# Nicholas Cardlestone — The Middle Temple Murder character guide

> Nicholas Cardlestone in The Middle Temple Murder by J. S. Fletcher.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Cardlestone, old Cardlestone, Mr. Nicholas Cardlestone

**First appearance:** 0008-ix-the-dealer-in-rare-stamps

## Snapshot

An elderly Temple philatelist whose address was written on a card for Marbury the very day the man was murdered at the foot of his stairs.

## Who they are

Cardlestone is one of the most accomplished stamp collectors in Europe, a quiet old man who shares late nights of piquet and philately with his friend Elphick. The murdered Marbury was carrying Cardlestone's name and address when he died, yet Cardlestone swears he never knew the man and went with Elphick to the mortuary only out of curiosity. His rooms, his stairs, and his silence sit at the exact center of the mystery Spargo is trying to untangle.

## Relationships

### [Frank Spargo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/frank_spargo)

_professional_

Nicholas Cardlestone is a witness or person of interest whom Frank questions.

### [Ronald Breton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/ronald_breton)

_social_

Nicholas Cardlestone and Ronald Breton are acquaintances, possibly through legal or social circles.

### [Ronald Breton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/ronald_breton)

_social_

Nicholas Cardlestone and Ronald Breton are acquaintances, possibly through legal or social circles.

### [Frank Spargo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/frank_spargo)

_professional_

Nicholas Cardlestone is a witness or person of interest whom Frank questions.

### [Ronald Breton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/ronald_breton)

_social_

Nicholas Cardlestone and Ronald Breton are acquaintances, possibly through legal or social circles.

### [Frank Spargo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/frank_spargo)

_professional_

Nicholas Cardlestone is a witness or person of interest whom Frank questions.

## In the story

### [V: Spargo Wishes to Specialize](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/v-spargo-wishes-to-specialize)

Initially irascible about the commotion, but becomes curious upon learning the victim was from Australia and had Breton's name; views the body but claims not to recognize it.

### [IX: The Dealer in Rare Stamps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/ix-the-dealer-in-rare-stamps)

Mentioned as the philatelist to whom Criedir referred Marbury; Marbury was found murdered at the foot of Cardlestone's stairs.

### [XXIX: The Closed Doors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxix-the-closed-doors)

Mentioned by Breton as the person who might know Elphick's whereabouts.

### [XXX: Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxx-revelation)

Flees with Elphick; his chambers are found in disarray; a sheet of rare Australian stamps is found in his room.

### [XXXI: The Penitent Window-Cleaner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxi-the-penitent-window-cleaner)

Identified as the buyer of the walking-stick from Mollison; lives in Middle Temple Lane.

### [XXXII: The Contents of the Coffin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxii-the-contents-of-the-coffin)

Mentioned as hiding with Elphick in Yorkshire.

### [XXXIII: Forestalled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxiii-forestalled)

Mentioned as the other old man at the cottage, alongside Elphick.

### [The Whip Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-whip-hand)

Shaken and whimpering, signed a cheque for ten thousand pounds under duress.

### [Myerst Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxv-myerst-explains)

Shown as ill and frightened; revealed to be Chamberlayne, the stockbroker from Market Milcaster.

### [The Final Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-final-telegram)

Dies in his sleep during the chapter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/nicholas_cardlestone
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters