# M. Tabaret — The Lerouge Case character guide

> M. Tabaret in The Lerouge Case by Émile Gaboriau.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** old Tabaret, Tabaret, dear M. Tabaret, III M. Tabaret, poor old Tabaret, wretched Tabaret, Old Tabaret, XIV Old Tabaret, XVIII Old Tabaret, Cunning old Tabaret

**First appearance:** 0000-the-lerouge-case

## Snapshot

A retired rentier and amateur criminologist whose eccentric habits and obsessive theorizing make him the unlikeliest detective in Paris.

## Who they are

Old Tabaret lives quietly among his tenants, who mistake his abstraction for idiocy and his strange visitors for disreputable vice, never guessing he is a devoted student of crime. He adores Madame Gerdy and treats her son Noel as his own, and has made the young barrister his sole legatee. His passion for deduction, his intimacy with the Gerdy household, and his hunger to outshine the professional police place him at the center of the Lerouge investigation.

## Relationships

### [Noel Gerdy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/characters/noel_gerdy)

_rivalry_

Tabaret, a detective, is Noel's antagonist, relentlessly pursuing the truth about the Lerouge murder and Noel's guilt.

### [M. Daburon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/characters/m_daburon)

_professional_

Daburon and Tabaret work together as magistrate and detective, collaborating on the Lerouge case.

### [Noel Gerdy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/characters/noel_gerdy)

_rivalry_

Tabaret, a detective, is Noel's antagonist, relentlessly pursuing the truth about the Lerouge murder and Noel's guilt.

### [M. Daburon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/characters/m_daburon)

_professional_

Daburon and Tabaret work together as magistrate and detective, collaborating on the Lerouge case.

### [Noel Gerdy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/characters/noel_gerdy)

_rivalry_

Tabaret, a detective, is Noel's antagonist, relentlessly pursuing the truth about the Lerouge murder and Noel's guilt.

## In the story

### [The Lerouge Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/the-lerouge-case)

The detective who arrives at the crime scene to investigate.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/i)

An amateur detective accompanying M. Daburon. He is described as vain and obstinate, prone to inventing stories based on appearances, and is distrusted by the commissary.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/ii)

Old Tabaret conducts a detailed examination of the crime scene, deducing the murderer's methods and motives. He also shares his personal history with M. Daburon.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/iii)

Obsessively analyzes the murder case, deduces a child is involved, and later visits Noel Gerdy to investigate further.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/iv)

Listens intently to Noel's story, deducing connections to the Widow Lerouge murder and the conspiracy.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as the source of the bank notes Noel gives to Juliette.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/vii)

Eager to arrest Albert de Commarin, confident in his deductions, and frustrated by the magistrate's caution.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/x)

Tabaret arrives triumphantly with evidence (broken foil, gloves, cigar-holder) and details of Albert's arrest, but becomes anxious upon learning Noel has been to see the magistrate.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/xii)

The detective who first deduces Albert's guilt but later, after reading the examination report, becomes convinced that Albert is innocent.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/xiv)

Determined to save Albert after realizing his own role in the accusations; visits Madame Gerdy's home and conceals his police connections.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/xviii)

Follows Juliette home, questions her about Noel's alibi, and becomes convinced of Noel's guilt.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/xix)

Present at Noel's deathbed; Noel taunts him about his detective work.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/chapters/xx)

Disillusioned with justice, now doubts crime itself and campaigns against capital punishment.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/characters/m_tabaret
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lerouge_case_se/characters