# XXXII: Gregory's Way explained — The Avenger

> Chapter companion for The Avenger by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Stella Mendoza visits Sir Gregory Penne at Griff Towers to negotiate financial support for her new company, but the encounter takes a dark turn. Penne, drunk and menacing, reveals his obsession with Adele Leamington and demands Stella's help in luring her to Griff. When Stella refuses and attempts to leave, Penne imprisons her in a barred room. After overcoming her fear, Stella retrieves a hidden Browning pistol, but her resolve is shaken when a terrifying tramp's face appears at the window.

## Themes in this chapter

### Colonialism and the 'Other'

Penne's use of Malayan dancers and his 'second home' in the jungles highlight the exploitation and exoticization of colonized peoples.

### Deception and Appearances

Stella's false confidence in her chauffeur and Penne's deceptive friendliness mask the true danger of the situation.

### Obsession and Madness

Penne's drunken obsession with Adele and his irrational behavior demonstrate his descent into madness.

## Character check-ins

### Stella Mendoza

Visits Penne to secure funding but is imprisoned; arms herself with a Browning pistol.

### Sir Gregory Penne

Drunk and menacing, he reveals his obsession with Adele and imprisons Stella.

### Adele Leamington

Mentioned as the object of Penne's obsessive desire.

### Bhag

Mentioned as Penne's violent enforcer, kept downstairs.

## Key lines

> Stella had left a note to the same effect on her table. If she did not return by a certain hour, the police were to read the letter they would find on her mantelpiece.

Stella had prepared a contingency plan: a note instructing the police to open a letter on her mantelpiece if she failed to return by a specified time.

_Shows Stella's foresight and the danger she anticipated._

> Sir Gregory Penne was no less and no more than a slave to his appetites.

Penne was completely controlled by his desires, with no self-restraint.

_Highlights Penne's hedonistic and corrupt nature._

> A gross bully, an equally gross coward, he could not or would not argue a theme to its logical and unpleasant conclusion.

Penne was both a bully and a coward, avoiding any confrontation that might force him to face unpleasant truths.

_Reveals Penne's character flaws and his reliance on money to solve problems._

> She had bearded the beast in his den once too often.

She had confronted the dangerous man in his own territory one time too many.

_Foreshadows the dire consequences of Stella's overconfidence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxxii-gregory-s-way
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters