Key Moments in The Thirty-Nine Steps Plot

Why didn’t Hannay enjoy walking to market?

Because he didn't have time to think about the Black Stone and the terrible event planned for June 15.

How did Sir Walter know that Hannay was not a murderer?

Because the night of the murder, Scudder wrote a letter to Sir Walter talking about Hannay, and Sir Walter knew that Hannay was good.

What made Sir Walter believe that Scudder’s story about the German spies, the Black Stone, was true?

Because he received a call announcing the murder of Karolides.

Why did Hannay take the place of Sir Walter’s driver?

To get Hannay back to London secretly.

What good news did the Chief of Police give Hannay?

The Chief of Police told Hannay that they knew he wasn't a murderer.

What made Hannay think that the man dressed as the First Lord might be an impostor?

Hannay thought the man dressed as the First Lord might be an impostor because he saw in the man's eyes that he recognized him, but the Lord continued walking.

Why didn’t Sir Walter and the other men at the meeting notice that the First Lord was an impostor?

Whittaker, the officer from the navy, didn't trust Hannay at first. However, when Sir Walter phoned the First Lord, all were shocked because the enemy knew their naval plans. At first, someone thought it was impossible to remember all the plans, but the spies had great memory, and Hannay discovered the key to saving the naval plan.

The man wanted to know the place where the spies were going to leave Britain. What clues did Hannay find in Scudder’s notebook?

The clues to finding the Black Stone were: Thirty-nine steps, thirty-nine steps – I counted them – high tide, 10:17 pm.

Who did Whittaker bring back to the Ministry of the Navy at one o’clock in the morning and why was he needed?

The inspector of coastguards, because they needed his help to identify a coast with thirty-nine steps.

Why did Hannay take charge of catching the Black Stone?

Because he was involved in the whole plan and he wanted to return to his life and stop the Black Stone.

Why did Hannay think that Trafalgar Lodge was the house used by the Black Stone?

Because the house was the only one that had thirty-nine steps.

What helped convince Hannay that he was correct in thinking that the three men were really spies?

He remembered his old army friend, who said the best disguise was to truly believe that you were the person you were pretending to be. Hannay was dealing with professional spies who were able to believe completely in the roles they were playing.

What made Hannay sure that the old man really was one of the Black Stone?

Because the old man at the farmhouse had made the same movement, and Hannay was sure the old man was one of the Black Stone.

What happened to Franz after he escaped in the motorboat?

The motorboat, Ariadne, was captured by a British warship. Franz was unable to complete the Black Stone's mission.