The Teeth of the Tiger · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Teeth of the Tiger by Maurice Leblanc.
Chapter 1
I: d’Artagnan, Porthos… and Monte Cristo
The will of Cosmo Mornington is read in the presence of the Prefect of Police, Maître Lepertuis, Don Luis Perenna, Major Comte d'Astrignac, and Señor Caceres. The will bequeaths the bulk of the estate to the Roussel family heirs, with Don Luis as executor and conditional legatee of one million francs, or the entire fortune if no heirs are found within three months. Don Luis's identity is verified by the Peruvian attaché and the Major, who praises his extraordinary military exploits, leading to comparisons with d'Artagnan, Porthos, and Monte Cristo.
Chapter 2
A Man Dead
Don Luis Perenna reveals his true identity as Arsène Lupin to Sergeant Mazeroux, convincing him that he is 'dead' and thus beyond the reach of the law. Perenna then investigates the murder of Cosmo Mornington and the mysterious will, deducing a connection to the Fauville family. He and Mazeroux arrange to watch the Fauville house to prevent an anticipated double murder.
Chapter 3
A Man Doomed
Don Luis Perenna and Sergeant Mazeroux discover the bodies of Hippolyte Fauville and his son Edmond, both poisoned despite Perenna's protection. The crucial diary that Fauville had shown them is missing from the safe. Perenna realizes he is now the prime suspect and must find the true murderer within hours to avoid arrest.
Chapter 4
IV: The Clouded Turquoise
The Prefect of Police arrives to investigate the double murder. Don Luis Perenna is detained and questioned, with suspicion falling on him due to the circumstances. The discovery of a turquoise ring and duplicate keys to the garden door shifts suspicion toward Marie Fauville, who is interrogated about her movements on the night of the murders.
Chapter 5
V: The Iron Curtain
The chapter recounts the public frenzy surrounding a series of murders linked to Cosmo Mornington, Inspector Vérot, Hippolyte Fauville, and his son Edmond, all bearing the same distinctive bite marks. Don Luis Perenna is widely suspected to be Arsène Lupin, and his heroic exploits in Morocco are recounted. Perenna receives a phone call from Mazeroux about a planned arrest and learns that Marie Fauville attempted suicide. After hanging up, he is trapped by a falling iron curtain in his study, suspecting Mlle. Levasseur's involvement. Later, he reviews newspapers with her, discussing the stalled investigation and an article calling for his arrest.
Chapter 6
The Man with the Ebony Walking-Stick
Deputy Chief Weber leads a raid to arrest Hubert Lautier at 8 Boulevard Richard-Wallace, but the arrest proceeds without resistance. Meanwhile, the Prefect of Police, M. Desmalions, visits Don Luis Perenna and presents an anonymous letter accusing Perenna of being Arsène Lupin and of hiding half of a walking-stick under his sofa cushions. The stick halves match, yet Desmalions offers Perenna a compact: he will overlook the evidence in exchange for Perenna's continued cooperation. Perenna accepts, and Desmalions shows him a photograph found in Inspector Vérot's notebook, which Perenna recognizes but does not immediately identify.
Chapter 7
Shakespeare’s Works, Volume VIII
Don Luis Perenna discovers a hidden compartment in a fake volume of Shakespeare's works containing a schedule of events tied to the Mornington affair. He suspects Florence Levasseur of being an accomplice after finding his notebook missing, but her emotional reaction to her photograph and her tears make him doubt her guilt. Later, he and Sergeant Mazeroux keep watch overnight at the Fauville house, expecting an event on the night of April 15, but nothing occurs, leaving Perenna uneasy.
Chapter 8
VIII: The Devil's Post-Office
The public is captivated by the Mornington case, the attempted suicide of Mme. Fauville, the capture and escape of Gaston Sauverand, the murder of Chief Inspector Ancenis, and the discovery of a letter by Hippolyte Fauville. Don Luis Perenna, often confused with Arsène Lupin, is credited with saving the Prefect of Police and receiving Fauville's letter. Despite four attempts on his life, life continues at the Place du Palais-Bourbon, where Florence Levasseur sorts his mail. Don Luis suspects Florence orchestrated the house purchase to spy on him and links her to the murders. A third letter from Fauville accuses his wife Marie and Gaston Sauverand of being lovers and plotting his murder. Marie Fauville attempts suicide in her cell, leaving a note advising the police to consult M. Langernault. Don Luis begins to see a pattern in the letters and decides to investigate.
Chapter 9
IX: Lupin’s Anger
Don Luis Perenna pursues Gaston Sauverand and Florence Levasseur after discovering two skeletons in a barn, linking them to the disappearance of a couple named Dedessuslamare. He becomes convinced of Marie Fauville's innocence and vows to defend her, identifying Florence and Sauverand as the true criminals. His chase is thwarted by a car breakdown, fueling his rage and jealousy.
Chapter 10
X: Gaston Sauverand Explains
Gaston Sauverand pleads with Don Luis Perenna to save Marie Fauville, insisting on her innocence and his own love for her. He recounts his past with Marie and Florence, while Perenna struggles with his own hatred and lingering feelings for Florence. The chapter ends with Sauverand beginning his explanation of their shared history.
Chapter 11
XI: Routed
Don Luis Perenna faces a critical confrontation as Deputy Chief Weber arrives with detectives, threatening to expose his protection of Florence Levasseur and Gaston Sauverand. Perenna attempts to deceive Weber by claiming he has captured the fugitives, but Weber grows suspicious. Meanwhile, Sauverand and Florence escape through a secret passage hidden in a window chest, leaving a note urging Perenna to save Marie Fauville. Perenna discovers the passage and follows, but finds the exits guarded by police, trapping him in a desperate situation.
Chapter 12
XII: “Help!”
Don Luis Perenna reflects on his sudden conviction of Sauverand and Marie Fauville's innocence, despite overwhelming evidence against them. He meticulously analyzes Sauverand's story, believing the truth lies within it. After hours of intense scrutiny, he experiences a sudden revelation of the true criminal's identity and the infernal plot. Realizing that the Fauville house is set to explode at three o'clock that morning, he desperately cries for help from his underground prison, but his shouts go unheard as the silence closes in.
Chapter 13
XIII: The Explosion
As the deadline for the fourth mysterious letter approaches, the public and police are in a state of high agitation. Don Luis Perenna, now identified as Arsène Lupin, has disappeared after warning the police of an imminent explosion at Hippolyte Fauville's house. The Prefect of Police, M. Desmalions, initially skeptical, orders the house evacuated at the last minute. The explosion occurs exactly at three o'clock, destroying the house. Meanwhile, Don Luis, having dug a tunnel from his hiding place to reach a telephone, survives and later reunites with Sergeant Mazeroux, vowing to free Marie Fauville and Gaston Sauverand from prison.
Chapter 14
XIV: The "Hater"
Don Luis Perenna reveals to the Prefect of Police and others that Hippolyte Fauville orchestrated his own murder and that of his son Edmond, framing Marie Fauville and Gaston Sauverand out of hatred. He explains that Fauville, knowing he was dying of cancer and that his son was terminally ill, meticulously planned the crime, including planting letters and a sealed envelope confessing his scheme. The Prefect reads Fauville's final confession, which details his vengeful plot.
Chapter 15
XV: The Heir to the Hundred Millions
On the fourth evening after the tragic events, Sergeant Mazeroux warns Don Luis Perenna that public opinion and the police suspect him of being the mastermind behind the series of murders that have cleared the way for him to inherit the Mornington fortune. Mazeroux reveals that an arrest warrant is imminent. Don Luis remains calm and later, at a meeting with the Prefect of Police and other officials, a letter arrives claiming an unknown heir of the Roussel family. The messenger reveals Florence Levasseur, who is brought in. Don Luis then argues that the inheritance was never a motive for Hippolyte Fauville, who acted out of revenge, and that the real murderer remains unknown.
Chapter 16
XVI: Weber Takes His Revenge
Florence Levasseur appears at the Prefecture to claim the Mornington inheritance, leading to her arrest. Don Luis Perenna defends her, convinced of her innocence, but is himself arrested by Deputy Chief Weber under the name Arsène Lupin. Sergeant Mazeroux is also arrested as an accomplice. Don Luis demands to speak to Prime Minister Valenglay.
Chapter 17
XVII: Open Sesame!
Don Luis Perenna, imprisoned as Arsène Lupin, wrestles with despair over Florence Levasseur's safety but resolves to secure his temporary release by bargaining with Prime Minister Valenglay. He offers a kingdom in exchange for twenty-four hours of liberty to save Florence and prove her innocence.
Chapter 18
Arsène I Emperor of Mauretania
Don Luis Perenna reveals to Prime Minister Valenglay and the Prefect of Police his grand scheme to become Emperor of Mauretania, detailing how he tamed a hostile tribe through cunning and charm, built an army with sixty loyal former associates, and conquered vast territories. He offers to cede the Mauretanian Empire to France in exchange for twenty-four hours of liberty to rescue Florence Levasseur from a monster. Valenglay accepts the offer, and Don Luis also secures the release of Sergeant Mazeroux from prison.
Chapter 19
The Snare Is Laid. Beware, Lupin!
Don Luis pursues Florence Levasseur after she is abducted by a mysterious villain. He interrogates a taxi driver who reveals the villain drugged Florence and switched vehicles. Don Luis deduces the destination is Alençon, then Damigni. He flies with Davanne, lands, and tracks the villain on foot, finding clues left by Florence—a ring, a flower, and handprints—indicating she is still alive and signaling for help.
Chapter 20
XX: Florence's Secret
Don Luis Perenna confronts Florence Levasseur after saving her life, seeking to understand her hostility toward him. Florence reveals that her coldness and avoidance were not due to hatred but to love—a secret passion she had hidden out of fear, shame, and loyalty to others. The chapter also includes the cripple's detailed plan to kill Florence and claim the inheritance, and his monologue about his crimes and legal impunity.
Chapter 21
Lupin's Lupins
Don Luis Perenna has retired to Saint-Maclou, where he lives a peaceful life cultivating his garden, especially his lupins, and helping those in need. He speaks fondly of Arsène Lupin, defending his character and deeds. Meanwhile, Valenglay and the Prefect of Police await Perenna's arrival, confident he will capture the true criminal. Perenna arrives precisely on time and reveals that he has caught Jean Vernocq, a degenerate criminal responsible for multiple murders, including those of the Dedessuslamare couple and old M. Langernault. He also explains that Florence Levasseur only pitied Vernocq, not loved him.
