# Colonel Ducroix — The Man Who Was Thursday character guide

> Colonel Ducroix in The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Ducroix, the Colonel

**First appearance:** 0012-xi-the-criminals-chase-the-police

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Gabriel Syme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/characters/gabriel_syme)

_professional_

Colonel Ducroix is a French police official who assists Syme and coordinates the international detective effort.

### [Dr. Renard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/characters/dr_renard)

_professional_

Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Renard are colleagues in the French police, working together on the anarchist investigation.

### [Dr. Bull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/characters/dr_bull)

_professional_

Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Bull are allies in the international detective network, coordinating efforts against the anarchists.

### [Gabriel Syme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/characters/gabriel_syme)

_professional_

Colonel Ducroix is a French police official who assists Syme and coordinates the international detective effort.

### [Gabriel Syme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/characters/gabriel_syme)

_professional_

Colonel Ducroix is a French police official who assists Syme and coordinates the international detective effort.

### [Dr. Renard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/characters/dr_renard)

_professional_

Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Renard are colleagues in the French police, working together on the anarchist investigation.

### [Dr. Bull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/characters/dr_bull)

_professional_

Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Bull are allies in the international detective network, coordinating efforts against the anarchists.

### [Dr. Bull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/characters/dr_bull)

_professional_

Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Bull are allies in the international detective network, coordinating efforts against the anarchists.

### [Dr. Renard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/characters/dr_renard)

_professional_

Colonel Ducroix and Dr. Renard are colleagues in the French police, working together on the anarchist investigation.

## In the story

### [X: The Duel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/chapters/xii-the-earth-in-anarchy)

Leads the group to Dr. Renard's house and identifies the approaching cavalry; remains calm under pressure.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/characters/colonel_ducroix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_who_was_thursday_se/characters