# Nikolas Rokoff — The Return of Tarzan character guide

> Nikolas Rokoff in The Return of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Rokoff, Monsieur Rokoff

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-affair-on-the-liner

## Snapshot

A Russian schemer whose wounded vanity curdles into patient, methodical vengeance against the stranger who humiliated him twice.

## Who they are

Rokoff moves through first-class decks and Parisian salons with the polish of a man who knows how to use other people's secrets. When Tarzan wrenches him from a veiled woman's wrist and hurls his revolver into the Atlantic, Rokoff does not rage for long — he calculates, and his threats are promises. His vendetta supplies the engine of the plot, turning Tarzan's chivalry into a liability and drawing everyone near him into danger.

## Relationships

### [Tarzan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/characters/tarzan)

_rivalry_

Nikolas Rokoff is Tarzan's bitter and murderous enemy, constantly plotting revenge and destruction against him.

### [Tarzan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/characters/tarzan)

_rivalry_

Nikolas Rokoff is Tarzan's bitter and murderous enemy, constantly plotting revenge and destruction against him.

### [Tarzan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/characters/tarzan)

_rivalry_

Nikolas Rokoff is Tarzan's bitter and murderous enemy, constantly plotting revenge and destruction against him.

## In the story

### [The Affair on the Liner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/i-the-affair-on-the-liner)

Masterminds the plot to frame Count de Coude and threatens Tarzan afterward.

### [II: Forging Bonds of Hate and ⸻?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/ii-forging-bonds-of-hate-and)

Threatens and physically assaults a young woman; is confronted and humiliated by Tarzan.

### [III: What Happened in the Rue Maule](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/iii-what-happened-in-the-rue-maule)

Rokoff orchestrates the ambush in the Rue Maule, waiting outside to ensure Tarzan's death but fleeing when the plan fails.

### [IV: The Countess Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/iv-the-countess-explains)

Observes Tarzan at the opera, threatens Countess de Coude after Tarzan's visit, and continues his scheme to obtain state secrets.

### [The Plot That Failed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/v-the-plot-that-failed)

Brother of Countess de Coude, plots with Paulvitch to trap Tarzan, is confronted and forced to write a confession and promise silence.

### [VI: A Duel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/vi-a-duel)

Mentioned as the author of the written confession that Tarzan uses to exonerate the countess.

### [IX: Numa El Adrea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/ix-numa-el-adrea)

Implied to be behind the plot of hired assassins following Tarzan, though not physically present in the chapter.

### [X: Through the Valley of the Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/x-through-the-valley-of-the-shadow)

Implied as the orchestrator of Tarzan's capture and intended death.

### [John Caldwell, London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xi-john-caldwell-london)

Blackmails Lieutenant Gernois for money and military secrets; disguises himself as an Arab; nearly discovered by Tarzan.

### [Ships That Pass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xii-ships-that-pass)

Disguised as Monsieur Thuran on the yacht; steals Tarzan's official documents with Paulvitch and orchestrates Tarzan's being thrown overboard.

### [XIV: Back to the Primitive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xiv-back-to-the-primitive)

Throws Tarzan overboard and steals the papers Tarzan had taken from him at Bou Saada.

### [From Ape to Savage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xv-from-ape-to-savage)

Rokoff is mentioned as Tarzan's enemy, whom Tarzan wishes he could kill in the jungle; Rokoff is simultaneously ingratiating himself with Hazel Strong.

### [The Passing of the Ape-Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xxvi-the-passing-of-the-ape-man)

Attempts to shoot Tarzan but is disarmed and handed over to French authorities.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/characters/nikolas_rokoff
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/characters