# M. Hautet — The Murder on the Links character guide

> M. Hautet in The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hautet, M. le juge

**First appearance:** 0004-iii-at-the-villa-genevi-ve

## Snapshot

The gaunt examining magistrate who caresses his grey beard while presiding over interrogations, courteous to Poirot and quietly certain the case is nearly closed.

## Who they are

As Juge d'Instruction, Hautet controls the legal machinery of the investigation — summoning witnesses, weighing evidence, deciding what the law will believe. He is gracious to Poirot and welcomes his help, yet his confidence that the truth is 'not far off' reveals a magistrate who trusts surfaces. His willingness to let two rival detectives work the same case keeps the inquiry open, and his interrogations become the stage on which the village's secrets are forced into speech.

## Relationships

### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/characters/hercule_poirot)

_professional_

Poirot works alongside M. Hautet, the magistrate, sharing information and insights during the investigation.

### [M. Giraud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/characters/m_giraud)

_professional_

Giraud and Hautet work together on the case, though Giraud's arrogance often clashes with the magistrate's authority.

### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/characters/hercule_poirot)

_professional_

Poirot works alongside M. Hautet, the magistrate, sharing information and insights during the investigation.

### [M. Giraud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/characters/m_giraud)

_professional_

Giraud and Hautet work together on the case, though Giraud's arrogance often clashes with the magistrate's authority.

### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/characters/hercule_poirot)

_professional_

Poirot works alongside M. Hautet, the magistrate, sharing information and insights during the investigation.

### [M. Giraud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/characters/m_giraud)

_professional_

Giraud and Hautet work together on the case, though Giraud's arrogance often clashes with the magistrate's authority.

## In the story

### [At the Villa Geneviève](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/iii-at-the-villa-genevi-ve)

The examining magistrate who conducts the interrogation of the servants.

### [IV: The Letter Signed "Bella"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/iv-the-letter-signed-bella)

The examining magistrate who presents the letter from Bella and discusses the conflicting testimonies of the servants.

### [V: Mrs. Renauld’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/v-mrs-renauld-s-story)

Leads the questioning of Mrs. Renauld and expresses concern for her well-being during the identification.

### [VII: The Mysterious Madame Daubreuil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/vii-the-mysterious-madame-daubreuil)

Examining magistrate; leads the questioning of Madame Daubreuil with calculated brutality.

### [IX: M. Giraud Finds Some Clues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/ix-m-giraud-finds-some-clues)

Conducts the interrogation of Auguste and shares the story of the mysterious visitor and the 'Bella' letter.

### [X: Gabriel Stonor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/x-gabriel-stonor)

The examining magistrate leading the interrogation of Stonor.

### [XI: Jack Renauld](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/xi-jack-renauld)

Presides over the interrogation of Jack Renauld; expresses indignation at Hastings' irregular conduct in leaving the shed unlocked.

### [XIV: The Second Body](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/xiv-the-second-body)

Arrives with the doctor and M. Bex, expressing astonishment at the second murder.

### [XV: A Photograph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/xv-a-photograph)

Present at the shed, expresses surprise at the post-mortem stabbing, and compliments Poirot.

### [XXIV: “Save Him!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/xxiv-save-him)

Greets Poirot, discusses Jack's silence and Madame Renauld's condition, and forwards Marthe's letter.

### [An Unexpected Denouement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/xxv-an-unexpected-denouement)

Presides over the examination, pressing Jack with incriminating evidence and enjoying his role as the voice of justice, but is interrupted by Bella Duveen's entrance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/characters/m_hautet
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/characters