# The Avenger — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Avenger by Edgar Wallace.

- [I: The Headhunter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/i-the-headhunter.md): Captain Mike Brixan, a Foreign Office Intelligence agent, is recalled from Berlin just as he was close to solving the mystery of the Slovak Treaty. His chief, Major George Staines, assigns him to investigate the latest v
- [II: Mr. Sampson Longvale Calls](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/ii-mr-sampson-longvale-calls.md): Adele Leamington approaches director Jack Knebworth to ask for a better part in his film, but he brusquely dismisses her, advising her to return home. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Sampson Longv
- [III: The Niece](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/iii-the-niece.md): Adele Leamington, a struggling film actress, receives an early morning visit from a man claiming to be a reporter. He questions her about her uncle, Francis Elmer, who has disappeared. Adele reveals she barely knows him,
- [IV: The Leading Lady](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/iv-the-leading-lady.md): Adele Leamington is unexpectedly cast as the lead in Jack Knebworth's film after star Stella Mendoza quits in a rage. While studying her script, she encounters Michael Brixan, who recognizes the typed pages as matching t
- [V: Mr. Lawley Foss](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/v-mr-lawley-foss.md): Michael Brixan, a detective from the Foreign Office, visits a film studio to investigate a mysterious sheet of script that may be linked to the Headhunter murders. He meets Jack Knebworth, the director, and the troubled 
- [The Master of Griff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/vi-the-master-of-griff.md): Adele Leamington is nervous about filming at Griff Towers, the home of Sir Gregory Penne, whom she detests. Michael Brixan joins the film crew as an extra to stay close to her, causing tension with the leading man Reggie
- [VII: The Swords and Bhag](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/vii-the-swords-and-bhag.md): Michael Brixan is left alone with Sir Gregory Penne at Griff Towers. Penne, displaying a mix of insolence and sudden amiability, invites Michael to view his extensive sword collection. During the tour, Penne reveals a Bo
- [Bhag](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/viii-bhag.md): Michael Brixan meets Sir Gregory Penne's trained orangutan, Bhag, who demonstrates remarkable intelligence and obedience. Penne boasts of Bhag's loyalty and protective abilities. Later, during a film shoot at Penne's est
- [IX: The Ancestor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/ix-the-ancestor.md): Michael Brixan and the film company arrive at the Dower House, the dilapidated home of Sampson Longvale. Brixan is struck by the old-world charm of Longvale and the beauty of Adele Leamington, whom he watches perform a s
- [X: The Open Window](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/x-the-open-window.md): Michael Brixan visits a former teacher in Chichester to research in his library, then borrows a heavier pistol. He returns to the Dower House and learns from Sampson Longvale that a giant figure (likely Bhag) was seen lu
- [XI: The Mark on the Window](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xi-the-mark-on-the-window.md): A monstrous ape, Bhag, climbs to Adele Leamington's window and attempts to abduct her, but Michael Brixan, who has been watching in the garden, fires a pistol and scares the creature away. Brixan reveals he expected the 
- [A Cry from a Tower](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xii-a-cry-from-a-tower.md): Michael Brixan, acting on his suspicions, takes a shortcut to Griff Towers at dawn. He discovers a postern door ajar and hides near the tower, where he hears a window break and a terrified scream from the top room. He ri
- [XIII: The Trap That Failed](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xiii-the-trap-that-failed.md): Michael Brixan confronts Sir Gregory Penne after a failed ambush in his study, firing at a shutter lock to scare off an intruder. He finds a silk scarf left behind and warns Penne of Nemesis. Meanwhile, Jack Knebworth pr
- [Mendoza Makes a Fight](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xiv-mendoza-makes-a-fight.md): Stella Mendoza confronts Adele Leamington over her replacement role, then argues with Jack Knebworth about her dismissal. Lawley Foss is also fired after being implicated in a kidnapping plot.
- [Two from the Yard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xv-two-from-the-yard.md): Mike Brixan meets with Detective Inspector Lyle and Sergeant Walters from Scotland Yard, who have been placed under his orders. They provide information about Sir Gregory Penne, including his criminal record for assault 
- [XVI: The Brown Man from Nowhere](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xvi-the-brown-man-from-nowhere.md): Lawley Foss, Stella Mendoza, and Reggie Connolly conspire against Jack Knebworth. Foss reveals he has a secret source of funding and a 'pull' with a friend in London. Stella plans to form her own picture corporation. Aft
- [Mr. Foss Makes a Suggestion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xvii-mr-foss-makes-a-suggestion.md): Adele Leamington struggles to concentrate on her script, preoccupied with thoughts of Michael Brixan and the Headhunter. Lawley Foss visits and pressures her to dine with Sir Gregory Penne, revealing Penne's past connect
- [XIX: The Midnight Visit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xix-the-midnight-visit.md): Michael Brixan, equipped with a hook-ladder and tools, breaks into Griff Towers at night to investigate. He discovers a woman imprisoned in a tower room, whom he recognizes from a photograph, and observes Bhag bringing h
- [XX: A Narrow Escape](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xx-a-narrow-escape.md): Michael Brixan has a narrow escape from the monstrous Bhag, who is driven off by a mysterious brown-faced man with a curved sword. Afterward, Brixan retrieves his pistol, observes Stella Mendoza leaving Griff Towers, and
- [The Erasure](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxi-the-erasure.md): Michael Brixan investigates an erased entry in a manuscript ledger at the film studio, linking Sir Gregory Penne to submitted scenarios. He learns that Lawley Foss has been taking bribes from authors and is missing. Mean
- [XXII: The Head](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxii-the-head.md): Stella Mendoza intercepts Mike Brixan outside the studio and invites him to her home, where she hints at a confession but is interrupted by a telephone call from Sir Gregory Penne. She postpones her revelation. Later, Br
- [XXIII: Clues at the Tower](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxiii-clues-at-the-tower.md): Michael Brixan confronts Sir Gregory Penne about the murder of Lawley Foss, whose head was found on Chobham Common. Penne claims a Malayan intruder attacked him, but Brixan discovers a blood-stained sword and signs of a 
- [The Marks of the Beast](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxiv-the-marks-of-the-beast.md): Michael Brixan confronts Sir Gregory Penne at Griff Towers, demanding to see the room where a violent struggle occurred. He discovers bloodstains, a broken chair, and a handprint that he identifies as Bhag's. Brixan reco
- [XXV: The Man in the Car](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxv-the-man-in-the-car.md): Adele Leamington prepares for a tea meeting with Michael Brixan, but he fails to appear. Later that evening, she encounters the same mysterious closed car she saw Lawley Foss speaking to the previous night. A white hand 
- [XXVI: The Hand](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxvi-the-hand.md): Michael Brixan and Jack Knebworth visit Stella Mendoza late at night to inform her of Lawley Foss's murder. Stella reveals details about Sir Gregory Penne's character, his relationship with her, and his past raids in Bor
- [The Caves](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxvii-the-caves.md): Michael Brixan visits his old schoolmaster Mr. Scott to research local caves, learning of a historical landslide that entombed knights under Sir John Dudley. He maps the location to Sir Gregory Penne's estate and the anc
- [XXVIII: The Tower](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxviii-the-tower.md): Michael Brixan, perturbed by the closed car incident, reinstates a guard on Adele's house. He examines the butyl chloride and broken handcuff found by Adele. Inspector Lyle reports from Griff Towers that Bhag is missing,
- [Bhag's Return](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxix-bhag-s-return.md): Bhag, Sir Gregory Penne's orangutan, reappears from hiding in the old tower, startling Adele and the film crew. Michael Brixan pursues the ape but loses him, then deduces that someone had handcuffed Bhag, as evidenced by
- [The Advertisement](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxx-the-advertisement.md): Michael Brixan investigates the advertisement trail, tracing letters through a series of intermediaries. He meets Sampson Longvale to discuss local caves near Griff Tower, and later intercepts an old woman collecting res
- [XXXI: John Percival Liggitt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxxi-john-percival-liggitt.md): Adele feels out of sorts despite praise from Jack Knebworth for her acting. Reggie Connolly boasts about his abilities and Hollywood offers, but Knebworth dismisses his claims. A disheveled tramp waits outside the studio
- [XXXII: Gregory's Way](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxxii-gregory-s-way.md): Stella Mendoza visits Sir Gregory Penne at Griff Towers to negotiate financial support for her new company, but the encounter takes a dark turn. Penne, drunk and menacing, reveals his obsession with Adele Leamington and 
- [The Trap That Failed](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-trap-that-failed.md): In disguise as a tramp, Michael Brixan attempts to trap the Headhunter by waiting near Jack Knebworth's house. After being warned by a policeman and visiting Knebworth to gather information, Brixan ambushes a car he beli
- [XXXIV: The Search](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-search.md): Michael Brixan, disguised, is unmasked by Jack Knebworth after being attacked with ammonia. He reveals he knows the Headhunter's identity and has a special force ready. Adele Leamington is lured away from her lodgings by
- [XXXV: What Happened to Adele](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxxv-what-happened-to-adele.md): Adele Leamington is lured from her lodgings under the pretense of a summons from Jack Knebworth, only to be abducted by Sir Gregory Penne, who drives her to Griff Towers. There, she is locked in a room and finds Stella M
- [At the Tower Again](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxxvii-at-the-tower-again.md): Adele flees from Griff Towers, pursued by the monstrous Bhag. She manages to escape into the tower using a ladder left by Jack Knebworth, but after Bhag retreats, she falls down a hidden shaft inside the tower.
- [XXXVIII: The Cavern of Bones](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-cavern-of-bones.md): Adele falls into a hidden cave beneath Griff Tower, discovering a labyrinth of grottos littered with human bones and headless corpses. She finds strategically placed lanterns, suggesting someone inhabits the cavern. As s
- [Michael Knows for Sure](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxxix-michael-knows-for-sure.md): Michael Brixan pursues Sir Gregory Penne after his car fails, but instead finds Sampson Longvale, who reveals himself as the hereditary executioner of France and the headhunter. Longvale captures Brixan and Penne, loweri
- [The Widow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xl-the-widow.md): Michael Brixan discovers a guillotine, referred to as 'The Widow,' in a cave, where Sampson Longvale reveals his morbid fascination with the device. Sir Gregory Penne is terrified, pleading for his life. Meanwhile, Jack 
- [XLI: The Death](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xli-the-death.md): In the climactic conclusion, Michael Brixan and Inspector Lyle confront Sampson Longvale in the cave beneath Griff Towers. Longvale attempts to execute Sir Gregory Penne on a guillotine, but Bhag, the great ape, interven
- [XLII: Camera!](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xlii-camera.md): Three months after the Dower House revelations, Gregory Penne has served part of his sentence. The guillotine is in a police museum. Michael Brixan visits a film studio where Jack Knebworth directs a love scene with Regg

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