# M. Gurn — Fantômas character guide > M. Gurn in Fantômas by Pierre Souvestre. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Gurn, Moodily Gurn **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-genius-of-crime ## Snapshot A prisoner who wants his murder case to fall flat, and who finds his own counsel's junior more amusing than his defense. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Lady Beltham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/lady_beltham) _romantic_ Lady Beltham and M. Gurn are lovers entangled in a passionate and secret affair, often meeting in private. ### [Nibet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/nibet) _professional_ M. Gurn and Nibet have a professional relationship, possibly as employer and servant or collaborator. ### [Roger de Seras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/roger_de_seras) _social_ M. Gurn and Roger de Seras are social acquaintances, possibly connected through aristocratic circles. ### [Valgrand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/valgrand) _rivalry_ M. Gurn and Valgrand are rivals, competing for influence or power in their social or criminal dealings. ### [Old Siegenthal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/old_siegenthal) _professional_ M. Gurn and Old Siegenthal have a professional relationship, possibly as business associates or employer and employee. ### [Lady Beltham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/lady_beltham) _romantic_ Lady Beltham and M. Gurn are lovers entangled in a passionate and secret affair, often meeting in private. ### [Valgrand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/valgrand) _rivalry_ M. Gurn and Valgrand are rivals, competing for influence or power in their social or criminal dealings. ### [Nibet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/nibet) _professional_ M. Gurn and Nibet have a professional relationship, possibly as employer and servant or collaborator. ### [Lady Beltham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/lady_beltham) _romantic_ Lady Beltham and M. Gurn are lovers entangled in a passionate and secret affair, often meeting in private. ### [Nibet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/nibet) _professional_ M. Gurn and Nibet have a professional relationship, possibly as employer and servant or collaborator. ### [Old Siegenthal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/old_siegenthal) _professional_ M. Gurn and Old Siegenthal have a professional relationship, possibly as business associates or employer and employee. ### [Roger de Seras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/roger_de_seras) _social_ M. Gurn and Roger de Seras are social acquaintances, possibly connected through aristocratic circles. ## In the story ### [VII: The Criminal Investigation Department](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/vii-the-criminal-investigation-department) The absent tenant of the flat; all evidence points to him as the murderer. ### [XI: Magistrate and Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/xxi-lord-beltham-s-murderer) Lady Beltham's lover; arrested as Lord Beltham's murderer. ### [The Scrap of Paper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/xxii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/xxiv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/xxv-an-unexpected-accomplice) The condemned murderer who orchestrates his escape by bribing the warder Nibet. ### [Three Surprising Incidents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/xxvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/xxviii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/xxix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/xxx-an-assignation) The condemned murderer of Lord Beltham, whose trial and execution are discussed; Valgrand has modeled his performance after him. ### [Fell Treachery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/xxxi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/xxxii-on-the-scaffold) The condemned man believed to be Fantômas; is executed, but later revealed to be an innocent substitute. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters/m_gurn - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fant_mas_se/characters