The Riddle of the Sands, published in 1903 by
Erskine
Childers (rhymes with
herskin gilders) is considered to be the
first
example of a
spy novel. In addition to being a fine spy story the book is one
of the best sailing stories around and relates the tale of two young
Edwardian gentlemen engaged in a
quest.
Childers uses his plot line as an excuse to create a stunning backdrop,
which is the sea in general and specifically the shallow sands of the
german coastline (which is entirely reminiscent of the Norfolk coast across
the water in England). The book's hero (Davies) is a sailor who excels in
using a shallow-draft vessel to negotiate the sometimes treacherous mix
of sea and shifting sands which characterize so many coastlines around the
world.
The Riddle of the Sands is crafted in the rich, formal language of
prewar England, filled
with such jewels as "'I did like her - very much.' our eyes met for a
second, in which all was said that need be said, as between two of our
phlegmatic race". and "through a medium blue with that translucent blue,
fairy-faint and angel-pure, that you see in perfection only in the heart of
ice ... to see the uncouth anchor stabbing the sand's soft bosom with one
rusty fang, deaf and inert to Dulcibella's puny efforts to drag him
from his prey.".
The book opens with a preface, nominally penned by a third party into
whose hands a sensitive manuscript has been delivered. This note indicates that
a nefarious plot has been brought to light and sets a tone of gentlemanly
conduct in noting that certain affairs of the heart will be touched on only
with a "light and hesitating pen". Most other parties referred to throughout
are referred to obliquely as in "M-- inquired as to the contents".
The narrative opens with one Carruthers, a junior man in the Foreign Office
in the midst of a funk due to his vacation plans having been sacrificed to
work schedules. He receives a letter from one Davies, asking him to join him
for a cruise in the Baltic. Carruthers (wondering how the
undistinguished Davies can afford a Yacht) decides that as all of the
fashionable holiday parties are ending for the season he may as well complete his martyrdom and purposes to go aid an associate who has asked for
his help.
Running the errands that Davies has requested Carruthers begins to get hints
that he's not in for a comfortable pleasure cruise. A bit of a dandy he's
a put out at having to rub elbows with the lower class sellers of some marine gear
Davies is in need of. He arrives by train to meet the Dulcibella expecting to
find a substantial vessel (with crew) only to find himself wrestling his
portmanteau stuffed with spiffy yachting clothes onto a smallish (8 ton)
yawl (a converted lifeboat) which Davies has been managing single-handed.
The protagonists overcome their differences as Carruthers discovers
the pleasures of doing the work of sailing. Carruthers is also learning that
Davies has encountered some problems in his travels as they explore the
tranquil Baltic. At a time when England is the preeminent world power these
two upper crust protagonists discuss naval strategy, sea power and Germany's
expanding influence as they explore places which have come under German control
in recent decades.
Plot spoilers follow
Eventually Davies reveals that he suspects a former Englishman of turning spy
for the Germans and (less willingly) alludes that he has formed a bond with
the man's
daughter (a like-minded young sailor). Carruthers delivers on
Davies's expectations by providing insights due to his experience in the
diplomatic
corps; he agrees to extend his stay and they plan an extensive
reconnaissance of the german
north sea coast. Exiting the Baltic by
way of the Elbe they are soon in Davies's favored cruising grounds, the
sands of the western Frisian Islands.
From this point Childers brings Carruthers into a world of detailed coastal
navigation. He learns how to read the water to tell a workable channel
from a shoal and the practical skills of using the anchor to kedge off
when grounded. Using these tactics Dulcibella is used to map the german
coast and look for the evidence that indeed Germany is preparing some surprise
to spring upon England.
In a couple of weeks of this, encompassing a series of events which only serve
to heighten their suspicions, Davies and Carruthers eventually encounter
their suspected traitor. After a tense conversation they commit themselves
to discovering the suspected plot.
This leads them to the crux of the story, a tense navigation in thick fog
where they outwit the spy and his German allies. Davies applies idiosyncratic
but solid seamanship to put them where they must be to learn what the traitor
is up to. Working time and tide to best advantage they pull of a sleight of
hand appearing to be locked in harbor by the fog when actually they are
miles away, finally beginning to answer the riddle.
From here the reader is carried through the logical steps of unwinding the
details of the conspiracy they've now begun to understand. Davies and
Carruthers strive to "scotch him" and "save the girl".
The chapters include:
- The Letter
- The 'Dulcibella'
- Davies
- Retrospect
- Wanted, a North Wind
- Schlei Fjord
- The Missing Page
- The Theory
- I Sign Articles
- His Chance
- The Pathfinders
- My Initiation
- The Meaning of our Work
- The First Night in the Islands
- Bensersiel
- Commander von Brüning
- Clearing the Air
- Imperial Escort
- The Rubicon
- The Little Drab Book
- Blindfold to Memmert
- The Quartette
- A Change of Tactics
- Finesse
- I Double Back
- The Seven Siels
- The Luck of the Stowaway
- We Achieve our Double Aim