# Walter Longhurst — Tracks in the Snow character guide

> Walter Longhurst in Tracks in the Snow by Godfrey R. Benson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Longhurst

**First appearance:** 0001-tracks-in-the-snow

## Snapshot

A rough-living, generous man from Australia whose mysterious banknotes and hidden past shadow the whole affair from beyond the grave.

## Who they are

Longhurst emerges through the testimony of an aged Methodist lay-preacher who knew him in Australia: a careless liver who nonetheless gave money he could ill afford to religious work, and later sent anonymous banknotes through a nameless London agent. His death, and the rich gentleman who afterward pressed a pension on his beneficiary, deepen the suspicion surrounding Vane-Cartwright. Longhurst is the buried root of the mystery, the man whose fate the narrator fears he can never unravel.

## Relationships

### [William Vane-Cartwright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/characters/william_vane_cartwright)

_professional_

Walter serves as a subordinate or associate to William, handling logistical or supportive tasks in their shared enterprise.

### [Eustace Peters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/characters/eustace_peters)

_professional_

Eustace and Walter have a working relationship, with Walter possibly acting as a intermediary or agent for Eustace.

### [Melchior Thalberg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/characters/melchior_thalberg)

_professional_

Melchior and Walter have a professional connection, possibly as co-conspirators or colleagues in a shared scheme.

### [Charles Bryanston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/characters/charles_bryanston)

_friendship_

Charles and Walter are companions, likely sharing a common background or purpose in the story.

### [Charles Bryanston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/characters/charles_bryanston)

_friendship_

Charles and Walter are companions, likely sharing a common background or purpose in the story.

### [William Vane-Cartwright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/characters/william_vane_cartwright)

_professional_

Walter serves as a subordinate or associate to William, handling logistical or supportive tasks in their shared enterprise.

## In the story

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned in Bryanston's letter as having sailed on the Eleanor and survived.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/chapters/ix)

Revealed to be dead, not drowned as previously thought; his murder is being investigated by Peters.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/chapters/xii)

Mentioned in conversation at a party; the narrator hears something about him.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/chapters/xiii)

Rough mining engineer who partners with Cartwright; later found dead with two bullets in the head, identified by a missing finger.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/chapters/xv)

A photograph of Longhurst is seen in a parishioner's home; the parishioner knew Longhurst in Australia and received money from him.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/chapters/xxi)

Referenced as Vane-Cartwright's partner in a failed venture, whose drinking and suspicion led to trouble.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/chapters/xxii)

Longhurst's disappearance and Vane-Cartwright's knowledge of it form a key part of the prosecution's case.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/characters/walter_longhurst
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tracks_in_the_snow_se/characters