# Mr. Markel — The Secret of the Old Mill character guide

> Mr. Markel in The Secret of the Old Mill by Franklin W. Dixon.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Markel

**First appearance:** 0005-vi-the-old-mill

## Snapshot

A furtive figure from the old mill, glimpsed on the Bayport platform handing a bulky package to a stranger as the express pulls out.

## Who they are

Markel is one of Uncle Dock's silent associates at the mill, a man whose manner is so secretive that even a routine errand looks like a crime. The Hardy boys watch him pass a paper-wrapped parcel to a tall man with a black mustache, timing the handoff to the last second before departure. That glimpse confirms their theory that the mill's output travels by train to someone in the city, and it gives them their first solid lead.

## In the story

### [VIII: Joe's Courage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/viii-joe-s-courage)

One of the mill men who initially reacts angrily but later helps by fetching a rope and attempting to throw it to Joe.

### [The Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/ix-the-rescue)

Markel roughly orders Lester inside and avoids answering Joe's request to dry his clothes.

### [XII: Seasick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/xii-seasick)

The stranger who pulls a revolver on the boys, claims he needs to catch a train, becomes seasick, and is subdued.

### [XVII: What Lester Said](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/xvii-what-lester-said)

Mentioned by Lester as the man who occasionally takes packages to the city from the mill.

### [XVIII: Suspicions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/xviii-suspicions)

Seen at the train station carrying a bulky package; hands it furtively to a tall man just as the train departs.

### [At the Mill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/xxi-at-the-mill)

Spots movement on the hillside, insists on investigating despite his accomplice's dismissal, and nearly discovers the boys before a cloud hides the moon.

### [Through the Roof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/xxii-through-the-roof)

Nearly discovers the boys outside the mill but eventually returns inside, his suspicions allayed.

### [The Alarm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/xxiii-the-alarm)

Markel is one of the counterfeiters, feeding the printing press and expressing nervousness about their operation.

### [Trapped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/xxiv-trapped)

Counterfeiter who nearly discovers the boys hiding in the mill and later fires at the police during the raid.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/characters/markel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/characters