# Rudolf Kesselbach — 813 character guide

> Rudolf Kesselbach in 813 by Maurice Leblanc.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Kesselbach, Mr. Kesselbach, Rudolf

**First appearance:** 0002-i-the-tragedy-at-the-palace-hotel

## Snapshot

A diamond magnate of vast fortune and secret schemes, Kesselbach is murdered at the Palace Hotel before the reader can decide whether he was victim or architect.

## Who they are

Kesselbach arrives in Paris chasing a young man named Pierre Leduc and a grand-duchy called Veldenz, carrying a plan he shares with no one — not even the wife he adores. His trust in Dolores is total, inscribed on every gift he gives her, and that trust is what kills him. His death is the novel's first fact and its deepest knot: everything Lupin and Lenormand uncover is really an attempt to read the man's intentions backward.

## Relationships

### [Marco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/marco)

_professional_

Marco is a servant or associate of Rudolf Kesselbach, serving his master's interests.

## In the story

### [813](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/813)

The victim whose murder and missing letters drive the plot; his death is a key event in the chapter.

### [I: The Tragedy at the Palace Hotel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/i-the-tragedy-at-the-palace-hotel)

The wealthy diamond magnate, anxious about intrusions and secret plans.

### [III: M. Lenormand Opens His Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/iii-m-lenormand-opens-his-campaign)

Victim; bound and robbed by Lupin, later murdered by an unknown assailant.

### [Arsène Lupin’s Three Murders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/xvi-ars-ne-lupin-s-three-murders)

Murdered by Dolores at the Palace Hotel.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/rudolf_kesselbach
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters