# XIV: The "Hater" explained — The Teeth of the Tiger

> Chapter companion for The Teeth of the Tiger by Maurice Leblanc.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hatred and Revenge

Fauville's elaborate plot is driven by a deep hatred for his wife and Sauverand, seeking revenge through a false murder accusation.

### Crime and Punishment

The chapter explores the nature of crime as Fauville commits murder and suicide to ensure the punishment of innocents.

## Character check-ins

### Don Luis Perenna

Reveals the truth about Fauville's plot, explaining the logic behind the letters and the sealed envelope.

### M. Desmalions

The Prefect of Police who initially resists Perenna's theory but is ultimately convinced upon reading Fauville's confession.

### Hippolyte Fauville

Revealed as the orchestrator of his own murder and that of his son, driven by hatred and terminal illness.

### Marie Fauville

The innocent victim of Fauville's plot, framed for murder along with Gaston Sauverand.

### Gaston Sauverand

Framed alongside Marie Fauville as part of Fauville's revenge scheme.

## Key lines

> It is not at such moments that a man fits up clockwork and lays traps, especially when those traps cannot take effect unless he dies by foul play.

The Prefect argues that a man fearing death would not set up a scheme that only works if he is murdered.

_Highlights the paradox of Fauville's plot._

> I am happy. The death which I have inflicted on myself is the beginning of their torment.

Fauville expresses joy that his suicide will initiate the suffering of Marie and Sauverand.

_Reveals Fauville's twisted satisfaction in his revenge._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_teeth_of_the_tiger_se/chapters/xiv-the-hater
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_teeth_of_the_tiger_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_teeth_of_the_tiger_se/chapters