# Eric Sanders — The Wrong Letter character guide

> Eric Sanders in The Wrong Letter by Walter S. Masterman.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Eric, Mr. Eric Sanders, Mr. Sanders, Sanders, Eric

**First appearance:** 0001-the-wrong-letter

## Snapshot

Sir James's private secretary, in love with the daughter his employer forbade him to marry, who left a desperate pencilled plea to be seen.

## Who they are

Eric Sanders occupies an impossible position: trusted insider in the Watson household, yet barred by Sir James from courting Mabel, with words exchanged between them that the servants overheard. A visiting card found in Collins's pocket — 'For God's sake, see me. I will not detain you' — suggests a man with something urgent and dangerous to say. Whether he is a grieving suitor or something far more compromised, his shadow falls across every early theory about the murder.

## Relationships

### [Sylvester Collins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/characters/sylvester_collins)

_friendship_

Eric is a close friend and ally to Sylvester, often supporting him in his schemes or investigations.

### [Mabel Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/characters/mabel_watson)

_friendship_

Eric and Mabel are confidants, with Eric often acting as a go-between for Mabel and Sylvester.

### [Mr. Allery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/characters/mr_allery)

_professional_

Eric and Mr. Allery have a subordinate-superior relationship, with Eric reporting to him.

### [Sylvester Collins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/characters/sylvester_collins)

_friendship_

Eric is a close friend and ally to Sylvester, often supporting him in his schemes or investigations.

### [Mabel Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/characters/mabel_watson)

_friendship_

Eric and Mabel are confidants, with Eric often acting as a go-between for Mabel and Sylvester.

### [Sylvester Collins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/characters/sylvester_collins)

_friendship_

Eric is a close friend and ally to Sylvester, often supporting him in his schemes or investigations.

### [Mabel Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/characters/mabel_watson)

_friendship_

Eric and Mabel are confidants, with Eric often acting as a go-between for Mabel and Sylvester.

### [Mr. Allery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/characters/mr_allery)

_professional_

Eric and Mr. Allery have a subordinate-superior relationship, with Eric reporting to him.

### [Mr. Allery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/characters/mr_allery)

_professional_

Eric and Mr. Allery have a subordinate-superior relationship, with Eric reporting to him.

## In the story

### [At the Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/chapters/iii-at-the-vale)

Mentioned as Sir James's private secretary and Mabel's romantic interest; his visiting card with a desperate plea is found by Collins; he wires that he is coming to The Vale.

### [VII: Valuable Information](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/chapters/vii-valuable-information)

Travels with Mabel, shows resentment toward Collins, argues with Mabel about her friendship with Collins, and is revealed to have visited Sir James after the mysterious caller.

### [VIII: Enter Mr. Allery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/chapters/viii-enter-mr-allery)

Has already gone to Devonshire to assist with Sir James's papers; mentioned as a suitor Sir James opposed.

### [X: The Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/chapters/x-the-portrait)

Meets Collins at the station, appears changed and cheerful, engages in conversation about the case and literature.

### [XI: An Apparition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/chapters/xi-an-apparition)

Becomes jealous and possessive of Mabel; openly skeptical of the ghost; quarrels with Mabel and accuses her of carrying on with Collins.

### [XII: What Happened in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/chapters/xii-what-happened-in-the-night)

Found standing on the hearthrug with a revolver, confronts Collins with hostility.

### [XIII: The Car in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/chapters/xiii-the-car-in-the-dark)

Has left early in the morning, leaving a note for Mabel.

### [XV: The Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/chapters/xv-the-crisis)

Present at the meeting, shows jealousy and contempt toward Collins, and makes a remark about blackmail.

### [XVI: The Criminal Found](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/chapters/xvi-the-criminal-found)

Volunteers to pursue Collins, armed with a revolver, despite the danger.

### [XVII: The Wrong Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/chapters/xvii-the-wrong-letter)

Mabel asks for his forgiveness and agrees to marry him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/characters/eric_sanders
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wrong_letter_se/characters