# Augustus Champnell — The Beetle character guide

> Augustus Champnell in The Beetle by Richard Marsh.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Champnell, Champnell, a Mr. Augustus Champnell

**First appearance:** 0034-book-iv-in-pursuit

## Who they are

A private detective drawn into the strange affair surrounding Lessingham, Champnell gathers testimony from witnesses who have glimpsed things no rational inquiry can explain.

## Relationships

### [Sydney Atherton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/sydney_atherton)

_professional_

Augustus Champnell is a private detective hired by Sydney Atherton to investigate the Beetle and protect those in danger.

### [Sydney Atherton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/sydney_atherton)

_professional_

Augustus Champnell is a private detective hired by Sydney Atherton to investigate the Beetle and protect those in danger.

## In the story

### [Book IV: In Pursuit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/book-iv-in-pursuit)

Narrator and confidential agent whose casebook records the conclusion of the Beetle affair.

### [A New Client](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxii-a-new-client)

The detective who is visited by Paul Lessingham; he is young but experienced in handling delicate and singular cases.

### [XXXIII: What Came of Looking Through a Lattice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxiii-what-came-of-looking-through-a-lattice)

The listener to Lessingham's tale, addressed directly in the narrative.

### [After Twenty Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxiv-after-twenty-years)

The confidential agent whom Lessingham hires; listens to Lessingham's story and agrees to investigate Atherton's involvement.

### [A Bringer of Tidings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxv-a-bringer-of-tidings)

The narrator; is present in his office when Atherton arrives; attempts to calm the situation and points out Lessingham's presence.

### [What the Tidings Were](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxvi-what-the-tidings-were)

Present in the cab as the third passenger, Atherton's intended consultant on the matter.

### [What Was Hidden Under the Floor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxvii-what-was-hidden-under-the-floor)

Narrates the chapter, assists in searching the house and prying up the floorboard.

### [The Rest of the Find](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-rest-of-the-find)

Discovers Marjorie's clothing and hair; proposes a theory that murder may not have occurred and leads the investigation to the neighboring house.

### [Miss Louisa Coleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxix-miss-louisa-coleman)

Narrates the chapter; persuades Atherton to wait for Miss Coleman and examines the letter from the tenant.

### [XLI: The Constable—His Clue—and the Cab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xli-the-constable-his-clue-and-the-cab)

Leads the deduction, hypothesizing that the Beetle hypnotized Holt and Marjorie, and that Marjorie is alive in men's clothing.

### [XLII: The Quarry Doubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xlii-the-quarry-doubles)

Leads the investigation, questioning station staff and coordinating efforts to detain the Beetle.

### [XLIII: The Murder at Mrs. ’Enderson’s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xliii-the-murder-at-mrs-enderson-s)

Narrates the chapter, driven by professional and personal urgency to rescue Marjorie Lindon from the Beetle.

### [The Sudden Stopping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xlvi-the-sudden-stopping)

Leads the pursuit, coordinates with police and railway officials, and narrates the chase.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/augustus_champnell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters