The Thirty-Nine Steps · Character

Sir Walter Bullivant

The Foreign Office man Hannay pins his hopes on, a cool intelligence chief who must decide whether a fugitive's story is worth believing.

supporting

Also known as Sir Walter, Bullivant

First appearance: The Coming of the Black Stone

As a supporting figure in The Thirty-Nine Steps, Sir Walter Bullivant is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The British official who hosts Hannay and coordinates the response to the Black Stone threat.

In the storyThe Thirty-Nine StepsOpen this moment free

Sir Walter Bullivant appears in The Thirty-Nine Steps as supporting figure.

Sir Walter Bullivant first appears in 0009 viii the coming of the black stone.

In The Thirty-Nine Steps: The British official who hosts Hannay and coordinates the response to the Black Stone threat.

Later, in IV: The Adventure of the Radical Candidate: Mentioned as Sir Harry's godfather and Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Office; Hannay is given a letter of introduction to him.

See Sir Walter Bullivant in The Thirty-Nine Steps Book page

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Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Sir Walter Bullivant sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional

Character groups

Conspiracy Core
Pursuit Authority
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as Richard Hannay, though physically broken and p…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

General Royer
professional · positive
They work together in intelligence and national security, sharing critical information. How this plays out →
Richard Hannay
professional · positive
Lord Alloa
professional · positive
Mr. Scudder
professional · positive
MacGillivray
professional · positive
Whittaker
professional · positive
Karolides
professional · positive
Paddock
professional · positive
General Royer
professional · positive
They work together in intelligence and national security, sharing critical information. How this plays out →
Richard Hannay
professional · positive
Lord Alloa
professional · positive
Mr. Scudder
professional · positive

General Royer
They work together in intelligence and national security, sharing critical information.
Richard Hannay
Bullivant is a senior intelligence officer who trusts and relies on Hannay for critical missions.
Lord Alloa
They are colleagues in government or military intelligence, coordinating responses to threats.
Mr. Scudder
Scudder is a secret agent reporting to or working alongside Bullivant on the same case.
MacGillivray
MacGillivray is a police or intelligence official cooperating with Bullivant on the investigation.
Whittaker
Whittaker is an aide or junior officer assisting Bullivant with administrative or operational tasks.
Karolides
Bullivant is involved in protecting Karolides from assassination, indicating a diplomatic or security relationship.
Paddock
Paddock acts as a messenger or informant for Bullivant, relaying Scudder's findings.
General Royer
They work together in intelligence and national security, sharing critical information.
Richard Hannay
Bullivant is a senior intelligence officer who trusts and relies on Hannay for critical missions.
Lord Alloa
They are colleagues in government or military intelligence, coordinating responses to threats.
Mr. Scudder
Scudder is a secret agent reporting to or working alongside Bullivant on the same case.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Sir Walter Bullivant in The Coming of the Black Stone

In the story

Sir Walter Bullivant appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Thirty-Nine Steps
The British official who hosts Hannay and coordinates the response to the Black Stone threat.
IV: The Adventure of the Radical Candidate
Mentioned as Sir Harry's godfather and Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Office; Hannay is given a letter of introduction to him.
The Dry-Fly Fisherman
Foreign Office official; initially skeptical of Scudder's story but is convinced after learning of Karolides' assassination.
The Coming of the Black Stone
Sir Walter briefs Hannay on the Royer plan and later hosts the secret meeting at his home.
The Thirty-Nine Steps
Coordinates with Scotland Yard and participates in the search for the spies.
X: Various Parties Converging on the Sea
Sir Walter is the recipient of Hannay's wire about the destroyer.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Sir Walter Bullivant unlock in the free preview.

See Sir Walter Bullivant in The Coming of the Black Stone

See Sir Walter Bullivant in The Thirty-Nine Steps