# III: The Niece explained — The Avenger

> Chapter companion for The Avenger by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

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, having seen him only twice. The man, Mike Brixan, later investigates a news shop where Elmer had picked up a letter and finds a newspaper with a suspicious agony advertisement marked.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearances

Mike Brixan pretends to be a reporter to gain information from Adele, highlighting the theme of deception.

### Ambition and Failure

Adele's struggle as a film actress and her fear of being considered no good reflect the theme of ambition and failure.

## Character check-ins

### Adele Leamington

A young film actress living in a small room, worried about her missing uncle Francis Elmer.

### Mike Brixan

Posing as a reporter, he interviews Adele about her uncle and later investigates a news shop for clues.

### Mrs. Watson

Adele's landlady, described as stout and unbending, who disapproves of young men calling on her tenant.

### Jack Knebworth

A director who employs Adele on his lot, though she fears he thinks she is no good.

### Uncle Francis

Adele's missing uncle, Francis Elmer, who was seen looking ill and worried in Chichester.

## Key lines

> I’ve a horrible suspicion that Mr. Knebworth knows instinctively that I am no good.

Adele fears that Jack Knebworth can tell she lacks talent as an actress.

_Adele expresses her insecurity about her acting abilities._

> He seemed like a chap who’d lost his head.

The shopkeeper described Francis Elmer as appearing very confused and distressed.

_The shopkeeper's description of Elmer's demeanor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/iii-the-niece
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters