# VII: The Criminal Investigation Department explained — Fantômas

> Chapter companion for Fantômas by Pierre Souvestre.

## What happens

Inspector Juve investigates the flat of M. Gurn at 147 rue Lévert, where he discovers the body of Lord Beltham hidden in a trunk. Through questioning Mr. Wooland of the South Steamship Company, Juve learns that Lord Beltham had sent instructions to forward the trunks to Johannesburg. Juve suspects the murder bears the hallmarks of the elusive criminal Fantômas.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Justice

Juve's investigation into Lord Beltham's murder highlights the pursuit of justice and the methods of the Criminal Investigation Department.

### Identity and Deception

The mysterious circumstances of Lord Beltham's disappearance and the false shipping orders suggest layers of deception.

### Fear and Terror

The discovery of the corpse and the implication of Fantômas evoke a sense of dread and the terror of an unseen criminal.

## Character check-ins

### Inspector Juve

Leads the investigation at Gurn's flat, discovers Lord Beltham's body, and suspects Fantômas.

### M. Gurn

The absent tenant of the flat; all evidence points to him as the murderer.

### Mr. Wooland

Representative of the South Steamship Company, provides details about Lord Beltham's shipping instructions.

### Mme. Doulenques

Concierge at 147 rue Lévert, assists Juve in entering Gurn's flat.

### Lord Beltham

The victim; his body is discovered in a trunk in Gurn's flat.

### Fantômas

Mentioned by Juve as the possible mastermind behind the murder.

## Key lines

> Everything points to Gurn, and yet would an ordinary murderer have dared to commit such a crime as this?

Juve reflects that while Gurn seems guilty, the audacity of the crime suggests a more extraordinary culprit.

_Juve's internal reasoning links the murder to Fantômas._

> Fantômas! Fantômas! Did Fantômas really commit this murder? And if he did, shall I ever succeed in throwing light upon this new mystery, and learning the secret of that tragic room?

Juve questions whether Fantômas is responsible and whether he can solve the case.

_Highlights Juve's obsession with Fantômas and the mystery._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/vii-the-criminal-investigation-department
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fant_mas_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters