# Walter Lance — The Midnight Guest character guide > Walter Lance in The Midnight Guest by Fred M. White. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Walter, Mr. Lance, Mr. Walter Lance **First appearance:** 0001-ii-no-1-fitzjohn-square ## Snapshot The first man through the locked studio door, Walter Lance trades a quiet evening for a night of broken woodwork, whispered lies, and a scream he cannot explain. ## Who they are Walter moves easily through the drawing rooms and studios of Fitzjohn Square, a trusted friend to Lord Ravenspur and an intimate of the Delahay circle. When he breaks down the studio door to find Ravenspur senseless and the room empty, he is forced to swallow a lie for the old man's sake, then to test that loyalty against a witness who will talk for a sovereign. His willingness to keep asking the questions everyone else prefers buried makes him the engine of the early investigation. ## Relationships ### [Lord Ravenspur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/lord_ravenspur) _rivalry_ Lord Ravenspur and Walter Lance are locked in a bitter personal and professional conflict, with high tension and frequent confrontations. ### [Vera Rayne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/vera_rayne) _romantic_ Vera Rayne and Walter Lance share a deep romantic connection, marked by passion and emotional intensity. ### [Luigi Silva](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/luigi_silva) _rivalry_ Luigi Silva and Walter Lance are adversaries, likely competing for influence or Vera's affection. ### [Mrs. Delahay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/mrs_delahay) _friendship_ Mrs. Delahay is a confidante and ally to Walter Lance, offering support and information. ### [Mr. Venables](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/mr_venables) _professional_ Mr. Venables is a legal or business associate of Walter Lance, providing counsel or services. ### [The Countess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/the_countess) _rivalry_ The Countess and Walter Lance are opponents, with her scheming against his interests. ### [Maria Delahay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/maria_delahay) _friendship_ Maria Delahay is a friendly ally to Walter Lance, possibly sharing secrets or aiding his cause. ### [John Stevens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/john_stevens) _friendship_ John Stevens is a loyal friend and ally to Walter Lance, often assisting him in dangerous situations. ### [Lord Ravenspur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/lord_ravenspur) _rivalry_ Lord Ravenspur and Walter Lance are locked in a bitter personal and professional conflict, with high tension and frequent confrontations. ### [Vera Rayne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/vera_rayne) _romantic_ Vera Rayne and Walter Lance share a deep romantic connection, marked by passion and emotional intensity. ### [Luigi Silva](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/luigi_silva) _rivalry_ Luigi Silva and Walter Lance are adversaries, likely competing for influence or Vera's affection. ### [Lord Ravenspur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/lord_ravenspur) _rivalry_ Lord Ravenspur and Walter Lance are locked in a bitter personal and professional conflict, with high tension and frequent confrontations. ## In the story ### [IV: A Woman’s Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/iv-a-woman-s-face) Ravenspur's nephew and private secretary; assists Sir James Seton after the attack and notes the resemblance of the photograph to Vera Rayne. ### [V: Vera Rayne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/v-vera-rayne) Walter comforts Vera, confesses his love for her, and learns of Ravenspur's plan for him to marry Lady Clara Vavasour. ### [A Voice in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/vi-a-voice-in-the-dark) Defends his love for Vera, refuses to accept Ravenspur's prohibition, and rushes to rescue his uncle from an attack. ### [The Yellow Handbill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/vii-the-yellow-handbill) Breaks into the studio, rescues Ravenspur, and discovers the yellow handbill clue. ### [VIII: The Mystery Deepens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/viii-the-mystery-deepens) Disguises himself in old tweed coat and cap to visit the Imperial Palace Theatre with Venables; observes Valdo's act and is shocked to see Mrs. Delahay at Valdo's door. ### [IX: The Confidential Agent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/ix-the-confidential-agent) Broods over his startling discovery but says nothing; attempts to follow Mrs. Delahay and Valdo but fails. ### [The Express Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xi-the-express-letter) Investigates the yellow handbill clue, visits Valdo's theatre, and reveals seeing Mrs. Delahay there. ### [XII: A Speaking Likeness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xii-a-speaking-likeness) Shares his discovery with Lord Ravenspur and later proposes interviewing Stevens to uncover the truth about Delahay. ### [A Striking Likeness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xiii-a-striking-likness) Leads the investigation, identifies the portrait as his uncle's work, and connects it to the theft and the mysterious photograph. ### [XIV: Retrospection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xiv-retrospection) Returns late to Ravenspur's house, recounts his detective work with Venables, identifies the stolen painting, and