# Jasper Cole — The Man Who Knew character guide > Jasper Cole in The Man Who Knew by Edgar Wallace. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Sergeant Smith, Cole, Smith **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-man-in-the-laboratory ## Snapshot Jasper Cole wields a magnetism that paralyzes the will of anyone who crosses him, and May Nuttall cannot stop writing to him. ## Who they are Cole holds an extraordinary position in John Minute's household, exercising vetoes and shaping decisions with a gentle firmness no one quite resists. Frank Merrill calls him his worst enemy while admitting his fascination; May finds him frightening yet grows steadily more reliant on his help. His letters command her first attention at breakfast, and his hold over her becomes the quiet contest at the center of the middle chapters. ## Relationships ### [Frank Merrill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/frank_merrill) _rivalry_ Frank and Jasper are bitter rivals, competing for inheritance and the affections of May Nuttall. ### [John Minute](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/john_minute) _professional_ Jasper is John Minute's secretary and trusted assistant, but harbors hidden ambitions. ### [May Nuttall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/may_nuttall) _romantic_ Jasper is romantically interested in May Nuttall, though his motives may be mixed with ambition. ### [The Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/the_girl) _psychological_ Jasper and the Girl share a manipulative, secretive connection, possibly involving blackmail or conspiracy. ### [Constable Wiseman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/constable_wiseman) _professional_ Constable Wiseman investigates Jasper Cole, suspecting his involvement in criminal activities. ### [Detective Inspector Nash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/detective_inspector_nash) _professional_ Detective Inspector Nash suspects Jasper Cole of being the mastermind behind the crimes. ### [Frank Merrill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/frank_merrill) _rivalry_ Frank and Jasper are bitter rivals, competing for inheritance and the affections of May Nuttall. ### [Frank Merrill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/frank_merrill) _rivalry_ Frank and Jasper are bitter rivals, competing for inheritance and the affections of May Nuttall. ### [John Minute](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/john_minute) _professional_ Jasper is John Minute's secretary and trusted assistant, but harbors hidden ambitions. ### [John Minute](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/john_minute) _professional_ Jasper is John Minute's secretary and trusted assistant, but harbors hidden ambitions. ### [The Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/the_girl) _psychological_ Jasper and the Girl share a manipulative, secretive connection, possibly involving blackmail or conspiracy. ### [May Nuttall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/may_nuttall) _romantic_ Jasper is romantically interested in May Nuttall, though his motives may be mixed with ambition. ## 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) Acts as John Minute's confidential secretary, secretly intercepts a letter, and burns it. ### [The Man in the Laboratory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/i-the-man-in-the-laboratory) Referred to as a dangerous rascal whom John Minute pays weekly to avoid trouble. ### [III: Four Important Characters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/iii-four-important-characters) John Minute's secretary, whom Frank Merrill distrusts. He is seen by May Nuttall in a dark courtyard in Silvertown, surprising her. ### [The Accountant at the Bank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/iv-the-accountant-at-the-bank) Arrives at the bank as a newly appointed director; works late auditing accounts; takes a taxi to Charing Cross and then to Victoria Dock Road. ### [John Minute's Legacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/v-john-minute-s-legacy) Has a magnetic, frightening influence over May; John Minute trusts him. ### [Introducing Mr. Rex Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/vii-introducing-mr-rex-holland) Mentioned as receiving a thousand a year from John Minute; Frank saw him at Waterloo Station. ### [Sergeant Smith Calls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/viii-sergeant-smith-calls) Accuses Frank Merrill of fraud in a conversation with John Minute, later confronted by the girl. ### [Sergeant Smith Calls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/viii-sergeant-smith-calls) Visits John Minute at Weald Lodge, threatening to expose their criminal history in Matabeleland. ### [IX: Frank Merrill at the Altar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/ix-frank-merrill-at-the-altar) Intercepts May at the hotel, reveals he holds John Minute's power of attorney, and threatens to forbid the marriage; he also sends a telegram to Frank. ### [X: A Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/x-a-murder) Found locked in an upstairs room, dazed from a blow to the head; he accuses Frank of the murder. ### [X: A Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/x-a-murder) Briefly appears; he is agitated and avoids seeing the body, then leaves to fetch a doctor and another constable. ### [XI: The Case Against Frank Merrill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xi-the-case-against-frank-merrill) Secretary to John Minute; principal witness for the prosecution and now the main beneficiary of the will, giving him a strong motive. ### [The Trial of Frank Merrill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xii-the-trial-of-frank-merrill) Cross-examined about his movements and possible connection to Rex Holland; denies any knowledge of Holland. ### [The Man Who Came to Montreux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xiii-the-man-who-came-to-montreux) Mentioned as having a laboratory, motoring, and corresponding with May; under investigation by Mann. ### [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) Exercises a sinister influence over May Nuttall, causing Frank to fear losing her; he visited John Minute's house only once after the murder. ### [A Letter in the Grate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xv-a-letter-in-the-grate) Handwriting identified on the torn letter instructing the girl to leave London; previously associated with the girl. ### [The Coming of Sergeant Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xvi-the-coming-of-sergeant-smith) Visits May in Chamonix, becomes engaged to her, and is suspected by Mann and Frank. ### [The Man Called "Merrill"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/chapters/xvii-the-man-called-merrill) Reveals himself as John Minute's son; accused by Saul Arthur Mann of being already married and of planning May's abduction. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters/jasper_cole - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_knew_se/characters