Mike Brixan

Sir Gregory Penne

Mike and Sir Gregory are locked in a bitter, high-stakes conflict, with Sir Gregory as the primary antagonist opposing Mike's goals.

Jack Knebworth

Jack is Mike's loyal and close friend, often working alongside him in dangerous situations.

Stella Mendoza

Mike and Stella share a deep romantic bond, with strong emotional and physical attraction between them.

Bhag

Bhag is a devoted friend and companion to Mike, providing loyal support and assistance.

Lawley Foss

Lawley Foss works with Mike in a professional capacity, likely as a colleague or associate in their operations.

Sampson Longvale

Mike and Sampson are friends and allies, with Sampson often aiding Mike in his endeavors.

Major George Staines

Major Staines interacts with Mike in a professional or military context, likely as a superior or colleague.

Detective Inspector Lyle

Detective Inspector Lyle interacts with Mike in an official law enforcement capacity, possibly as an ally or occasional collaborator.

Sir Gregory Penne

Mike and Sir Gregory are locked in a bitter, high-stakes conflict, with Sir Gregory as the primary antagonist opposing Mike's goals.

Lawley Foss

Lawley Foss works with Mike in a professional capacity, likely as a colleague or associate in their operations.

Bhag

Bhag is a devoted friend and companion to Mike, providing loyal support and assistance.

Stella Mendoza

Mike and Stella share a deep romantic bond, with strong emotional and physical attraction between them.

I: The Headhunter

Introduced as a superstitious but capable intelligence agent, recalled from Berlin to investigate the Headhunter murders.

III: The Niece

Posing as a reporter, he interviews Adele about her uncle and later investigates a news shop for clues.

IV: The Leading Lady

Encountering Adele in the garden, he reads a page of her script and recognizes the typewriter used by the Headhunter.

V: Mr. Lawley Foss

Investigates the script page; reveals Adele's uncle was murdered.

The Master of Griff

Joins the film as an extra to stay near Adele, showing protective interest and curiosity about Sir Gregory.

VII: The Swords and Bhag

Accompanies Sir Gregory Penne alone; inspects the sword collection; maintains self-control when confronted with Bhag.

Bhag

Michael is introduced to Bhag, the orangutan, and is awestruck by its human-like behavior. He later defends Adele's autonomy by refusing to pressure her into dining with Penne.

IX: The Ancestor

Arrives at the Dower House, observes the film shoot, feels an emotional pull toward Adele, is disturbed by the portrait of Charles Henry, and investigates a face at the window.

X: The Open Window

Visits Chichester for research, borrows a heavier pistol, and investigates reports of a lurking figure.

XI: The Mark on the Window

Watches in the garden, fires at Bhag, explains the ape's purpose, and confronts Foss about the marked window.

A Cry from a Tower

Investigates Griff Towers at dawn, confronts Penne about Bhag's attack, and reveals his detective identity.

XIII: The Trap That Failed

Investigates Penne's house, fires at a shutter lock to thwart an ambush, warns Penne about Nemesis, and returns to the Dower House for breakfast.

Mendoza Makes a Fight

Mentioned as having identified Foss's role in the kidnapping plot.

Two from the Yard

Receives Scotland Yard officers and gives instructions for Adele's protection.

XVI: The Brown Man from Nowhere

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.

Mr. Foss Makes a Suggestion

Thought of by Adele; she wonders why he is staying in Chichester and if he is investigating the Headhunter.

XIX: The Midnight Visit

Breaks into Griff Towers using a hook-ladder, explores the tower, observes the imprisoned woman, and later hides in the drawing-room while overhearing Penne and Stella's argument.

XX: A Narrow Escape

Narrowly escapes Bhag, retrieves his pistol, doubts his initial theory, and receives a visit from Major Staines.

The Erasure

Investigates the erased manuscript entry and questions Foss's whereabouts.

XXII: The Head

Accompanies Stella Mendoza to her house, receives a telegram about a discovered head, and identifies the head as Lawley Foss's.

XXIII: Clues at the Tower

Investigates Foss's murder, confronts Penne, and searches Griff Towers.

The Marks of the Beast

Investigates the crime scene at Griff Towers, reconstructs the struggle, and searches the grounds with police.

XXV: The Man in the Car

Fails to meet Adele for tea, later calls Jack Knebworth to report the discovery of Foss's head.

XXVI: The Hand

Investigates Foss's murder, interviews Stella Mendoza, and learns of Penne's past. Later meets Adele and discovers the escaped couple at Longvale's house.

The Caves

Investigates local caves and history with Mr. Scott; dines with Jack Knebworth and Adele Leamington; examines Adele's finds.

XXVIII: The Tower

Perturbed by the closed car incident, reinstates guard on Adele's house, examines clues, joins film shoot at Griff Tower, and spots Bhag emerging from the tower.

Bhag's Return

Investigates Bhag's reappearance, pursues the ape, and later questions Sir Gregory about the handcuffs and a possible past murder.

The Advertisement

Leads the investigation, traces the advertisement letters, and interviews Longvale about the caves.

XXXI: John Percival Liggitt

Absent from the studio; a tramp waits with a letter for him; mentioned as having left London.

The Trap That Failed

Disguised as a tramp, Brixan attempts to capture the Headhunter but is foiled by a chemical spray.

XXXIV: The Search

Disguised and attacked with ammonia; leads the search for Adele at Griff Towers; shoots at Bhag.

XXXVIII: The Cavern of Bones

Called upon by Penne in his desperate plea for help.

Michael Knows for Sure

Pursues Penne, confronts Longvale, and is captured and lowered into a cave.

The Widow

Observes the guillotine in the cave with fascination; later implied to be in the Dower House, possibly in danger.

XLI: The Death

Witnesses Bhag's execution of Longvale, rescues Adele, and explains Longvale's criminal methods to Inspector Lyle.

XLII: Camera!

Visits the film studio, jokes about arresting Adele, and declares his love for her.