# Mr. Burnett — The Spy in Black character guide

> Mr. Burnett in The Spy in Black by J. Storer Clouston.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** III, Mr. Burnett, And Mr. Burnett, II The Chauffeur Mr. Burnett, the worthy Mr. Burnett, III On the Cliff Gradually Mr. Burnett, Burnett, a Mr. Burnett

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

## Snapshot

A mild, hospitable minister whose quiet manse and trusting nature make him the unwitting first victim of the spies moving along the coast.

## Who they are

Mr. Burnett is the clergyman whose identity and passport the conspirators intend to steal, and whose resemblance to the false chauffeur unsettles the household without quite alarming it. He offers scones and currant cake to a genial stranger who is quietly cataloguing every detail needed to replace him. His trusting decency is the story's measure of what the spies are willing to destroy.

## Relationships

### [Robert Drummond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/robert_drummond)

_friendship_

Mr. Burnett and Robert Drummond are allies or friends, working together toward a common goal.

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

_rivalry_

Adolph Tiel and Mr. Burnett are adversaries, with conflicting loyalties or missions.

### [Robert Drummond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/robert_drummond)

_friendship_

Mr. Burnett and Robert Drummond are allies or friends, working together toward a common goal.

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

_rivalry_

Adolph Tiel and Mr. Burnett are adversaries, with conflicting loyalties or missions.

### [Robert Drummond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/robert_drummond)

_friendship_

Mr. Burnett and Robert Drummond are allies or friends, working together toward a common goal.

## In the story

### [III: Behind the Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iii-behind-the-wall)

Mentioned as the owner of the motorcycle von Belke is using.

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

The minister, suspicious of the telegram and Taylor's behavior, and struck by the chauffeur's familiarity.

### [III: On the Cliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iii-on-the-cliff)

The minister, increasingly uneasy but persuaded by Mr. Taylor's charm, is lured to the cliff edge and knocked unconscious by the chauffeur.

### [II: Tiel’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/ii-tiel-s-story)

Referenced as the real Alexander Burnett; his clothes are now worn by Tiel.

## Links

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