship is strained by secrets and suspicion. ### [Jasper Cole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/jasper_cole) _rivalry_ Frank and Jasper are bitter rivals, competing for inheritance and the affections of May Nuttall. ### [May Nuttall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/may_nuttall) _romantic_ Frank is in love with May Nuttall, but their relationship is complicated by his entanglement with the Girl. ### [Rex Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/rex_holland) _friendship_ Rex Holland is Frank's loyal friend and confidant, often helping him navigate dangerous situations. ### [Constable Wiseman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/constable_wiseman) _professional_ Constable Wiseman interacts with Frank as part of his police investigation into the mysterious events. ### [Detective Inspector Nash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/detective_inspector_nash) _professional_ Detective Inspector Nash works with Frank to solve the case, though he remains professionally detached. ### [Sir George Fuller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/sir_george_fuller) _professional_ Sir George Fuller is a police official who assists Frank in the investigation. ### [Mr. Brandon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/mr_brandon) _professional_ Mr. Brandon is a lawyer who represents Frank's interests in the inheritance dispute. ### [The Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/the_girl) _romantic_ Frank is deeply infatuated with the mysterious Girl, who seems to be a central figure in his emotional turmoil and the plot. ### [The Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/the_girl) _romantic_ Frank is deeply infatuated with the mysterious Girl, who seems to be a central figure in his emotional turmoil and the plot. ### [Jasper Cole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/jasper_cole) _rivalry_ Frank and Jasper are bitter rivals, competing for inheritance and the affections of May Nuttall. ## In the story ### [The Man in the Laboratory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/i-the-man-in-the-laboratory) Mentioned as John Minute's nephew and an accountant at a bank, formerly secretary of the Gwelo Deeps. ### [III: Four Important Characters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/iii-four-important-characters) Walking with May Nuttall in Gray Square, he comments on a peculiar little man and expresses jealousy towards Jasper Cole's influence over his uncle John Minute. ### [The Accountant at the Bank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/iv-the-accountant-at-the-bank) Accountant at the Piccadilly branch; reads May's letter about Cole; discusses Rex Holland's account with the manager; interacts with Jasper Cole at the bank. ### [John Minute's Legacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/v-john-minute-s-legacy) May's fiancé; she likes him but feels a deeper attraction to Jasper Cole. ### [The Man Who Knew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/vi-the-man-who-knew) Referred to as Saul Arthur Mann, the proprietor of the information bureau; he is the 'Man Who Knew' and holds a secret record on Minute. ### [Introducing Mr. Rex Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/vii-introducing-mr-rex-holland) Forge checks as Rex Holland, then visits May Nuttall to press for marriage before his 24th birthday. ### [Sergeant Smith Calls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/viii-sergeant-smith-calls) Accused of fraud by Jasper Cole; the girl defends him. ### [IX: Frank Merrill at the Altar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/ix-frank-merrill-at-the-altar) Obtains a special license and prepares to marry May Nuttall, but is left waiting at the church after she cancels the wedding. ### [X: A Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/x-a-murder) Found near John Minute's body after the shooting; he claims innocence and is taken into custody by Wiseman. ### [XI: The Case Against Frank Merrill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xi-the-case-against-frank-merrill) Accused of murdering John Minute; believed innocent by Saul Arthur Mann. ### [XI: The Case Against Frank Merrill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xi-the-case-against-frank-merrill) Private investigator; believes Frank Merrill is innocent and suspects Jasper Cole. ### [The Trial of Frank Merrill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xii-the-trial-of-frank-merrill) The defendant, on trial for murder, remains calm and self-possessed throughout the proceedings. ### [The Man Who Came to Montreux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xiii-the-man-who-came-to-montreux) Returns to Montreux after two months abroad; meets May and Saul Arthur Mann; shows concern over Jasper's influence on May. ### [The Man Who Came to Montreux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xiii-the-man-who-came-to-montreux) Accompanies May; shares investigation updates with Frank about Jasper Cole's chemistry and criminal potential. ### [XIV: The Man Who Looked Like Frank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xiv-the-man-who-looked-like-frank) Frank is distressed about losing May Nuttall to Jasper Cole and refuses to disclose all he knows about Rex Holland, hinting at hidden secrets. ### [XIV: The Man Who Looked Like Frank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xiv-the-man-who-looked-like-frank) The investigator tirelessly pursues leads, interviews Constable Wiseman, and witnesses a man who looks exactly like Frank Merrill striking a girl. ### [A Letter in the Grate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xv-a-letter-in-the-grate) Found at his flat in Grimm's Hotel, dressing for dinner; denies being in Camden Town; agrees to accompany Mann to 69 Flowerton Road. ### [A Letter in the Grate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xv-a-letter-in-the-grate) Visits Frank after mistaking his double; receives photograph from Constable Wiseman; leads investigation at 69 Flowerton Road and discovers the torn letter. ### [The Coming of Sergeant Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xvi-the-coming-of-sergeant-smith) Distressed by May's engagement, plans with Mann to prevent the marriage. ### [The Coming of Sergeant Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xvi-the-coming-of-sergeant-smith) Investigates Cole, meets May at Charing Cross, and coordinates with Frank to stop the wedding. ### [The Man Called "Merrill"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xvii-the-man-called-merrill) Denies being the husband of the frightened girl who claims to be his wife; appears perplexed and dismayed. ### [The Man Called "Merrill"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xvii-the-man-called-merrill) Accuses Jasper Cole of being already married and of planning the abduction; interviews the girl claiming to be Mrs. Merrill. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/frank_merrill - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters