813 · Chapter
III: M. Lenormand Opens His Campaign explained
M.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Truth
Lenormand unravels the layers of deception—Lupin's robbery, the impersonation at the bank, and the murderer's framing of Lupin—to reveal a probable truth.
Crime and Justice
The chapter focuses on the investigation of multiple murders and the political demand for justice, even at the cost of a premature arrest.
Power and Ambition
Kesselbach's grand scheme and the struggle over his documents drive the plot, with Lupin and the murderer both seeking the same prize.
Characters to notice
- M. Lenormand
Chief detective presenting his case to the Prime Minister; reconstructs the crime and reluctantly agrees to an immediate arrest.
- Valenglay
Prime Minister who pressures Lenormand for a quick arrest to satisfy public demand.
- Arsène Lupin
Implicated in the robbery of Kesselbach; his card was pinned to the corpse to frame him for murder.
- Rudolf Kesselbach
Victim; bound and robbed by Lupin, later murdered by an unknown assailant.
- Chapman
Kesselbach's secretary; murdered after going to retrieve the cigarette-case.
- Gustave Beudot
Floor-waiter who found the murderer's cigarette-case; killed for his knowledge.
Key passages
“Lupin was after more than that. He wanted either the morocco envelope which was in the traveling-bag, or else the ebony box which was in the safe.”
Lupin's true goal was not just money but the documents in Kesselbach's bag or safe.
Lenormand explains Lupin's deeper motive to Valenglay.
“The calculation seemed pretty accurate.”
The murderer's plan to frame Lupin was clever.
Valenglay acknowledges the murderer's stratagem.
“I will give you ten minutes, my dear Lenormand!”
Valenglay sets a tight deadline for an arrest.
The Prime Minister pressures Lenormand for immediate results.