# Mr. Gorby — The Mystery of a Hansom Cab character guide

> Mr. Gorby in The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Gorby, VI Mr. Gorby, IX Mr. Gorby

**First appearance:** 0001-the-mystery-of-a-hansom-cab

## Snapshot

A plodding Melbourne detective who works the Whyte murder from the ground up, questioning landladies and cool aristocrats alike.

## Who they are

Gorby arrives at Mrs. Hableton's lodging house with patient, methodical questions, taking the measure of the insolent Moreland and the tearful landlady without missing a detail. He is the story's first pair of official eyes on the case, gathering the fragments — the coat, the chloroform, the cab — that others will later fight over. He matters because he sets the investigative machinery in motion before the lawyers and the secrets take over.

## In the story

### [The Mystery of a Hansom Cab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/the-mystery-of-a-hansom-cab)

Detective assigned to investigate the murder.

### [II: The Evidence at the Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/ii-the-evidence-at-the-inquest)

Present at the inquest, taking notes throughout the testimony.

### [Mr. Gorby Makes a Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/iv-mr-gorby-makes-a-start)

The detective begins his investigation, shaving and conversing with his mirror as he puzzles over the case. He examines the victim's clothes, discovers the secret pocket, and deduces the motive. He then finds the advertisement for Oliver Whyte and decides to visit Possum Villa.

### [Mrs. Hableton Unbosoms Herself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/v-mrs-hableton-unbosoms-herself)

The detective who visits Mrs. Hableton to investigate Oliver Whyte's murder and extracts key details about Whyte's habits and associates.

### [VI: Mr. Gorby Makes Further Discoveries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/vi-mr-gorby-makes-further-discoveries)

Investigates Whyte's room and interviews Moreland; forms suspicion that Fitzgerald is the murderer.

### [Brian Takes a Walk and a Drive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/viii-brian-takes-a-walk-and-a-drive)

Gorby secretly follows Brian through Melbourne, observes his actions at the Frettlby mansion, and plans to question Brian's landlady about his alibi.

### [Mr. Gorby Is Satisfied at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/ix-mr-gorby-is-satisfied-at-last)

Detective investigating the murder; poses as an insurance agent to question Mrs. Sampson; deduces that Brian's return time fits the murder timeline.

### [X: In the Queen's Name](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/x-in-the-queen-s-name)

Detective who arrests Brian Fitzgerald for the murder of Oliver Whyte.

### [XIV: Another Richmond in the Field](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/xiv-another-richmond-in-the-field)

Gorby is Kilsip's rival; he arrested Fitzgerald and is confident in his guilt.

### [Sal Rawlins Tells All She Knows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/xviii-sal-rawlins-tells-all-she-knows)

Mentioned by Kilsip as being in a rage over Fitzgerald's impending acquittal.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/characters/gorby
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/characters