Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar · Character

Albert Werper

A Belgian officer who traded his uniform for a raider's loyalty and a pouch of Opar gold strapped tight beneath his shirt.

major

Also known as Werper, Lieutenant Albert Werper, Arab Lieutenant Albert Werper, the Belgian, the missing Belgian, Opar Werper

First appearance: I: Belgian and Arab

As a major figure in Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar, Albert Werper is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A disgraced Belgian lieutenant who murders his captain and a sentry, then flees into the jungle.

In the storyI: Belgian and ArabOpen this moment free

Werper is the novel's most quietly dangerous man: a deserter, a spy, and a thief who talks Tarzan out of slaughtering the Waziri because their treasure is walking exactly where he wants it borne. He survives Opar by luck and lies, and he survives the ape-man by flattery, always calculating the distance between himself and the noose. His secret pouch of jewels — withheld from Achmet Zek and coveted by everyone — is the fuse that turns allies into hunters and makes him the pivot of the book's chase.

See Albert Werper in I: Belgian and Arab Book page

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Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Albert Werper sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Professional
Psychological

Character groups

Human antagonists and allies
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

La’s unprecedented departure from Opar and her pursuit of Tarzan with fifty priests marks the emotional and ps…

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Relationships

Tarzan
rivalry · negative
Werper is a treacherous Belgian officer who repeatedly plots against Tarzan, driven by… How this plays out →
Achmet Zek
professional · negative
Jane Clayton
rivalry · negative
La
psychological · negative
Mohammed Beyd
professional · negative
Abdul Mourak
professional · negative
Menelek
professional · ambivalent
Achmet Zek
professional · negative
Tarzan
rivalry · negative
Werper is a treacherous Belgian officer who repeatedly plots against Tarzan, driven by… How this plays out →
Jane Clayton
rivalry · negative
Tarzan
rivalry · negative
Werper is a treacherous Belgian officer who repeatedly plots against Tarzan, driven by… How this plays out →
Achmet Zek
professional · negative

Tarzan
Werper is a treacherous Belgian officer who repeatedly plots against Tarzan, driven by greed and jealousy.
Achmet Zek
Achmet Zek is a ruthless Arab bandit leader who employs Werper as a reluctant ally in their criminal schemes.
Jane Clayton
Werper kidnaps and threatens Jane, viewing her as a pawn in his schemes against Tarzan.
La
Werper manipulates La's emotions and uses her obsession with Tarzan to further his own greedy plans.
Mohammed Beyd
Mohammed Beyd is a fellow bandit and subordinate of Achmet Zek, working alongside Werper in their criminal enterprise.
Abdul Mourak
Abdul Mourak is a henchman working under Werper and Achmet Zek, involved in their criminal activities.
Menelek
Menelek is an Ethiopian prince who becomes entangled with Werper in political and treasure-hunting schemes.
Achmet Zek
Achmet Zek is a ruthless Arab bandit leader who employs Werper as a reluctant ally in their criminal schemes.
Tarzan
Werper is a treacherous Belgian officer who repeatedly plots against Tarzan, driven by greed and jealousy.
Jane Clayton
Werper kidnaps and threatens Jane, viewing her as a pawn in his schemes against Tarzan.
Tarzan
Werper is a treacherous Belgian officer who repeatedly plots against Tarzan, driven by greed and jealousy.
Achmet Zek
Achmet Zek is a ruthless Arab bandit leader who employs Werper as a reluctant ally in their criminal schemes.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Albert Werper in I: Belgian and Arab

In the story

Albert Werper appears across 19 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: Belgian and Arab
A disgraced Belgian lieutenant who murders his captain and a sentry, then flees into the jungle. He joins Achmet Zek's band and conspires to kidnap Tarzan's wife.
On the Road to Opar
Disguised as M. Jules Frecoult, he spies on Tarzan and Jane, overhears the plan to go to Opar, and decides to follow Tarzan to steal the treasure.
Prophecy and Fulfillment
Follows Tarzan to Opar, hides in the treasure vault, and plans to steal the gold. He is terrified by Tarzan's victory cry but continues out of fear of Achmet Zek.
The Altar of the Flaming God
Escapes the vault, navigates tunnels, and is captured by Opar's priests for sacrifice.
VII: The Jewel-Room of Opar
Lies bound on the altar as a sacrifice, witnesses Tarzan's battle with the lion.
The Escape from Opar
Astounded by Tarzan's transformation, Werper decides to exploit Tarzan's amnesia for personal gain, leading him toward the Greystoke bungalow.
IX: The Theft of the Jewels
Discovers the murdered blacks, fears Tarzan, steals the jewels, and follows the Waziri.
X: Achmet Zek Sees the Jewels
Returns to the Arab camp ragged and disheveled after escaping the jungle. He secretly possesses the jewels from Opar, but is discovered by Achmet Zek and narrowly escapes an assassination attempt by fleeing into the night.
Tarzan Becomes a Beast Again
Stands over Tarzan with a knife but fears to strike; flees with the jewels when a lion approaches.
La Seeks Vengeance
Mentioned as the one who held the knife when it left Opar, but La's vengeance is focused on Tarzan.
A Priestess but Yet a Woman
The Belgian thief who stole Tarzan's jewels; Tarzan tracks his spoor through the village and into the jungle.
The Flight of Werper
Werper is captured by Abdul Mourak, pretends to be a French hunter, is taken prisoner, and later hides from an Arab pursuer, witnessing a lion attack the horseman.
The Deadly Peril of Jane Clayton
Bargains with Abdul Mourak for freedom by promising to lead him to a hidden gold cache, diverting the Abyssinians southward.
The Fight for the Treasure
Rides with the Abyssinians, helps unearth the gold, flees from Achmet Zek, and engages in a duel with him.
XIX: Jane Clayton and the Beasts of the Jungle
Disguised as Jules Frecoult, he ambushes and shoots Achmet Zek from hiding.
XX: Jane Clayton Again a Prisoner
Manipulates Jane and the raiders, searches for the missing jewels, and grows obsessively infatuated with her.
The Flight to the Jungle
Plots to rescue Jane Clayton, kills Mohammed Beyd, and stages his death as a suicide.
Tarzan Recovers His Reason
Captured by Tarzan and later taken prisoner by Abyssinian soldiers; participates in Tarzan's ruse involving a fake language.
Home
His remains are found with the jewels of Opar; his past actions are discussed and partially redeemed.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Albert Werper unlock in the free preview.

See Albert Werper in I: Belgian and Arab