# Oliver Whyte — The Mystery of a Hansom Cab character guide

> Oliver Whyte in The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Oliver Whyte, Whyte, Mr. Whyte, the late Mr. Whyte

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

## Snapshot

A well-connected, careless man about town whose drunken ride in a hansom cab ends with him dead and half of Melbourne under suspicion.

## Who they are

Whyte is remembered by acquaintances like Moreland as erratic, fond of other men's wives, and not quite respectable — yet he moved in circles that included the Frettlbys, and Frettlby once wanted him to marry Madge. His death is the engine of the plot: everyone who knew him becomes a suspect, and everyone who disliked him becomes a liar. He matters less as a man than as the question his corpse poses.

## Relationships

### [Brian Fitzgerald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/characters/brian_fitzgerald)

_rivalry_

Brian and Oliver are bitter rivals, as Oliver had previously pursued Madge and was found murdered in a hansom cab.

### [Roger Moreland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/characters/roger_moreland)

_friendship_

Oliver and Roger are drinking companions and part of the same social circle, though Roger later becomes a suspect.

### [Brian Fitzgerald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/characters/brian_fitzgerald)

_rivalry_

Brian and Oliver are bitter rivals, as Oliver had previously pursued Madge and was found murdered in a hansom cab.

### [Roger Moreland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/characters/roger_moreland)

_friendship_

Oliver and Roger are drinking companions and part of the same social circle, though Roger later becomes a suspect.

### [Brian Fitzgerald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/characters/brian_fitzgerald)

_rivalry_

Brian and Oliver are bitter rivals, as Oliver had previously pursued Madge and was found murdered in a hansom cab.

## 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)

Victim found murdered in a hansom cab.

### [What the Argus Said](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/i-what-the-argus-said)

The deceased victim, identified by the initials 'O.W.' on the handkerchief used in the murder.

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

Identified as the deceased through the initials 'O. W.' on his handkerchief and the advertisement placed by his landlady, Mrs. Hableton. His secret inner pocket suggests he carried a valuable paper that was the motive for his murder.

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

The deceased lodger, described as having a dark face, a mole on his left temple, and plans to marry an heiress.

### [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)

Murder victim; his room and photograph album reveal his lifestyle and infatuation with Madge Frettlby.

### [VII: The Wool King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/vii-the-wool-king)

The murder victim, identified during the dinner; he had been a rival for Madge's hand and had a letter of introduction to Frettlby, but was disliked by many.

### [XI: Counsel for the Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/xi-counsel-for-the-prisoner)

Mentioned as the victim; Brian saw him drunk near the Scotch Church.

### [Missing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/xvi-missing)

Revealed to have visited the dying 'Queen' several times, suggesting a prior connection to the mysterious woman.

### [The Argus Gives Its Opinion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/xx-the-argus-gives-its-opinion)

Murder victim; the article discusses the motive for his murder and the stolen papers.

### [XXIV: Brian Receives a Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/xxiv-brian-receives-a-letter)

Discussed in Calton's letter as the murdered man, with details about his background and relationship with Rosanna Moore.

### [XXXIII: The Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-confession)

The blackmailer who threatened to expose Frettlby's secret and was later murdered.

### [The Hands of Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-hands-of-justice)

The victim; his coat is used as evidence to confront Moreland.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/characters/oliver_whyte
- 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