# Epilogue explained — 813

> Chapter companion for 813 by Maurice Leblanc.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Disguise

Lupin adopts the alias Don Luis Perenna and stages his own death, highlighting his mastery of disguise and reinvention.

### Deception and Truth

The revelation that Dolores forged the letters and Lupin's return of the authentic ones underscore the interplay of lies and honesty.

### Revenge and Retribution

Lupin's refusal of the Emperor's offer and his choice to serve France can be seen as a subtle act of defiance and personal retribution.

## Character check-ins

### Arsène Lupin

Returns the letters to the Emperor, refuses a command in the imperial police, stages his death, and enlists in the Foreign Legion as Don Luis Perenna.

### Dolores Kesselbach

Revealed posthumously as the forger of the letters and the real culprit; Lupin mentions her as an abominable monster.

### Louis de Malreich

Mentioned by Lupin as not being the culprit; Lupin laments that Malreich did not speak.

### Pierre Leduc

Mentioned as an imposter who is dead; Lupin addresses him among his 'three dead friends.'

### Geneviève Ernemont

Mentioned fondly by Lupin in his final soliloquy before the leap.

### Grand-Duke Hermann III

The Emperor to whom Lupin returns the letters and who offers Lupin a command; Lupin saves his life.

## Key lines

> The letters which I gave Waldemar to hand to you, Sire, are forgeries.

Lupin informs the Emperor that the letters he previously sent via Waldemar are not genuine.

_Lupin reveals the truth about the letters to the Emperor._

> I am a Frenchman.

Lupin explains his refusal of the Emperor's job offer by affirming his national loyalty.

_Lupin's patriotic declaration._

> Farewell, immortal and thrice-blessed nature! Moriturus te salutat!

Lupin bids a dramatic farewell to the world before his leap, quoting the gladiators' salute.

_Lupin's theatrical farewell before his apparent suicide._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se/chapters/epilogue
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se/chapters