# The Thirty-Nine Steps — Character guide

> Key figures in The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan.

- [Richard Hannay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/richard_hannay.md): A restless mining engineer newly returned to London, he trades dull peace for a dead man's notebook and a countrywide manhunt.
- [Mr. Scudder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/mr_scudder.md): A jittery American who barges into Hannay's flat with a wild tale of conspiracy, then leaves him holding the evidence and the blame.
- [Sir Walter Bullivant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/sir_walter_bullivant.md): The Foreign Office man Hannay pins his hopes on, a cool intelligence chief who must decide whether a fugitive's story is worth believing.
- [Sir Harry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/sir_harry.md): A friend of Hannay who provides assistance and shelter.
- [Mr. Turnbull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/mr_turnbull.md): A farmer who gives Hannay a ride and later helps him.
- [Karolides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/karolides.md): A Greek statesman whose assassination is part of the conspiracy.
- [General Royer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/general_royer.md): A French general involved in the international plot.
- [Whittaker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/whittaker.md): A journalist who helps Hannay in his escape.
- [Paddock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/paddock.md): A servant at the inn who assists Hannay.
- [Scaife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/scaife.md): A detective pursuing Hannay.
- [Peter Pienaar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/peter_pienaar.md): An old Boer scout and Hannay's trusted friend from African days, whose veld cunning resurfaces when the chase turns deadly.
- [Lord Alloa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/lord_alloa.md): A British lord whose identity is used by the conspirators.
- [Twisdon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/twisdon.md): An old friend of Hannay who provides a hiding place.
- [MacGillivray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/macgillivray.md): A police inspector involved in the manhunt for Hannay.
- [Ned Ainslie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/ned_ainslie.md): A friend of Hannay who helps him in London.
- [Mr. Appleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters/mr_appleton.md): A man whose identity Hannay borrows while on the run.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_thirty_nine_steps_se/characters