The Avenger · Chapter
Bhag's Return explained
Bhag, Sir Gregory Penne's orangutan, reappears from hiding in the old tower, startling Adele and the film crew.
What happens
Bhag, Sir Gregory Penne's orangutan, reappears from hiding in the old tower, startling Adele and the film crew. Michael Brixan pursues the ape but loses him, then deduces that someone had handcuffed Bhag, as evidenced by a broken link. Later, Brixan visits Sir Gregory, who confirms Bhag's return and reveals he removed the irons. Their conversation turns to the missing Lawley Foss and a hypothetical murder scenario, leading Brixan to suspect that Penne killed a servant years ago and that Stella Mendoza may have been a witness. Brixan also probes Penne about a hat lost in caves, but Penne feigns ignorance.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Justice
Brixan and Penne discuss the legal consequences of killing a servant, including justifiable homicide, concealment of a body, and blackmail, highlighting the tension between law and personal guilt.
Deception and Appearances
Penne feigns ignorance about the caves and the hat, while Brixan subtly probes for the truth, revealing the layers of deceit surrounding the past murder.
Colonialism and the 'Other'
The reference to a 'coloured man' and 'Malayan slaves' in Penne's past underscores colonial attitudes and the dehumanization of non-European servants.
Characters to notice
- Mike Brixan
Investigates Bhag's reappearance, pursues the ape, and later questions Sir Gregory about the handcuffs and a possible past murder.
- Adele Leamington
Screams in fright when Bhag appears; she is badly frightened and confirms she saw nothing from the tower wall.
- Jack Knebworth
Observes Bhag's emergence, comments on the handcuffs and butyl chloride, and decides to halt filming due to the crew's hysteria.
- Sir Gregory Penne
Confirms Bhag's return, discusses the handcuffs, and engages in a hypothetical conversation about murder and blackmail, revealing his anxiety about a past incident.
- Bhag
The orangutan reappears from the tower, shows signs of injury (gashed skin and slashed ear), and had been handcuffed before escaping.
Key passages
“It is only an orangutan belonging to Sir Gregory, and perfectly harmless.”
Brixan reassures the alarmed group that Bhag is just Sir Gregory's pet ape and poses no danger.
Brixan downplays the threat to calm the film crew and Adele.
“Somebody had handcuffed Bhag: he ought to have guessed that when he saw the torn link.”
Brixan realizes that the broken handcuff link indicates someone had restrained Bhag.
This clue deepens the mystery of Bhag's activities and his connection to the crimes.
“Suppose she tried to get money out of him by threatening to tell the police?”
Penne asks Brixan what would happen if a woman blackmailed him over a past killing.
Penne's hypothetical reveals his fear that Stella Mendoza might expose his secret.