# Sandy Arbuthnot — The Three Hostages character guide > Sandy Arbuthnot in The Three Hostages by John Buchan. **Role:** major **Also known as:** old Sandy, Sandy, Old Sandy, Arbuthnot, lunatic Arbuthnot, Mr. Alexander Thomson, Alexander **First appearance:** 0005-iv-i-make-the-acquaintance-of-a-popular-man ## Who they are A master of disguise and Eastern tongues, Sandy Arbuthnot is Hannay's oldest friend — and the one man capable of moving unseen through the enemy's world. ## Relationships ### [Dominick Medina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/dominick_medina) _rivalry_ Sandy is a key adversary in the plot against Medina, representing the forces of good opposing Medina's criminal schemes. ### [Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/dick) _friendship_ Dick and Sandy are close friends and trusted allies, working together to thwart Medina's criminal enterprise. ### [Mary Hannay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/mary_hannay) _friendship_ Mary and Sandy share a warm friendship, with Sandy often visiting and assisting the Hannay family. ### [Archie Roylance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/archie_roylance) _friendship_ Archie and Sandy are good friends and allies, often working together in support of Dick's mission. ### [Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/dick) _friendship_ Dick and Sandy are close friends and trusted allies, working together to thwart Medina's criminal enterprise. ### [Dominick Medina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/dominick_medina) _rivalry_ Sandy is a key adversary in the plot against Medina, representing the forces of good opposing Medina's criminal schemes. ### [Dominick Medina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/dominick_medina) _rivalry_ Sandy is a key adversary in the plot against Medina, representing the forces of good opposing Medina's criminal schemes. ### [Mary Hannay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/mary_hannay) _friendship_ Mary and Sandy share a warm friendship, with Sandy often visiting and assisting the Hannay family. ### [Archie Roylance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/archie_roylance) _friendship_ Archie and Sandy are good friends and allies, often working together in support of Dick's mission. ### [Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/dick) _friendship_ Dick and Sandy are close friends and trusted allies, working together to thwart Medina's criminal enterprise. ### [Mary Hannay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/mary_hannay) _friendship_ Mary and Sandy share a warm friendship, with Sandy often visiting and assisting the Hannay family. ## In the story ### [III: Researches in the Subconscious](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/iii-researches-in-the-subconscious) Appears at the end of the chapter, stopping Hannay in St. James's Street. ### [IV: I Make the Acquaintance of a Popular Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/iv-i-make-the-acquaintance-of-a-popular-man) Hannay's old friend; expresses skepticism about Medina, warns Hannay to go slow, and shares his future plans. ### [The Thursday Club](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/v-the-thursday-club) Attends the dinner; watches Medina with interest and is greeted warmly by the club members. ### [The House in Gospel Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/vi-the-house-in-gospel-oak) Meets Hannay at the club after the visit; expresses dislike for Medina and is anxious about Hannay's whereabouts. ### [VII: Some Experiences of a Disciple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/vii-some-experiences-of-a-disciple) Sandy sends a coded letter from France indicating progress and urging Hannay to stick close to Medina. ### [The Blind Spinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/viii-the-blind-spinner) Sends Hannay a typed note urging him to stay close to Medina and break with Sandy. ### [I Am Introduced to Strong Magic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/ix-i-am-introduced-to-strong-magic) Sandy sends Hannay a note arranging a meeting at 'The Silent Woman' inn on the Fosse Way, indicating he has returned to England and has information to share. ### [X: Confidences at a Wayside Inn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/x-confidences-at-a-wayside-inn) Sandy provides deep analysis of Medina's psychology, warns that victory over Medina is impossible, and agrees to lie low while Hannay pursues the clue. ### [XIII: I Visit the Fields of Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/xiii-i-visit-the-fields-of-eden) Hannay longs for his return but has strict instructions not to contact him. ### [Sir Archibald Roylance Puts His Foot in It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/xiv-sir-archibald-roylance-puts-his-foot-in-it) Referenced as having warned Hannay to stay close to Medina; his possible dealings inside Medina's citadel puzzle Hannay. ### [Our Time Is Narrowed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/xvi-our-time-is-narrowed) Mentioned as having been seen again in England; Hannay and Mary are in touch with him but communication is slow. ### [XIX: The Night of the First of June—Later](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/xix-the-night-of-the-first-of-june-later) Reveals he has been impersonating Kharáma, presents evidence against Medina, and proposes a deal. ### [XX: Machray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/xx-machray) Warns Hannay that Medina's wounded vanity will drive him to seek revenge, urging him to leave for Machray immediately. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/sandy_arbuthnot - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters