# Lieutenant von Belke — The Spy in Black character guide > Lieutenant von Belke in The Spy in Black by J. Storer Clouston. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Von Belke, von Belke, Belke, Mr. Belke, Conrad von Belke, Lieutenant von Belke **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-the-narrative-of-lieutenant-von-belke-of-the-german-navy ## Snapshot A proud young German naval officer whose submarine mission on the British coast collapses into capture, humiliation, and a forced reckoning with the woman he was sent to use. ## Who they are Lieutenant von Belke arrives expecting to command a covert operation, only to find himself the prisoner of men he thought were his allies. His pride flares into sarcasm and fury, especially toward the lady he calls a decoy, even as his own government's trust in Tiel is exposed as misplaced. His wounded honor and reluctant curiosity drive the interrogation scenes that unravel the whole deception. ## 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) Narrator and German spy who lands on the island, observes the fleet, and signals the submarine flotilla. ### [I: The Landing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/i-the-landing) Protagonist and German spy, lands on the island and begins his mission. ### [II: Night in the Ruined House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/ii-night-in-the-ruined-house) Protagonist stranded after motorcycle breakdown; repairs bike and hides in a ruined farmhouse. ### [III: Behind the Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iii-behind-the-wall) The protagonist and spy, hiding behind a wall and later confronted by a suspicious old woman. ### [IV: The Nails](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iv-the-nails) Narrator and protagonist; evades capture by using nails and cutting telegraph wire; spies on the Grand Fleet. ### [V: Waiting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/v-waiting) The protagonist hiding in a hollow, observing the manse and waiting for night. ### [I: The Pleasant Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/i-the-pleasant-stranger) The pleasant stranger with gold-rimmed spectacles and a jovial manner who manipulates Burnett into considering the Myredale vacancy, revealing a hidden agenda behind his friendly facade. ### [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) Narrator of this chapter; German spy who observes the Grand Fleet and signals the submarine flotilla. ### [I: The Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/i-the-meeting) Narrator and German naval officer; arrives at the manse in uniform after landing on the island; recounts his adventures to Tiel. ### [II: Tiel’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/ii-tiel-s-story) Listens to Tiel's story with growing distaste, defends the honor of the submarine service, and eventually retires to his room. ### [III: The Plan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iii-the-plan) The German spy who is the narrator; he is excited by the plan but disgusted by Ashington's treachery. ### [IV: What Happened on Sunday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iv-what-happened-on-sunday) Impatient and restless, von Belke longs to rejoin his submarine and struggles with the delay imposed by Tiel's plans. ### [V: A Mysterious Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/v-a-mysterious-adventure) Narrator; grows impatient with Tiel's secrecy, hides from the servant, and confronts Tiel about the deception. ### [VI: The Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/vi-the-visitor) Narrator; feels foreboding before meeting the visitor, then is instantly charmed by Miss Burnett; argues with Tiel about the need for constant acting. ### [VII: At Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/vii-at-night) Hosts Eileen in his room, grows jealous of Tiel's intimacy with her, insists on escorting her downstairs, and becomes suspicious after discovering Tiel's meeting with Ashington. ### [VIII: The Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/viii-the-decision) Resolves to stay despite the risk of capture, driven by duty and his attraction to Eileen. ### [IX: On the Shore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/ix-on-the-shore) Narrator; meets Wiedermann, delivers plans, chooses 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) Narrator of the chapter; completes his account of espionage activities and is captured. ### [I: Wednesday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/i-wednesday) Narrator; awakens with reckless infatuation, discards uniform for mufti, adopts alias 'Mr. Wilson', and questions Eileen about her role. ### [II: Thursday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/ii-thursday) Narrator of the chapter; grows increasingly suspicious of Tiel's lies and recklessness. ### [IV: Friday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iv-friday) Narrates the chapter; grows increasingly anxious and suspicious as the day progresses, ultimately discovering he has been betrayed. ### [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 capture and the revelation of his espionage activities are concluded. ### [I: Tiel’s Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/i-tiel-s-journey) Captured and devastated by the revelation of the deception; demands his revolver and struggles with his failure. ### [II: The Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/ii-the-lady) The captured German lieutenant who learns the full extent of the deception against him, reacting with bitterness and wounded pride. ### [III: The Empty Envelope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/chapters/iii-the-empty-envelope) Mentioned as the captured German spy; Blacklock reflects on using Eileen to manipulate him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters/von_belke - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_spy_in_black_se/characters