Characters > Fictional
“No” is the first thing you hear when you first meet Inspector MacNutt in the novel. Prime Minister Borden is quite adamant in his refusal to allow the inspector to volunteer for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). MacNutt made the mistake of becoming too important for him to leave his post as the head of the Dominion Police’s Secret Service.
Dealing with the overactive imagination of the general public, which sees a German saboteur under every bed, is just one of the everyday frustrations for MacNutt.
With the impending deportation of German military attachés, Captains von Papen and Boy-Ed, by the American State Department, he is convinced that Berlin has been sending replacements.
Aided by Sergeant Lacelle, Inspector MacNutt has to thread carefully through political minefields, in Canada and abroad, and interdepartmental politics as he tries to identify the new secret agents and thwart any sabotage or subversive threats to the Dominion of Canada and its citizens.
The only son of Henry and Helen MacNutt, Andrew MacNutt was born in Tottenham, Ontario, on May 25, 1878. In 1883, his father decided to move the family to Brandon, Manitoba, where he ran a general store. He was a decent student but not a brilliant one. He spent most of his spare time riding horses.
In 1900, over the objections of his parents, he enlisted in the Strathcona’s Horse for service in South Africa. Prior to embarking, the regiment was quartered at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa. During his stay in the capital, he met Katherine, had a whirlwind romance, and married her before he set sail.
He served with distinction in South Africa. The Strathcona’s Horse was used primarily as scouts for the British Army to gather intelligence on the Boer forces. He was wounded in a skirmish near Ermelo, South Africa, on August 2, 1900. During his recovery he received news that his parents had died in the fire that destroyed their general store. When the Strathcona’s Horse returned to Canada in January, 1901, he elected to stay in South Africa. He was recruited by Lieutenant Arthur L. “Gat” Howard for the Canadian Scouts. He served with Scouts, reaching the rank of captain until the end of the war.
When he returned to Canada he was introduced to his son, Jamie, who was born about 9 months before after he set sail.
Looking for work to support his family, in 1902 he was recruited by Sir Percy Sherwood, Chief Commissioner of the Dominion Police, to head the force’s Secret Service.
Prior to the start of the war in 1914, his main duties were conducting security background checks, monitoring possible threats from Irish and Sikh terrorist groups, and keeping a watchful eye on German activity in Canada as tensions between Britain and Germany increased.
Captain, Governor General’s Foot Guards
King’s South Africa Medal, with two bars.
Queen’s South Africa Medal, with three bars.