# Franklin Blake — The Moonstone character guide > Franklin Blake in The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Franklin Blake, Mr. Franklin, Franklin Blake, Mr. Blake, Master Franklin, the Master Franklin **First appearance:** 0002-i ## Snapshot Cosmopolitan young gentleman who delivers the Moonstone to his aunt's house, only to find himself the chief suspect when it vanishes overnight. ## Who they are Franklin Blake returns from abroad with European polish, a taste for experiments, and the unlucky errand of carrying the Diamond to Rachel's birthday. He is fond of Rachel, distrusted by her after the theft, and tormented by the suspicion that his own conduct that night is somehow to blame. His restless guilt drives the middle of the book, as he refuses to let the mystery lie and slowly turns detective against himself. ## Relationships ### [Rachel Verinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/rachel_verinder) _romantic_ Franklin and Rachel share a deep romantic bond, though their relationship is strained by suspicion and misunderstanding over the Moonstone's theft. ### [Gabriel Betteredge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/gabriel_betteredge) _friendship_ Franklin and the Verinder family steward Gabriel share a warm, loyal friendship built on mutual respect and long acquaintance. ### [Rosanna Spearman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/rosanna_spearman) _psychological_ Rosanna is secretly and tragically in love with Franklin, who remains largely unaware of her intense devotion and the lengths she goes to for him. ### [Sergeant Cuff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/sergeant_cuff) _professional_ Franklin cooperates with Sergeant Cuff's investigation, though their relationship is marked by tension and Cuff's suspicion of Franklin. ### [Ezra Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/ezra_jennings) _friendship_ Ezra Jennings becomes Franklin's compassionate ally and intellectual partner, helping him solve the mystery of the Moonstone through a scientific experiment. ### [Penelope Betteredge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/penelope_betteredge) _social_ Penelope, Gabriel's daughter and a maid in the Verinder house, has a friendly and respectful acquaintance with Franklin. ### [John Herncastle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/john_herncastle) _family_ John Herncastle is Franklin's uncle and the original thief of the Moonstone, leaving a legacy of suspicion and a cursed diamond to the family. ### [Godfrey Ablewhite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/godfrey_ablewhite) _rivalry_ Franklin and Godfrey are romantic rivals for Rachel's affection, with Godfrey's deceitful nature ultimately exposing him as a villain. ### [Ezra Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/ezra_jennings) _friendship_ Ezra Jennings becomes Franklin's compassionate ally and intellectual partner, helping him solve the mystery of the Moonstone through a scientific experiment. ### [Gabriel Betteredge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/gabriel_betteredge) _friendship_ Franklin and the Verinder family steward Gabriel share a warm, loyal friendship built on mutual respect and long acquaintance. ### [John Herncastle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/john_herncastle) _family_ John Herncastle is Franklin's uncle and the original thief of the Moonstone, leaving a legacy of suspicion and a cursed diamond to the family. ### [Sergeant Cuff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/sergeant_cuff) _professional_ Franklin cooperates with Sergeant Cuff's investigation, though their relationship is marked by tension and Cuff's suspicion of Franklin. ## In the story ### [The Moonstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/the-moonstone) Franklin Blake is a cousin and friend of the family, involved in the events surrounding the diamond. ### [The Story of the Moonstone Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/i) Lady Verinder's nephew, who proposes that the story be written by those involved and assigns Betteredge the task of starting the narrative. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iii) Expected visitor; described as a charming but financially reckless young man educated abroad. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/v) Arrives with the Moonstone and asks Betteredge about the Colonel's history. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/vi) Arrives at the Verinder estate with the Moonstone; shares his suspicions about the Indians and discusses the Colonel's will with Betteredge. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/vii) Returns from Frizinghall after depositing the Moonstone in the bank; is described as being charmed by Rachel and forgetful of the Diamond. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/viii) Discusses the Indians' clairvoyant boy with Betteredge; engages in decorating work with Rachel; receives a rose from Rachel. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ix) Anxious and indecisive about the Moonstone; rides to Frizinghall to retrieve it and escort his cousins back. ### [The Birthday Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/x) Arranged the Moonstone as a brooch for Rachel, discusses the diamond's danger with Mr. Murthwaite and Betteredge. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xi) Whispers to Betteredge that Seegrave is useless; appears tired and pale after the birthday. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xii) Present during the investigation, helps narrow the time frame, and shows concern for Rachel's distress. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xiii) Agrees to the search of his clothes; accompanies Godfrey to the station but returns after the conference. