# Arsène Lupin — The Crystal Stopper character guide > Arsène Lupin in The Crystal Stopper by Maurice Leblanc. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lupin, Master Lupin, Master Arsène Lupin, M. Lupin, Arsène **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-arrests ## Snapshot A gentleman thief who turns detective when a young protégé faces the guillotine, chasing a crystal stopper that may be the only key to saving him. ## Who they are Lupin moves through Paris in disguises — retired tradesman, muffled idler on a park bench — while the police close in and his own men betray him. What unbalances him is not danger but affection: he likes Gilbert, the careless boy he half raised into the trade, and cannot bear that the lad will die for a murder he never committed. Everything in the early chase narrows to one object, the crystal stopper, and Lupin's instinct tells him it is worth more than any loot he has ever stolen. ## Relationships ### [Alexis Daubrecq](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/alexis_daubrecq) _rivalry_ Lupin and Daubrecq are locked in a fierce battle of wits over the crystal stopper, with Daubrecq holding a dangerous secret over Lupin. ### [Gilbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/gilbert) _psychological_ Lupin feels a deep sense of responsibility and protective obsession toward Gilbert, who is both a pawn and a hostage in Lupin's schemes. ### [Clarisse Mergy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/clarisse_mergy) _romantic_ Lupin and Clarisse share a passionate and tragic romantic bond, driven by her desperation to save her son and his devotion to her. ### [Vaucheray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/vaucheray) _professional_ Vaucheray is one of Lupin's loyal accomplices, though his reckless actions create complications for Lupin's plans. ### [Prasville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/prasville) _rivalry_ Lupin and Prasville are adversaries, with Prasville representing the law and Lupin the master criminal outwitting him. ### [Masher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/masher) _professional_ Masher is a member of Lupin's criminal network, assisting in the intricate operations against Daubrecq. ### [D'Albufex](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/d_albufex) _rivalry_ Lupin and D'Albufex are enemies, with D'Albufex aligned with Daubrecq against Lupin's interests. ### [Growler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/growler) _professional_ Growler is one of Lupin's trusted henchmen, providing muscle and support in dangerous missions. ### [Victoire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/victoire) _family_ Victoire is Lupin's former nanny and lifelong confidante, acting as a mother figure and loyal ally. ### [Sébastiani](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/sebastiani) _rivalry_ Lupin and Sébastiani are opponents, with Sébastiani working for Daubrecq against Lupin's plans. ### [Gilbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/gilbert) _psychological_ Lupin feels a deep sense of responsibility and protective obsession toward Gilbert, who is both a pawn and a hostage in Lupin's schemes. ### [Alexis Daubrecq](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/alexis_daubrecq) _rivalry_ Lupin and Daubrecq are locked in a fierce battle of wits over the crystal stopper, with Daubrecq holding a dangerous secret over Lupin. ## In the story ### [The Arrests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/i-the-arrests) Leads the burglary, stages a cover as a rescuer, and escapes by boat after the murder. ### [II: Eight from Nine Leaves One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/ii-eight-from-nine-leaves-one) Narrates his thoughts on his gang, investigates the crystal stopper theft, and spies on Daubrecq. ### [The Home Life of Alexis Daubrecq](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/iii-the-home-life-of-alexis-daubrecq) Infiltrates Daubrecq's house disguised as a cook's helper, observes the mysterious woman's attempt on Daubrecq's life, and later confronts her at the theater. ### [IV: The Chief of the Enemies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/iv-the-chief-of-the-enemies) Obsessed with the crystal stopper; captures a child from Daubrecq's house. ### [V: The Twenty-Seven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/v-the-twenty-seven) Listens to Clarisse's story, gains insight into Daubrecq's power, and promises to rescue Jacques by midnight. ### [VI: The Death-Sentence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/vi-the-death-sentence) Disguised as Dr. Vernes, Lupin confronts Daubrecq, reveals his identity, and orchestrates a plan to rescue Gilbert and secure the crystal stopper. ### [VII: The Profile of Napoleon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/vii-the-profile-of-napoleon) Disguised as M. Nicole, he deduces d'Albufex's involvement and later climbs the cliff to the Lovers' Tower. ### [VIII: The Lovers’ Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/viii-the-lovers-tower) Lupin spies on Daubrecq's torture from a window, plans to intercept d'Albufex and Sébastiani. ### [IX: In the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/ix-in-the-dark) Recovering from a wound; learns of the eighteen days lost and Gilbert's rejected appeal; deduces Daubrecq's interference with Clarisse's letter. ### [X: Extra-Dry?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/x-extra-dry) Disguised as M. Nicole, leads the ambush and subdues Daubrecq with chloroform. ### [The Cross of Lorraine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/xi-the-cross-of-lorraine) Lupin recovers his mastery and authority after lunch, orchestrates the transport of Daubrecq in a trunk, and plans to use the list of the Twenty-Seven to secure pardons for Gilbert and Vaucheray. ### [XII: The Scaffold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/xii-the-scaffold) Desperate to save Gilbert, Lupin plans to buy Vorenglade's letters, then orchestrates a shooting at the execution. He escapes via a hidden exit from his flat. ### [The Last Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/chapters/xiii-the-last-battle) Reveals the hiding place of the list in Daubrecq's glass eye, confesses to the shooting at the execution, and reflects on his feelings for Clarisse. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters/arsene_lupin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crystal_stopper_se/characters