# Mr. Vanderkemp — Inspector French’s Greatest Case character guide

> Mr. Vanderkemp in Inspector French’s Greatest Case by Freeman Wills Crofts.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Vanderkemp

**First appearance:** 0002-iii-gathering-the-threads

## Snapshot

A diamond merchant who returns from abroad to learn of the murder, only to find Inspector French waiting with questions that make him look like a suspect.

## Who they are

Vanderkemp is connected to Duke & Peabody through his own firm, and his reaction to news of Gething's death is genuine shock. But when French reveals that their meeting was no coincidence, the traveller's manner shifts from surprise to wariness and then to open fear. His decision to tell his whole story, knowing it may be used against him, makes him one of the case's most ambiguous figures.

## In the story

### [II: The Firm of Duke and Peabody](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/ii-the-firm-of-duke-and-peabody)

Outside man and traveller for the firm, mentioned as part of the staff.

### [III: Gathering the Threads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/iii-gathering-the-threads)

Traveller for the firm, uncle of Harrington; mentioned in Harrington's background.

### [IV: Missing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/iv-missing)

The traveling agent who has disappeared; suspected of possible involvement in the murder and theft.

### [French Takes a Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/v-french-takes-a-journey)

Vanderkemp is the prime suspect in the murder; French learns he left the Beau-Sejour a week earlier and is believed to have gone to Barcelona.

### [VI: The Hotel in Barcelona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/vi-the-hotel-in-barcelona)

Found in a Barcelona hotel; claims innocence and tells a story about a Russian nobleman to explain his actions.

### [Sylvia and Harrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/viii-sylvia-and-harrington)

Mentioned in French's theory as possibly seen by Harrington and Sylvia near the crime scene, though both deny it.

### [XVI: A Hot Scent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/xvi-a-hot-scent)

Considered as a possible suspect but French doubts his guilt based on character and timeline.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/xx-conclusion)

Used as a model for Duke's disguise and framed to throw suspicion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/characters/vanderkemp
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/characters