# I: The Tragedy at the Palace Hotel explained — 813

> Chapter companion for 813 by Maurice Leblanc.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Truth

Lupin's impersonation of Kesselbach and the hidden secrets within the morocco case highlight the theme of deception.

### Power and Ambition

Kesselbach's grand plans for power and Lupin's relentless pursuit of the secret reflect the theme of ambition.

### Crime and Justice

The intrusion and theft orchestrated by Lupin set up a conflict between criminal activity and the pursuit of justice.

## Character check-ins

### Rudolf Kesselbach

The wealthy diamond magnate, anxious about intrusions and secret plans.

### Chapman

Kesselbach's secretary, skeptical of his employer's fears.

### Arsène Lupin

The master criminal, revealed as the intruder orchestrating the theft.

### Sergeant Gourel

Detective-sergeant contacted by Kesselbach about the intrusion.

### Edwards

Kesselbach's loyal valet, who holds the duplicate key.

### Marco

Lupin's accomplice, who breaks into the safe and retrieves the box.

## Key lines

> Mr. Kesselbach stopped short on the threshold of the sitting-room, took his secretary’s arm and, in an anxious voice, whispered: 'Chapman, someone has been here again.'

Kesselbach halted at the sitting-room door, grabbed his secretary's arm, and nervously insisted that someone had entered the room again.

_Establishes Kesselbach's paranoia and the central mystery of the chapter._

> He went to the window: it was fastened. Besides, how could anyone have entered that way?

He checked the window, which was locked, and wondered how an intruder could have gotten in.

_Highlights the apparent impossibility of the intrusion, deepening the mystery._

> Lupin quivered with rage. The thought of torture and of the facilities which it used to offer was evidently passing through his mind again.

Lupin trembled with anger, momentarily considering violent methods to extract information.

_Reveals Lupin's ruthless side and his frustration with Kesselbach's resistance._

> He took a cigar, lit a match, which he allowed to go out again mechanically, and sat for some time thinking, motionless.

He lit a cigar but let the match burn out, sitting still and deep in thought for several minutes.

_Shows Lupin's calculating nature as he plans his next move._

> I shall not go back empty-handed, make no mistake about that!

He vowed that he would not leave without obtaining something valuable.

_Demonstrates Lupin's determination and confidence in his criminal enterprise._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se/chapters/i-the-tragedy-at-the-palace-hotel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se/chapters