Given that Henry himself is English, Brennan imagines that Hannah's derisiveness is meant more for this Commodore Lyon himself than for his nationality.

"And is that all he told you? That Henry is in hell or something close to it?"

Actually, Brennan is certain that Hannah would never have settled for information that vague. Especially where Henry is concerned. The question is merely to keep drawing out the relevant facts, leaving the question of Commodore Lyon's Englishness aside for the time being.