Scottish expatriate Richard Hannay, who recently returned from Rhodesia, South Africa is both the protagonist and narrator. Any ideas he might have had of a pleasant experience since arriving are dashed when a stranger who appears to be a well traveled American by the name of Franklin Scudder is found murdered in Hannay's flat. Before his death, Scudder claims to be a contract spy and following a ring of German spies called the Black Stone who are trying to steal British plans for the outbreak of war. In time, Hannay becomes convinced that the First Sea Lord is an imposter and a spy. Pursued by the police and German spies, Hannay discovers the true meaning of the thirty-nine steps. When war breaks out, Hannay is rewarded with a captain's commission in the British army.