Fantômas · Character

M. Gurn

A prisoner who wants his murder case to fall flat, and who finds his own counsel's junior more amusing than his defense.

supporting

Also known as Gurn, Moodily Gurn

First appearance: i the genius of crime

As a supporting figure in Fantômas, M. Gurn is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The absent tenant of the flat; all evidence points to him as the murderer.

In the storyVII: The Criminal Investigation DepartmentOpen this moment free

See M. Gurn in VII: The Criminal Investigation Department Book page

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Gurn sits in his cell weighing whether to confide in the old warder Siegenthal, then finds himself summoned to the barristers' room and handed over to Roger de Seras, a dandyish young licentiate who cannot decide whether to shake his hand. He has retained Maître Barberoux but has no intention of letting the case become a sensation — the flatter it falls, the better for whatever he is protecting. His caution, his amusement, and his refusal to be a spectacle make him one of the novel's most controlled and least readable men.

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See M. Gurn in i the genius of crime

Character Web

46 connections

A slice of how M. Gurn sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Professional
Social
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Investigators and Officials
Protagonist
Prison and Locals
Extended Cast and Servants
Nobility and Victims

+41 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Lady Beltham’s d…

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Relationships

Lady Beltham
romantic · positive
Nibet
professional · ambivalent
Roger de Seras
social · ambivalent
Valgrand
rivalry · negative
Old Siegenthal
professional · ambivalent
Lady Beltham
romantic · positive
Valgrand
rivalry · negative
Nibet
professional · ambivalent
Lady Beltham
romantic · positive
Nibet
professional · ambivalent
Old Siegenthal
professional · ambivalent
Roger de Seras
social · ambivalent

Lady Beltham
Lady Beltham and M. Gurn are lovers entangled in a passionate and secret affair, often meeting in private.
Nibet
M. Gurn and Nibet have a professional relationship, possibly as employer and servant or collaborator.
Roger de Seras
M. Gurn and Roger de Seras are social acquaintances, possibly connected through aristocratic circles.
Valgrand
M. Gurn and Valgrand are rivals, competing for influence or power in their social or criminal dealings.
Old Siegenthal
M. Gurn and Old Siegenthal have a professional relationship, possibly as business associates or employer and employee.
Lady Beltham
Lady Beltham and M. Gurn are lovers entangled in a passionate and secret affair, often meeting in private.
Valgrand
M. Gurn and Valgrand are rivals, competing for influence or power in their social or criminal dealings.
Nibet
M. Gurn and Nibet have a professional relationship, possibly as employer and servant or collaborator.
Lady Beltham
Lady Beltham and M. Gurn are lovers entangled in a passionate and secret affair, often meeting in private.
Nibet
M. Gurn and Nibet have a professional relationship, possibly as employer and servant or collaborator.
Old Siegenthal
M. Gurn and Old Siegenthal have a professional relationship, possibly as business associates or employer and employee.
Roger de Seras
M. Gurn and Roger de Seras are social acquaintances, possibly connected through aristocratic circles.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See M. Gurn in i the genius of crime

In the story

M. Gurn appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VII: The Criminal Investigation Department
The absent tenant of the flat; all evidence points to him as the murderer.
XI: Magistrate and Detective
Mentioned in relation to the Beltham case; Juve found Lord Beltham's remains in Gurn's trunk.
Lord Beltham's Murderer
Lady Beltham's lover; arrested as Lord Beltham's murderer.
The Scrap of Paper
The arrested suspect; his flat is searched, and a map linked to the Langrune murder is discovered.
Under Lock and Key
The prisoner, formerly Lady Beltham's lover, now held at Santé prison. He shows resilience and cunning, feigning indifference while gathering information.
An Unexpected Accomplice
The condemned murderer who orchestrates his escape by bribing the warder Nibet.
Three Surprising Incidents
Brought before the magistrate; remains impassive during confrontation; has a scar on his palm linking him to the Royal Palace Hotel robbery.
The Court of Assize
The prisoner on trial for murder, sits impassive in the dock, shows visible emotion during Lady Beltham's testimony.
Verdict and Sentence
The prisoner on trial, accused of multiple murders and robberies; remains impassive and claims not to understand Juve's allegations.
XXX: An Assignation
The condemned murderer of Lord Beltham, whose trial and execution are discussed; Valgrand has modeled his performance after him.
Fell Treachery
The real Gurn hides in the shadows, murders Charlot with a knife, and later emerges to embrace Lady Beltham after Valgrand is dragged away.
XXXII: On the Scaffold
The condemned man believed to be Fantômas; is executed, but later revealed to be an innocent substitute.

Chapter companion notes

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See M. Gurn in i the genius of crime

See M. Gurn in VII: The Criminal Investigation Department