The Man Who Was Thursday · Character

Colonel Ducroix

A courteous French police colonel and member of the Legion of Honour who officiates the duel in the meadow, urging the combatants to stop at the first considerable hurt.

supporting

Also known as Ducroix, the Colonel

First appearance: XI: The Criminals Chase the Police

As a supporting figure in The Man Who Was Thursday, Colonel Ducroix is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Colonel Ducroix initially moves to leave but decides to stay and fight for civilization after hearing the detectives' explanation.

In the storyX: The DuelOpen this moment free

See Colonel Ducroix in X: The Duel Book page

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Colonel Ducroix arrives at the flower-strewn dueling ground in solemn morning dress, unlocks the case of twin swords, and politely proposes that the play end at first blood. When Dr. Bull insists on fighting until one man is disabled, the Colonel yields with bewildered good manners, kneeling to place the blades and standing as second. His punctilious civility against the absurd stakes of the duel makes him a quiet emblem of the old world watching the new conspiracy unfold.

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The fuller portrait of Colonel Ducroix sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Colonel Ducroix in XI: The Criminals Chase the Police

Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Colonel Ducroix sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Central Anarchist Council detectives
Protagonist
Minor characters and allies

+5 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it reveals the Professor’s psychological breaking point: beneat…

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Relationships

Gabriel Syme
professional · positive
Colonel Ducroix is a French police official who assists Syme and coordinates the… How this plays out →
Dr. Renard
professional · positive
Dr. Bull
professional · positive
Gabriel Syme
professional · positive
Colonel Ducroix is a French police official who assists Syme and coordinates the… How this plays out →
Gabriel Syme
professional · positive
Colonel Ducroix is a French police official who assists Syme and coordinates the… How this plays out →
Dr. Renard
professional · positive
Dr. Bull
professional · positive
Dr. Bull
professional · positive
Dr. Renard
professional · positive

Gabriel Syme
Colonel Ducroix is a French police official who assists Syme and coordinates the international detective effort.
Dr. Renard
Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Renard are colleagues in the French police, working together on the anarchist investigation.
Dr. Bull
Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Bull are allies in the international detective network, coordinating efforts against the anarchists.
Gabriel Syme
Colonel Ducroix is a French police official who assists Syme and coordinates the international detective effort.
Gabriel Syme
Colonel Ducroix is a French police official who assists Syme and coordinates the international detective effort.
Dr. Renard
Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Renard are colleagues in the French police, working together on the anarchist investigation.
Dr. Bull
Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Bull are allies in the international detective network, coordinating efforts against the anarchists.
Dr. Bull
Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Bull are allies in the international detective network, coordinating efforts against the anarchists.
Dr. Renard
Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Renard are colleagues in the French police, working together on the anarchist investigation.

Relationship notes

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

See Colonel Ducroix in XI: The Criminals Chase the Police

In the story

Colonel Ducroix appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

X: The Duel
Colonel Ducroix initially moves to leave but decides to stay and fight for civilization after hearing the detectives' explanation. He serves as a second and comments on the irregularity of the duel.
XI: The Criminals Chase the Police
Acts as a local guide, explains the peasant's psychology and the necessity of haggling, and facilitates the deal for the cart ride.
XII: The Earth in Anarchy
Leads the group to Dr. Renard's house and identifies the approaching cavalry; remains calm under pressure.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Colonel Ducroix unlock in the free preview.

See Colonel Ducroix in XI: The Criminals Chase the Police

See Colonel Ducroix in X: The Duel