XVI: The Brown Man from Nowhere explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Deception and Appearances

  Foss, Stella, and Reggie conspire under a veneer of mutual sympathy while each pursues their own agenda; Foss hides his true source of funds and his knowledge of the Headhunter.

• Ambition and Failure

  Stella's ambition to form her own picture corporation drives her to unscrupulous actions; Foss's grievance against the world fuels his vengeful plans.

• Colonialism and the 'Other'

  The mysterious brown-skinned native from Borneo is depicted as an exotic, dignified figure in ludicrous Western clothes, highlighting colonial attitudes and the 'othering' of non-European peoples.

Characters to notice

• Lawley Foss

  Holds a council of war with Stella and Reggie; reveals he can get big money from a mysterious source; claims he is the one man who could help Brixan find the Headhunter but is instead helping himself.

• Stella Mendoza

  Ambitious and unscrupulous; plans to form the Stella Mendoza Picture Corporation; later sees Brixan in Chichester and wonders if he was engaged professionally.

• Reggie Connolly

  Participates in the conspiracy but feels marginalized; briefly threatens to defect back to Knebworth before leaving in a huff.

• Mike Brixan

  Seen in Chichester helping a policeman communicate with a brown-skinned native from Borneo; guesses the man may be a new servant for Sir Gregory Penne.

Key passages

• ““We’ve been treated disgracefully by Knebworth, Mr. Foss, especially you. I think, compared with your case, mine is nothing.””

  Stella Mendoza tells Foss that Knebworth has treated them both badly, but Foss has suffered the most.

  Stella flatters Foss to strengthen their alliance against Knebworth.

• ““I am the one man in the world who could help him. Instead of which,” he smiled again, “I am helping myself.””

  Foss boasts to Stella that he alone could assist Brixan in catching the Headhunter, but he chooses to pursue his own interests instead.

  Foss reveals his secret knowledge and his decision to obstruct justice.

• ““I am from Borneo, and I seek a man who is called Truji, an Englishman. No, mynheer, I wish to see his house, for he is a great man in my country. When I have seen his house I will go back to Borneo.””

  The brown-skinned native explains to Brixan that he has come from Borneo to see the house of an Englishman named Truji, whom he considers a great man, and then he will return home.

  The native's quest introduces a mysterious link to Sir Gregory Penne and foreshadows future events.