Mr. Standfast · Chapter
X: The Advantages of an Air Raid explained
Hannay returns to London after his undercover mission, feeling triumphant, but his plans are derailed when an air raid leads to his arrest by a military police officer.
What happens
Hannay returns to London after his undercover mission, feeling triumphant, but his plans are derailed when an air raid leads to his arrest by a military police officer. Despite his protests and attempts to contact Macgillivray, he is detained. After hours of frustration, he is finally released when Macgillivray arrives, revealing that Ivery has escaped. Hannay expresses deep pessimism about capturing Ivery, whom he considers a genius of evil.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
Hannay's undercover identity as Cornelius Brand is central; he reflects on being deceived by Ivery and Gresson.
Fortitude and Endurance
Hannay's persistence in his mission despite setbacks, and his determination to see it through.
Sacrifice and Loss
Hannay's frustration at his perceived failure and the loss of his advantage over Ivery.
Characters to notice
- Richard Hannay
Returns to London, is arrested during an air raid, and later released by Macgillivray; reflects on his mission and fears Ivery's escape.
- John S. Blenkiron
Mentioned as Hannay's contact; Hannay plans to ring him up after returning to his rooms.
- Moxon Ivery
Hannay realizes Ivery has played him from the start; Ivery has escaped, and Hannay fears he is a genius of evil.
- Abel Gresson
Mentioned as part of Ivery's gang; Hannay believes Gresson tried to drown him and set the police on him.
- Macgillivray
Arrives at the A.P.M.'s office to secure Hannay's release; has issued instructions to capture Ivery.
- Mary Lamington
Hannay thinks of her and hopes to see her before returning to the Front.
- Cornelius Brand
Hannay's alias; the suspect identity that will disappear once he resumes his true identity.
- Mr. Linklater
Mentioned as one of Gresson's creatures who acted as a bagman.
Key passages
“I told myself that persistence always pays and that nobody is beaten till he is dead.”
Hannay believes that perseverance leads to success and that a person is only defeated when they give up entirely.
Reflects Hannay's resilient mindset early in the chapter.
“The man who says he doesn't mind being bombed or shelled is either a liar or a maniac.”
Anyone who claims to be unbothered by bombing or shelling is either dishonest or insane.
Hannay's reaction to the London air raid, contrasting it with his front-line experience.
“I had been telling lies and cutting capers over half Britain, thinking I was playing a deep game, and I had only been behaving like a schoolboy.”
Hannay feels that his undercover actions were childish and futile, rather than the clever strategy he imagined.
Hannay's self-criticism after realizing Ivery had deceived him.
“He's the kind of wicked that don't cease from troubling till they're stone-dead. And even then I'd want to see the body cremated and take the ashes into mid-ocean and scatter them.”
Ivery's evil is so persistent that only his complete destruction, even beyond death, would ensure safety.
Hannay's extreme pessimism about capturing Ivery, showing his deep respect for Ivery's cunning.
