# Mrs. Hornby — The Red Thumbmark character guide

> Mrs. Hornby in The Red Thumbmark by R. Austin Freeman.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dear Mrs. Hornby

**First appearance:** 0001-the-red-thumbmark

## Snapshot

The mistress of Endsley Gardens, whose innocent purchase of a Thumbograph turned a family keepsake into the instrument of her nephew's arrest.

## Who they are

Mrs. Hornby is the aunt whose well-meaning attempt to clear Reuben by comparing his print to the incriminating mark produced the opposite result, and the horror of that moment has not left her. She clings to the Thumbograph even after the police release it, speaking of destroying it, and her distress at seeing it used in evidence is genuine and raw. She matters because she is the accidental architect of the case's central coincidence, and because her household, her habits, and her possessions are the terrain Thorndyke must map to understand how the print came to be in the safe.

## Relationships

### [Juliet Gibson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/juliet_gibson)

_family_

Juliet is the prospective daughter-in-law to Mrs. Hornby, and they share a close, supportive bond.

### [Walter Hornby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/walter_hornby)

_family_

Mrs. Hornby is Walter's mother, and their relationship is strained due to Walter's suspicious behavior.

### [Mr. Lawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/mr_lawley)

_professional_

Mr. Lawley is Mrs. Hornby's solicitor, advising her on legal matters regarding her son's case.

### [Reuben Hornby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/reuben_hornby)

_family_

Mrs. Hornby is Reuben's devoted mother, who believes in his innocence and fights to clear his name.

### [Juliet Gibson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/juliet_gibson)

_family_

Juliet is the prospective daughter-in-law to Mrs. Hornby, and they share a close, supportive bond.

### [Juliet Gibson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/juliet_gibson)

_family_

Juliet is the prospective daughter-in-law to Mrs. Hornby, and they share a close, supportive bond.

### [Walter Hornby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/walter_hornby)

_family_

Mrs. Hornby is Walter's mother, and their relationship is strained due to Walter's suspicious behavior.

### [Reuben Hornby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/reuben_hornby)

_family_

Mrs. Hornby is Reuben's devoted mother, who believes in his innocence and fights to clear his name.

### [Mr. Lawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/mr_lawley)

_professional_

Mr. Lawley is Mrs. Hornby's solicitor, advising her on legal matters regarding her son's case.

### [Reuben Hornby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/reuben_hornby)

_family_

Mrs. Hornby is Reuben's devoted mother, who believes in his innocence and fights to clear his name.

### [Mr. Lawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/mr_lawley)

_professional_

Mr. Lawley is Mrs. Hornby's solicitor, advising her on legal matters regarding her son's case.

## In the story

### [IV: Confidences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/chapters/iv-confidences)

Emotionally defends Reuben; agrees to lend the Thumbograph; expresses distrust of the police and her determination to help her nephew.

### [V: The “Thumbograph”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/chapters/v-the-thumbograph)

Accompanies Juliet to Thorndyke's chambers, carrying the Thumbograph in her handbag; engages in lengthy conversation.

### [A Startling Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/chapters/xiv-a-startling-discovery)

Provides her written evidence about the Thumbograph; is emotionally distressed and nearly hysterical upon arriving at the Sessions House.

### [XVI: Thorndyke Plays His Card](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/chapters/xvi-thorndyke-plays-his-card)

Laughs and cries with relief upon hearing the not guilty verdict.

### [At Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/chapters/xvii-at-last)

Present at the acquittal, holding Reuben's hand.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters/mrs_hornby
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_thumbmark_se/characters