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xiv) Returns from seeing Rachel off at the station, expresses frustration about the mystery, and suspects Rosanna after hearing the servants' reports. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xv) Mentioned in Betteredge's recollection of Rosanna's reaction upon first seeing him. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xvii) Discusses with Betteredge his strategy to avoid Sergeant Cuff's trap and his reluctance to help incriminate Rosanna. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xviii) Returns from a walk; tries to say goodbye to Rachel but is ignored; expresses gratitude to Lady Verinder and prepares to leave. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xx) Resolves to leave the house after recognizing that his presence angers Rachel; refuses to hear Sergeant Cuff's theory about her. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xxii) Engages in philosophical banter with Betteredge, comparing women to cigars, and receives a letter from Lady Verinder. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xxiii) Leaves the Verinder estate after Lady Verinder's letter advises separation from Rachel; accused by Limping Lucy of causing Rosanna's death. ### [Second Period: The Discovery of the Truth (1848–1849)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/second-period-the-discovery-of-the-truth-1848-1849) Likely a central figure in the discovery of truth during this period. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/i) Wealthy relative who writes to Miss Clack, asking her to write her account of the Moonstone scandal. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iii) Discussed by Mr. Bruff as being cleared of suspicion; his actions are argued to be inconsistent with guilt. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/vi) Receives and responds to Miss Clack's letters, firmly instructing her to limit her narrative to her own experience. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as being persuaded by Bruff to transport the Moonstone to Lady Verinder's house. ### [Third Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/third-narrative) Narrator of this section, actively investigating the Moonstone theft. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/i) Returns to England after his father's death, determined to solve the mystery of the Moonstone and Rachel's enmity. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ii) Returns to the Verinder estate determined to solve the Moonstone mystery and reconcile with Rachel. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iii) Protagonist who discovers the paint-stained nightgown bearing his own name at the Shivering Sand, realizing he may be the thief. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iv) Reads Rosanna's confession letter and reacts with shock and confusion. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/v) Narrator; waits for Betteredge to finish Rosanna's letter, plans to return to London and consult Mr. Bruff, and seeks a personal interview with Rachel. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/vi) Franklin is the main subject of the discussion, defending himself against suspicion and recalling a past debt incident that damaged Rachel's trust. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/vii) Confronts Rachel and learns of her eyewitness account of his apparent theft. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/viii) Narrator and protagonist; desperate to clear his character, he consults Mr. Bruff, seeks Sergeant Cuff, and later pursues other leads. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ix) Franklin reveals his story to Ezra Jennings, expressing desperation to prove his innocence in the Moonstone theft. ### [The Opium Experiment Proposed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/x) Central to the experiment; he is the passive subject who must stop smoking and agree to the recreation of the birthday night. ### [Fourth Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/fourth-narrative) Suffers from poor sleep and appetite; agrees to the experiment and corresponds with Mr. Bruff and Sergeant Cuff. ### [Fifth Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/fifth-narrative) Narrates the chapter; awakens from opium sleep, reconciles with Rachel, and travels to London to investigate the Moonstone. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/i) The recipient of the letter; the report is addressed to him and concerns his cousin Godfrey Ablewhite. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iii) Target of the drugging plot; Godfrey drops laudanum into his brandy and water. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iv) Drugged by Ablewhite; sleepwalks, takes the diamond, and unknowingly hands it to Ablewhite. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/v) Addressed as 'Mr. Blake' in the report; the narrative is directed to him. ### [Seventh Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/seventh-narrative) Recipient of the letter; Jennings's diary pages are sealed and waiting for him; rumor of his marriage to Rachel Verinder is reported. ### [Eighth Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/eighth-narrative) Married Rachel Verinder; later informs Betteredge of the impending birth of a child. ### [Epilogue: The Finding of the Diamond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/epilogue-the-finding-of-the-diamond) Reunited with Rachel Verinder after the resolution of the mystery. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/endnotes) Editor of the collected narratives, affirming no line will be tampered with and correcting Miss Clack's mistaken belief that he noticed her. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/franklin_blake - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters