# Frank Spargo — The Middle Temple Murder character guide > Frank Spargo in The Middle Temple Murder by J. S. Fletcher. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Spargo, Mr. Frank Spargo, young Master Spargo **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-scrap-of-grey-paper ## Snapshot A young Fleet Street journalist whose instinct for the unanswered question turns a routine murder report into a personal crusade through London's legal warrens. ## Who they are Spargo works the Marbury case from the outside in, badgering barristers, chasing stamp dealers, and refusing to accept the easy verdict. What sets him apart is his willingness to tell a friend the brutal truth — that Ronald Breton's real name is Maitland and the murdered man was his father — and then prove it, word by word. His doggedness drives the investigation forward even when Scotland Yard stalls, making him the engine of the novel's middle act. ## Relationships ### [Ronald Breton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/ronald_breton) _friendship_ Frank and Ronald are close friends and allies, working together to solve the murder mystery. ### [John Marbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/john_marbury) _professional_ John Marbury is a senior journalist and Frank's editor or mentor at the newspaper. ### [Septimus Elphick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/septimus_elphick) _professional_ Septimus Elphick is a solicitor involved in the case, and Frank interacts with him professionally. ### [Jane Baylis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/jane_baylis) _friendship_ Jane Baylis is a friend and confidante to Frank, often providing information or support. ### [Benjamin Quarterpage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/benjamin_quarterpage) _professional_ Benjamin Quarterpage is a lawyer or legal figure who works with Frank on aspects of the case. ### [John Maitland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/john_maitland) _professional_ John Maitland is a key witness or suspect, and Frank interviews him as part of the investigation. ### [Jessie Aylmore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/jessie_aylmore) _romantic_ Jessie Aylmore is a young woman with whom Frank shares romantic interest and tension. ### [Nicholas Cardlestone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/nicholas_cardlestone) _professional_ Nicholas Cardlestone is a witness or person of interest whom Frank questions. ### [Mother Gutch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/mother_gutch) _professional_ Mother Gutch is a landlady or informant who provides Frank with local knowledge. ### [Stephen Chamberlayne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/stephen_chamberlayne) _professional_ Stephen Chamberlayne is a figure connected to the murder, and Frank investigates him. ### [James Criedir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/james_criedir) _professional_ James Criedir is a minor witness or associate Frank interviews during the investigation. ### [Ronald Breton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/ronald_breton) _friendship_ Frank and Ronald are close friends and allies, working together to solve the murder mystery. ## In the story ### [I: The Scrap of Grey Paper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/i-the-scrap-of-grey-paper) A sub-editor for the Watchman who discovers the murder scene and decides to follow the case. ### [His First Brief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/ii-his-first-brief) Accompanies Rathbury to Breton's chambers and the mortuary; begins to take a personal interest in the case. ### [III: The Clue of the Cap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/iii-the-clue-of-the-cap) Spargo wanders the Law Courts, meets Ronald Breton and the Aylmore sisters, and later learns from Rathbury that the victim's cap was traced to the Anglo-Orient Hotel. ### [IV: The Anglo-Orient Hotel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/iv-the-anglo-orient-hotel) Accompanies Rathbury and Breton to the Anglo-Orient Hotel as a newspaper man investigating the case. ### [V: Spargo Wishes to Specialize](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/v-spargo-wishes-to-specialize) Determined to specialize in the murder case, focusing on the scrap of paper and the victim's connection to Breton. ### [VI: Witness to a Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/vi-witness-to-a-meeting) Spargo is at his office, having written a new-style account of the murder. He is determined to find the murderer and interviews the witness Webster. ### [Mr. Aylmore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/vii-mr-aylmore) Investigates the case, confirms Aylmore as Marbury's companion, visits the Anglo-Orient Hotel, and interviews Aylmore. ### [The Man from the Safe Deposit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/viii-the-man-from-the-safe-deposit) Shares his discovery of Stephen Aylmore as Marbury's companion and the details of Aylmore's account. ### [IX: The Dealer in Rare Stamps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/ix-the-dealer-in-rare-stamps) Investigates the Marbury case, interviews Myerst and Criedir, and publishes a headline about the six-hour gap in Marbury's movements. ### [X: The Leather Box](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/x-the-leather-box) Investigates the leather box deposit and discusses the case with Breton; attends the opening of the box. ### [Mr. Aylmore Is Questioned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xi-mr-aylmore-is-questioned) Observes the inquest proceedings, tabulating evidence and focusing on Aylmore's testimony. ### [XII: The New Witness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xii-the-new-witness) Spargo observes the proceedings keenly, noting the reactions of Aylmore's daughters and Ronald Breton. ### [XIII: Under Suspicion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xiii-under-suspicion) Observes the proceedings closely and is later approached by Jessie Aylmore as the court adjourns. ### [XIV: The Silver Ticket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xiv-the-silver-ticket) Meets Jessie Aylmore for tea, reassures her about his reporting, then examines the leather box with Rathbury and discovers the silver ticket. ### [Market Milcaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xv-market-milcaster) Visits the Octoneumenoi club to consult Crowfoot about the silver ticket; later travels to Market Milcaster. ### [XVI: The “Yellow Dragon”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xvi-the-yellow-dragon) Arrives in Market Milcaster, changes clothes, and plans his investigation of the silver ticket. He observes the town's quietness and later joins the bar-parlour gathering to show the ticket to the old-timers. ### [Mr. Quarterpage Harks Back](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xvii-mr-quarterpage-harks-back) Shows the silver ticket to the old gentlemen and learns its significance from Mr. Quarterpage. ### [XVIII: An Old Newspaper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xviii-an-old-newspaper) Reads the old newspaper report of Maitland's trial, noting key points. ### [XIX: The Chamberlayne Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xix-the-chamberlayne-story) Visits Mr. Quarterpage to investigate the Maitland case and the silver ticket. ### [XX: Maitland Alias Marbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xx-maitland-alias-marbury) Investigates in Market Milcaster, interviews Mr. Quarterpage, and pieces together the connection between Marbury and Maitland. ### [Arrested](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxi-arrested) Receives telegrams confirming Marbury's identity as Maitland and Aylmore's arrest; visits photographer Cooper; returns to London and discusses the case with Rathbury. ### [XXII: The Blank Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxii-the-blank-past) Investigates Marbury's identity and presses Aylmore to reveal his past. ### [XXIII: Miss Baylis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxiii-miss-baylis) Visits Miss Baylis in Bayswater to question her about John Maitland; learns of her intense hatred for Maitland and the fate of Maitland's son. ### [XXIV: Mother Gutch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxiv-mother-gutch) Spargo questions Miss Baylis and later meets Mother Gutch, who offers to sell a secret about Jane Baylis. ### [Revelations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxv-revelations) Takes Mother Gutch to the Watchman office and arranges a deal for her secret. ### [XXVI: Still Silent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxvi-still-silent) Leads the investigation, connects Breton to Elphick and the Maitland case, and arranges to meet Elphick. ### [XXVII: Mr. Elphick's Chambers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-elphick-s-chambers) Investigates Elphick, observes Miss Baylis, and confronts Elphick with the truth about Maitland and Breton. ### [XXVIII: Of Proved Identity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxviii-of-proved-identity) Confronts Miss Baylis and Elphick with the secret of Ronald Breton's parentage; promises not to print or tell Ronald until morning; sends a reassuring telegram to Aylmore's daughters. ### [XXIX: The Closed Doors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxix-the-closed-doors) Arrives for an appointment with Elphick, finds him gone, and deduces his flight is due to their previous conversation. ### [XXX: Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxx-revelation) Reveals the truth about Breton's parentage and the flight of Elphick and Cardlestone; finds the rare stamps in Cardlestone's room. ### [XXXI: The Penitent Window-Cleaner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxi-the-penitent-window-cleaner) Places a reward notice for the walking-stick, interviews Mollison, and prepares to go to Market Milcaster for the grave opening. ### [XXXII: The Contents of the Coffin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxii-the-contents-of-the-coffin) Leads the exhumation and discovers the coffin empty; deduces Chamberlayne is alive and the real culprit; decides to pursue Elphick and Cardlestone. ### [XXXIII: Forestalled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxiii-forestalled) Endures a grueling night hike across the fells, determined to reach Elphick and Cardlestone before the mysterious stranger. ### [The Whip Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-whip-hand) Accompanies Breton to the cottage, searches Myerst, and helps secure him. ### [Myerst Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxv-myerst-explains) Observes the old men's distress, advises Breton to wait, and later listens to Myerst's explanation. ### [The Final Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-final-telegram) Receives Myerst's confession, deduces Jane Baylis's guilt, sends arrest telegram, and later clears Stephen Aylmore. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/frank_spargo - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters