Charles Halloway becomes a major character in Part 2 of the novel. It is his bravery that saves Will and Jim several times from the evil of the carnival and Mr Dark, as well as the Dust Witch.

One of his acts of bravery for the boys is when he lies to Mr Dark about not knowing the boys names. He helps them escape from the situation completely when he blows smoke at the Dust Witch so she can't breathe- "...Will's father blew a dense cloud of cigar smoke. It made a fine thick cumulus surrounding the woman. `Gah!' she choked." (132) Then the woman runs off. You can see that the youthful, adventurous side to Charles Halloway, the one he used to fear he didn't have, is now getting stronger to help his son and his son's best friend in their most dangerous adventure.

Mr Halloway resembles Will in some ways- he is sometimes a man of thought and not necessarily action. He now can feel a strong desire to connect with his son and be his friend; and also help him through this time of great danger- "Why am I here at all? Right now, it seems, to help you."