# Albert Campion — The Crime at Black Dudley character guide > Albert Campion in The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Campion, Mr. Campion, Bertie **First appearance:** 0001-the-crime-at-black-dudley ## Snapshot A deceptively foolish-looking guest whose airy nonsense and unexpected competence make him the most useful person in a house full of suspects. ## Who they are Campion drifts through the Black Dudley weekend party wearing the manner of a harmless eccentric, all vagueness and cheerful irrelevance. Beneath the fool's mask sits a resourceful mind that notices what others miss and improvises when the situation turns dangerous. He becomes the ally Abbershaw never expected and the reader's best hope that the mystery will be untangled. ## Relationships ### [Michael Prenderby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/michael_prenderby) _social_ Campion and Prenderby are acquaintances among the house party, sharing a casual social connection. ### [Chris Kennedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/chris_kennedy) _friendship_ Campion and Kennedy are allies, with Kennedy often assisting Campion in his subtle investigations. ### [Meggie Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/meggie_oliphant) _friendship_ Campion is a friendly and protective presence toward Meggie, offering support without romantic entanglement. ### [Martin Watt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/martin_watt) _friendship_ Campion and Watt are friendly acquaintances, cooperating during the investigation. ### [Meggie Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/meggie_oliphant) _friendship_ Campion is a friendly and protective presence toward Meggie, offering support without romantic entanglement. ### [Martin Watt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/martin_watt) _friendship_ Campion and Watt are friendly acquaintances, cooperating during the investigation. ### [Chris Kennedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/chris_kennedy) _friendship_ Campion and Kennedy are allies, with Kennedy often assisting Campion in his subtle investigations. ### [Michael Prenderby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/michael_prenderby) _social_ Campion and Prenderby are acquaintances among the house party, sharing a casual social connection. ### [Chris Kennedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/chris_kennedy) _friendship_ Campion and Kennedy are allies, with Kennedy often assisting Campion in his subtle investigations. ### [Martin Watt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/martin_watt) _friendship_ Campion and Watt are friendly acquaintances, cooperating during the investigation. ### [Michael Prenderby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/michael_prenderby) _social_ Campion and Prenderby are acquaintances among the house party, sharing a casual social connection. ### [Meggie Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/meggie_oliphant) _friendship_ Campion is a friendly and protective presence toward Meggie, offering support without romantic entanglement. ## In the story ### [The Crime at Black Dudley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/the-crime-at-black-dudley) An enigmatic and seemingly foolish guest who proves to be more perceptive than he appears. ### [Candlelight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/i-candlelight) A seemingly foolish young man with tow-colored hair and spectacles, introduced as a 'silly ass' who performs conjuring tricks. ### [II: The Ritual of the Dagger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/ii-the-ritual-of-the-dagger) Interjects with his characteristic absurd drawl, asking about the ritual and comparing it to a conjuring trick. ### [In the Garage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/iii-in-the-garage) Appears in the garage, speaking in an idiotic manner; avoids the ritual; later tactfully leaves Abbershaw and Meggie alone. ### [VI: Mr. Campion Brings the House Down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/vi-mr-campion-brings-the-house-down) Found grappling with the drunken butler; fully dressed at 4 AM, claims he was going for an early walk but his explanation is suspicious. ### [Five O'Clock in the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/vii-five-o-clock-in-the-morning) Discussed as an uninvited guest; Anne reveals she brought him and introduced him to Wyatt. ### [VIII: Open Warfare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/viii-open-warfare) Sits next to Anne Edgeware; defuses tension by offering a breakfast egg as a decoy. ### [IX: Chris Kennedy Scores a Try Only](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/ix-chris-kennedy-scores-a-try-only) Makes a fatuous remark about theft, then mysteriously vanishes from beside Anne Edgeware, causing panic. ### [X: The Impetuous Mr. Abbershaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/x-the-impetuous-mr-abbershaw) Has disappeared, causing anxiety among the guests; his absence is noted. ### [XI: One Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xi-one-explanation) Campion is found locked in a wardrobe, badly beaten by Dawlish and von Faber. He explains his undercover mission and reveals von Faber's identity. ### [XII: “Furthermore…" Said Mr. Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xii-furthermore-said-mr-campion) Narrates his attempt to steal the wallet, his escape plan, and the loss of the wallet; expresses fear of guns and horror at the murder. ### [XIII: Abbershaw Sees Red](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xiii-abbershaw-sees-red) Previously suggested Meggie might be the next victim; is brushed aside by Abbershaw who uses the hidden passage Campion discovered. ### [XVII: In the Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xvii-in-the-evening) Makes a dramatic entrance by descending the chimney, offering to lead Meggie and Abbershaw to safety. ### [Mr. Kennedy's Council](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xviii-mr-kennedy-s-council) Appears foolish but makes pointed remarks; volunteers to stay with the girls; muses on the burned papers' value. ### [XIX: Mr. Campion’s Conjuring Trick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xix-mr-campion-s-conjuring-trick) Executes a conjuring trick as a diversion, then physically subdues a manservant and later disarms Gideon and his companion with a Webley. ### [XX: The Roundup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xx-the-roundup) Guides Abbershaw through the house, disables Wendon, fires a warning shot in the brewhouse, and orchestrates the group's escape. ### [XXI: The Point of View of Benjamin Dawlish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxi-the-point-of-view-of-benjamin-dawlish) Unusually quiet and anxious, betraying his concern for the group's predicament. ### [XXII: The Darkest Hour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxii-the-darkest-hour) Maintains a grimly humorous demeanor, offering half-cigarettes and trying to cheer the group; reveals his profession as a secret agent of sorts, working for the government and private clients. ### [XXIII: An Error in Taste](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxiii-an-error-in-taste) Recognizes Guffy Randall, warns about the horses, and deduces that Dawlish may be acting alone. ### [The Last of Black Dudley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxiv-the-last-of-black-dudley) Drives to London with Abbershaw, discusses the murder, and playfully evades revealing his true identity. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/albert_campion - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters