# Arsène Lupin’s Three Murders explained — 813

> Chapter companion for 813 by Maurice Leblanc.

## What happens

Lupin realizes that Dolores Kesselbach is the true murderer, a madwoman driven by homicidal impulses who killed her husband, the floor-waiter, Chapman, Gourel, Altenheim, Steinweg, and Isilda. He accidentally strangles her during a confrontation. Overcome with horror and guilt, he resolves to save Louis de Malreich, the innocent man framed by Dolores, and rushes to the Ministry of the Interior to prevent his execution.

## Themes in this chapter

### Madness and Duality

Dolores is portrayed as a lucid madwoman, driven by homicidal instincts yet capable of cunning and logic, embodying a monstrous duality.

### Deception and Truth

Lupin uncovers the truth behind Dolores's elaborate deceptions, including her disguises and framing of Louis de Malreich.

### Revenge and Retribution

Lupin accidentally kills Dolores, seeing it as an act of justice, but is haunted by guilt and seeks to save the innocent man she framed.

## Character check-ins

### Arsène Lupin

Discovers Dolores is the murderer; accidentally kills her; vows to save Louis de Malreich.

### Dolores Kesselbach

Revealed as the homicidal madwoman responsible for multiple murders; killed by Lupin in a struggle.

### Louis de Malreich

Innocent man framed by Dolores; sentenced to death; Lupin races to save him.

### Rudolf Kesselbach

Murdered by Dolores at the Palace Hotel.

### Chapman

Murdered by Dolores at the Palace Hotel.

### Sergeant Gourel

Murdered by Dolores (drowned).

### Baron Altenheim

Murdered by Dolores (stabbed).

### Steinweg

Murdered by Dolores.

### Isilda de Malreich

Murdered by Dolores.

### Octave

Lupin's chauffeur; injured in a car crash during the chase.

## Key lines

> Oh, Dolores!⁠ ⁠… Dolores!⁠ ⁠…” He at once saw the excuse: it was madness. She was mad.

Lupin realizes that Dolores is insane, not responsible for her murders.

_Lupin's moment of understanding Dolores's madness._

> She killed because she wanted something, she killed in self-defence, she killed because she had killed before.

Dolores's murders were driven by desire, self-preservation, and a compulsive need to kill.

_Lupin's analysis of Dolores's homicidal nature._

> I have taken life! … These hands have killed a living being; and that creature is Dolores!

Lupin is horrified that he has killed Dolores with his own hands.

_Lupin's guilt and shock after accidentally strangling Dolores._

> Ah,” cried Lupin, beside himself with excitement, “that man shall not die! I swear it as I live: he shall not die!”

Lupin vows to save Louis de Malreich from execution.

_Lupin's determination to prevent an innocent man's death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se/chapters/xvi-ars-ne-lupin-s-three-murders
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/813_se/chapters