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All answers must be in sentence form.

1. In what year was the book Moonfleet first published?

The book was first published by Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd in 1898.
2. Describe the village of Moonfleet. (1)

Descriptions will vary.
3. Who is telling the story and why does he live with his aunt? (1)

John Trenchard is telling the story.  He lives with his aunt as his parents had died some years earlier.
4. What year does he refer to when he starts relating the story? (2)

He refers to late October in 1757.
5. How many people lived in Moonfleet? (2-3)

Less than two hundred souls (people) lived in the tiny village.
6. What is a sexton? (3)

A sexton is a person employed as caretaker of the church and its adjacent property.  Duties often include burying the dead and setting up headstones (tombstones/gravestones).
7. What was Ratsey doing when John came upon him in the shed? (3)

We discover Ratsey, the sexton, engraving letters on the headstone of David Block.  
8. Who was Magistrate Maskew? (5)

He was a very unpopular magistrate in the area and it was believed that he had informed on the smugglers.
9. Who was David Block and how did he die? (4-5)

David Block, the only child of Elzevir Block, came to an untimely end at the hands of Maskew who had fired off a pistol in his face.
10. Who was Elzevir Block? (4-5)

Elzevir Block was the father of David Block and the owner of the Why Not Inn.  His mother was from the Low Countries (Netherlands) and that explains why he was able to speak Dutch.  The book refers to him as being rather grim and silent.
11. How did the Why Not Inn get its name? (7-8)

It was originally called the Mohune Arms after the Mohune family who had once lived in Moonfleet.  The Mohune shield was plain white or silver and decorated with nothing other than a large black "Y".   A former landlord often jokingly referred to the inn as the Why Not and the name stuck.
12. According to Mr. Glennie, who was the real Blackbeard? (13)

According to the Reverend Mr. Glennie, Blackbeard was the deceased Colonel John Mohune who had supported the rebels in their struggle against King Charles the First.
13. What was Blackbeard’s treasure and how was it obtained?

Colonel John Mohune had been the King's jailer but agreed to turn a blind eye to the king's escape in return for a great diamond.  However, after receiving the jewel, he reneged on his promise to the king.

f. Find out about word origins at this comprehensive site.

1. Why might a wreck on Moonfleet beach be considered a godsend? (15-16)

The people of Moonfleet could plunder its cargo.  John does mention however, that no person would ever wish for such an event and that many a citizen of Moonfleet had indeed risked their own life trying to rescue shipwrecked sailors.
2. What was Elzevir Block’s response upon learning that the village might be flooded? (17)

Elzevir refused to leave the inn despite the waters spilling over the doorsills.  He claimed not to care if the sea swept him away.
3. What surprise awaited the few people who attended church on Sunday morning? (18)

The congregation was very surprised to see Elzevir sitting in one of the pews on Sunday especially since it was rumoured that he was either a Catholic or an infidel.
4. What did John Trenchard believe to be making the noise under the church? (19)

At first John believed that the ghost of Blackbeard himself was rising from the vaults below.  He consoled himself with the belief that surely the ghost would attack the adults in the church first.
5. What finally happened to most of the worshippers that morning? (21)

They finally fled the church convinced that the ghosts of the Mohunes below were about to murder them.
6. How did Mr. Glennie attempt to explain the strange noises? (22)

The Reverend Mr. Glennie told John that the noises were caused by the coffins being knocked about below in the rising floodwaters.   Initially John believes this but after further consideration suspects that this can't be true as the coffins would be decayed and rotten and thus incapable of making loud hollow booming sounds.
7. How did Blackbeard specify that his treasure should be spent after his death? (24)

Later in life Colonel Mohune was reputed to have felt remorse for his ill-gotten jewel and so left a will specifying that the profits from the sell of the diamond be spent on the repair and support of the almshouses for the poor.
8. Who was John surprised to see in the churchyard? (27)

John was very surprised to see Ratsey and Elzevir in the churchyard.

1. What suddenly occurred while John was seated on the tomb stone? (31)

John heard a rumbling sound and a large crack suddenly opened up in the earth.  He lowered himself through the opening and discovered to his surprise a passageway or tunnel leading to the church.   (The students do not yet realize that this is a tunnel used by smugglers)
2. Why did John decide to fetch a candle from his aunt? (32)

John was frightened by the darkness of the tunnel and needed a candle if he was to continue his explorations.
3. What do you think John was attempting to reveal when he said, "I never kissed Aunt Jane again"? (34)

Answers will vary as students attempt to understand the significance of this passage.
Not until the story progresses will many of them realize that John is forced to leave Moonfleet and by that time his relationship with his aunt has deteriorated.  Some readers may interpret it as meaning that John may simply be too mature to want to kiss his aunt.  It is important for students to be aware of such passages as they are often used in novels as a foreshadowing technique.
4. What had been responsible for the sounds that John had heard coming from beneath the church on Sunday? (39-40)

John discovers that it was the casks (large wooden barrels) of liquor owned by the smugglers that were responsible for the noise in church that Sunday and not the coffins.
5. What realization did John come to concerning Ratsey and Elzevir? 40)

He realizes that Ratsey and Elzevir are involved in the smuggling and begins to understand why Ratsey had tried to scare him with tales of Blackbeard.

Enrichment: Try some of these activities.

1. Whose voice did John first recognize in the vault? (44)

John heard a number of voices but the first one he recognizes is that of Ratsey.
2. Do the villages of Moonfleet, Taunton and Dorchester exist? (Hint: check in your atlas)

Taunton can be found in Somerset, England while Dorchester is found in Dorset.   However, students will be hard pressed to locate Moonfleet as it is a fictional village.
3. What house was Master Trenchard always near that gave rise to suspicions on the part of the smugglers that John was spying? (46-47)

Greening, a smuggler, tells the other men that he has often seen John Trenchard "scanning the house" of Magistrate Maskew.
4. How does John explain that he was at the house? (47)

John explains to the reader that although he liked to go for a walk in the area, it was also an opportunity for him to catch a glimpse of Maskew's daughter, Grace.
5. What does John grab when his hand accidentally penetrates the coffin? (53)

He grabs something that he first believes to be a "wisp of seaweed" but is soon shocked to discover that it is actually a beard.
6. What did John find upon opening Colonel John Mohune’s locket? (57)

John expects to find the diamond but is disappointed to find only a folded piece of paper with verses from the bible.
7. Why do you think the author chooses to end chapter 4 the way he does? (63)

Answers will vary but the author is trying to create suspense by leaving the reader to ponder John's fate.

1. Who was tending to John’s needs? (64)

John Trenchard awakens in a clean bed to find himself being tended by Elzevir Block.
2. What had actually happened to Cracky Jones? (66-67)

Cracky Jones had gone missing thirteen years earlier and had been found dead in the churchyard a week after his mysterious disappearance.  According to Elzevir, Jones had got himself trapped inside the the smuggler's passageway and eventually died.  Only the smugglers realized what had happened.
3. How are John Trenchard’s feelings towards Elzevir changing? (68)

John begins to see a the gentler side of Elzevir after being invited by Block to live at the Why Not Inn.  When John's aunt refuses to allow him back into her house, Elzevir tells John that he can take the place of his own son, David.
4. How did Aunt Jane react when John returned to her house? (69)

She refused to allow him back into her home and chatised him for staying at the tavern (inn).

1. ‘Twas Colonel John Mohune’s black locket.
2. As he makes his bed, must he lie on’t.
3. There we found thee.
4. Thou wilt have heard.
5. Thou wert lost.

