The Hollow Needle · Character

Raymonde de Saint-Véran

A brave young woman who hears a shot in the night at the de Gesvres estate and watches two thieves carry their plunder down a ladder.

supporting

Also known as Raymonde, Raymonde de Saint - Véran

First appearance: The Corpse

As a supporting figure in The Hollow Needle, Raymonde de Saint-Véran is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Niece of the Comte; shot at a man in the park and later questions Beautrelet about his presence the previous day.

In the storyThe ShotOpen this moment free

Raymonde is a guest in the de Gesvres household, quick to rise and look out when a noise wakes her, and steady enough to think through what she sees even as her cousin Suzanne clings to her in fear. She weighs calling for help against the danger to Suzanne's father, and it is her finger on the bell that finally breaks the silence. Her testimony about the man by the fountain and the ladder at the balcony becomes one of the earliest fixed points in a case that will not stay fixed.

See Raymonde de Saint-Véran in The Shot Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Raymonde de Saint-Véran sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Primary Investigation Circle
Protagonist
Supporting Cast & Background

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Isidore reaches his emotional and psychological nadir here, having been utterly defeated and humiliated by Lup…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Arsène Lupin
romantic · positive
Lupin is deeply in love with Raymonde and seeks to win her heart, though she is initially… How this plays out →
Isidore Beautrelet
friendship · positive
Arsène Lupin
romantic · positive
Lupin is deeply in love with Raymonde and seeks to win her heart, though she is initially… How this plays out →
Arsène Lupin
romantic · positive
Lupin is deeply in love with Raymonde and seeks to win her heart, though she is initially… How this plays out →
Isidore Beautrelet
friendship · positive
Isidore Beautrelet
friendship · positive

Arsène Lupin
Lupin is deeply in love with Raymonde and seeks to win her heart, though she is initially unaware of his true identity.
Isidore Beautrelet
Beautrelet develops a friendly rapport with Raymonde, protecting her from Lupin's schemes.
Arsène Lupin
Lupin is deeply in love with Raymonde and seeks to win her heart, though she is initially unaware of his true identity.
Arsène Lupin
Lupin is deeply in love with Raymonde and seeks to win her heart, though she is initially unaware of his true identity.
Isidore Beautrelet
Beautrelet develops a friendly rapport with Raymonde, protecting her from Lupin's schemes.
Isidore Beautrelet
Beautrelet develops a friendly rapport with Raymonde, protecting her from Lupin's schemes.

Relationship notes

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

See Raymonde de Saint-Véran in The Corpse

In the story

Raymonde de Saint-Véran appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Shot
Niece of the Comte; shot at a man in the park and later questions Beautrelet about his presence the previous day.
II: Isidore Beautrelet, Sixth-Form Schoolboy
Reported kidnapped from the Château d'Ambrumésy; traces of blood found near the scene.
The Corpse
Mentioned as having shot Lupin before her own death.
IV: Face to Face
Revealed to have nursed Lupin back to health and later abducted by him; her staged death is part of Lupin's scheme.
On the Track
Revealed by Lupin's letter to be alive and the object of his love, though she does not return his feelings.
VI: An Historic Secret
Freed from captivity; gives evidence confirming Beautrelet's hypotheses; becomes engaged to Louis Valméras.
VII: The Treatise of the Needle
Briefly referenced as Beautrelet reconsiders the meaning of 'demoiselles' in the document.
X: The Treasures of the Kings of France
Present as Lupin's wife, Mme. Arsène Lupin; she appears anxious and sad as the police close in.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Raymonde de Saint-Véran unlock in the free preview.

See Raymonde de Saint-Véran in The Corpse

See Raymonde de Saint-Véran in The Shot