# XV: The Belle Hélène explained — The Golden Triangle

> Chapter companion for The Golden Triangle by Maurice Leblanc.

## What happens

Patrice and Don Luis pursue Siméon, who has fled with the gold aboard the barge Belle Hélène. Don Luis realizes Siméon has laid a false trail, and the gold is not on the barge. They race back to Paris, fearing for Coralie's safety. Don Luis deduces a woman accomplice is involved, possibly Grégoire in disguise.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Hidden Identities

Siméon's elaborate false trail with the Belle Hélène and the revelation that Grégoire may be a woman in disguise highlight the theme of deception.

### Greed and Corruption

The pursuit of the stolen gold and Siméon's manipulation of the treasure for personal gain underscore greed and corruption.

## Character check-ins

### Patrice Belval

Accompanies Don Luis in pursuit of Siméon and the gold; expresses concern for Coralie's safety.

### Don Luis Perenna

Leads the chase, deduces Siméon's deception, and orders Ya-Bon to guard Berthou's Wharf.

### Siméon Diodokis

The antagonist who lays a false trail with the Belle Hélène and escapes to Paris.

### Ya-Bon

Ordered by Don Luis to guard Berthou's Wharf and capture Siméon alive if seen.

### Coralie

Taken to a safe house on Boulevard Maillot for protection while the men pursue Siméon.

### Grégoire

Mentioned as possibly being a woman in disguise and an accomplice of Siméon.

## Key lines

> Old Siméon is a wonderful old hand! He's a match worth meeting. He gives you a run for your money. He laid a trap in which I've been fairly caught.

Don Luis admits Siméon outwitted him with a clever decoy.

_Don Luis acknowledges Siméon's cunning in setting a false trail._

> But who the devil can this woman be?

Don Luis wonders about the identity of the female accomplice.

_Don Luis suspects a woman is involved in the deception._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_triangle_se/chapters/xv-the-belle-h-l-ne
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_triangle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_triangle_se/chapters