# Francis Smethurst — The Old Man in the Corner character guide

> Francis Smethurst in The Old Man in the Corner by Baroness Orczy.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Smethurst, Mr. Francis Smethurst, Mr. Smethurst

**First appearance:** 0014-xiii-a-cunning-rascal

## Who they are

A man suspected of poisoning his wife.

## Relationships

### [William Kershaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/characters/william_kershaw)

_rivalry_

Francis Smethurst and William Kershaw are locked in a bitter conflict over inheritance or business dealings.

### [William Kershaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/characters/william_kershaw)

_rivalry_

Francis Smethurst and William Kershaw are locked in a bitter conflict over inheritance or business dealings.

### [William Kershaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/characters/william_kershaw)

_rivalry_

Francis Smethurst and William Kershaw are locked in a bitter conflict over inheritance or business dealings.

## In the story

### [The Old Man in the Corner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/the-old-man-in-the-corner)

Mentioned in the context of the Fenchurch Street murder case discussed by the old man.

### [I: The Fenchurch Street Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/i-the-fenchurch-street-mystery)

The Siberian millionaire whom Kershaw claimed was actually Barker, a murderer from thirty years ago. He wrote letters arranging a meeting at Fenchurch Street Station.

### [II: A Millionaire in the Dock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/ii-a-millionaire-in-the-dock)

The millionaire accused of murdering William Kershaw; he is calm in the dock and ultimately discharged.

### [III: His Deduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/iii-his-deduction)

The victim whose body was found in the barge, mistaken for Kershaw.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/characters/francis_smethurst
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/characters