The Leavenworth Case · Character

Henry Clavering

A handsome, well-connected gentleman whose secret visits to the Leavenworth house and anonymous letter to the dead man mark him as a man with everything to hide.

major

Also known as Mr. Henry Clavering, Mr. Clavering, Clavering, Henry Ritchie Clavering, Henry

First appearance: i a great case

As a major figure in The Leavenworth Case, Henry Clavering is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Introduced as a key figure in the ongoing investigation.

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Henry Clavering moves through the case under assumed names, calling at the house as Mr. Robbins one night and as himself another, and his connection to Eleanore is the subject of servants' whispers. The threatening letter he sent to Horatio Leavenworth reveals a man who believed he had a claim on one of the nieces and was willing to destroy her reputation to enforce it. His presence turns the investigation toward questions of love, blackmail, and motive that the police are slow to pursue.

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This chapter is the dramatic climax because it delivers the long-withheld psychological revelation of the murd…

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In the story

Henry Clavering appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book II: Henry Clavering
Introduced as a key figure in the ongoing investigation.
XIV: Mr. Gryce at Home
A mysterious gentleman at the Hoffman House; Mr. Gryce wants the narrator to make his acquaintance.
Ways Opening
Observed at the Hoffman House; he studies the narrator with interest and is identified as a London gentleman not yet received into society.
XVI: The Will of a Millionaire
Mentioned as a person of interest in the investigation.
The Beginning of Great Surprises
Forsakes his usual haunts, depriving the narrator of opportunity to make his acquaintance.
XVIII: On the Stairs
Identified as the man who called on Eleanore as 'Robbins' and is now seen in the house, accused by Harwell of the murder.
XIX: In My Office
Clavering visits Raymond's office under the guise of seeking advice for a friend, but reveals the story is his own and delivers a pointed warning before departing for Liverpool.
XX: “Trueman! Trueman! Trueman!”
Identified by Mr. Harwell as the man he saw in his dream and later recognized in the hall of Miss Leavenworth's house.
XXI: A Prejudice
Identified as the Englishman who wrote a letter of complaint to Mr. Leavenworth, now suspected in the murder.
Patchwork
Author of the torn letter criticizing Eleanore; believed to have secretly married Eleanore; has left the Hoffman House.
XXIII: The Story of a Charming Woman
Referred to as a visitor to Mary Leavenworth; the narrator notes he has used the alias Robbins and has left the country.
A Report Followed by Smoke
Revealed to be Eleanore's secret husband; suspected of having motive and opportunity for the murder.
XXV: Timothy Cook
Named as the groom in the secret marriage witnessed by Timothy Cook.
Mr. Gryce Explains Himself
Revealed to have only pretended to leave the country; he is now watching Mary's house from a window across the street.
Mrs. Belden’s Narrative
Mentioned as Mary's intended husband; he is to meet her in F— for the marriage and then depart for Europe.
Unexpected Testimony
Suspected by Mrs. Belden as the murderer due to his marriage to Mary.
XXXV: Fine Work
Mentioned as the man Mary secretly married; his effects were searched but yielded no evidence.
Culmination
Stops the report implicating Mary, declares her innocence, and forgives her past wrongs.
A Full Confession
Mary's secret husband; his letter to Mr. Leavenworth reveals the secret marriage.
XXXIX: The Outcome of a Great Crime
Present with Eleanore; apologizes to the narrator for the earlier document and is reconciled with him.

Chapter companion notes

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