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The Craig, Windermere.
Sept 10, 1924.
Dear Sir,
My excuse for writing to you is that I am probably the greatest authority on "The Thirty-Nine Steps" & "Greenmantle" in the North of England. I am a Preparatory Schoolmaster & have read each book aloud to my boys at least four times - "Mr Standfast" only once or twice, because it is more complicated & is (from the boys' point of view) not improved by Mary & the love interest. Now, my family is
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striving to be the first to read "The Three Hostages". Myself, my boy aged 13 have read it; & my other boy (next year captain of Shrewsbury Cricket XI) has got as far as the hypnotism (attempted) of Hannay by Medina. I thought it would interest you to know that we all - a large family - are continually arguing which of the first 3 is the best. For a long time I stood by the "Thirty Nine Steps", on the ground that there was no waste in it - it was pure business from beginning to end.
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But now I have decided in favour of "Greenmantle", because it is the only book which contains both Blenkiron & Sandy. The others are inclined to agree. I thought this point of view might interest you.
Two points about "The Three Hostages". Wouldn't Hannay have invoked the aid of Blenkiron at once! And yet I don't see how you could have worked him in. Also what was the verdict of the inquest which
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must have been held on Medina? If Hannay could conceal his shattered hand, possibly that it was merely a rock-climbing accident. But he would have to lie fairly freely at the Inquest for that. Also, his gillies would know it wasn't true.
Another question. How did Moxon Ivery esca[p]e after arrest at end of "Thirty Nine Steps"? And wouldn't MacGillivray have told Hannay about it?
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I am an experienced novel reader, & twigged early on that Medina was the culprit; but that Kharáma was Sandy entirely escaped me. Nothing could be better.
Who went through Hannay's possessions in Mr Jimson's house, early in "Mr Standfast"? Was it Ivery himself?
What was the Dean of Christ Church told about Lord Mercot's absence from