1. Maskew was considered of medium height. Are you taller or shorter than Mr. Maskew? (71)

It will vary depending on the student but as Maskew was only five feet four inches tall (approximately 162 centimetres )  some of the students may be taller than him.  
2. Give at least three reasons why Mr. Maskew was hated by the townspeople of Moonfleet. (72-73)

Everything about Maskew rubbed people the wrong way.  
1. He had shot and killed David Brock who was just a young boy.
2. He was a miser and refused to spend money on the upkeep and repairs for his home.
3. He placed no trespassing signs on his property and said he would prosecute anyone who disobeyed it despite the fact that citizens of Moonfleet had used the land for years.
4. He became the magistrate and threatened to put an end to the smuggling despite the fact that most of the people in Moonfleet were opposed to the Excise (taxes on the sale of certain goods).
3. Years ago it was very common for a minister or priest to be the teacher in a small village. Why do you think that might have been?

The priest or minister was often the only person in the village who could read or write.  Books were very expensive and he might be one of the few people to have his own library. Furthermore, people would often learn to read from the bible.
4. Why did the other students never tease Grace Maskew about her father? (73-74)
 
The other students liked Grace and they didn't wish to hurt her feelings.
5. What is a summing-slate? (74)

A summing slate is a small piece of rectangular slate upon which the student would write his work--in this case his math work or sums.  It was actually made from slate and commonly used for chalkboards or blackboards as they were often called.
6. Why was Mr. Maskew so upset with Parson Glennie? (75-76)

Mr. Maskew accuses Parson Glennie of calumny (slander) as Glennie had written the verses which appeared on David Block's tombstone--the verses accusing Maskew of murder.  Maskew threatens to take action if Glennie doesn't have David Block's tombstone removed from the churchyard.  
7. Why did John feel badly for laughing at the incident between Maskew and Parson Glennie? (78)

John soon realized that Reverend Glennie was quite upset.  The parson looked sad and had a red mark and scratches on the side of his face from where Maskew had hit him with a fish.  Mr. Glennie also left that day without saying goodbye to the children.
8. Why did Maskew return to the school later in the day? (79)

He was very miserly and wanted to retrieve the sole (fish) for himself. He did not realize that John Trenchard had hidden it in his desk.

1. What was the purpose of the bailiff’s visit to Moonfleet? (81)

Every five years the baliff was responsible for arranging new leases--in this case for the Why Not Inn.
2. Explain how the candle was use in the bidding process? (83-84)

The pin is used as a timing device. The baliff measures down the candle about one inch (2.2 cm) and sticks a pin into the candle at that point. He then allows the bidding on the lease to begin. The flame burns down and the pin eventually falls out. At this point the lease is awarded to the last bidder. The students may wish to debate the fairness of such a process.
3. Were you surprised at the results of the auction? Why or why not?

Answers will vary.
4. What is a game of hazard? (91) You must do a little research.

The modern games of craps is derived from the ancient game of hazard. The word hazard originally came from the Arabic word azzahr which meant dice. It is an old and complicated game involving rolling the dice and betting on the results. There is a more modern game of hazard which is used in casinos but this is a different game from the one referred to in Moonfleet.

1. Why had Maskew been twice to Weymouth? (92)

He went there to talk to Mr. Luckham of the Excise and Captain Henning who was in charge of the soldiers (troopers).   He hoped to persuade them to form a posse and capture the smugglers the next time they attempted to bring contraband ashore.   Some of the townspeople were beginning to think that Maskew actually wanted to rid the area of smugglers so that he could gain control of the contraband business for himself.
2. How did Elzevir and the smugglers hope to outsmart Maskew? (93-94)

They planned to have the contraband ship, The Bonaventure, pretend to be waiting near the bay when in fact it would head up the channel and unload near a place called Hoar Head. They would do this around five o'clock in the morning and use packhorses to transport the smuggled goods to a safe place.
3. What is meant by "Maskew’s match"? (97)

It was a candle but only John Trenchard knew that it was a candle that Grace Maskew had left burning in her window at night so as to guide the boats at sea. Others believed it to be her father poring over his ledgers to count up his money.
4. What did Aunt Jane present to him as he was passing her house one day? (100)

She presents John with his mother's prayerbook (Common Prayer Book). He mentions that it would one day prove very precious to him but does not elaborate. (Students do not realize at this point that he will use it to solve the mystery of the verses in the locket)
5. Who did the smugglers capture and what did everyone expect would happen to him that very evening? (106)

The smugglers captured Maskew and everyone "knew" that he would be dead before the day was over.

