# Chapter X explained — File No. 113

> Chapter companion for File No. 113 by Émile Gaboriau.

## What happens

Prosper and M. Verduret spy on Raoul's house, where Prosper sees Madeleine alone with Raoul, leading to a violent emotional outburst. Verduret restrains him, arguing that appearances may be deceiving and that his innocence must be proven first. They observe Madeleine leave scornfully, and later Raoul departs to report to Clameran.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

Verduret warns against trusting appearances, as Prosper's belief about Madeleine may be false.

### Suspicion and Trust

Prosper's trust in Madeleine and Raoul is shattered, leading to a crisis of suspicion.

### Investigation and Detection

Verduret conducts a stealthy investigation, using a ladder and reasoning to uncover the truth.

## Character check-ins

### Prosper Bertomy

Sees Madeleine with Raoul and becomes enraged, wanting revenge; restrained by Verduret.

### M. Verduret

Leads the surveillance, calms Prosper, and deduces that appearances may be misleading.

### Madeleine

Visits Raoul at night; leaves scornfully, refusing his hand.

### Raoul de Lagors

Hosts Madeleine; later leaves to report to Clameran.

### Nina Gypsy

Mentioned as having sent a note to Verduret that misled him about the woman's identity.

### Joseph Dubois

Expected to report Raoul's movements to Clameran.

## Key lines

> I saw Madeleine—do you understand, Madeleine—in that room, alone with Raoul!

Prosper exclaims that he witnessed Madeleine alone with Raoul in the room.

_Key revelation that triggers Prosper's rage._

> It is precisely against appearances that we must be on our guard. Always distrust them.

Verduret advises that one should always be wary of how things appear.

_Central theme of deception and appearance._

> If I could only look in, he cried. Just to think that in there is the solution of the mystery; and we are cut off from it by thirty or forty feet of cursed blank wall!

Verduret laments that the answer to the mystery lies just beyond an inaccessible wall.

_Highlights the frustration of the investigation._

## Links

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