# Sproot — The Greene Murder Case character guide

> Sproot in The Greene Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Sproot, Mr. Sproot

**First appearance:** 0006-iii-at-the-greene-mansion

## Who they are

The Greene mansion's elderly butler, whose expressionless composure and watchful silence make him a fixture the family barely notices and the investigation cannot ignore.

## In the story

### [At the Greene Mansion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/iii-at-the-greene-mansion)

The elderly butler who admits the party with silent dignity.

### [IV: The Missing Revolver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/iv-the-missing-revolver)

The butler recounts hearing shots and discovering Ada Greene, displaying a stoic and philosophical demeanor.

### [Vance Argues the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/vii-vance-argues-the-case)

Noted for his multilingual reading of Martial during the crime and his inexplicable failure to encounter anyone while responding to the shots.

### [IX: The Three Bullets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/ix-the-three-bullets)

The butler who remains composed and evasive when questioned about the night's events.

### [XIV: Footprints on the Carpet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xiv-footprints-on-the-carpet)

Reports hearing the shot and finding Rex's body; questioned about his morning errand and the household events.

### [The Lost Poisons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xvi-the-lost-poisons)

Mentioned as having heard the shot that killed Rex Greene from the butler's pantry downstairs.

### [XIX: Sherry and Paralysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xix-sherry-and-paralysis)

Mentioned as not having lit the lamps, contributing to the gloomy atmosphere.

### [XX: The Fourth Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xx-the-fourth-tragedy)

Sproot discovers Ada poisoned, pulls down the signal curtains, and admits Doctor Drumm. He is questioned about the events surrounding the poisoning.

### [A Mysterious Trip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxiv-a-mysterious-trip)

Questioned by Vance about Sibella's phone call and the open window in Ada's room on the night of the shooting.

### [XXV: The Capture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxv-the-capture)

Admits Vance and the others to the Greene mansion, reports the sisters are out motoring.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters/sproot
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters