813 · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for 813 by Maurice Leblanc.
Chapter 1
Translator's Note
The translator acknowledges that differences exist between this translation and the original French text, attributing most alterations to the author himself and all to his approval.
Chapter 2
813
In this chapter, the intricate plot thickens as Arsène Lupin, disguised as M. Lenormand, navigates a web of deception, murder, and intrigue surrounding Rudolf Kesselbach's death and the mysterious letters. The chapter delves into the power struggles between Lupin, the police, and other characters, revealing hidden identities and setting the stage for further revelations.
Chapter 3
I: The Tragedy at the Palace Hotel
Rudolf Kesselbach, a wealthy diamond magnate, becomes increasingly paranoid about intrusions into his suite at the Palace Hotel. Despite his secretary Chapman's skepticism, Kesselbach insists someone has been entering his rooms. He telephones the police and speaks with Detective-Sergeant Gourel. Later, after a mysterious phone call, Kesselbach prepares to receive two visitors, while his hidden adversary—revealed to be Arsène Lupin—orchestrates a scheme to steal a secret document hidden in a morocco case.
Chapter 4
II: The Blue-Edged Label
Gourel is stunned by the discovery of Arsène Lupin's card at the murder scene. M. Lenormand arrives and takes charge, examining the crime scene and the body of Chapman. A hat, a parcel containing a blood-stained dagger and clothes, and a blue-edged label with the number 813 are found, suggesting Lupin's involvement.
Chapter 5
III: M. Lenormand Opens His Campaign
M. Lenormand presents his reconstruction of the Kesselbach murder to the Prime Minister Valenglay and other officials. He details Lupin's robbery of Kesselbach, the impersonation at the Crédit Lyonnais, and the subsequent murders of Gustave Beudot and Chapman by an unknown third party. Despite his logical deductions, Valenglay demands an immediate arrest to satisfy the public. Lenormand reluctantly agrees, revealing he has already arranged the arrest of Auguste Daileron, though he warns it may jeopardize the investigation.
Chapter 6
Prince Sernine at Work
Prince Sernine orchestrates his schemes from his Paris flat, receiving reports from his agents about Dolores Kesselbach's retreat and Geneviève Ernemont's school. He stages the suicide of Gérard Baupré, replacing his body with that of Pierre Leduc, and then offers Baupré a new life in exchange for his identity and loyalty.
Chapter 7
V: M. Lenormand at Work
On the 31st of May, the newspapers recall Lupin's announced escape of Jérôme. Despite police precautions, the escape does not happen on Friday; Lupin sends a note apologizing and postponing it. The next day, Jérôme disappears. Prime Minister Valenglay summons M. Lenormand, who reveals he has been preparing for the struggle. Lenormand explains his three trump cards: he knows Lupin's alias (Prince Dash) but Lupin is abroad; he has discovered Pierre Leduc, guarded by two of his own detectives (the Doudeville brothers); and he has intercepted a letter from Steinweg, who is expected in Paris. Lenormand plans to use Pierre Leduc as bait to catch both the murderer and Lupin. Valenglay grants him free rein. Later that night, Lenormand goes to the villa in Saint-Cloud where Pierre Leduc is kept.
Chapter 8
VI: M. Lenormand Succumbs
M. Lenormand investigates the Kesselbach case, deducing that Gertrude, the red-haired maid, is in league with conspirators. He discovers a secret passage in the Pavillon Hortense, suspects a plot to kidnap Mrs. Kesselbach, and questions Steinweg, who reveals knowledge of Pierre Leduc's secret identity.
Chapter 9
VII: Parbury-Ribeira-Altenheim
Prince Sernine (Arsène Lupin) confronts Baron Altenheim, who is revealed to also go by the names Ribeira and Parbury. Altenheim proposes a partnership to pursue the Kesselbach case, offering Steinweg as leverage, but Sernine refuses, asserting his independence and superiority. Altenheim attempts to poison Sernine during lunch, but Sernine detects the plot, forces Altenheim to back down, and eats the poisoned cake himself to prove his invulnerability. The two then engage in a tense social dance, meeting daily while secretly plotting each other's downfall.
Chapter 10
VIII: The Olive-Green Frock-Coat
In a basement room, M. Weber discovers the olive-green frock-coat of M. Lenormand, leading to a dying Altenheim revealing that Prince Sernine is actually Arsène Lupin and also M. Lenormand. Lupin admits the truth, is handcuffed by Jean Doudeville, and taken to Santé Prison, where he settles into his cell. Meanwhile, Lupin's earlier escape plan is thwarted by a mysterious figure who steals his disguise parcel and blocks his exit, leaving him trapped as Weber's men close in.
Chapter 11
Santé Palace
Lupin, now imprisoned at the Santé prison (which he dubs 'Santé Palace'), revels in the public's astonishment at his double identity as Prince Sernine and M. Lenormand, the chief of the detective-service. He receives a threatening note from 'L. M.' warning him to abandon the Kesselbach case. Over twelve days, he maintains his physical regimen and envelope-making labor while plotting his next moves. During a transfer to the magistrate's examination, he exchanges whispered updates with the Doudeville brothers about Geneviève, Mrs. Kesselbach, and Steinweg. At the Palais de Justice, M. Formerie begins the interrogation, listing 344 charges against him.
Chapter 12
X: Lupin's Great Scheme
Lupin orchestrates a complex scheme from his prison cell, using coded correspondence with the Doudevilles to manage a press campaign about secret Bismarck letters. He endures a tense psychological wait for a critical event, which culminates in a mysterious nocturnal visit from a foreign dignitary who insists on a private audience.
Chapter 13
XI: Charlemagne
In his prison cell, Lupin receives a secret visit from a powerful stranger—the Emperor himself—who demands the return of compromising letters. Lupin agrees to hand over the letters and the secret hiding place in Veldenz Castle. He is taken to Germany under guard, but reveals he does not actually know where the papers are hidden. After a tense delay, Lupin is released in a staged escape from Santé Prison, only to be immediately recaptured by German agents and transported back toward Veldenz.
Chapter 14
The Emperor's Letters
Lupin reveals the secret of the Emperor's letters, hidden in the Napoleon Room, by deciphering the dying Grand-Duke Hermann's clues. He gains the Emperor's trust and freedom, but is then drugged with a narcotic, delaying his mission. Isilda de Malreich appears, reveals knowledge of the culprit through letters L and M, and dies by poison. The Emperor orders a search, but the mysterious hand remains undiscovered.
Chapter 15
XIII: The Seven Scoundrels
Lupin, now posing as the chief of the detective service, investigates the Altenheim gang. He learns from a terrified headwaiter about a mysterious master who commands the gang, described as short, slender, fair-haired, and dressed in black. Lupin sends Doudeville to Veldenz to obtain the birth certificate of the Chevalier de Malreich. He then stakes out the gang's hideout at No. 3, Route de la Revolte in Neuilly, identifying seven accomplices. Later, at a restaurant, Lupin confronts the headwaiter, Dominique Lecas, a former butler to Altenheim. Under threat, Dominique reveals that Altenheim's real name was Raoul de Malreich, and confirms the existence of a feared chief who gives orders on scraps of paper or by telephone.
Chapter 16
The Man in Black
Arsène Lupin finds himself in a deadly ambush at Mrs. Kesselbach's house, orchestrated by his enemy Malreich. He defends Dolores, then later confronts Malreich directly, overpowering him without resistance. Lupin recovers the stolen letters and takes charge of the investigation, pushing for Malreich's execution.
Chapter 17
XV: The Map of Europe
Lupin discovers that Pierre Leduc loves Dolores, triggering a violent jealousy. He attacks Pierre, revealing that he is not a real grand-duke but a puppet created by Lupin. Lupin then unveils his grand scheme to use Pierre as a figurehead to destabilize Germany and alter the map of Europe, while Dolores is torn between admiration and fear. Later, Lupin suspects Louis de Malreich is lurking and orchestrating events, but finds Malreich still in prison, deepening the mystery.
Chapter 18
Arsène Lupin’s Three Murders
Lupin realizes that Dolores Kesselbach is the true murderer, a madwoman driven by homicidal impulses who killed her husband, the floor-waiter, Chapman, Gourel, Altenheim, Steinweg, and Isilda. He accidentally strangles her during a confrontation. Overcome with horror and guilt, he resolves to save Louis de Malreich, the innocent man framed by Dolores, and rushes to the Ministry of the Interior to prevent his execution.
Chapter 19
Epilogue
Lupin, having returned the Emperor's letters and refused his offer of service, stages his own death by leaping from Tiberius's Leap, only to reappear at the Foreign Legion barracks in Sidi-bel-Abbes, where he enlists under the name Don Luis Perenna, determined to serve France in Morocco.
Chapter 20
Endnotes
The endnotes provide references and explanatory notes for the preceding text, including citations to other works by Maurice Leblanc and Edgar Jepson, explanations of French newspaper advertising conventions, details about a prison escape route, and a mention of the murder of Baron Dorf as a future story.
