The Third Round · Character

Mr. William Robinson

A benevolent-looking gentleman with a taste for chemistry, whose mild whiskers and gentle voice conceal a tormentor who would trade a fortune for one man's ruin.

major

Also known as Mr. Robinson

First appearance: i in which the metropolitan diamond syndicate holds converse with mr edward blackton

As a major figure in The Third Round, Mr. William Robinson is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Loses self-control upon learning Drummond has the notes; uses cocaine to regain composure; dictates letter to Drummond.

In the storyIn Which Mr. William Robinson Loses His Self-ControlOpen this moment free

See Mr. William Robinson in In Which Mr. William Robinson Loses His Self-Control Book page

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Robinson hosts the unconscious Drummond in his New Forest house with the courtesy of a man who has already decided how the interview will end, and he speaks of revenge on Drummond as a weakness he would choose over Professor Goodman's secret itself. To his subordinate Freyder he is 'Chief,' and the cold ferocity that makes even that hardened man shudder is the same quality he turns on his own captive brother. His patient cruelty sets the moral temperature of the book's middle chapters.

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The fuller portrait of Mr. William Robinson sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. William Robinson in i in which the metropolitan diamond syndicate holds converse with mr edward blackton

Character Web

15 connections

A slice of how Mr. William Robinson sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Central Syndicate and Victims
Minor Players and Settings
Protagonist

+10 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Professor Goodman’s psychological breaking point—his haggard, defiant accusation (“What have you done to that…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Professor Goodman
professional · negative
Hugh Drummond
rivalry · negative
Professor Goodman
professional · negative
Hugh Drummond
rivalry · negative
Professor Goodman
professional · negative

Professor Goodman
Mr. William Robinson works closely with Professor Goodman, likely as a subordinate or partner in the criminal enterprise.
Hugh Drummond
Hugh Drummond and Mr. William Robinson are on opposite sides, with Drummond trying to thwart Robinson's criminal activities.
Professor Goodman
Mr. William Robinson works closely with Professor Goodman, likely as a subordinate or partner in the criminal enterprise.
Hugh Drummond
Hugh Drummond and Mr. William Robinson are on opposite sides, with Drummond trying to thwart Robinson's criminal activities.
Professor Goodman
Mr. William Robinson works closely with Professor Goodman, likely as a subordinate or partner in the criminal enterprise.

Relationship notes

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

See Mr. William Robinson in i in which the metropolitan diamond syndicate holds converse with mr edward blackton

In the story

Mr. William Robinson appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

In Which Mr. William Robinson Loses His Self-Control
Loses self-control upon learning Drummond has the notes; uses cocaine to regain composure; dictates letter to Drummond.
In Which Hugh Drummond Loses His Self-Control
Masterminds the scheme, using Scheidstrun as a pawn and paying him for his role.
In Which Drummond Plays a Little Game of Trains
Reveals his deep personal hatred for Drummond, insisting on keeping him alive for revenge. He plans to dispose of him by dropping him overboard with weights.
IX: In Which Professor Goodman Has a Trying Time
Reveals his true identity and his twenty-year revenge plot against Peterson, having disguised himself as Scheidstrun to save Goodman and secure the secret.
X: In Which Drummond Goes on Board the S.Y. Gadfly
Revealed to be Peterson, he plans to take Drummond and Goodman aboard his yacht, the S.Y. Gadfly, and is determined to exact revenge on Drummond.
In Which Drummond Leaves the S.Y. Gadfly
Believes Drummond and Goodman are drowned; expresses false condolences.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. William Robinson unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. William Robinson in i in which the metropolitan diamond syndicate holds converse with mr edward blackton

See Mr. William Robinson in In Which Mr. William Robinson Loses His Self-Control