# The Hollow Needle — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Hollow Needle by Maurice Leblanc.

- [The Shot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/i-the-shot.md): The chapter opens at the Château d'Ambrumésy after a burglary and murder. The examining magistrate, M. Filleul, arrives with officials to investigate the death of Jean Daval, the Comte de Gesvres' secretary. The scene is
- [II: Isidore Beautrelet, Sixth-Form Schoolboy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/ii-isidore-beautrelet-sixth-form-schoolboy.md): Isidore Beautrelet, a schoolboy detective, is celebrated by the press for his insights into the Lupin case. He plans to investigate during the Whitsuntide holidays, but on the journey to Dieppe he receives a threatening 
- [The Corpse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/iii-the-corpse.md): Isidore Beautrelet reveals that the chapel's statues and high altar are plaster casts, proving Lupin's gang stole the originals. He deduces the existence of a hidden crypt beneath the chapel where Lupin's body lies. Afte
- [IV: Face to Face](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/iv-face-to-face.md): Five weeks after the Ambrumésy mystery, the public is obsessed with the case, believing Arsène Lupin dead. Isidore Beautrelet, recovering from his wound, has deduced the truth: Lupin is alive, having been nursed by Mlle.
- [On the Track](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/v-on-the-track.md): Isidore Beautrelet learns of his father's mysterious disappearance from the naval arsenal at Cherbourg, despite tight security. He receives Lupin's letter confessing his love for Mlle. de Saint-Véran and seeking peace. B
- [VI: An Historic Secret](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/vi-an-historic-secret.md): This chapter reveals the historical secret behind the Hollow Needle, tracing its origins from Louis XIV through the Man with the Iron Mask, Joan of Arc, and the French Revolution. Lupin's letter explains how he deciphere
- [VII: The Treatise of the Needle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/vii-the-treatise-of-the-needle.md): Isidore Beautrelet, determined to continue his war against Arsène Lupin, re-examines the mystery of the Hollow Needle. He investigates the murder of a captain of the guards and traces the lineage of M. de Larbeyrie. With
- [From Caesar to Lupin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/viii-from-caesar-to-lupin.md): Beautrelet, inspired by Lupin's boast that it took him ten days to solve the mystery of the Hollow Needle, decides to abandon direct pursuit and instead focus solely on the pamphlet and the document that Lupin used. He i
- [IX: Open, Sesame!](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/ix-open-sesame.md): Beautrelet discovers that the Étretat Needle is hollow, a secret sanctuary and treasure vault used by kings and now by Arsène Lupin. He locates the hidden entrance and observes Lupin's men moving goods out at night. He t
- [X: The Treasures of the Kings of France](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/x-the-treasures-of-the-kings-of-france.md): Beautrelet is brought to the Hollow Needle and meets Lupin, who reveals himself as Valméras, the very man who had assisted Beautrelet in his hunt for Lupin. Lupin explains how he used Beautrelet's pursuit to marry Raymon
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/endnotes.md): The endnotes provide references to other works by Maurice Leblanc, including plays and novels featuring Arsène Lupin, as well as a note on the origins of Étretat and a translator's note on the toise measurement.
- [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations.md): This chapter presents a series of diagrams and symbols, likely representing ciphers or puzzles related to the mystery of the Hollow Needle.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hollow_needle_se/chapters