# Detective Smuff — The Tower Treasure character guide

> Detective Smuff in The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Smuff, the loyal Smuff

**First appearance:** 0007-viii-the-arrest

## Snapshot

Collig's ponderous sidekick, forever fishing out his notebook and mangling the language of detection.

## Who they are

Smuff trails Chief Collig through Bayport's investigation, gravely taking notes and grandly accusing Fenton Hardy of obstructing justice when Hardy refuses to share his leads. He and Collig scheme to interrogate the dying Red Jackley at the hospital, a plan the Hardy boys scramble to foil. His comic ineptitude sharpens the contrast with the boys' real detective work and raises the stakes of the race to the hospital.

## Relationships

### [Ezra Collig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/characters/ezra_collig)

_professional_

Detective Smuff works under Chief Collig, often bungling the investigation and causing friction.

### [Fenton Hardy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/characters/fenton_hardy)

_rivalry_

Smuff is jealous of Fenton's superior detective skills and often tries to undermine him.

### [Ezra Collig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/characters/ezra_collig)

_professional_

Detective Smuff works under Chief Collig, often bungling the investigation and causing friction.

### [Fenton Hardy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/characters/fenton_hardy)

_rivalry_

Smuff is jealous of Fenton's superior detective skills and often tries to undermine him.

### [Ezra Collig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/characters/ezra_collig)

_professional_

Detective Smuff works under Chief Collig, often bungling the investigation and causing friction.

### [Fenton Hardy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/characters/fenton_hardy)

_rivalry_

Smuff is jealous of Fenton's superior detective skills and often tries to undermine him.

## In the story

### [IV: The Holdup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/chapters/iv-the-holdup)

Smuff attempts to contribute but is repeatedly overshadowed by the chief and the Hardy boys.

### [VI: Tire Tracks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/chapters/vi-tire-tracks)

Encountered in town; he informs the boys about the Tower Mansion robbery.

### [XIV: Red Jackley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/chapters/xiv-red-jackley)

Accompanies Chief Collig, takes notes, and accuses Mr. Hardy of obstructing justice; supports the plan to give Jackley the third degree.

### [A Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/chapters/xvi-a-confession)

Opens the water-soaked package to reveal the harmless alarm clock, causing public embarrassment.

### [A New Idea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/chapters/xxi-a-new-idea)

Smuff dutifully supports Chief Collig's claims, echoing his superior's self-congratulation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/characters/detective_smuff
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tower_treasure_se/characters