The Avenger · Chapter
XIX: The Midnight Visit explained
Michael Brixan, equipped with a hook-ladder and tools, breaks into Griff Towers at night to investigate.
What happens
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 her food. After narrowly avoiding detection, he makes his way to the library, where he overhears a tense argument between Sir Gregory Penne and Stella Mendoza. Stella threatens Penne with exposure of his murderous secrets, and Penne forces her into a dark room—where Brixan is hiding. Brixan escapes through a window, pursued by the monstrous Bhag, and loses his pistol in the flight.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearances
Brixan's covert entry and the hidden passages of Griff Towers underscore the theme of hidden identities and secret activities, particularly Penne's double life.
Obsession and Madness
Penne's violent reaction to Stella's threats and his control over Bhag and the imprisoned woman suggest an obsessive and unbalanced mind.
Colonialism and the 'Other'
The characterization of Bhag as a monstrous, subhuman servant and the imprisoned non-European woman reflect colonial stereotypes and the 'othering' of non-white characters.
Characters to notice
- Mike Brixan
Breaks into Griff Towers using a hook-ladder, explores the tower, observes the imprisoned woman, and later hides in the drawing-room while overhearing Penne and Stella's argument.
- Bhag
Seen bringing food to the imprisoned woman in the tower; later pursues Brixan across the fields after his escape.
- Sir Gregory Penne
Argues with Stella Mendoza in the library, threatens her, and forces her into a dark room; his monstrous servant Bhag is under his command.
- Stella Mendoza
Confronts Penne about money and his murderous activities, is forced into the drawing-room where Brixan is hiding, and screams in terror.
- Sampson Longvale
Seen leaving Griff Towers after treating a wounded servant; Brixan overhears that Longvale was once a doctor.
- Adele Leamington
The woman imprisoned in the tower room, recognized by Brixan from a photograph; she is young, non-European, and cries in her sleep.
Key passages
“somebody moving about the room, and by the sound they made, he supposed they wore slippers.”
He heard someone moving in the room and guessed from the noise that they were wearing slippers.
Brixan listens at the door of the tower room.
“She was pretty in her wild way, and young. Her eyes were closed, and presently she began crying softly in her sleep.”
She had a wild sort of beauty and was young; with eyes shut, she soon started to weep quietly in her sleep.
Description of the imprisoned woman in the tower.
“I could tell things about you that wouldn't look good in print, and you'd have a change too! Get that in your mind, Gregory Penne!”
I could reveal things about you that would damage your reputation, so keep that in mind!
Stella Mendoza threatens Penne with exposure.
“Swift as he was, something sped more quickly in pursuit, a great, twittering something that ran bent double on hands and feet.”
Though Brixan ran fast, something even faster chased him—a large, chattering creature that moved on all fours.
Bhag pursues Brixan across the field.
