The Melody of Death · Character

George Wallis

A polite, mysterious man whose carefully managed affairs and hidden motives shadow Gilbert's movements from the story's edges.

major

Also known as George, Wallis, Mr. Wallis, Mr. George Wallis

First appearance: The Amateur Safe Smasher

As a major figure in The Melody of Death, George Wallis is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The lead burglar, a notorious safe-cracker, calmly continues his work despite the masked stranger's interruption.

In the storyThe Amateur Safe SmasherOpen this moment free

See George Wallis in The Amateur Safe Smasher Book page

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Wallis conducts himself with the smooth courtesy of a man who has something to protect, and his name surfaces whenever the plot's darker machinery begins to turn. He keeps his distance, arranges his business quietly,…

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The fuller portrait of George Wallis sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See George Wallis in The Amateur Safe Smasher

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how George Wallis sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Professional

Character groups

Mysterious outsiders
Protagonist
Central suspects and family

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because Edith directly confronts the mystery of the player, reversing her passive…

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Relationships

Gilbert Standerton
rivalry · negative
George Wallis is a cunning antagonist to Gilbert, competing for power and secrets. How this plays out →
Chief Inspector Goldberg
rivalry · negative
Callidino
professional · ambivalent
Persh
professional · ambivalent
Sir John Standerton
rivalry · negative
Chief Inspector Goldberg
rivalry · negative
Callidino
professional · ambivalent
Gilbert Standerton
rivalry · negative
George Wallis is a cunning antagonist to Gilbert, competing for power and secrets. How this plays out →
Gilbert Standerton
rivalry · negative
George Wallis is a cunning antagonist to Gilbert, competing for power and secrets. How this plays out →
Persh
professional · ambivalent
Chief Inspector Goldberg
rivalry · negative
Sir John Standerton
rivalry · negative

Gilbert Standerton
George Wallis is a cunning antagonist to Gilbert, competing for power and secrets.
Chief Inspector Goldberg
Chief Inspector Goldberg pursues George Wallis as a primary suspect in a criminal investigation.
Callidino
Callidino is an associate or underling of George Wallis, involved in illicit dealings.
Persh
Persh is a henchman or accomplice to George Wallis, carrying out his orders.
Sir John Standerton
George Wallis is an enemy of Sir John Standerton, seeking to undermine or exploit him.
Chief Inspector Goldberg
Chief Inspector Goldberg pursues George Wallis as a primary suspect in a criminal investigation.
Callidino
Callidino is an associate or underling of George Wallis, involved in illicit dealings.
Gilbert Standerton
George Wallis is a cunning antagonist to Gilbert, competing for power and secrets.
Gilbert Standerton
George Wallis is a cunning antagonist to Gilbert, competing for power and secrets.
Persh
Persh is a henchman or accomplice to George Wallis, carrying out his orders.
Chief Inspector Goldberg
Chief Inspector Goldberg pursues George Wallis as a primary suspect in a criminal investigation.
Sir John Standerton
George Wallis is an enemy of Sir John Standerton, seeking to undermine or exploit him.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See George Wallis in The Amateur Safe Smasher

In the story

George Wallis appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Amateur Safe Smasher
The lead burglar, a notorious safe-cracker, calmly continues his work despite the masked stranger's interruption.
Sunstar's Derby
Spotted by Gilbert in the crowd at Epsom; described as a thief on a fairly large scale.
VII: The Bank Smasher
Leader of the trio, an artist in crime, under police surveillance but confident in his legitimate front.
Edith Meets the Player
Visits May Wing's grandfather to discuss taking a lodger; he is the man who helped May at Epsom.
XI: The Fourth Man
Masterminds the bank robbery and evades capture by swapping places with a taxi driver.
The Place Where the Loot Was Stored
Shows Gilbert the hidden loot, traps him in a cage, and reveals his plan to steal the Standerton diamonds.
Bradshaw
Mentioned as the leader of the gang whose stolen money was recovered; Gilbert recounts seeing him on the terrace at Sir John's.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for George Wallis unlock in the free preview.

See George Wallis in The Amateur Safe Smasher