The Courts of the Morning · Chapter
I explained
In August of 192-, the narrator (Dick Hannay) is in London when Ellery Willis of the American Embassy informs him that their mutual friend John S.
What happens
In August of 192-, the narrator (Dick Hannay) is in London when Ellery Willis of the American Embassy informs him that their mutual friend John S. Blenkiron has gone missing. Blenkiron vanished after sailing for Panama in January, and a cryptic letter in cipher suggests he may be in danger. Willis suspects Blenkiron uncovered a plot to stir up trouble in South America and asks Hannay to search for him. Hannay declines but agrees to consult Sandy Arbuthnot.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Comradeship
Hannay's loyalty to Blenkiron and Willis's reliance on their wartime bond to request help.
Adventure and Exploration
The call to embark on a search for Blenkiron in unknown South American territories.
Imperialism and Exploitation
Underlying concerns about foreign powers exploiting South American instability to harm U.S. interests.
Characters to notice
- Dick Hannay
Narrator and protagonist of the chapter; a retired soldier and landowner who is approached about Blenkiron's disappearance.
- Ellery Willis
Military attaché at the American Embassy who brings news of Blenkiron's disappearance and requests Hannay's help.
- John S. Blenkiron
Missing American friend; last seen sailing for Panama in January; sent a cryptic cipher letter to Mr. Neston.
- Sandy Arbuthnot
Mentioned as the person Hannay plans to consult about Blenkiron's disappearance.
- Mary
Hannay's wife; mentioned as having gone north with Peter John.
- Peter John
Hannay's son; mentioned as having gone north with Mary.
Key passages
“I was putting up at my club, and one morning I was rung up by Ellery Willis of the American Embassy, who had been wiring about me all over the country.”
Hannay was staying at his club when Ellery Willis contacted him urgently.
Sets the scene for the initial contact about Blenkiron.
“He made a dive back into Wall Street last fall, and did some big things in electrolytic zinc. Then he went to Santa Catalina, and returned to New York in the second week of January. On the 27th day of that month he sailed for Panama in a fruit-steamer, having previously shut up his office and wound up his affairs as if he were thinking of his decease.”
Blenkiron engaged in zinc trading, visited Santa Catalina, returned to New York, then sailed for Panama after settling his affairs.
Details Blenkiron's movements before his disappearance.
“The writer warned his old friend that there might be trouble brewing in certain parts of the world which he did not specify, and he begged him, as he was a good American, to keep his eyes skinned.”
Blenkiron's letter warned of unspecified global trouble and urged vigilance.
Highlights the cryptic warning in Blenkiron's letter.
“Therefore, if anyone wanted to do her the worst kind of turn, he would stir up trouble in some place like South America.”
Willis suggests that America's enemies would create conflict in South America to force U.S. intervention.
Explains the geopolitical motive behind Blenkiron's possible investigation.
