# The Tough Customer — Jibby Jones character guide

> The Tough Customer in Jibby Jones by Ellis Parker Butler.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Tough Customer, Customer

**First appearance:** 0006-vii-the-tough-customer

## Snapshot

A shadowy rival trailing Jibby's crew toward the Murrell farm treasure, outwitted at every turn by a boy with a plan and a cat named Orlando.

## Who they are

The Tough Customer is the lurking menace who dogs the boys' treasure hunt, hoping to snatch the land pirate's hoard before they dig it up. Jibby anticipates him constantly, feeding false clues about the well and the pine tree while the crew eats sandwiches and pretends not to notice. He gives the expedition its delicious sense of danger—and its best excuse for Jibby's cleverest tricks.

## In the story

### [VII: The Tough Customer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se/chapters/vii-the-tough-customer)

Argues with the Rat about staying on the island, reveals a treasure map stolen from a redheaded man in jail, and convinces the Rat to hunt for treasure instead of cider.

### [Where Is Greenland?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se/chapters/xi-where-is-greenland)

Spotted digging at the true treasure site ahead of the boys, and is suspected of wrecking their motorboat.

### [XIII: The Viking Ship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se/chapters/xiii-the-viking-ship)

Confronts the boys demanding a missing paper, but is outwitted by Jibby.

### [XIV: Uncle Beeswax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se/chapters/xiv-uncle-beeswax)

Chases Uncle Beeswax, believing he has their treasure map; later inspects the grape tree map and is satisfied.

### [XIX: The Tough Customer Appears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se/chapters/xix-the-tough-customer-appears)

Appears as a one-legged man claiming to be the hired girl's cousin. He steals the 1804 dollar from Wampus.

### [XX: Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se/chapters/xx-orlando)

Falls into Jibby's elephant trap in the dry well; surrenders the 1804 dollar to avoid being attacked by the supposed skunk.

### [Winged Enemies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se/chapters/xxi-winged-enemies)

Chased off by Orlando the cat; yips three times and hops on his wooden leg before vanishing.

### [XXIII: Treasure Trove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se/chapters/xxiii-treasure-trove)

Appears at the front of the crowd of treasure hunters, ready to dig.

### [XXIV: The Treasure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se/chapters/xxiv-the-treasure)

Attempts to dig for treasure but is thwarted by bumblebees and Jibby's quick actions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se/characters/tough_customer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jibby_jones_se/characters