Character guide

Monsieur Lecoq

major

Also known as Lecoq, M. Lecoq

A brilliant young detective who investigates a mysterious crime at the Poivrière.

Maurice d'Escorval

major

Also known as Maurice, Monsieur Maurice, Marie-Anne

The son of Baron d'Escorval, deeply in love with Marie-Anne Lacheneur.

Martial de Sairmeuse

major

Also known as Martial, Anne-Marie-Martial, Sairmeuse

A proud young nobleman who returns to France and becomes entangled in local conflicts.

Lacheneur

major

Also known as M. Lacheneur, the mysterious Lacheneur

A former nobleman turned peasant leader, father of Marie-Anne and Jean.

Mme. d'Escorval

supporting

Also known as Mme. Blanche, Blanche

The devoted wife of Baron d'Escorval and mother of Maurice.

Blanche de Courtornieu

supporting

Also known as Mlle. Blanche, Mlle. Blanche de Courtornieu

A beautiful but manipulative young woman who becomes Martial's love interest.

M. Segmuller

supporting

Also known as Segmuller

The examining magistrate who works closely with Lecoq on the case.

Jean Lacheneur

supporting

Also known as Jean

The hot-headed son of Lacheneur, involved in the conspiracy against the nobility.

Father Chupin

supporting

Also known as Chupin, the wicked old Chupin

A cunning and disreputable peasant who spies for Lecoq.

Eugène Chanlouineau

supporting

Also known as Chanlouineau, Eugène Michel Chanlouineau

A heroic peasant who loves Marie-Anne and sacrifices himself for her.

Polyte Chupin

supporting

Also known as Polyte, Madame Polyte Chupin

The son of Father Chupin, a petty criminal involved in the initial crime.

Gevrol

supporting

Also known as Inspector Gevrol

A police inspector who is often jealous of Lecoq's success.

Father Absinthe

supporting

Also known as Worthy Father Absinthe

An old, loyal police officer who assists Lecoq.

Marie-Anne Lacheneur

supporting

Also known as Mademoiselle Marie-Anne, Marie

The noble-hearted daughter of Lacheneur, loved by Maurice and Chanlouineau.

Duc de Sairmeuse

supporting

Also known as Monsieur le Duc, Sairmeuse

The father of Martial, a proud and influential nobleman.

Aunt Medea

minor

Also known as the inevitable Aunt Medea

A meddlesome relative who accompanies Blanche de Courtornieu.

Corporal Bavois

minor

Also known as Bavois, honest Bavois

An old soldier loyal to the d'Escorval family.

Widow Chupin

minor

Also known as the Widow Chupin

The wife of Father Chupin, a coarse and violent woman.

Mme. Lacheneur

minor

The wife of Lacheneur, a quiet and suffering woman.

Monsieur Tabaret

minor

Also known as Tabaret, old Tabaret

An elderly amateur detective and mentor to Lecoq.

Marquis de Courtornieu

minor

Also known as de Courtornieu

The father of Blanche, a senile and reclusive nobleman.

Baron d'Escorval

minor

Also known as the Baron d'Escorval

The father of Maurice, a respected magistrate and royalist.

Abbé Midon

minor

Also known as Abbé, Midon

A kind and wise priest who aids the d'Escorval family.

Poignot

minor

Also known as Father Poignot

A peasant who provides information to Lecoq.

Madame Milner

minor

Also known as Milner

A servant in the d'Escorval household.

Toinon

minor

Also known as the virtuous Toinon

A virtuous peasant girl who helps the conspirators.

Joseph Couturier

minor

Also known as Couturier

A peasant involved in the conspiracy.

Chelteux

minor

A young nobleman and friend of Martial de Sairmeuse.

Goguet

minor

Also known as the smiling Goguet

A clerk in the magistrate's office.

Doisty

minor

Also known as Madame Doisty

A local woman who provides lodging.

Papillon

minor

Also known as Father Papillon

An old peasant who assists Lecoq.

M. Simpson

minor

An Englishman who appears briefly in the story.

Armande de Sairmeuse

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle Armande

A relative of the Sairmeuse family.

M. Otto

minor

Also known as Otto

A German servant of the Sairmeuse family.

Balstain

minor

Also known as honest Balstain

A peasant who testifies in the investigation.

Fritz

minor

A German servant in the Sairmeuse household.

Marquise de Sairmeuse

minor

The mother of Martial de Sairmeuse.

Mother Chupin

minor

Another name for the Widow Chupin.

Camille

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle Camille

A young woman mentioned in the story.

Baroness de Watchau

minor

Also known as Watchau

A noblewoman who appears briefly.

Bibiaine

minor

A peasant woman who provides information.

Antoine

minor

A servant in the story.

Gustave

minor

A young boy who appears briefly.

Duchesse de Sairmeuse

minor

A member of the Sairmeuse family.

Tirauclair

minor

Also known as Papa Tirauclair

An old soldier who assists the investigation.

Fouché

minor

Also known as Monsieur Fouché

The historical Minister of Police, mentioned in the story.

Béranger

minor

A French poet referenced in the narrative.

Mariette

minor

A servant girl in the story.

Major Carini

minor

Also known as Carini

An Italian officer who appears briefly.

M. Laugeron

minor

Also known as Laugeron

A local official in the story.

M. Trigault

minor

A lawyer who appears briefly.

Bertrande

minor

A peasant woman in the story.

Firmin

minor

A servant who appears briefly.

Martha Barrois

minor

Also known as Martha

A young woman mentioned in the story.