The story in one page
Sir Henry Cranston appears to be an idle, ineffective man, causing his wife Philippa immense frustration. In reality, he is a dedicated operative managing the east coast defenses. His neighbor, Lessingham, arrives in the area via a Zeppelin observation car with orders to monitor Cranston's activities. Lessingham struggles with his divided loyalties as he grows closer to Philippa, unaware that Cranston has identified him as an enemy agent. Instead of arresting the spy, Cranston carefully manufactures a fraudulent naval chart, effectively luring the German forces into a trap, before eventually allowing Lessingham to escape back to sea.
Who's who
- Sir Henry Cranston
A deceptive operative masquerading as a useless, unpatriotic husband.
- Philippa
Cranston's wife, who initially disdains her husband's apparent lack of purpose.
- Lessingham
A German agent caught between his mission and his personal sentiments.
- Hayter
The handler who pressures Lessingham to complete his dangerous assignment.
What it's really about
- Deception
- Appearances mask a dangerous counter-espionage game.
- Divided Loyalty
- Personal feelings conflict with nationalistic duty.
Why it's memorable
- A spy dropping from a Zeppelin observation car into a quiet English common.
- A husband keeping his life-saving work hidden behind a mask of laziness.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Lessingham escapes on a Dutch trawler, leaving the successfully deceived German Navy crippled. Philippa finds comfort in her husband's arms as the green light of the trawler fades into the moonlight.
For your book club
- Why does Cranston prefer a complex trap to a simple arrest?
- How does the domestic tension heighten the stakes of the espionage?