The Thirty-Nine Steps · Chapter
The Coming of the Black Stone explained
Hannay, now cleared of murder charges, learns of the secret plan to move General Royer to London a day early.
What happens
Hannay, now cleared of murder charges, learns of the secret plan to move General Royer to London a day early. Despite being officially out of the investigation, he feels an urgent need to act. He goes to Sir Walter's house and witnesses the arrival of a man impersonating Lord Alloa. Hannay realizes the impostor is a member of the Black Stone and warns the assembled officials.
Themes in this chapter
Espionage and National Security
The chapter revolves around the secret transfer of General Royer and the infiltration of the Black Stone into a high-level meeting.
Identity and Disguise
The Black Stone agent impersonates Lord Alloa, and Hannay's recognition of the impostor is a key plot point.
The Ordinary Man as Hero
Hannay, an ordinary citizen, feels compelled to intervene despite being officially out of the investigation.
Characters to notice
- Richard Hannay
Now a free man, Hannay feels a restless conviction that he is still needed to thwart the Black Stone.
- Sir Walter Bullivant
Sir Walter briefs Hannay on the Royer plan and later hosts the secret meeting at his home.
- MacGillivray
The Scotland Yard official who clears Hannay of the murder charge.
- Whittaker
Admiralty official who is to deliver a document to Royer.
- General Winstanley
One of the officials present at the secret meeting.
- Lord Alloa
The First Sea Lord, whose identity is stolen by a Black Stone impostor.
Key passages
“I came down to breakfast next morning, after eight hours of blessed dreamless sleep, to find Sir Walter decoding a telegram in the midst of muffins and marmalade.”
Hannay wakes refreshed and finds Sir Walter deciphering a telegram at breakfast.
Opens the chapter with a calm domestic scene that quickly shifts to urgent business.
“I felt that great things, tremendous things, were happening or about to happen, and I, who was the cogwheel of the whole business, was out of it.”
Hannay feels that crucial events are unfolding and that he, despite being central, is excluded.
Highlights Hannay's growing restlessness and sense of duty.
“It was not; it was his living image, but it was not Lord Alloa. It was someone who recognized me, someone I have seen in the last month.”
Hannay reveals that the man who left was an impostor, not the real Lord Alloa.
Climactic revelation that the Black Stone has infiltrated the meeting.