# Gilbert Standerton — The Melody of Death character guide > Gilbert Standerton in The Melody of Death by Edgar Wallace. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gilbert, Standerton, Mr. Standerton, Mr. Gilbert Standerton **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-amateur-safe-smasher ## Snapshot A wealthy gentleman who shelters a street violinist from a storm, yet confesses he is a nervous wreck haunted by fears he will not name. ## Who they are Gilbert Standerton moves through London society as a generous, well-liked man — patron to old musicians, attentive to his fiancée, quick with a reassuring smile. But his composure cracks in private: he speaks of worse things than storms, and his face goes blank at the mention of a certain doctor's name. His dread and his secrecy pull the story forward, making every kindness he performs feel like it might be a cover for something darker. ## Relationships ### [Edith Standerton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/edith_standerton) _family_ Edith and Gilbert are married, with a complex dynamic of affection and strain due to external pressures. ### [Leslie Frankfort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/leslie_frankfort) _romantic_ Gilbert and Leslie share a passionate but secret romantic involvement, creating tension in their lives. ### [George Wallis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/george_wallis) _rivalry_ George Wallis is a cunning antagonist to Gilbert, competing for power and secrets. ### [Sir John Standerton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/sir_john_standerton) _family_ Gilbert is the son of Sir John Standerton, bound by duty and conflict over inheritance and reputation. ### [Jack Frankfort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/jack_frankfort) _friendship_ Gilbert and Jack are friends, though their bond is complicated by Gilbert's affair with Jack's sister. ### [Edith Standerton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/edith_standerton) _family_ Edith and Gilbert are married, with a complex dynamic of affection and strain due to external pressures. ### [Leslie Frankfort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/leslie_frankfort) _romantic_ Gilbert and Leslie share a passionate but secret romantic involvement, creating tension in their lives. ### [Edith Standerton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/edith_standerton) _family_ Edith and Gilbert are married, with a complex dynamic of affection and strain due to external pressures. ### [Sir John Standerton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/sir_john_standerton) _family_ Gilbert is the son of Sir John Standerton, bound by duty and conflict over inheritance and reputation. ### [Leslie Frankfort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/leslie_frankfort) _romantic_ Gilbert and Leslie share a passionate but secret romantic involvement, creating tension in their lives. ### [Jack Frankfort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/jack_frankfort) _friendship_ Gilbert and Jack are friends, though their bond is complicated by Gilbert's affair with Jack's sister. ### [George Wallis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/george_wallis) _rivalry_ George Wallis is a cunning antagonist to Gilbert, competing for power and secrets. ## In the story ### [Sunstar's Derby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/ii-sunstar-s-derby) Sits tensely on the coach at Derby Day, lost in thought; later reveals to Leslie that his uncle has disinherited him, leaving him with only a thousand pounds. ### [III: Gilbert Leaves Hurriedly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/iii-gilbert-leaves-hurriedly) Struggles with suspicion about Mrs. Cathcart's motives and his own feelings of inadequacy; decides to leave the dinner party abruptly. ### [The "Melody in F"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/iv-the-melody-in-f) The groom, anxious and troubled about his finances and the marriage, experiences a dreamlike wedding day and later learns his bride does not love him. ### [The Man Who Desired Wealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/v-the-man-who-desired-wealth) Defends his marriage to Edith, resigns his post at the Foreign Office, and is mentioned as having been told about the diamond necklace. ### [The Safe Agency](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/vi-the-safe-agency) Visits the St. Bride's Safe Company after hours to buy a safe for his home, pays in cash, and notices a large safe that arouses his curiosity. ### [VII: The Bank Smasher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/vii-the-bank-smasher) Mentioned by Wallis as a cool and clever Foreign Office official who interrogated him. ### [The Wife Who Did Not Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/viii-the-wife-who-did-not-love) Returns from the City tired, agrees to Edith's dinner party idea, mentions Warrell as his broker, and shows a softening attitude toward Edith. ### [Edith Meets the Player](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/ix-edith-meets-the-player) Referenced through the letter he sent to the musician; his mysterious behavior and change since marriage are central to Edith's investigation. ### [X: The Necklace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/x-the-necklace) Hosts the dinner party, later confronted by Edith about the necklace found in his pocket; claims he found it and intended to return it, but his explanations are evasive. ### [The Place Where the Loot Was Stored](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/xii-the-place-where-the-loot-was-stored) Confronts Wallis, reveals his knowledge of the gang's crimes and his plan to restore stolen goods, but is trapped in a steel cage. ### [XIII: The Maker of Wills](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/xiii-the-maker-of-wills) The General's nephew and the eventual heir; discussed during the will drafting, though he is absent from the chapter. ### [The Standerton Diamonds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/xiv-the-standerton-diamonds) Sends a telegram warning Sir John to secure the jewels, though he is absent from the visit. ### [The Tale the Doctor Told](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/xv-the-tale-the-doctor-told) Revealed to be the patient in the doctor's story; discovered hiding behind the curtain at the end of the chapter. ### [Bradshaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/xvi-bradshaw) Arranges transfer of funds to Black and Smith, recounts his role in recovering stolen money, and discusses his return to the Foreign Office with Edith. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters/gilbert_standerton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/characters