The Story of the Treasure Seekers · Character

H. O. Bastable

Horace Octavius, the youngest Bastable, known as the Great Brain, whose eager schemes and tumbles keep the family in stitches and scars.

major

Also known as the G.B., H. O. The G.B., Only H. O.

First appearance: the story of the treasure seekers

As a major figure in The Story of the Treasure Seekers, H. O. Bastable is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Youngest brother, cannot tell the clock, and is afraid of the 'Eat H.

In the storyThe Council of Ways and MeansOpen this moment free

H. O. is the youngest of the six Bastables, nicknamed the Great Brain, and he has the scar on his chin to prove it — he cut it falling off the chicken-house during a game of shipwrecked mariners. He is eager, clumsy, and utterly convinced of his own cleverness, which makes him both a liability and a delight in every scheme. His small mishaps and grand ideas give the treasure-seeking some of its warmest comedy and its most genuine childhood texture.

See H. O. Bastable in The Council of Ways and Means Book page

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Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how H. O. Bastable sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Bastable Family Circle
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

This moment is the story's dramatic climax because it represents the peak of the children's anxiety and desper…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Dicky Bastable
family · positive
Alice Bastable
family · positive
Oswald Bastable
family · positive
Dicky Bastable
family · positive
Oswald Bastable
family · positive
Dicky Bastable
family · positive
Alice Bastable
family · positive
Oswald Bastable
family · positive
Alice Bastable
family · positive

Dicky Bastable
Dicky and H. O. are brothers, with Dicky often teasing or looking after the younger H. O.
Alice Bastable
Alice and H. O. are siblings, with Alice often looking after the youngest brother H. O.
Oswald Bastable
H. O. and Oswald are brothers, with Oswald often taking a protective or teasing role toward the youngest sibling.
Dicky Bastable
Dicky and H. O. are brothers, with Dicky often teasing or looking after the younger H. O.
Oswald Bastable
H. O. and Oswald are brothers, with Oswald often taking a protective or teasing role toward the youngest sibling.
Dicky Bastable
Dicky and H. O. are brothers, with Dicky often teasing or looking after the younger H. O.
Alice Bastable
Alice and H. O. are siblings, with Alice often looking after the youngest brother H. O.
Oswald Bastable
H. O. and Oswald are brothers, with Oswald often taking a protective or teasing role toward the youngest sibling.
Alice Bastable
Alice and H. O. are siblings, with Alice often looking after the youngest brother H. O.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See H. O. Bastable in the story of the treasure seekers

In the story

H. O. Bastable appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Council of Ways and Means
Youngest brother, cannot tell the clock, and is afraid of the 'Eat H. O.' advertisement.
Being Detectives
Skeptical about being a detective; leaves with Dora to spend his twopence.
Good Hunting
Cuts off his suit buttons; waves and shouts 'Good hunting!' at the station.
VI: Noël’s Princess
Plays the Little Master; makes a face at the governess; asks about the princess's dinner and crown.
VII: Being Bandits
Captain of the bandits (his idea); pricks his thumb for blood to write the ransom note; delivers the note to Mrs. Morrison.
Being Editors
Contributes Chapter VI of the serial story, deferring to Dora for the rest.
The G.B.
H. O. mentions the failed bandit attempt and asks about the meaning of 'sixty percent'; he also kisses the G.B. despite his dirty face.
X: Lord Tottenham
Hides with Alice and Pincher, complains of cold, and later gives his knife as a peace offering.
Castilian Amoroso
Posts the letter ordering the sample and later mispronounces 'Amoroso' as 'Amorolio'.
XII: The Nobleness of Oswald
Suggests a coconut-shy idea; loses the paper with father's address; opens the door for Albert's uncle.
The Robber and the Burglar
Says he would kill a robber with boiling oil; insists on joining the group downstairs.
XIV: The Divining-Rod
Gets a bump on his head from a broom; plays the wounded hero; is given hardbake to help keep his vow not to touch the feast.
XV: “Lo, the Poor Indian!”
Mentions that they don't get good dinners every day, highlighting the family's own modest circumstances.
The End of the Treasure-Seeking
Feels unwell from powder; tries to read two books at once; upset that the uncle is not poor.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for H. O. Bastable unlock in the free preview.

See H. O. Bastable in the story of the treasure seekers

See H. O. Bastable in The Council of Ways and Means