The Three Hostages · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Three Hostages by John Buchan.
Richard Hannay
major
Also known as Sir Richard, Hannay, Sir Richard Hannay, Richard, The miserable Hannay
The narrator and protagonist, a former intelligence officer drawn into a new mystery.
Dominick Medina
major
Also known as Medina, Mr. Dominick Medina, Mr. Medina, For Medina
A charismatic and enigmatic man who becomes Hannay's primary adversary.
Sandy Arbuthnot
major
Also known as old Sandy, Sandy, Old Sandy, Arbuthnot, lunatic Arbuthnot, Mr. Alexander Thomson, Alexander
Hannay's resourceful and eccentric friend, a master of disguise and languages.
Mary Hannay
supporting
Also known as Mary, Miss Mary
Hannay's wife, supportive and perceptive, often aiding his investigations.
Archie Roylance
supporting
Also known as Sir Archibald Roylance, Archie, XIV Sir Archibald Roylance, Sir Archie Roylance, the miserable Archie, Sir Archie, Sir Archibald
A young, cheerful baronet and pilot who assists Hannay.
Tom Greenslade
supporting
Also known as Greenslade, Tom, Tommy rot
Hannay's doctor and friend, who first alerts him to the case.
Macgillivray
supporting
Also known as Now Macgillivray, Mr. Macgillivray, Supposing Macgillivray, Meantime Macgillivray, But Macgillivray
A senior Scotland Yard official who collaborates with Hannay.
Dr. Newhover
supporting
Also known as Dr. M. Newhover, M., Dr. Newhover, Newhover
A specialist in mental health who treats one of the hostages.
Madame Breda
supporting
Also known as Madame
A mysterious woman involved in Medina's schemes.
Julius Victor
supporting
Also known as Mr. Julius Victor, Mr. Victor, Victor, that Mr. Victor, Julius Victor
A wealthy American whose son is one of the three hostages.
Peter John
supporting
Hannay's young son, who becomes a target of the villains.
David Warcliff
supporting
Also known as Warcliff, Davie, David, little David Warcliff
A young boy who is one of the three hostages.
Sir Arthur Warcliff
minor
Also known as Sir Arthur
David Warcliff's father, a worried parent of a hostage.
Lavater
minor
A Swiss criminal and associate of Medina.
Abel
minor
Also known as Mr. Abel, Little Abel
A servant or minor figure in Medina's household.
Ram Dass
minor
Also known as Ram Dass—you
An Indian servant loyal to Sandy Arbuthnot.
Adela Victor
minor
Also known as Adela, Adela Victor, Victor
Julius Victor's daughter, a spirited young woman.
Pugh
minor
A servant or minor character at Fosse Manor.
Machray
minor
Also known as XX Machray
A Scottish gamekeeper and ally of Hannay.
Blenkiron
minor
Also known as old Blenkiron, Mr. Blenkiron
An American friend of Hannay from previous adventures.
Elsie Outhwaite
minor
Also known as Outhwaite, Elsie
A young woman who becomes a hostage.
Kennedy
minor
A police inspector assisting Macgillivray.
Colonel Arbuthnot
minor
Also known as Arbuthnot
Sandy's father, a military man.
Sir Walter Bullivant
minor
Also known as Bullivant—Lord Artinswell—had, Lord Artinswell—Sir Walter Bullivant, Bullivant
A senior intelligence official and Hannay's former chief.
Paddock
minor
A servant at Fosse Manor.
Peter Bojer
minor
Also known as Peter, Peter Bojer's
A Norwegian sailor and friend of Hannay.
Leithen
minor
A friend of Hannay, a lawyer and politician.
Nancy Travers
minor
Also known as Nanny, Nancy Travers
The Hannays' nanny for Peter John.
Lady Hannay
minor
Also known as Hannay
Richard Hannay's mother, mentioned but not appearing on-page.
Johnson Claybody
minor
Also known as Johnson, The Honourable Johnson Claybody, Claybody, old Claybody
A local magistrate and landowner.
Lord Sunningdale
minor
Also known as Sunningdale
A politician and member of the Thursday Club.
Jason
minor
A servant or minor character at Fosse Manor.
Tom Machin
minor
Also known as Tom
A local man who helps Hannay in the Highlands.
Gerda
minor
A woman connected to Medina's past.
Barnard
minor
A servant or minor character at Fosse Manor.
Miss Wymondham
minor
A district visitor in Palmyra Square.
Old Angus
minor
Also known as Angus, the melancholy Angus
A Scottish servant at Fosse Manor.
Miss Outhwaite
minor
Also known as the aloof Miss Outhwaite, a flustered Miss Outhwaite
Elsie Outhwaite's aunt or guardian.
Miss Victor
minor
Julius Victor's sister, who accompanies him.
Burminster
minor
A friend of Hannay, a duke.
Johan
minor
A servant or minor character in Medina's household.
Kharáma
minor
A mysterious figure associated with Medina's occult practices.
Palliser-Yeates
minor
Also known as Palliser - Yeates, Palliser
A friend of Hannay, a member of the Thursday Club.
Michael Scott
minor
Also known as Michael, Michael Scott MS .
A friend of Hannay, a writer and historian.
Fosse
minor
Also known as Fosse Manor
The name of Archie Roylance's estate, sometimes personified.
Nightingale
minor
A servant or minor character at Fosse Manor.
Sir Richard Burton
minor
Also known as Sir Richard
The historical explorer, mentioned as a reference.
Old George Whaddon
minor
A local man in the Highlands who helps Hannay.
Fulleylove
minor
A servant or minor character at Fosse Manor.
Mr. Dobson-Wray
minor
Also known as Mr. Dobson - Wray
A local landowner and magistrate.
Mr. Empson
minor
A servant or minor character at Fosse Manor.
June Mercot
minor
Also known as June Mercot, Mercot
Lord Mercot's daughter, a young woman.
Alan Macnicol
minor
Also known as Alan
A Scottish gamekeeper who helps Hannay.
Hughie
minor
A servant or minor character at Fosse Manor.
The Psalmist
minor
A biblical reference used as a code name.
Lord Mercot
minor
Also known as Mercot
A friend of Hannay, a member of the Thursday Club.
Odell
minor
Also known as Mr. Odell, that Odell
A criminal associate of Medina.
Herr Gaudian
minor
Also known as Gaudian
A German engineer who becomes an ally.
The Marquis de la Tour du Pin
minor
Also known as Turpin, The Marquis de la Tour du Pin, old Turpin, poor old Turpin, la Tour du Pin, the Marquis, whom you call Turpin
A French nobleman and former liaison officer, now a friend.
Dick
minor
A friend of Hannay, possibly a nickname for Richard Hannay.
