# Captain von Heumann — The Amateur Cracksman character guide

> Captain von Heumann in The Amateur Cracksman by E. W. Hornung.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** von, von Heumann, Von Heumann, Herr Captain Wilhelm von Heumann

**First appearance:** 0006-gentlemen-and-players

## Snapshot

A German officer aboard ship, heavy with beer and entrusted with an emperor's pearl, who becomes the target of Raffles's most audacious theft.

## Who they are

Von Heumann is a courteous, self-satisfied rival who plays cricket against Raffles and carries a priceless pearl on a diplomatic errand. His weakness for drink and for a certain young woman named Amy make him easy prey for Raffles's patient, flirtatious reconnaissance. He matters because his cabin, his sleep, and his mission become the stage for one of the book's most elaborate and morally ambiguous jobs.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/i)

German officer carrying the Emperor's pearl; seen in the smoking-room.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/ii)

The target of the theft, carries the pearl, drinks beer, and sulks in the smoking-room.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/iii)

The victim of the theft; his cabin is burgled and he is chloroformed.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/characters/von_heumann
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/characters