Chapter 9—A Judgment

1. Why was John reluctant to stay behind with Elzevir and Maskew? (107)

John didn't wish to stay behind to either watch or become a part of the inevitable--Elzevir killing Maskew.
2. Why does Elzevir choose to use the candle to decide when Maskew will die? (108)

He chooses the burning candle because that was how Maskew had turned Elzevir out of his own home.
3. How is Maskew killed? (114)

Ironically, he was shot in the head by the very soldiers who were trying to rescue him.
4. Why does the author select this method to have Maskew meet his death?

Answers will vary.  Certainly it saves Elzevir and John from actually committing a serious crime.  Furthermore, if John had been implicated in Maskew's death, it would have placed serious strains on the relationship between Grace and John.  Finally it adds a touch of irony to the story.

1. Why were Elzevir and John willing to attempt such a dangerous escape route?

As dangerous as it was, it was still the only possible escape route.
2. What did John see on the ZigZag that he considered an ill omen? (119)

He saw the rotting carcass of a dead sheep that had apparently lost its footing and fallen to its death.
3. Why was John suspicious of the young farm boy? (130)

John was suspicious of the young boy because he caught him looking at his bloody foot and later when the farm boy thought that Elzevir was not watching him, he ran away from them as quickly as possible.
4. According to Elzevir, Joseph’s Pit was a safe place to hide. Why? (133)

Elzevir felt the pit (quarry) to be a perfect hiding place for a number of reasons.  First, there were simply too many quarries to search.  Secondly, the posse would probably be too frightened to search the quarries as they had heard the legend of the Mandrive who alledgedly protected the marble in the quarry.  Furthermore, there were also toxic gases in some of the shafts that could asphyxiate a man.  Finally, if all else failed, Elzevir had a pistol and old matchlock (gun) to hold off the troops.
5. How did John know that they had arrived at a place near the sea? (134)

He felt both the cold and the smell of salt in the air.

1. How long would they have to stay in the cave? (135)

Elzevir tells John that they will have to stay in the cave for a month or two while his injury heals.
2. What is meant by the term ‘high-water mark’? (137)

Students accustomed to tides will have little difficulty with this concept. High water mark indicates the highest level to which the sea water rises during the highest tides.
3. Why did Elzevir feel that he and John would be safe in France despite the fact that both countries were at war with one another? (140)

He felt that they would be safe in France because the contrabandiers whether French or English were like brothers.
4. What was the password that Elzevir and John had agreed on? (143)

They agreed that the password would be Prosper the Bonaventure.
5. Why did John think that it was someone else other that Elzevir who had just arrived in the cave? (144)

He thought that it was someone else because they would not give the password at first.

1. According to Ratsey how much of a reward was offered for Elzevir and John? (148)

Ratsey showed them the government bill or letter that offered 50 pounds for information leading to the arrest of Elzevir Block and 20 pounds reward for information leading to the apprehension of John Trenchard.
2. Why were the Excise-men on Ratsey’s track? (149)

There were vagabounds and rogues about that would be happy to collect the reward and they knew that Ratsey was good friends with Elzevir and could lead them to the hiding spot.
3. What did John Trenchard resolve to do before he left England? (152)

He resolved that he would go one last time to Moonfleet so that he could explain the circumstances of Maskew's death to Grace.
4. How do we know that Maskew was hated by the townspeople even in death? (152-3)

Not only the people of Moonfleet but also the folk from the neighbouring towns of Ringstave and Monkbury had come to jeer the coffin of Maskew.  Even the children were making a noise by beating on pots and pans.  At first they could not even find enough pall bearers.
5. What is the obvious inaccuracy that Ratsey notices in the verses written on the parchment? (158)

Ratsey tells John that although it is indeed the ninetieth Psalm, that the verse quoted is the tenth and not the twenty-first.
6. Why does John not reveal to Ratsey that he has his aunt’s prayerbook? (158)

He tells us that he had a strange thought about the verses and so decided that he would like to read them over by himself to see if Ratsey is right.
7. What does John discover when he checks the various Psalms and verses in the prayerbook? (159-160)

He discovers that every verse on the paper has the wrong number beside it.  John then realizes that it is a secret message revealing the hiding place of the diamond.  The secret code reads "Fourscore-feet-deep-well-north".
8. Where does Elzevir believe the diamond to be buried? (164)

He believes that the diamond is hidden in the well dug in the Castle Keep at Carisbrooke.

1. What were the three things according to Elzevir that men would risk their lives for? (168-9)

Elzevir believes that men will risk their lives for:  gold, love and hate.
2. What did Elzevir insist was the only reason that he would have killed Maskew? (170)

Elzevir confesses to John that he would never have killed Maskew despite the fact that he had murdered his son David.  However, he feared that Maskew would not hesitate to murder some poor innocent boy again and for that reason Elzevir would have committed this terrible deed--killing Maskew.
3. What warning does Grace give concerning the diamond? (177)

Grace tells John that if the diamond was evilly come by that it will bring evil with it.  She urges John to dispose of it by giving it to the poor.  Otherwise, she believes that it will bring a curse upon John.  
The teacher might want to discuss whether the students think Grace's concerns are justified.
4. How will John know in future if Grace is still living in her father’s home? (179)

Grace Maskew plans to keep a candle burning in the window every night as long as she lives there.

1. What is a turnkey? (182)

A turnkey is a jailer.  The origin of the word becomes very obvious.
2. How was the Castle at Carisbrooke presently being used? (182)

It was being used to contain prisoners of war and was now full of French prisoners.
3. What deal did Elzevir strike with the turnkey? (183)

Elzevir had to promise him a one-third share from any treasure they might find in the well.
4. Why was the turnkey so anxious to have Elzevir rather than John descend into the well?

John preferred to go down the well himself so that he would not be left alone on top with the jailkeeper--a "villainous fellow" that he didn't trust.
5. What method did Elzevir employ to test the air in the well? (189)

Elzevir lowered a lit candle into the well.  He told John that "where the candle lives, there lives man too".  Teachers may wish to discuss if this test has any scientific validity.

1. What letter of the alphabet does John Trenchard see ‘scored’ (scratched) on a brick? (195)

John sees the letter "Y" which he recognizes as the cross-pall or black 'Y' of the Mohunes.
2. Why did Colonel Mohune (Blackbeard) probably ‘put away’ (kill) one of his servants? (195)

John remembers Mr. Glennie's story and suspects that Colonel Mohune probably had the servant hide the treasure and then subsequently killed him so that he would not reveal the hiding place of the diamond.
3. How large was the treasure? (197)

It was as "big as a walnut".
4. Why does John refuse to pass the treasure to the turnkey at the top of the well? (198-99)

Looking into the jailer's face he is suddenly reminded of the story of Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp, a story in which Aladdin refused to give up the lamp to his uncle for fear the uncle would shut him up in the cavern.  Thus he fears that the turnkey will let him fall into the well and drown if he gives him the diamond before safely exiting the well.
5. What did the turnkey say that he already knew about Elzevir and John? (200)

The turnkey reveals that he already knows who Elzevir and John are and that he also realizes they have a price upon their head.
6. What was the result of the struggle between Elzevir and the turnkey?

