# Author's Note explained — The Eight Strokes of the Clock

> Chapter companion for The Eight Strokes of the Clock by Maurice Leblanc.

## What happens

The author recounts that these adventures were originally told to him by Arsène Lupin, who attributed them to a friend named Prince Rénine. The author speculates that Lupin and Rénine may be the same person, given the similarity in conduct and character, but leaves the reader to judge.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Deception

The author questions whether Prince Rénine and Arsène Lupin are the same person, highlighting themes of disguise and dual identity.

## Character check-ins

### Arsène Lupin

The source of the stories, who attributes them to his friend Prince Rénine.

### Prince Rénine

The friend to whom Lupin attributes the adventures; possibly an alias of Lupin himself.

## Key lines

> These adventures were told to me in the old days by Arsène Lupin, as though they had happened to a friend of his, named Prince Rénine.

Arsène Lupin once recounted these adventures to me, claiming they involved his friend Prince Rénine.

_Establishes the framing device of the narrative._

> As for me, considering the way in which they were conducted, the actions, the behaviour and the very character of the hero, I find it very difficult not to identify the two friends as one and the same person.

Given the similarities in style and personality, I strongly suspect that Lupin and Rénine are actually the same person.

_The author hints at the possibility of Lupin using an alias._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/author-s-note
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters