# Popinot — The Lone Wolf character guide

> Popinot in The Lone Wolf by Louis Joseph Vance.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Santé, the stout Popinot, Monsieur Popinot

**First appearance:** 0000-i-troyon-s

## Snapshot

A puffy, self-important Sûreté agent whose piggish eyes and dramatic accusations make him the Lone Wolf's most personally galling adversary.

## Who they are

Popinot is the kind of official who expands his chest before delivering a charge, relishing the theater of arrest more than the truth of it. He names Lanyard as Roddy's murderer and Troyon's arsonist in front of Madame Omber's assembled guests, forcing the adventurer into a desperate, improvised escape. His petty triumph and the promise of future reckoning — Lanyard's whispered threat to cut off his ears — give the manhunt a spiteful, personal edge.

## Relationships

### [Michael Lanyard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/characters/michael_lanyard)

_friendship_

Popinot is a trusted friend or sidekick to Michael, frequently interacting in supportive roles.

### [Michael Lanyard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/characters/michael_lanyard)

_friendship_

Popinot is a trusted friend or sidekick to Michael, frequently interacting in supportive roles.

### [Michael Lanyard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/characters/michael_lanyard)

_friendship_

Popinot is a trusted friend or sidekick to Michael, frequently interacting in supportive roles.

## In the story

### [The High Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/chapters/viii-the-high-hand)

A burly French rogue representing the Apaches, angered by Lanyard's insults.

### [IX: Disaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/chapters/ix-disaster)

Popinot is identified as a vindictive and dangerous figure who controls murderous Apaches.

### [Turn About](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/chapters/x-turn-about)

His agents are surveilling the streets, confirming Lanyard's suspicion that escape will be difficult.

### [XIII: Confessional](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/chapters/xiii-confessional)

His Apaches are said to be picketed everywhere in Paris, watching for Lanyard.

### [XIV: Rive Droit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/chapters/xiv-rive-droit)

Implied to be orchestrating the siege; sends a taunting message via newspaper and a brick through the skylight.

### [Enigma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/chapters/xviii-enigma)

Passed closely by Lanyard but fails to notice him.

### [Unmasked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/chapters/xix-unmasked)

Mentioned as being subordinate to Bannon and superseded by Wertheimer's promotion.

### [War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/chapters/xx-war)

Referenced by the cab driver as the one whose thugs are after Lanyard.

### [XXI: Apostate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/chapters/xxi-apostate)

Mentioned as a rival Lanyard intends to exterminate.

### [XXIV: Rendezvous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/chapters/xxiv-rendezvous)

Leads the police raid, identifies Lanyard, and is brutally beaten in the struggle.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/characters/popinot
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lone_wolf_se/characters