Fantômas · Chapter
A Knockout Blow explained
The staff of the Royal Palace Hotel discuss the recent robbery from Mme.
What happens
The staff of the Royal Palace Hotel discuss the recent robbery from Mme. Van den Rosen and Princess Sonia Danidoff during dinner. The new superintendent Henri Verbier questions the staff about the investigation, particularly Mlle. Jeanne, the young cashier who had refused to accept Mme. Van den Rosen's diamond necklace after hours. Later, Verbier visits Mlle. Jeanne in her room, offering cigarettes and attempting to draw her into conversation about the hotel staff and personal matters.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Justice
The aftermath of the hotel robbery is discussed, with staff speculating about the investigation and the magistrate's suspicions.
Theatricality and Performance
Henri Verbier's gallant and manipulative conversation with Mlle. Jeanne suggests a performance of charm and interest.
Characters to notice
- M. Henri Verbier
New superintendent recently arrived from Cairo; questions staff about the robbery and shows romantic interest in Mlle. Jeanne.
- Mademoiselle Jeanne
Young cashier who refused to accept Mme. Van den Rosen's necklace after hours; defends her actions and later receives Verbier in her room.
- M. Louis
General manager of the hotel; teases Mlle. Jeanne about being suspected by the magistrate.
- Muller
Superintendent of the second floor; discusses the robbery and defends his actions.
- Princess Sonia Danidoff
Mentioned as a victim of the recent robbery; had deposited a pocketbook with Mlle. Jeanne.
- Mme. Van den Rosen
Mentioned as a victim of the recent robbery; her diamond necklace was refused by Mlle. Jeanne after hours.
Key passages
“It is really a pity that you should have left the Cairo branch and come here just when these robberies have put the Royal Palace under a cloud.”
M. Muller expresses regret that Henri Verbier arrived during the scandal of the robberies.
Highlights the hotel's reputational damage.
“From the way they put it, M. Verbier, you really might think that I refused to take charge of Mme. Van den Rosen’s jewellery in order to make things easy for the thief, which is as much as to say that I was his accomplice.”
Mlle. Jeanne complains that her refusal to accept the necklace after hours is being misinterpreted as complicity.
Shows the suspicion cast on her by the magistrate.
“Love is only stupid, and ought to be guarded against as the worst possible mistake. Love always means misery for working people like us.”
Mlle. Jeanne dismisses love as foolish and harmful for working-class people.
Reveals her cynical view of romance and class constraints.