# John S. Blenkiron — The Courts of the Morning character guide > John S. Blenkiron in The Courts of the Morning by John Buchan. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Blenkiron, Mr. Blenkiron, John Scantlebury Blenkiron, old Blenkiron, Mr. John S. Blenkiron the American **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot An American engineer and fixer who writes to his friends in high-coloured slang and hieroglyphics, and whose reported death at Honolulu smells to Sandy like a very deliberate lie. ## Who they are Blenkiron's letters arrive unsigned but unmistakable, scrawled with a private hieroglyphic that means SOS to those who know how to read him. Washington respects his talents too much to move officially, so his disappearance becomes a private problem for the men who owe him favours. His warnings about trouble brewing in an unspecified corner of the world are the fuse that lights the whole Olifa business. ## In the story ### [The Courts of the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/the-courts-of-the-morning) American ally involved in planning the campaign. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/i) Missing American friend; last seen sailing for Panama in January; sent a cryptic cipher letter to Mr. Neston. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as missing; Sandy dismisses concerns, believing Blenkiron will return when his job is done. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iii) Blenkiron is reported dead in a telegram from New York, but Hannay suspects it is a cover. A letter from Blenkiron confirms he is alive and involved in something important. ### [Book I: The Gran Seco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/book-i-the-gran-seco) American strategist who plans the guerrilla campaign against the oppressive forces. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iv) Referenced as a deceased American and relation of Barbara Dasent, known to Archie from the Shark-Gladas affair. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/vii) The big man who meets with Sandy in secret at the Administration Headquarters; coordinates the plan and expresses concern for Sandy's health. ### [The Poison Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/viii) Referred to as 'Black' throughout the chapter; he is the protagonist traveling with Luis into the Poison Country. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ix) Referenced for his analysis of Castor's methods and his role in recruiting loyal men for the Mines Police. ### [Book II: The Courts of the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/book-ii-the-courts-of-the-morning) Plans the guerrilla campaign against the regime. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as having been in the Gran Seco for some time and as having organized the rebel forces. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ii) Referenced by Sandy as a source of information about Castor. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iii) Directs the evacuation and guerrilla campaign planning from his garden hut. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iv) Credited with the plan to cut the railway at the San Luca viaduct and with securing American fliers. ### [The Pass Through the Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/xii) Arrives at the council, drinks lime-juice, and welcomes Castor's decision to lead. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ii) Entrusted with leading two thousand mounted troops to occupy Santa Ana; participates in the council of war. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iii) Blenkiron is noted for having destroyed the road and railway to the Gran Seco with the completeness of a great engineer, and is in touch with Charcillo via air patrol. ### [The Avalanche at the Saddle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/iv) Accompanies Sandy, reports the capture of prisoners, and cares for Sandy after the avalanche. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/v) Reports Lossberg's breakthrough on the railway, prepares to return to Santa Ana. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/vi) Participates in the negotiations, comments on the palace's intimidating atmosphere, and declines a cigar. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/viii) Roused alongside Archie; helps assess the crisis in Olifa. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters/john_scantlebury_blenkiron - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/characters