# Pierce Whymper — The Starvel Hollow Tragedy character guide

> Pierce Whymper in The Starvel Hollow Tragedy by Freeman Wills Crofts.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Whymper, Mr. Whymper, Mr. Pierce Whymper, Cook Whymper

**First appearance:** 0002-i-the-tragedy

## Snapshot

A young cook whose small, half-secret romance with Ruth Averill becomes the loose thread that unravels the whole Starvel affair.

## Who they are

Whymper's tentative courtship of Ruth is so slight that French is astonished to find the whole town has been tracking it, yet it is Whymper who later passes a £20 note that should have burned with the house. That single transaction, innocent in his hands, is what first makes the bank manager doubt the coroner's verdict and sets French on the trail. He is the ordinary man whose ordinary act turns a closed case into an open one.

## Relationships

### [Ruth Averill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters/ruth_averill)

_romantic_

Whymper and Ruth share a romantic relationship, with Whymper acting as a suitor or lover.

### [Ruth Averill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters/ruth_averill)

_romantic_

Whymper and Ruth share a romantic relationship, with Whymper acting as a suitor or lover.

### [Ruth Averill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters/ruth_averill)

_romantic_

Whymper and Ruth share a romantic relationship, with Whymper acting as a suitor or lover.

## In the story

### [I: The Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/i-the-tragedy)

A young architect's assistant who has been courting Ruth. They have met several times and she hopes he will propose.

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

Called on Ruth the previous evening but is out of town during the morning of the inquest.

### [Mr. Tarkington Develops a Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/iii-mr-tarkington-develops-a-theory)

Waits to speak with Ruth after the inquest but seems embarrassed and less spontaneous than before, leaving Ruth confused about his feelings.

### [V: French Picks Up a Clue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/v-french-picks-up-a-clue)

Under suspicion after French traces the £20 note to him; he denies passing it but is later seen near Starvel lane on the night of the fire.

### [VI: Talloires, Lac d’Annecy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/vi-talloires-lac-d-annecy)

Under pressure, admits receiving £500 from Roper via Mr. Averill but refuses to reveal the secret; placed under police supervision.

### [IX: The Value of Analysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/ix-the-value-of-analysis)

Mentioned in French's reflections; the letter Roper gave to Whymper is suspected to be a forgery.

### [X: Whymper Speaks at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/x-whymper-speaks-at-last)

Finally speaks fully about his involvement with Roper and the deception regarding Ruth's parents.

### [French Baits His Trap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/xv-french-baits-his-trap)

Sits next to Ruth Averill at the inquest, now an accepted lover.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/xx-conclusion)

Becomes engaged to Ruth Averill, and the two are united in marriage, finding happiness after the tragedy.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters/pierce_whymper
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters