# Calvin Bunner — Trent’s Last Case character guide

> Calvin Bunner in Trent’s Last Case by E. C. Bentley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Bunner, Bunner, Mr. Calvin Bunner, Calvin Bunner, Calvin C. Bunner, Young Bunner

**First appearance:** 0003-ii-knocking-the-town-endways

## Snapshot

Manderson's young American lieutenant, shrewd and utterly certain, whose evidence at the inquest becomes the sensation of the day.

## Who they are

Bunner has taken command of Manderson's tangled business affairs with a confidence that startles older men, and he speaks of his chief with a massive, unshakable innocence. He believes a serious breach between husband and wife is a minor trouble for a big man, and he offers the theory of an industrial vendetta with a straight face and a list of precedents. His testimony dominates the inquest and shapes public opinion, yet the very simplicity of his certainty is what makes Trent wonder how much the young American really knows.

## Relationships

### [Philip Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/philip_trent)

_professional_

Bunner, Manderson's junior clerk, assists Trent with information about the household and his employer.

### [Sigsbee Manderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/sigsbee_manderson)

_professional_

Bunner works as Manderson's clerk, enduring his bullying and contempt.

### [John Marlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/john_marlowe)

_friendship_

Bunner and Marlowe are colleagues and friends, with Bunner protective of Marlowe's reputation.

### [Philip Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/philip_trent)

_professional_

Bunner, Manderson's junior clerk, assists Trent with information about the household and his employer.

### [Philip Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/philip_trent)

_professional_

Bunner, Manderson's junior clerk, assists Trent with information about the household and his employer.

### [Sigsbee Manderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/sigsbee_manderson)

_professional_

Bunner works as Manderson's clerk, enduring his bullying and contempt.

### [John Marlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/john_marlowe)

_friendship_

Bunner and Marlowe are colleagues and friends, with Bunner protective of Marlowe's reputation.

### [Sigsbee Manderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/sigsbee_manderson)

_professional_

Bunner works as Manderson's clerk, enduring his bullying and contempt.

### [John Marlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/john_marlowe)

_friendship_

Bunner and Marlowe are colleagues and friends, with Bunner protective of Marlowe's reputation.

## In the story

### [Trent's Last Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/trent-s-last-case)

Manderson's secretary, who provides information to Trent.

### [II: Knocking the Town Endways](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/ii-knocking-the-town-endways)

Manderson's right-hand man, he telephones Sir James with the first news of the murder.

### [V: Poking About](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/v-poking-about)

Appears at the bedroom door during Trent and Murch's conversation.

### [VI: Mr. Bunner on the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/vi-mr-bunner-on-the-case)

Bunner shares his observations about Manderson's changed behavior, his belief that Manderson feared an attack, and his knowledge of the pistol.

### [VII: The Lady in Black](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/vii-the-lady-in-black)

Mentioned as having proposed a theory of industrial vendetta, which Cupples discusses with Trent.

### [VIII: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/viii-the-inquest)

Gives evidence that provides the sensation of the day, repeating the story he told Trent.

### [XI: Hitherto Unpublished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xi-hitherto-unpublished)

Not directly mentioned in this chapter.

### [Evil Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xii-evil-days)

Bunner is now the chief Continental agent of the Manderson firm in Paris. He meets Trent by chance and shares news about Marlowe and Mrs. Manderson.

### [Double Cunning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xv-double-cunning)

Mentioned as having dined with the Mandersons that Sunday evening and later going to the hotel.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/calvin_bunner
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters