# Commander Blacklock — The Spy in Black character guide

> Commander Blacklock in The Spy in Black by J. Storer Clouston.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Blacklock, III The Empty Envelope Commander Blacklock

**First appearance:** 0008-ii-the-chauffeur

## Snapshot

A naval intelligence officer who orchestrates the coastal counter-espionage operation with a clergyman's collar, a sailor's voice, and a gambler's nerve.

## Who they are

Commander Blacklock runs the trap from behind the pulpit, having taken over the identity of the murdered agent Tiel and recruited Miss Holland on the mail-boat crossing. He is by turns steely with his captive and almost apologetic with his allies, confessing his own fear of cracking under interrogation. His patient explanation of the scheme is what finally forces von Belke to see how thoroughly he has been played.

## Relationships

### [Eileen Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/eileen_holland)

_professional_

Commander Blacklock and Eileen Holland are likely professional associates in naval or espionage contexts.

### [Adolph Tiel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/adolph_tiel)

_rivalry_

Adolph Tiel and Commander Blacklock are antagonists, likely competing or opposing each other in espionage or military matters.

### [Captain Ashington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/captain_ashington)

_professional_

Captain Ashington and Commander Blacklock are professional peers, possibly in the same naval command.

### [Eileen Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/eileen_holland)

_professional_

Commander Blacklock and Eileen Holland are likely professional associates in naval or espionage contexts.

### [Adolph Tiel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/adolph_tiel)

_rivalry_

Adolph Tiel and Commander Blacklock are antagonists, likely competing or opposing each other in espionage or military matters.

### [Captain Ashington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/captain_ashington)

_professional_

Captain Ashington and Commander Blacklock are professional peers, possibly in the same naval command.

### [Eileen Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/eileen_holland)

_professional_

Commander Blacklock and Eileen Holland are likely professional associates in naval or espionage contexts.

### [Adolph Tiel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/adolph_tiel)

_rivalry_

Adolph Tiel and Commander Blacklock are antagonists, likely competing or opposing each other in espionage or military matters.

### [Captain Ashington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/captain_ashington)

_professional_

Captain Ashington and Commander Blacklock are professional peers, possibly in the same naval command.

## 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)

British officer who captures von Belke and later explains the full deception.

### [Mr. Drummond's Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iv-mr-drummond-s-visitor)

The officer on special service who sent Topham to question Drummond and investigate the incident.

### [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)

British intelligence officer who orchestrates the deception and later explains it to von Belke.

### [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)

Revealed as the mastermind behind the British deception; explains the full plot to von Belke.

### [IV: Friday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iv-friday)

Identified as the true identity of Tiel; captures von Belke and declares him a prisoner of war.

### [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 deception and personal feelings are resolved in the final chapters.

### [I: Tiel’s Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/i-tiel-s-journey)

Reveals his impersonation of Tiel and orchestrates the counter-espionage operation; explains the full plot to von Belke.

### [II: The Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/ii-the-lady)

Reveals his orchestration of the plot, including recruiting Eileen Holland and rehearsing scenes to manipulate von Belke.

### [III: The Empty Envelope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iii-the-empty-envelope)

Struggles with his cold-blooded professional demeanor and confesses his love for Eileen, using an empty envelope as a pretext.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/commander_blacklock
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters