# Prosper Bertomy — File No. 113 character guide > Prosper Bertomy in File No. 113 by Émile Gaboriau. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Prosper, M. Bertomy, M. Prosper Bertomy, Poor Prosper **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A trusted bank cashier whose spotless reputation shatters in a single morning when the safe is found empty and the blame settles on him. ## Who they are Prosper Bertomy is the handsome, well-dressed head clerk at Fauvel's banking house, engaged to the banker's niece Madeleine and regarded as a model of probity. When three hundred and fifty thousand francs vanish from the safe he alone can open, he is arrested, and his marble-faced composure under interrogation only deepens the mystery around him. His stubborn silence about what he knows, and the shadow of some old sorrow that keeps him from confiding even in Madeleine, make him the still center of the novel's opening storm. ## Relationships ### [Madeleine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/madeleine) _romantic_ Madeleine and Prosper are lovers, with a deep emotional bond tested by Prosper's false accusation and imprisonment. ### [Valentine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/valentine) _friendship_ Prosper and Valentine are childhood friends, with Valentine supporting him during his ordeal. ### [Nina Gypsy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/nina_gypsy) _friendship_ Nina Gypsy is a loyal friend to Prosper, helping him navigate the underworld and gather evidence. ### [Mme. Fauvel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/mme_fauvel) _professional_ Mme. Fauvel is Prosper's employer at the bank, and she feels responsible for his wrongful accusation. ### [André Fauvel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/andre_fauvel) _friendship_ André Fauvel is Prosper's colleague and friend, standing by him despite the scandal. ### [Marquis de Clameran](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/marquis_de_clameran) _rivalry_ The Marquis frames Prosper for theft, making them direct enemies in the central conflict. ### [Fanferlot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/fanferlot) _professional_ Fanferlot initially suspects Prosper but later works to help clear his name as part of the investigation. ### [Marquis de Clameran](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/marquis_de_clameran) _rivalry_ The Marquis frames Prosper for theft, making them direct enemies in the central conflict. ### [Madeleine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/madeleine) _romantic_ Madeleine and Prosper are lovers, with a deep emotional bond tested by Prosper's false accusation and imprisonment. ### [Madeleine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/madeleine) _romantic_ Madeleine and Prosper are lovers, with a deep emotional bond tested by Prosper's false accusation and imprisonment. ### [Valentine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/valentine) _friendship_ Prosper and Valentine are childhood friends, with Valentine supporting him during his ordeal. ### [Fanferlot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/fanferlot) _professional_ Fanferlot initially suspects Prosper but later works to help clear his name as part of the investigation. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/i) The clerk arrested on suspicion of the robbery, referred to as P. B. in the newspaper. ### [The Accusation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/ii) The head cashier who is accused of stealing banknotes; he maintains his innocence despite Fauvel's pressure. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/iii) The cashier accused of the robbery; pale and dejected, he maintains his innocence and confirms his orders to not keep money overnight. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/iv) Undergoes formal examination, maintains innocence, but is returned to prison after signing the deposition. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/v) Maintains his innocence during interrogation, provides detailed financial accounts, and refuses his father's offer to repay the stolen money. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/vii) Released from prison after nine days, he is overwhelmed by despair and suspicion but resolves to prove his innocence. He meets with Raoul and later with Verduret. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/viii) Visits M. Fauvel after release; later confronts Madeleine and argues with Verduret about his methods. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/ix) Listens to Verduret's revelations and recognizes the prayerbook as Madeleine's. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/x) Sees Madeleine with Raoul and becomes enraged, wanting revenge; restrained by Verduret. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/xi) Writes an anonymous letter to M. Fauvel warning about Mme. Fauvel and the Marquis de Clameran, then regrets his action. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/xvii) Mentioned as Madeleine's fiancé, whom she plans to break off with to marry Clameran. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/xx) Falsely implicated by Raoul as a potential thief to deflect suspicion from himself. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/xxi) Accused of the robbery, he is released for lack of evidence; Madeleine sends him money and advice to leave France. ### [XXII: The Catastrophe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/xxii-the-catastrophe) Listens to Verduret's full report; admits to writing an anonymous letter to M. Fauvel, jeopardizing the investigation. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/chapters/xxv) Accompanies Nina to the meeting; learns the truth about Verduret's identity; later marries Madeleine Fauvel. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters/prosper_bertomy - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/file_no_113_se/characters