Unveiling the Black Stone: Espionage in WWI
The Black Stone: Unveiling Espionage in WWI
What was the Black Stone and how did Germany intend to use it?
The Black Stone was a group of German spies. Germany intended to use the Black Stone to steal the plans for Britain’s naval defenses when the French and British commanders met.
In what ways did Sir Harry help Hannay?
Sir Harry provided Hannay with new clothes, food, and a place to sleep. He also offered to write a letter to his uncle, the Permanent Secretary, who could help Hannay gather more evidence. Sir Harry also gave Hannay an old suit, a map of the area, and an old bicycle.
How did Sir Walter Bullivant know that Hannay was the man he was supposed to help?
Sir Walter Bullivant knew that Hannay was the man he was supposed to help because Hannay gave him the code word “Black Stone” and whistled the old Scottish song “Annie Laurie”.
What did Hannay decide to do when he saw that he was surrounded on all sides?
The first thing he did was throw the old bicycle into a small lake. Next, he climbed to the top of a hill and looked around. He saw that he was surrounded, and the only way he could go was straight ahead, so he started off quickly. After he saw a man who was working but was very tired, Hannay decided to replace him in the job, and then the police couldn’t catch him because they couldn’t recognize him.
What offer did Hannay make to the roadman he met?
Hannay offered to do the roadman’s job for a day because the roadman was so tired, and to meet the supervisor.
Why didn’t the two men who had come to the inn recognize Hannay when he was working on the road?
Because Hannay had the clothes of the roadman, he rubbed a little dirt on his face and also in his eyes to look like he had been working in the dirt and sun for a long time. The supervisor just watched his apprentice, saw that he was doing his job well, and went back to the car.
Why did Jopley help Hannay?
Jopley helped Hannay because he thought that Hannay was a murderer, and Hannay threatened to kill him.
What did Hannay think was strange about the old man on the veranda?
Hannay felt uncomfortable in this house. The old man was watching him very calmly; he didn’t seem strange, and he wasn’t at all surprised to see Hannay or angry at being disturbed.
How did Hannay know that the old man was one of the spies in the Black Stone?
Because his eyelids half-covered his eyes like a falcon’s.
Why did Hannay say that his name was Ainslie?
To confuse the German spies, the Black Stone, and to buy time.
Why did the old man want to bring to the farmhouse the two men who had seen Hannay working as a roadman?
To make sure that Hannay wasn’t Ainslie and that he was lying.
Explain briefly how Hannay escaped from the storeroom.
Hannay put explosives on the wall, and it fell down. He decided to hide in a mill near the house.
What kind of condition was Hannay in after the explosion?
He had a serious injury to his arm and a terrible headache.
What did Hannay notice on the hillside behind the farmhouse? Why did it make him angry?
He noticed that on the hillside behind the farmhouse there was a small airfield hidden by trees. Hannay could see the coast in the distance, which made him angry because the enemies could watch Britain’s coast from that hill.
Why did Hannay stay with the roadman for ten days?
Because Hannay was very ill, and he had to stay in bed for ten days until the fever passed.