# Nayland Smith — The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu character guide > Nayland Smith in The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Nayland Smith, Mr. Smith, Commissioner Nayland Smith **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A lean, relentless British commissioner who arrives from Burma with credentials, a revolver, and the certainty that a hidden enemy will strike before dawn. ## Who they are Smith operates on nerve and instinct, dragging his friend Dr. Petrie into locked hotel rooms and moonlit graveyards on the strength of a warning and a hunch. His authority is real but unofficial, and his obsession with Fu-Manchu leaves him groping in the dark as often as he triumphs. He is the engine of the pursuit, and his willingness to suspend law and courtesy for the sake of the mission defines the book's moral weather. ## Relationships ### [Dr. Fu-Manchu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/dr_fu_manchu) _rivalry_ Arch-enemies locked in a deadly intellectual and physical battle of wits, with Smith relentlessly pursuing Fu-Manchu's criminal schemes. ### [Inspector Weymouth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/inspector_weymouth) _professional_ Weymouth is a Scotland Yard inspector who collaborates closely with Smith, providing official police support in the hunt for Fu-Manchu. ### [Mr. Eltham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/mr_eltham) _professional_ Eltham is a colleague or associate who assists Smith in his investigations, likely within the colonial or diplomatic sphere. ### [Dr. Petrie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/dr_petrie) _friendship_ Petrie is Smith's close friend and medical doctor, often acting as his confidant and companion in dangerous adventures. ### [Sir Lionel Barton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/sir_lionel_barton) _professional_ Sir Lionel Barton is a famous explorer and ally who works with Smith, sharing intelligence about Fu-Manchu's activities. ### [Karamanèh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/karamaneh) _psychological_ Karamanèh is a mysterious woman under Fu-Manchu's control, and Smith feels a protective obsession toward her while suspecting her loyalties. ### [Graham Guthrie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/graham_guthrie) _professional_ Graham Guthrie is a government or diplomatic figure who coordinates with Smith on matters related to Fu-Manchu's threat. ### [Sir Crichton Davey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/sir_crichton_davey) _professional_ Sir Crichton Davey is a high-ranking official or expert who provides Smith with resources and authority in the investigation. ### [Frank Norris West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/frank_norris_west) _professional_ Frank Norris West is an American detective or agent who cooperates with Smith in the international pursuit of Fu-Manchu. ### [Mr. Henderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/mr_henderson) _professional_ Mr. Henderson is a minor official or informant who provides Smith with local intelligence and logistical support. ### [Lord Southery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/lord_southery) _professional_ Lord Southery is a political figure who consults with Smith about the national security implications of Fu-Manchu's crimes. ### [Professor Jenner Monde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/professor_jenner_monde) _professional_ Professor Jenner Monde is a scientific expert who aids Smith in understanding Fu-Manchu's advanced and sinister methods. ## In the story ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/i) Arrives unexpectedly from Burma, reveals a poisoned arrow wound, and insists on warning Sir Crichton Davey. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/ii) Reveals the existence of Dr. Fu-Manchu and his campaign; investigates Sir Crichton's study and warns Petrie of danger. ### [The Zayat Kiss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/iii) Explains the Zayat Kiss and his theory about the centipede; sets a trap and kills the creature. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/iv) Identifies the dead lascar as a dacoit and connects the murder to Fu-Manchu; receives a call from Inspector Weymouth and proceeds to Wapping. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/v) Leads the disguised infiltration of Shen-Yan's; reconstructs Cadby's burned notes and coordinates the police operation. ### [The Pit of the Opium Den](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/vi) Leads the infiltration of Shen-Yan's opium den, orchestrates the rush up the stairs, rescues Petrie from the pit, and later admits he spared Karamanèh out of gratitude. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/vii) Arrives at Redmoat to investigate Eltham's case; warns Eltham about the dangers of returning to China and the Yellow Peril. ### [The Shrubbery Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/ix) Leads the investigation of the shrubbery and theorizes that Fu-Manchu is hiding inside Redmoat. ### [The Web of the Yellow Peril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/x) Returns from visiting Sir Lionel Barton; expresses despair and frustration. ### [The Mystery of the Sarcophagus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xi) Investigates the double murder, deduces the roles of Strozza and Kwee, and connects the deaths to Fu-Manchu's schemes. ### [Chapter XII: The Poisonous Gas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xii) Returns from the docks with a box containing poisonous gas; deduces Fu-Manchu's plan involving the mummy case. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xiii) Chained with Petrie; recognizes the 'Call of Siva' as a death omen. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xiv) Imprisoned with Petrie; maintains hope and leads the escape. ### [The Call of Siva](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xv) Leads the defense against the Thug attack; nearly strangled but saved by Petrie and Guthrie. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xvi) Interrogates Karamanèh, captures a disguised dacoit, and directs Petrie in pursuit. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xvii) Leads the expedition, negotiates with Fu-Manchu, and insists on keeping his word despite the danger. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xviii) Leads the disguised expedition to the Arab club and investigates the attack on Norris West. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xix) Deduces the use of hashish and hypnosis, and urgently departs for Tilbury to intercept the thief. ### [The Dash to Tilbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xx) Leads the dash to Tilbury, deduces the marmoset's role in the theft, and arranges for the liner's delay and surveillance. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xxi) Investigates Lord Southery's death and discusses the possibility of Fu-Manchu's involvement. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xxii) Paces the room, smokes heavily, and suddenly decides to travel to L——, suspecting Fu-Manchu's involvement. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xxiii) Persuades Henderson to exhume Lord Southery, leads the rescue, and is wounded by a dacoit's knife. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xxiv) Leads the raid with Petrie and Weymouth; suspicious of Karamanèh but follows her plan. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xxv) Captured alongside Petrie and Weymouth; groans in the darkness but remains defiant. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xxvi) Also bound, he tries to rouse Karamanèh by touching her. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xxvii) Grieves Weymouth's death, explains Fu-Manchu's possible supernatural birth, and refuses to believe Fu-Manchu is dead without visual proof. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xxviii) Investigates Professor Jenner Monde and plans to investigate Maple Cottage. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xxix) Leads the vigil at Maple Cottage, displaying characteristic nervous energy and foresight by preparing a hypodermic syringe for the anticipated crisis. ### [The Final Reckoning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/chapters/xxx) Arranges for Fu-Manchu to heal Weymouth; present at the cottage and later proposes a trip to Egypt. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters/nayland_smith - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_insidious_dr_fu_manchu_se/characters