# Captain Collyer — Doctor Syn character guide > Captain Collyer in Doctor Syn by Russell Thorndike. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Captain Howard Collyer, Howard Collyer, Collyer, The Captain, Collywobbles **First appearance:** 0001-ii-the-coming-of-the-king-s-frigate ## Who they are A naval captain nicknamed Collywobbles, sent to Romney Marsh on grim business that pits duty against the town's charm. ## Relationships ### [Doctor Syn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/doctor_syn) _rivalry_ Captain Collyer, the King's revenue officer, is determined to expose Doctor Syn as the leader of the smuggling ring, creating a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic. ### [Mipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/mipps) _rivalry_ Collyer views Mipps as a key accomplice of Doctor Syn and a dangerous smuggler, leading to frequent confrontations. ### [Sir Antony Cobtree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/sir_antony_cobtree) _social_ Collyer and Sir Antony are local authority figures who interact as part of the village's social and legal hierarchy. ### [Mr. Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/mr_squire) _professional_ Collyer and Mr. Squire cooperate as officials in maintaining order and pursuing smugglers in the Romney Marsh area. ### [Mrs. Waggetts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/mrs_waggetts) _rivalry_ Collyer suspects Mrs. Waggetts of harboring smugglers at her inn, leading to frequent searches and hostility. ### [Clegg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/clegg) _rivalry_ Collyer pursues Clegg as a known smuggler and former pirate, leading to frequent clashes. ### [Sir Antony Cobtree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/sir_antony_cobtree) _social_ Collyer and Sir Antony are local authority figures who interact as part of the village's social and legal hierarchy. ### [Doctor Syn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/doctor_syn) _rivalry_ Captain Collyer, the King's revenue officer, is determined to expose Doctor Syn as the leader of the smuggling ring, creating a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic. ### [Mr. Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/mr_squire) _professional_ Collyer and Mr. Squire cooperate as officials in maintaining order and pursuing smugglers in the Romney Marsh area. ### [Mipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/mipps) _rivalry_ Collyer views Mipps as a key accomplice of Doctor Syn and a dangerous smuggler, leading to frequent confrontations. ### [Mipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/mipps) _rivalry_ Collyer views Mipps as a key accomplice of Doctor Syn and a dangerous smuggler, leading to frequent confrontations. ### [Doctor Syn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/doctor_syn) _rivalry_ Captain Collyer, the King's revenue officer, is determined to expose Doctor Syn as the leader of the smuggling ring, creating a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic. ## In the story ### [The Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/iv-the-captain) Introduced as a thickset, red-faced officer; bullies Jerk, argues with Mipps, and challenges Denis over smuggling and loyalty. ### [A Bottle of Alsace Lorraine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/v-a-bottle-of-alsace-lorraine) Leads the King's Men, orders a bottle of Alsace Lorraine, and discovers the hidden trapdoor. ### [Doctor Syn Takes Cold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/vi-doctor-syn-takes-cold) Arrives with the King's men; introduces himself to the squire and Doctor Syn; explains his mission to suppress smuggling; accepts lodging at the courthouse. ### [VII: Clegg the Buccaneer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/vii-clegg-the-buccaneer) Expounds his theory that Clegg escaped execution by having a substitute hanged; later finds himself locked in his room. ### [X: Doctor Syn Gives Some Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/x-doctor-syn-gives-some-advice) Leads the King's men and is involved in the investigation. ### [XI: The Courthouse Inquiry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xi-the-courthouse-inquiry) Oversees the inquiry, orders the bo'sun to bring Mr. Rash, and summons Jerry Jerk into the courthouse. ### [XII: The Captain Objects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xii-the-captain-objects) Presides over the inquiry but delivers a blunt, accusatory speech against the squire and the Marsh, threatening to root out demon riders and bring the guilty to justice. ### [The End of the Inquiry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xiii-the-end-of-the-inquiry) Shows no interest in the proceedings and leaves the courthouse without speaking to the squire. ### [XVII: The Doctor Sings a Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xvii-the-doctor-sings-a-song) Restrains Jerry, observes the scene, and summons his men with a whistle. ### [Behind the Shutters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xviii-behind-the-shutters) Dazed and suspicious, he struggles to understand the events and is unsettled by Syn's behavior. ### [The Captain's Nightmare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xix-the-captain-s-nightmare) Experiences a vivid nightmare after being drugged, then is roused by Syn and Mipps. ### [XX: A Terrible Investigation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xx-a-terrible-investigation) Leads the investigation, kicks in the vicarage door, and discovers the bound sailors and the dead Bill Spiker. ### [XXI: The Bo'sun's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxi-the-bo-sun-s-story) Interrogates the bo'sun and Morgan Walters about the night's events, then joins Doctor Syn for breakfast. ### [A Curious Breakfast Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxii-a-curious-breakfast-party) Reveals his suspicions about the mulatto and shares a bizarre story of a posthumous murder, then confides in Jerry about witnessing Pepper's murder and proposes a joint investigation. ### [The Coffin-Maker Has a Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxiv-the-coffin-maker-has-a-visitor) Visits Mipps's coffin shop, engages in conversation, and accepts an invitation to drink and smoke. ### [XXV: The Sexton Speaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxv-the-sexton-speaks) The captain analyzes Mipps's character, suspecting him of being a ringleader in smuggling and noting his fascination with Mipps despite his guilt. He plans to corner Mipps and other wrongdoers on the Marsh. ### [The Fight at Mill House Farm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxviii-the-fight-at-mill-house-farm) Captain Collyer is captured by the smugglers and held at blunderbuss-point, used as a hostage to force his men's surrender. ### [Captain Collyer Entertains an Attorney from Rye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxix-captain-collyer-entertains-an-attorney-from-rye) Addresses his men after being freed, vows to avenge Will Rudrum, and plans to secure reinforcements and legal support. ### [A Certain Tree Bears Fruit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxi-a-certain-tree-bears-fruit) Intercepts Jerry after the discovery and takes him back to the village for an experiment. ### [The Captain's Experiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxii-the-captain-s-experiment) Leads the experiment with Morgan Walters as a decoy; receives a mysterious blue dispatch. ### [Holding the Pulpit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxvi-holding-the-pulpit) Attempts to arrest Syn but is struck down; later finds Morgan Walters nailed to the table instead of Syn. ### [The Dead Man's Throttle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-dead-man-s-throttle) Leads the boarding of the lugger, orders the burial of Syn's body at sea. ### [XXXVIII: Dymchurch-Under-the-Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxviii-dymchurch-under-the-wall) Recalled from Dymchurch and dies under Nelson's command; his death saves many necks as he had uncovered the secrets of the demon riders and the wool-running. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/captain_collyer - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters