# V: Mr. Lawley Foss explained — The Avenger

> Chapter companion for The Avenger by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

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 scenario manager Lawley Foss, who is described as clever but difficult. Brixan reveals to Adele Leamington that her uncle was murdered, and his head was found at Esher. Foss is given the incriminating page to examine, though Brixan is uneasy about him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearances

Foss's shifty demeanor and the hidden significance of the script page highlight the theme of deceptive appearances.

### Crime and Justice

Brixan's investigation into the Headhunter murders and the discovery of the script page advance the crime plot.

## Character check-ins

### Mike Brixan

Investigates the script page; reveals Adele's uncle was murdered.

### Jack Knebworth

Film director; introduces Foss and expresses his difficulties with him.

### Lawley Foss

Scenario manager; shifty and bitter; given the script page for examination.

### Adele Leamington

Actress; learns from Brixan that her uncle was murdered.

## Key lines

> I don’t like him," said Michael bluntly. "In fact, my first impressions are distinctly unfavourable, though I am probably doing the poor gentleman a very great injustice.

Michael openly admits his distrust of Foss, but acknowledges he might be wrong.

_Brixan's instinctive suspicion of Foss is established._

> He certainly is a queer chap," he said, "though he’s diabolically clever. I never knew a man who could take a plot and twist it as Lawley Foss can⁠—but he’s⁠—difficult.

Knebworth describes Foss as oddly brilliant but hard to work with.

_Foss's reputation for cleverness and difficulty is highlighted._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/v-mr-lawley-foss
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters