# XIX: Fiat Lux! explained — The Golden Triangle

> Chapter companion for The Golden Triangle by Maurice Leblanc.

## What happens

Patrice meets Don Luis and M. Masseron on the Quai de Passy, where Don Luis reveals the full truth of the conspiracy: Siméon Diodokis was actually Patrice's father, Armand Belval, who was murdered by Essarès Bey. Essarès then disguised the body as his own and assumed Siméon's identity to evade capture and stay near the gold and Coralie. Don Luis explains the transformation and the timeline of events, resolving the mystery of the golden triangle.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Hidden Identities

Essarès Bey murders Siméon Diodokis and swaps identities with him, shaving his beard and smashing the victim's face to assume his appearance and evade detection.

### Justice and Revenge

Siméon (Armand Belval) had spent years seeking revenge on Essarès for past crimes; the chapter reveals his murder and the ultimate unraveling of Essarès's schemes.

### Greed and Corruption

Essarès's plot to steal the gold currency and his manipulation of accomplices and the police highlight the corrupting influence of wealth.

## Character check-ins

### Patrice Belval

Paces the Quai de Passy awaiting Don Luis; learns that Siméon Diodokis was his father, Armand Belval, and that Essarès Bey murdered him and swapped identities.

### Don Luis Perenna

Arrives disguised as an English clergyman; reveals the full solution to the golden triangle mystery, including the identity swap between Essarès and Siméon.

### M. Masseron

Summoned by a forged note to the quay; listens to Don Luis's explanation and is given details of the bodies and the case.

### Ya-Bon

Mentioned as deceased; Don Luis instructs Patrice to have his body moved into the Essarès house.

### Essarès Bey

Revealed as the murderer of Siméon/Patrice's father; he shaved his beard, smashed the victim's face, and swapped clothes and identity to become 'Siméon Diodokis'.

### Siméon Diodokis

Revealed to be Patrice's father, Armand Belval; he was murdered by Essarès at 7:19 AM, and his body was disguised as Essarès.

## Key lines

> A few words from that incredible person known as Arsène Lupin, will clear up the mystery.

Patrice believes that a brief explanation from the remarkable Arsène Lupin will resolve all remaining questions.

_Patrice anticipates the revelation of the truth by Don Luis, who is revealed to be Arsène Lupin._

> The man who was known as old Siméon, that is to say, your father, Armand Belval, a former victim, together with Coralie's mother, of Essarès Bey, had also reached a turning-point of his career.

Don Luis reveals that Siméon Diodokis was actually Patrice's father, Armand Belval, who had been wronged by Essarès along with Coralie's mother.

_This is the key revelation of the chapter, identifying Siméon's true identity and his relationship to Patrice._

> Essarès Bey, who had failed before, in the lodge, took his revenge on his old rival.

Essarès finally succeeded in killing his longtime rival, Siméon (Armand Belval), after an earlier failed attempt.

_Explains the motive for the murder and the culmination of the rivalry._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_triangle_se/chapters/xix-fiat-lux
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_triangle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_triangle_se/chapters