Question

1. what detail gives a clue to the country in which \the strange - looking man\ is set?

the use of the german word \herr,\ meaning mister
the american nationality of the storys author
the fact that most of the men had gone to war
the reference to a tiny village in the mountains

Explanation:

The use of the German word "Herr" directly indicates a German - speaking country context. The author's nationality (American) doesn't necessarily set the story in America. The fact that men went to war is a general situation not specific to a country. A tiny village in the mountains could be in many countries.

Answer:

the use of the German word "Herr," meaning Mister