Greenmantle · Chapter
Peter Pienaar explained
Hannay recounts the departure of his fellow agents, Sandy and Blenkiron, and his own journey to Lisbon under the alias Cornelis Brandt.
What happens
Hannay recounts the departure of his fellow agents, Sandy and Blenkiron, and his own journey to Lisbon under the alias Cornelis Brandt. There he reunites with his old friend Peter Pienaar, a seasoned hunter and former Boer scout. Together they fabricate a cover story of being pro-German Boer desperadoes, testing their act in a Lisbon café and attracting the attention of a German agent. Hannay then briefs Peter on the true mission, and Peter shares his own harrowing recent experiences in German South West Africa.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
Hannay and Peter construct elaborate false identities as pro-German Boers, rehearsing their cover story and testing it in public to attract enemy agents.
Friendship and Comradeship
The deep bond between Hannay and Peter is evident in their mutual trust, shared history, and seamless collaboration on the mission.
Adventure and Espionage
The chapter details the covert departures of the agents, the creation of cover stories, and the dangerous game of attracting German contacts in Lisbon.
Characters to notice
- Richard Hannay
Narrator and protagonist; travels to Lisbon under the alias Cornelis Brandt, reunites with Peter Pienaar, and briefs him on the mission.
- Peter Pienaar
Old friend and fellow hunter; joins Hannay in Lisbon, helps construct their cover story, and recounts his recent ordeals in German South West Africa.
- John S. Blenkiron
American agent who creates a public pro-German persona through letters and speeches before departing England.
- Sandy Arbuthnot
Departs as a King's Messenger for Cairo, where he will assume a disguise; Hannay notes his professionalism.
- Sir Walter Bullivant
Coordinates the mission; reassures Hannay about Blenkiron's antics and provides official support.
- Solly Maritz
Mentioned in the cover story fabricated by Hannay and Peter; a Boer leader they claim to have fought alongside.
Key passages
“He was the real professional, and I was only the dabbler.”
Hannay acknowledges Sandy's superior expertise in espionage compared to his own amateur status.
Highlights Hannay's humility and the contrast between the agents' experience levels.
“He said if you were going to play a part, you must think yourself into it, convince yourself that you were it, till you really were it and didn't act but behaved naturally.”
Peter advises that to convincingly assume a role, one must internalize it completely until it becomes second nature.
Illustrates Peter's philosophy of deception and his skill in constructing believable identities.
“I shot him—not so as to kill, but to wound badly. It was all right, for he fired first on me.”
Peter describes shooting a German officer in self-defense, aiming only to disable him.
Reveals Peter's resourcefulness and restraint even in dangerous situations.