# Commander von Brüning explained — The Riddle of the Sands

> Chapter companion for The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers.

## What happens

Carruthers and Davies dine with Commander von Brüning, who cross-examines them about their cruising adventures with charm and skill. Carruthers reveals he works for the Foreign Office, and the conversation touches on their future plans, the Dollmanns, and the treasure wreck of the Corinne. Von Brüning discloses his own investment in the wreck recovery company, and Carruthers deflects suspicion by recounting a fabricated anchor theft incident.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

Carruthers and Davies maintain a facade of innocent yachtsmen while concealing their true mission; Carruthers fabricates an anchor theft story to deflect suspicion.

### Class and Social Identity

The contrast between Davies' rugged, hands-on sailing and the German preference for clean, crewed yachting highlights differing social attitudes toward leisure and work.

### The Sea and Nature

The harsh North Sea coast is described as 'abominable,' yet Davies finds it magnificent for sailing; the weather and tides dominate the characters' plans.

## Character check-ins

### Carruthers

Narrates the chapter; reveals his Foreign Office employment and deflects suspicion with a fabricated anchor theft story.

### Arthur H. Davies

Struggles with German and lies about his earlier cruise with Dollmann; his genuine passion for sailing is evident.

### Commander von Brüning

Hosts the dinner; cross-examines the pair with urbanity, reveals his investment in the Corinne treasure wreck, and shows interest in their plans.

### Dollmann

Mentioned as being away; von Brüning notes his yacht is back and that he is largely interested in the treasure company.

### Fräulein Dollmann

Mentioned as possibly being back with the yacht; Carruthers teases Davies about calling on her.

### Grimm

Seen on the bridge at Bensersiel; described as a dark, clean-shaved, saturnine man.

## Key lines

> It’s a big stake, and the title is none too sound. There has been litigation over it.

The investment is risky and the legal ownership is disputed.

_Von Brüning discusses the uncertain title of the Corinne treasure wreck._

> He was convincing, because he was himself.

Davies' authenticity made him believable.

_Carruthers reflects on why Davies' straightforward manner is an asset during questioning._

> I had impressed on Davies to talk and question as freely and naturally as though nothing uncommon had happened since he last saw von Brüning on the deck of the Medusa.

Carruthers instructed Davies to act as if their encounter with Dollmann never occurred.

_The pair's strategy to conceal their suspicions about Dollmann._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xvi-commander-von-br-ning
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters