# X: The Open Window explained — The Avenger

> Chapter companion for The Avenger by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

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 lurking. Brixan questions Adele Leamington about her belongings and her stay at Griff Towers. That night, Adele wakes to find a hairy arm and hand grabbing her wrist through the open window.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Macabre and Grotesque

The sudden appearance of a hairy arm and bestial face at the window creates a moment of visceral horror and the grotesque.

### Deception and Appearances

Brixan's seemingly disjointed questions about Adele's clothes and lost gloves hint at hidden motives and deceptive appearances.

## Character check-ins

### Mike Brixan

Visits Chichester for research, borrows a heavier pistol, and investigates reports of a lurking figure.

### Adele Leamington

Is questioned by Brixan about her belongings and gloves; later attacked through her window by a hairy arm.

### Sampson Longvale

Reports seeing a gigantic form rise from the ground and move toward bushes near the garden.

### Jack Knebworth

Directs the film crew and orders everyone to bed for an early morning shoot.

### Lawley Foss

Assigns rooms to the cast and crew, including giving Adele a room to herself.

### Bhag

Implied to be the creature that grabs Adele's wrist through the window; earlier seen lurking by Longvale.

## Key lines

> Stepping to the window, she pulled one casement close. She was closing the other when, out of the darkness below, reached a great hairy arm and a hand closed like a vice on her wrist.

As she shut the second window, a large hairy arm emerged from the dark and grabbed her wrist tightly.

_Depicts the sudden and terrifying attack on Adele._

> He was in the library for twenty minutes, and when he emerged there was a light of triumph in his eye.

After twenty minutes of research, Brixan left the library looking triumphant.

_Shows Brixan's successful research leading to a breakthrough._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/x-the-open-window
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters