# XXVI explained — The Lodger

> Chapter companion for The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes.

## What happens

At Madame Tussaud's, Mrs. Bunting, Daisy, and Mr. Sleuth visit the Chamber of Horrors. Mr. Sleuth overhears Sir John Burney, the Police Commissioner, reveal that the Avenger is a known escaped lunatic from an asylum, causing Mr. Sleuth to panic. He confronts Mrs. Bunting, accusing her of betrayal, then feigns illness and bribes the turnstile-keeper, Mr. Hopkins, to let him escape through an emergency exit.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Mr. Sleuth feigns illness to escape, while Mrs. Bunting hides her terror; the wax figures themselves symbolize the blurring of life and death.

### Fear and Suspicion

Mrs. Bunting's growing dread as Sir John Burney describes the escaped lunatic; Mr. Sleuth's paranoid reaction to being discovered.

### Complicity and Moral Ambiguity

Mrs. Bunting's silent complicity in protecting Mr. Sleuth despite knowing his guilt; Mr. Hopkins accepts a bribe to facilitate the escape.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Bunting

Accompanies Daisy and Mr. Sleuth to Madame Tussaud's; becomes terrified when Sir John Burney describes the escaped lunatic, realizing Mr. Sleuth's identity; is accused by Mr. Sleuth of betrayal.

### Mr. Sleuth

Visits the Chamber of Horrors with the Buntings; overhears Sir John Burney's description of the escaped murderer; panics, confronts Mrs. Bunting with threats, and escapes via emergency exit after bribing Hopkins.

### Daisy

Eager to see the Chamber of Horrors; accompanies Mr. Sleuth; is present when Mr. Sleuth overhears Sir John Burney; feels scared when Mr. Sleuth appears ill.

### Joe Chandler

Not present in this chapter.

### Mr. Bunting

Not present in this chapter.

### The Avenger

Identified by Sir John Burney as an escaped lunatic who committed murders in Leipzig and Liverpool eight years ago; implied to be Mr. Sleuth.

### Sir John Burney

Police Commissioner visiting Madame Tussaud's; reveals details about the Avenger's identity and escape from an asylum; unknowingly passes Mr. Sleuth.

### Mr. Hopkins

Turnstile-keeper at the Chamber of Horrors; an old acquaintance of the Buntings; accepts a bribe from Mr. Sleuth to let him escape.

## Key lines

> Do not think to escape the consequences of your hideous treachery. I trusted you, Mrs. Bunting, and you betrayed me!

Mr. Sleuth accuses Mrs. Bunting of betraying him and warns her she will face dire consequences.

_Mr. Sleuth's paranoid outburst after overhearing Sir John Burney._

> Your end will be bitter as wormwood and sharp as a two-edged sword. Your feet shall go down to death, and your steps take hold on hell.

Mr. Sleuth threatens Mrs. Bunting with a biblical curse, predicting her doom.

_Mr. Sleuth uses religious language to intimidate Mrs. Bunting._

> I feel ill... very ill indeed! It is the atmosphere of this place. I want you to let me out by the quickest way.

Mr. Sleuth pretends to be unwell and asks to be let out through the emergency exit.

_Mr. Sleuth's ruse to escape after being exposed._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xxvi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters