# Dollmann — The Riddle of the Sands character guide > Dollmann in The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Herr Dollmann, Frau Dollmann, the Dollmanns **First appearance:** 0008-vi-schlei-fjord ## Who they are An outwardly hospitable German yacht owner whose evasions and careful courtesies hide a past he will do almost anything to keep submerged. ## Relationships ### [Arthur H. Davies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/arthur_h_davies) _rivalry_ Davies suspects Dollmann of treason and spies on him, creating a tense adversarial dynamic. ### [Carruthers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/carruthers) _rivalry_ Carruthers views Dollmann with suspicion and is part of the effort to expose his treachery. ### [Grimm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/grimm) _professional_ Dollmann and Grimm are associates in the German intelligence network, though their trust is limited. ### [Davis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/davis) _professional_ Davis and Dollmann have a limited professional connection, possibly as a subordinate or informant. ### [Arthur H. Davies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/arthur_h_davies) _rivalry_ Davies suspects Dollmann of treason and spies on him, creating a tense adversarial dynamic. ### [Arthur H. Davies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/arthur_h_davies) _rivalry_ Davies suspects Dollmann of treason and spies on him, creating a tense adversarial dynamic. ### [Davis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/davis) _professional_ Davis and Dollmann have a limited professional connection, possibly as a subordinate or informant. ### [Carruthers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/carruthers) _rivalry_ Carruthers views Dollmann with suspicion and is part of the effort to expose his treachery. ### [Carruthers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/carruthers) _rivalry_ Carruthers views Dollmann with suspicion and is part of the effort to expose his treachery. ## In the story ### [VII: The Missing Page](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/vii-the-missing-page) Owner of the Medusa; described as tall, thin, with greyish hair and a bulging forehead; initially cold but later friendly. ### [The Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/viii-the-theory) Dollmann is discussed as the man who tried to drown Davies, has headquarters on the coast, and is in with German naval authorities. ### [IX: I Sign Articles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/ix-i-sign-articles) Discussed as the primary suspect; Davies believes he is an English traitor working for Germany who attempted murder. ### [XI: The Pathfinders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xi-the-pathfinders) Implied as the owner of the Medusa, which is outward bound; the lady inquirer may be connected to him. ### [XIII: The Meaning of Our Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xiii-the-meaning-of-our-work) Dollmann's treachery is mentioned as the motive for the quest, though Carruthers feels they have not yet found a really adequate motive for it. ### [The First Night in the Islands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xiv-the-first-night-in-the-islands) Mentioned as a possible agent behind the prowler; Davies and Carruthers speculate whether Dollmann knows of their return and might resort to violence. ### [Commander von Brüning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xvi-commander-von-br-ning) Mentioned as being away; von Brüning notes his yacht is back and that he is largely interested in the treasure company. ### [Clearing the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xvii-clearing-the-air) Discussed as a suspected traitor and the target of their investigation; his attempt to wreck Davies is the foundation of their suspicions. ### [XIX: The Rubicon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xix-the-rubicon) Mentioned as being away in Amsterdam; expected back soon; Fräulein Dollmann says he may not approve of her visit. ### [The Little Drab Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xx-the-little-drab-book) Identified as the author of the guidebook under the pseudonym Lieutenant X⸺, a former British naval officer now living in Germany; his past and secrets are the focus of the chapter. ### [Blindfold to Memmert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxi-blindfold-to-memmert) Dollmann is mentioned as one of the men who went to Memmert, and his presence is part of the motivation for the journey. ### [The Quartet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxii-the-quartet) Present at the meeting, appears uncomfortable, speaks in a dogged monotone, mentions inviting 'them both' to supper. ### [A Change of Tactics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxiii-a-change-of-tactics) Subject of suspicion; his book was hidden, suggesting he is concealing his past from von Brüning and Böhme. ### [Finesse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxiv-finesse) Host of the dinner; cordial and boisterous, but Carruthers views him as a central figure of hidden guilt and potential betrayal. ### [XXV: I Double Back](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxv-i-double-back) Mentioned as a spy for English plans and as active in island development. ### [We Achieve Our Double Aim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxviii-we-achieve-our-double-aim) Confronted by Carruthers and Davies; claims to be in British service; later disappears overboard. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/dollmann - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters