# XXXVIII: The Cavern of Bones explained — The Avenger

> Chapter companion for The Avenger by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Adele falls into a hidden cave beneath Griff Tower, discovering a labyrinth of grottos littered with human bones and headless corpses. She finds strategically placed lanterns, suggesting someone inhabits the cavern. As she explores deeper, she hears Sir Gregory Penne's terrified cries for help.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Macabre and Grotesque

The cavern is filled with human bones and headless corpses, creating a grotesque and horrifying atmosphere.

### Deception and Appearances

The hidden cave and its grisly contents reveal the dark secrets beneath the surface of Griff Tower.

## Character check-ins

### Adele Leamington

Falls into the cave, explores the bone-littered cavern, discovers headless corpses, and hears Penne's cries.

### Sir Gregory Penne

Heard crying for help from within the cave, revealing his terror and imminent danger.

### Bhag

Implied to have been hiding in the cave, explaining his mysterious reappearance.

### Mike Brixan

Called upon by Penne in his desperate plea for help.

## Key lines

> Down, down, down she fell, one hand clawing wildly at the soft earth, the other clenching unconsciously at the tiny pistol.

She tumbled into the darkness, desperately grasping at the dirt while still holding the small gun.

_Adele's fall into the cave begins her harrowing underground ordeal._

> They were human bones!

The white sticks scattered on the floor were actually human remains.

_Adele realizes the cave is littered with skeletal remains, heightening the horror._

> Help! Oh, God, help! Brixan, I am not fit to die!

Sir Gregory Penne screams for Brixan's aid, claiming he is not ready to die.

_Penne's desperate cry reveals his terror and imminent danger within the cave._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-cavern-of-bones
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_avenger_se/chapters