During the struggle Elzevir attempted to throw the jailer onto the ground causing him to lose his balance.  As the jailer attempted to regain his balance, he staggered backwards falling into the well and subsequently to his death.
7. What did Trenchard want to do with the treasure? Why? (204)

He wanted to throw the treasure into the well as he felt that it would be a curse on them.

1. Why did Elzevir decide that they should travel to the Hague in Holland? (208-9)

He had learned that it was the first market in the world for diamonds.
2. What does Elzevir think John should do with the profits from the jewel? (210)

Elzevir advises John to spend it on the poorhouses in Moonfleet as Blackbeard had intended.
3. At what value does the jeweller appraise the jewel? (216-17)

After performing numerous tests on the jewel, he informs Elzevir and John that it is an almost worthless piece of glass but that he will offer them a sum of ten silver crowns for it.
4. What does Elzevir do when he hears the jeweller’s appraisal? (217)

He is so upset that throws it out the window.
5. What does John tell Elzevir he plans to do with the diamond in order to convince Elzevir to return to search for it? (221)

He tells Elzevir that he intends to use the profits from the diamond for the Mohune almshouses when he really has no such intentions.
6. What proof does John see that the jeweller has been in the flower bed? (225)

He finds a footprint made by the type of shoe that the jeweller had been wearing the day he examined the diamond.
7. What do they see when they peer through the jeweller’s window?

They see Aldobrand, the jeweller, at his table examining Blackbeard's diamond and later weighing it on his scales.

1. What sentence did the judge pass on John and Elzevir? (234)

They were sentenced to the galleys for life.
2. Describe how John was branded? (236)

They branded him on the left cheek with the letter 'Y' which stood for Ymeguen, the place where they were being held captive.
3. Where were John and Elzevir scheduled to be sent in the tenth year of their captivity? (238)

They were to be sent to Java to work on the sugar farms (plantations).

1. What is meant by the phrase, ‘…and the rest took the motion unkindly’? (241)

It means they had motion sickness or were seasick.
2. Why does the jailer throw a key to the prisoners below deck? (243-44)

The jailer realizes the ship is sinking and tosses the prisoners the key so that they can free themselves and not drown like trapped rats.
3. To the amazement of Elzevir and John where has the storm carried their ship? (246)

To their amazement they realized that the storm had carried them to Moonfleet Bay.
4. Whom do they expect will be waiting on the beaches? (250)

They expect that half the village will be gathered on the beach, ready to risk their lives to save them--men like Ratsey, Damen, Tewkesbury, and even Parson Glennie.
5. What is the faintest twinkle of light that Elzevir spots in the distance? (250)

He catches a glimpse of "Maskew's Match" which the reader knows to be Grace's candle and a signal that she is still alive.
6. How do we know that Elzevir is a brave and generous man?

Although saved himself, Elzevir let go of the rope to return to help John.  Thus he sacrificed his own life to save John's.

1. Describe how Master Ratsey felt when John revealed to him his identity? (259)

He is initially shocked, acting as though he has just seen a ghost but then runs up to John and shakes his hand warmly.
2. What news did Ratsey give him about the survivors? (260)

Ratsey informs John that he is the only one saved from the ship.
3. Why had Mr. Aldobrand left his inheritance to John Trenchard of Moonfleet? (272-73)

Aldobrand felt that the diamond had brought him nothing but misfortune and so the jeweller left his entire fortune to John asking for his forgiveness if he had in any way wronged him.
4. How did John choose to spend the fortune with which he had been endowed? (274-75)

John never actually used a penny of the money for himself.  He rebuilt the almshouses, erected a lighthouse to act as a beacon for the ships and finally, beautified the church.
5. Do you think it is appropriate to describe the conclusion of this story as a fairy tale ending? Why or why not?

The ending is certainly a happy one for John and Grace.  This type of fairy tale ending is more common in juvenile or young people's literature.
The teacher may wish to discuss certain incidents in the novel which may appear somewhat far-fetched.

Created by Brian Thornton, Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA. POJ 1KO