# XII: I Become a Combatant Once More explained — Mr. Standfast > Chapter companion for Mr. Standfast by John Buchan. ## What happens Hannay returns to France in September 1917, takes command of a brigade, and later a division, fighting at Polygon Wood, Ypres, and Cambrai. Amidst the war, he pursues his private quest against Ivery, analyzing clues from his past encounters. He meets Geordie Hamilton, who becomes his batman, and encounters Launcelot Wake working as a noncombatant. Hannay also discovers a suspicious advertisement for 'Gussiter's Deep-breathing System' in both English and German papers, hinting at enemy communication. He investigates Abel Gresson's visit to France, noting his suspicious illness at Eaucourt Sainte-Anne. After a minor head wound, he convalesces in a clearing station, where a conversation about ghosts and the unexplained occurs. ## Themes in this chapter ### Fortitude and Endurance Hannay endures the physical and mental strains of combat while relentlessly pursuing his private investigation, reflecting the theme of perseverance. ### Deception and Disguise Hannay's suspicion of the 'Gussiter' advertisement as a covert communication method and his investigation of Gresson's suspicious activities highlight the theme of hidden identities and espionage. ### Comradeship and Loyalty Hannay's reunion with Geordie Hamilton and his respectful interaction with Launcelot Wake underscore the bonds formed between men in wartime. ## Character check-ins ### Richard Hannay Narrator and protagonist; returns to front-line duty, commands a brigade and division, and continues his private investigation of Ivery. ### Launcelot Wake Encountered by Hannay as a noncombatant working in the Salient; he is a principled pacifist but shows courage. ### Geordie Hamilton Lance-Corporal in the Scots Fusiliers; becomes Hannay's batman after Hannay recognizes him from a past meeting. ### Abel Gresson Suspected enemy agent; visited France as part of a Labour delegation and had a suspicious illness at Eaucourt Sainte-Anne. ### John S. Blenkiron Mentioned as working with Bullivant and Macgillivray in London on the Ivery case. ### Sir Walter Bullivant Mentioned as part of the intelligence network investigating Ivery. ### Macgillivray Mentioned as part of the intelligence network; provides information on Gresson's movements. ## Key lines > I returned to France on 13 September, and took over my old brigade on the 19th of the same month. Hannay came back to France in mid-September and resumed command of his former brigade a few days later. _Marks his return to active combat duty._ > I nodded towards a recent shell-hole. 'Much of that sort of thing?' 'Now and then. We had a good dusting this morning.' Hannay asked about the danger, and Wake replied that they were shelled occasionally, including that very morning. _Illustrates the constant threat of artillery fire even for noncombatants._ > I remember how I used to go over every hour of every day from that June night in the Cotswolds till my last meeting with Bullivant in London, trying to find a new bearing. Hannay constantly replayed his past encounters from the Cotswolds to London, searching for any overlooked clue. _Shows his obsessive focus on the Ivery case._ > I found the advertisement in the Frankfurter and in one or two rather obscure Volkstimmes and Volkszeitungs. Hannay discovered the same 'deep-breathing' advertisement in several German newspapers. _Key clue linking the advertisement to enemy intelligence._ > The place was the hamlet of Eaucourt Sainte-Anne. For several weeks that name stuck in my head. The village where Gresson was left alone became a significant point of suspicion for Hannay. _Highlights a potential location for covert activity._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-xii-i-become-a-combatant-once-more - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_standfast_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters