# Herr von Wenk — Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler character guide > Herr von Wenk in Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler by Norbert Jacques. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Wenk, Dr. Wenk, Herr Wenk, Dr. von Wenk, State Attorney von Wenk, VI Wenk, VIII Wenk **First appearance:** 0001-dr-mabuse-the-gambler ## Snapshot A solitary state attorney who stalks Munich's secret gambling dens in the disguise of a wealthy country cousin, hunting the shadowy opponent he suspects is greater than any crime he has yet known. ## Who they are Wenk moves through the novel as its investigating conscience, a bachelor with no womanly influence in his life and a boyhood dream of justice that suddenly feels fulfilled by this pursuit. He plants himself as bait — a rich provincial at the card tables — reasoning that his supposed fortune will draw the night moths of the gambling world toward him. His disciplined, watchful mind, sharpened by a pre-war journey to China, makes him the one man Mabuse treats as a genuine adversary rather than a pawn. ## Relationships ### [Dr. Mabuse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/dr_mabuse) _rivalry_ Mabuse and von Wenk are locked in a high-stakes battle of wits, with Mabuse as the criminal mastermind and von Wenk as the determined detective pursuing him. ### [Hull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/hull) _professional_ Hull is von Wenk's loyal assistant and ally, aiding him in the investigation against Mabuse. ### [Countess Told](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/countess_told) _romantic_ Countess Told is romantically involved with von Wenk, sharing a deep emotional and possibly secret connection. ### [Weltmann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/weltmann) _professional_ Weltmann is a colleague or associate of von Wenk, likely involved in the legal or investigative efforts against crime. ### [Cara Carozza](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/cara_carozza) _psychological_ Cara Carozza, a dancer and pawn of Mabuse, is entangled with von Wenk in a tense dynamic of manipulation and suspicion. ### [Count Told](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/count_told) _social_ Count Told is an acquaintance of von Wenk, moving in the same aristocratic circles but with underlying tension due to Mabuse's influence. ### [Professor Grote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/professor_grote) _professional_ Professor Grote is a professional contact of von Wenk, possibly an expert consulted in the investigation. ### [Privy Councillor Wendel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/privy_councillor_wendel) _professional_ Privy Councillor Wendel is a high-ranking official or colleague working with von Wenk on legal or police matters. ### [Karstens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/karstens) _professional_ Karstens is an ally or subordinate of von Wenk, assisting in the pursuit of Mabuse. ### [Dr. Schramm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/dr_schramm) _professional_ Dr. Schramm is a professional contact of von Wenk, likely a doctor or expert aiding the investigation. ### [Hull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/hull) _professional_ Hull is von Wenk's loyal assistant and ally, aiding him in the investigation against Mabuse. ### [Dr. Mabuse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/dr_mabuse) _rivalry_ Mabuse and von Wenk are locked in a high-stakes battle of wits, with Mabuse as the criminal mastermind and von Wenk as the determined detective pursuing him. ## In the story ### [Translator's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/translator-s-note) Described as a barrister and LL.D. who combines prosecutorial and detective duties, uses disguises, and exerts influence over prison officials and editors. ### [Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/dr-mabuse-the-gambler) Begins his investigation into the mysterious gambler and the events surrounding Hull's losses. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/ii) Now a special police official, he recruits Karstens and visits Hull to investigate the gambling underworld. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/iii) Plays obsessively against the sandy-bearded stranger, then resolves to use disguise and cunning. Later helps the unknown lady escape and suspects Cara Carozza as a decoy. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/iv) Disguised as a wealthy country cousin, Wenk plays cards and observes the Professor, resisting his hypnotic influence. Later, he reflects deeply on his mission and the criminal he pursues. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/v) Disguised as his own chauffeur, Wenk surveils gaming-houses and pursues a sandy-bearded man through Munich, eventually losing him in a theatre. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/vi) Recovers from gas attack, finds notebook missing, visits Countess Told to recruit her aid. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/vii) Receives news of Hull's murder, investigates the crime scene and hospital, and interrogates witnesses. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/viii) Remains cool and analytical after Hull's murder, devises a plan to use Countess Told to extract information from Cara Carozza. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/ix) Undercover in Constance, posing as a smuggler to infiltrate the gang; narrowly avoids recognition by the chauffeur; coordinates with local police. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/x) Arranges the Countess's prison visit and briefs the governor. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xi) Visits the prison to investigate Cara Carozza's visit but finds she left early; expresses frustration with the governor. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xii) Offers support to Count Told, investigates the incident, and discusses the spiritual and intellectual role of the upper class. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xiv) Receives a telephone report about the car near the steamroller, plans to investigate, and later disguises himself as a stoker's assistant. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xv) Wenk recognizes the sandy-bearded gambler, orders a search of the hall, and later investigates Pesch's murder and the Villa Elise. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xvi) Conducts surveillance on Mabuse's villa, disguises himself, and traces Mabuse's address. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xvii) Leads the police raid on Mabuse's villa and orchestrates the pursuit via telephone, coordinating with multiple stations. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xviii) Arrives at the Villa Elise believing Mabuse is captured, but discovers the prisoner is actually Poldringer. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xix) Pursues Mabuse across Germany, obtains permission to go to Berlin, and begins his hunt in the city. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xx) Attends Weltmann's performance, recognizes him as Mabuse, and struggles with the decision to escape or confront him. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xxi) Trapped in a car and later in an aeroplane, Wenk struggles against Mabuse's deadly trap, ultimately saved by the Countess's intervention. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters/herr_von_wenk - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/characters