# II: The Blue-Edged Label explained — 813

> Chapter companion for 813 by Maurice Leblanc.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Truth

Lupin's card and the blue-edged label suggest a game of deception, with the murderer possibly hiding in plain sight.

### Crime and Justice

The chapter revolves around the investigation of multiple murders and the pursuit of justice by M. Lenormand.

## Character check-ins

### Sergeant Gourel

Gourel is petrified by the mention of Lupin and awaits his chief's orders.

### M. Lenormand

Lenormand arrives and takes command of the investigation, examining the scene and the evidence.

### Dolores Kesselbach

Dolores is grief-stricken and trembling; she asks to be taken to her husband.

### Chapman

Chapman is found dead with a wound similar to the earlier murder.

### Major Parbury

Parbury is an Englishman reading and smoking in his room, undisturbed by the commotion.

### M. Formerie

Formerie is the examining magistrate who confesses to being at sea.

## Key lines

> Arsène Lupin! The great, the formidable Arsène Lupin. The burglar-king, the mighty adventurer!

Gourel is shocked to encounter the legendary criminal Arsène Lupin.

_Gourel's reaction to Lupin's card._

> The chief was on his way! All Gourel’s intellectual philosophy was summed up in that short sentence.

Gourel relies entirely on his superior M. Lenormand for direction.

_Gourel's dependence on Lenormand._

> M. Lenormand was still a young man, if you took stock only of the expression of his face and his eyes gleaming through his spectacles; but he was almost an old man when you saw his bent back, his skin dry and yellow as wax, his grizzled hair and beard, his whole decrepit, hesitating, unhealthy appearance.

Lenormand appears youthful in spirit but aged and frail physically.

_Description of M. Lenormand's appearance._

> The one who walks away like that, without his luggage, and who does not return, will be the criminal.

Lenormand predicts that the murderer will try to leave the hotel inconspicuously.

_Lenormand's deduction about the criminal's escape._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se/chapters/ii-the-blue-edged-label
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se/chapters