# XV: The Heir to the Hundred Millions explained — The Teeth of the Tiger

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Inheritance and Greed

The Mornington inheritance drives the plot, with Perenna suspected of eliminating heirs to claim the fortune.

### Justice and Injustice

Perenna faces unjust suspicion despite his innocence, highlighting the tension between legal justice and public perception.

### Identity and Disguise

Mazeroux disguises himself as a cabdriver, and Perenna's dual identity as Arsène Lupin is central to the suspicion against him.

## Character check-ins

### Don Luis Perenna

Remains calm despite Mazeroux's warnings and the mounting suspicion against him; later argues that the inheritance was not Fauville's motive.

### Sergeant Mazeroux

Visits Perenna in disguise to warn him of the imminent arrest and the public's belief that Perenna is the culprit.

### Florence Levasseur

Brought into the meeting as the person claiming to be the unknown heir, though her role remains ambiguous.

### M. Desmalions

Presides over the meeting and reads the letter claiming a new heir; observes Perenna closely.

### Deputy Chief Weber

Mentioned as loudly accusing Perenna of being the scoundrel behind the murders.

### Hippolyte Fauville

Referenced in Perenna's argument that Fauville acted out of revenge, not for the inheritance.

## Key lines

> It’s all up with you this time, Chief! ... pack up your trunks and be off as quick as you can!

Mazeroux urgently warns Perenna that he is in grave danger and should flee immediately.

_Mazeroux's alarm contrasts with Perenna's calm demeanor._

> Who benefits by the disappearance of all the Roussel heirs? Don Luis Perenna.

The public and police believe Perenna is the only one who gains from the deaths of the heirs.

_This reflects the theme of inheritance and greed._

> Hippolyte Fauville did not say a word about the inheritance; and the reason evidently is that he did not know of it.

Perenna argues that Fauville's confession omits the inheritance because he was unaware of it, proving revenge was his motive.

_Key point in Perenna's defense and the unfolding mystery._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_teeth_of_the_tiger_se/chapters/xv-the-heir-to-the-hundred-millions
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