learns the truth about Vera's origins. ### [XV: Dallas Makes a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xv-dallas-makes-a-discovery) Urges Ravenspur to involve the police, visits Mrs. Delahay to seek her confidence, and later meets Inspector Dallas to share information. ### [XVI: Strong Measures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xvi-strong-measures) Confronts the possibility that Mrs. Delahay is Countess Flavio; questions his own knowledge of her past. ### [XVII: Looking Backwards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xvii-looking-backwards) Confronts Mrs. Delahay about her past and the Flavio connection, warning her of Berti's accusations. ### [After Many Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xviii-after-many-years) Mentioned as having just left Maria Delahay before she decides to go out. ### [XXI: To Be in Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxi-to-be-in-time) Opens the front door to Mrs. Delahay's urgent warning. ### [The Worth of a Name](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxi-the-worth-of-a-name) Enters the library looking uneasy and anxious, interrupting Vera's conversation with Ravenspur; Vera asks to speak with him later. ### [The Next Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxiii-the-next-move) Reports Berti's identification of Mrs. Delahay, learns her maiden name is Descarti, and comforts Vera about their secret engagement. ### [XXIV: A Blood Relation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxiv-a-blood-relation) Answers the door to Mrs. Delahay and goes to the studio to confront Silva. ### [Bred in the Bone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxv-bred-in-the-bone) Acts as detective, captures Silva, deduces the identity of the woman seen with Silva. ### [XXVI: A Faithful Servant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxvi-a-faithful-servant) Confronts Silva and learns the motive behind the attacks; later informs Lord Ravenspur and helps manage the aftermath. ### [Flight!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxvii-flight) Assists with preparations for the flight, though he privately thinks the scheme cowardly; agrees for Vera's sake. ### [XXVIII: Vera’s Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxviii-vera-s-warning) Confronted by Vera about the hidden danger; admits the threat is serious and that Ravenspur is acting in Vera's best interests. ### [XXIX: The Message](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxix-the-message) Advises Vera to be patient about the secret; his whistle signals the end of the encounter. ### [XXX: Lost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxx-lost) Investigates Vera's disappearance, discovers the letter delivery, and uses Bruno to track her. ### [A Missing Link](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxxi-a-missing-link) Returns to London to manage household suspicions and recruit Venables; returns disguised as a surveyor. ### [XXXI: What Does It Mean?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxxi-what-does-it-mean) Accompanies the group and spots Vera Rayne at the window of Silva's house. ### [The Midnight Message](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxxii-the-midnight-message) Restrains himself from signaling Vera; enters the house through the larder window; discovers a message from Vera before being trapped in darkness. ### [A Strange Homecoming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxxiv-a-strange-homecoming) Mentioned as someone Vera trusts will help find her. ### [In the Dead of Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxxvi-in-the-dead-of-night) Expected to be among the rescuers; Vera writes a note hoping he will find it. ### [XXXVIII: In the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxxviii-in-the-house) Breaks into Silva's house, is overpowered and tied up, then freed; glimpses Vera on the stairs and is drugged by Silva. ### [The Hound Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxxix-the-hound-again) Walter is drugged by Silva and dragged unconscious into the garden. ### [Broken Wings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xl-broken-wings) Drugged by Silva but recovers; volunteers to go to London to fetch the Countess Flavio. ### [A Ray of Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xli-a-ray-of-light) Confronts the Countess, reveals the truth about Vera's parentage, and receives Silva's diary. ### [Run to Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xlii-run-to-earth) Finds Bruno on the common and later follows Stevens to London with Venables and Dallas. ### [XLIII: The Whole Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xliii-the-whole-truth) Present with Dallas during the confrontation and arrest, curious about Dallas' methods. ### [The Story of a Crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xliv-the-story-of-a-crime) Brings Mrs. Delahay to Cannon Green and facilitates her reunion with the Countess Flavio and Vera. ### [Count Flavio's Diary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xlv-count-flavio-s-diary) Reads Count Flavio's diary and presents it to Lord Ravenspur, convinced of the Count's villainy. ### [XLVII: The Passing of the Vengeance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xlvii-the-passing-of-the-vengeance) Proposes to Vera on the terrace; receives her consent; asks Ravenspur about the photograph. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/walter_lance - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters