His Last Bow · Character
Von Bork
A German spy posing as a hard-drinking country squire, Von Bork keeps a brassbound safe of stolen secrets and waits for the one courier who can complete his masterpiece.
major
Also known as Mister Von Bork, Mr. Von Bork
First appearance: His Last Bow
As a major figure in His Last Bow, Von Bork is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
A German spy preparing for war, who is deceived by Holmes and ultimately captured.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Von Bork is the embassy's man in England, a bald, cigar-puffing collector of pigeonholed intelligence on forts, harbours, and naval signals, and he measures his four years of work by the gem still missing from his safe.
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Von Bork sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Von Bork in His Last BowCharacter Web
11 connectionsA slice of how Von Bork sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Rivalry
- Other
Character groups
- German Espionage Network
- Protagonist
- Miscellaneous Supporting Characters
- Bruce-Partington Plans Case
+6 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Resolution.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt is not the story's dramatic climax; it is the opening of "The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfa…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Sherlock Holmes
rivalry · negative
Holmes is the antagonist and captor of Von Bork, a German spy, in a high-stakes espionage… How this plays out →
- Sherlock Holmes
rivalry · negative
Holmes is the antagonist and captor of Von Bork, a German spy, in a high-stakes espionage… How this plays out →
- Sherlock Holmes
rivalry · negative
Holmes is the antagonist and captor of Von Bork, a German spy, in a high-stakes espionage… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Von Bork in His Last BowIn the story
Von Bork appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Von Bork unlock in the free preview.
See Von Bork in His Last Bow