# III: M. Lenormand Opens His Campaign explained — 813

> Chapter companion for 813 by Maurice Leblanc.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se/chapters/iii-m-lenormand-opens-his-campaign
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se/chapters