# Adolph Tiel — The Spy in Black character guide > Adolph Tiel in The Spy in Black by J. Storer Clouston. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Herr Tiel, Mr. Tiel, Tiel, Presently Tiel **First appearance:** 0001-i-the-landing ## Snapshot A cosmopolitan adventurer posing as a clergyman, whose scruples have worn thin and whose loyalties belong to whichever country pays best. ## Who they are Tiel moves through the coastal parish as a minister preparing a sermon, while privately serving as a German agent with no patriotism and no morals. He jokes grimly that the secret service must sometimes creep about in the dust, and his willingness to bargain for his own skin makes him dangerous to everyone, including his own side. His cool nerve and shifting allegiance set the machinery of the spy plot in motion. ## Relationships ### [Eileen Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/eileen_holland) _romantic_ Adolph Tiel and Eileen Holland share a romantic or flirtatious dynamic, with frequent interactions suggesting personal entanglement. ### [Captain Ashington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/captain_ashington) _professional_ Adolph Tiel and Captain Ashington have a professional relationship, possibly as superior and subordinate or fellow officers. ### [Commander Blacklock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/commander_blacklock) _rivalry_ Adolph Tiel and Commander Blacklock are antagonists, likely competing or opposing each other in espionage or military matters. ### [Mr. Craigie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/mr_craigie) _professional_ Adolph Tiel and Mr. Craigie are likely professional contacts, possibly handler and agent. ### [Mr. Burnett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/mr_burnett) _rivalry_ Adolph Tiel and Mr. Burnett are adversaries, with conflicting loyalties or missions. ### [Captain Ashington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/captain_ashington) _professional_ Adolph Tiel and Captain Ashington have a professional relationship, possibly as superior and subordinate or fellow officers. ### [Eileen Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/eileen_holland) _romantic_ Adolph Tiel and Eileen Holland share a romantic or flirtatious dynamic, with frequent interactions suggesting personal entanglement. ### [Commander Blacklock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/commander_blacklock) _rivalry_ Adolph Tiel and Commander Blacklock are antagonists, likely competing or opposing each other in espionage or military matters. ### [Mr. Burnett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/mr_burnett) _rivalry_ Adolph Tiel and Mr. Burnett are adversaries, with conflicting loyalties or missions. ### [Eileen Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/eileen_holland) _romantic_ Adolph Tiel and Eileen Holland share a romantic or flirtatious dynamic, with frequent interactions suggesting personal entanglement. ### [Commander Blacklock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/commander_blacklock) _rivalry_ Adolph Tiel and Commander Blacklock are antagonists, likely competing or opposing each other in espionage or military matters. ### [Mr. Craigie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/mr_craigie) _professional_ Adolph Tiel and Mr. Craigie are likely professional contacts, possibly handler and agent. ## In the story ### [Part I: The Narrative of Lieutenant von Belke (Of the German Navy)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/part-i-the-narrative-of-lieutenant-von-belke-of-the-german-navy) Man von Belke meets at the manse; tells a story of impersonation and aids von Belke's mission. ### [V: Waiting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/v-waiting) Arrives at the manse in a horse and trap, seen by von Belke. ### [Part III: Lieutenant von Belke’s Narrative Resumed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/part-iii-lieutenant-von-belke-s-narrative-resumed) Impersonator who played a key part in the British counter-espionage plot. ### [I: The Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/i-the-meeting) Secret-service agent disguised as a Scottish clergyman; meets von Belke at the manse; gives cautions about speaking English and maintaining cover; described as clever, authoritative, and cosmopolitan. ### [II: Tiel’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/ii-tiel-s-story) Narrates the full story of the impersonation plot, including the murder of Alexander Burnett, with detached amusement. ### [III: The Plan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iii-the-plan) The secret-service agent who orchestrates the meeting and devises the escape plan; he is pragmatic and unscrupulous. ### [IV: What Happened on Sunday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iv-what-happened-on-sunday) Tiel preaches a successful sermon and reveals he has 'something even bigger' in mind, pressing von Belke to stay longer. ### [V: A Mysterious Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/v-a-mysterious-adventure) Reveals the servant is in his pay; apologizes to von Belke for not trusting him earlier. ### [VI: The Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/vi-the-visitor) Introduces his 'sister' Miss Burnett; lectures on the necessity of perpetual pretense and the importance of avoiding initial suspicion; reveals Ashington as a safeguard. ### [VII: At Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/vii-at-night) Returns from a walk, meets secretly with Captain Ashington, reports that the fleet sails on Friday, and displays a familiar tone with Eileen that provokes von Belke's jealousy. ### [VIII: The Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/viii-the-decision) Appears cool and imperturbable; outwardly welcomes von Belke's decision but likely has hidden designs involving Eileen. ### [IX: On the Shore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/ix-on-the-shore) Drives the car; calm and genial; orders von Belke to stay ashore. ### [Part IV: Lieutenant von Belke’s Narrative Concluded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/part-iv-lieutenant-von-belke-s-narrative-concluded) Impersonated a British officer as part of the deception; his story is recounted. ### [I: Wednesday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/i-wednesday) Provides von Belke with a civilian disguise and the alias 'Mr. Wilson'; discusses the bold naval scheme with von Belke and Eileen in the afternoon. ### [II: Thursday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/ii-thursday) Revealed to have lied about preaching; handles Mr. Craigie's visit with brazen skill. ### [III: Thursday Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iii-thursday-night) Tiel is observed meeting a man behind the house at night; he offers a flippant explanation about bluffing a suspicious stranger, but the narrator remains unconvinced. ### [IV: Friday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iv-friday) Revealed to be Commander Blacklock; maintains a calm demeanor throughout the day, then disarms and captures von Belke. ### [Part V: A Few Concluding Chapters by the Editor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/part-v-a-few-concluding-chapters-by-the-editor) His story of impersonation and involvement in the plot is concluded. ### [I: Tiel’s Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/i-tiel-s-journey) Mentioned as the captured German agent whose betrayal and information enabled Blacklock's impersonation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/adolph_tiel - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters