# Frédéric Larsan — The Mystery of the Yellow Room character guide > Frédéric Larsan in The Mystery of the Yellow Room by Gaston Leroux. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Monsieur Frédéric Larsan, Larsan **First appearance:** 0004-iii-a-man-has-passed-like-a-shadow-through-the-blinds ## Snapshot A celebrated Sûreté detective with an artist's vanity and a sceptic's hardened eye, he finds himself outpaced by a teenage reporter. ## Who they are Larsan is everything the official investigation has: reputation, experience, and the quiet authority of a man who has seen too much to be surprised. He is elegant, self-assured, and slightly condescending — the kind of detective who pockets a key and studies a rival with 'searching and disquieting' eyes. His rivalry with Rouletabille is not hostile so much as hierarchical: the established professional versus the upstart journalist, and the tension of the novel lies in watching which method — experience or pure reason — will crack the Yellow Room first. ## Relationships ### [Joseph Rouletabille](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/joseph_rouletabille) _rivalry_ Larsan and Rouletabille are fierce intellectual adversaries, each trying to outwit the other in solving the mystery. ### [Mademoiselle Stangerson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/mademoiselle_stangerson) _psychological_ Larsan is obsessively fixated on Mademoiselle Stangerson, viewing her as both a target and a key to the crime. ### [Daddy Jacques](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/daddy_jacques) _rivalry_ Daddy Jacques distrusts Larsan and often works against his methods, creating a tense opposition. ### [The Green Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/the_green_man) _psychological_ Larsan and the Green Man share a hidden, manipulative connection that drives the central conflict. ### [Joseph Rouletabille](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/joseph_rouletabille) _rivalry_ Larsan and Rouletabille are fierce intellectual adversaries, each trying to outwit the other in solving the mystery. ### [Joseph Rouletabille](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/joseph_rouletabille) _rivalry_ Larsan and Rouletabille are fierce intellectual adversaries, each trying to outwit the other in solving the mystery. ### [Mademoiselle Stangerson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/mademoiselle_stangerson) _psychological_ Larsan is obsessively fixated on Mademoiselle Stangerson, viewing her as both a target and a key to the crime. ### [Daddy Jacques](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/daddy_jacques) _rivalry_ Daddy Jacques distrusts Larsan and often works against his methods, creating a tense opposition. ### [The Green Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/the_green_man) _psychological_ Larsan and the Green Man share a hidden, manipulative connection that drives the central conflict. ### [Mademoiselle Stangerson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/mademoiselle_stangerson) _psychological_ Larsan is obsessively fixated on Mademoiselle Stangerson, viewing her as both a target and a key to the crime. ### [Daddy Jacques](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/daddy_jacques) _rivalry_ Daddy Jacques distrusts Larsan and often works against his methods, creating a tense opposition. ## In the story ### [In Which Joseph Rouletabille Makes a Remark to Monsieur Robert Darzac Which Produces Its Little Effect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/v-in-which-joseph-rouletabille-makes-a-remark-to-monsieur-robert-darzac-which-produces-its-little-effect) Observed conducting his own investigation at the gate; reveals the arrest of the concierges and expresses skepticism about their involvement. ### [In the Heart of the Oak Grove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/vi-in-the-heart-of-the-oak-grove) Mentioned as the policeman circling the lake; Rouletabille expresses confidence in his abilities. ### [In Which Rouletabille Sets Out on an Expedition Under the Bed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/vii-in-which-rouletabille-sets-out-on-an-expedition-under-the-bed) Mentioned as being by the lake, not examining the Yellow Room, and claiming he will explain the murderer's escape in a natural way. ### [IX: Reporter and Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/ix-reporter-and-detective) Silently observes the footprints by the lake; Rouletabille warns him against reasoning from preconceived ideas. ### [We Shall Have to Eat Red Meat—Now](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/x-we-shall-have-to-eat-red-meat-now) Mentioned as the Chief of the Sûreté arriving at the park gate; Rouletabille anticipates his involvement. ### [In Which Frédéric Larsan Explains How the Murderer Was Able to Get Out of The Yellow Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xi-in-which-fr-d-ric-larsan-explains-how-the-murderer-was-able-to-get-out-of-the-yellow-room) Chief of the Sûreté, present during the examination; his earlier explanation of the murderer's escape is referenced. ### [XII: Frédéric Larsan’s Cane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xii-fr-d-ric-larsan-s-cane) Found already watching the scene from the tree; his new cane is the focus of Rouletabille's suspicion, and he reveals he found it after the crime. ### [XIII: “The Presbytery Has Lost Nothing of Its Charm, nor the Garden Its Brightness”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xiii-the-presbytery-has-lost-nothing-of-its-charm-nor-the-garden-its-brightness) Actively working against Darzac, holding the cane as evidence and developing a theory that the murderer entered the Yellow Room later in the evening. ### [I Expect the Assassin This Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xiv-i-expect-the-assassin-this-evening) Mentioned as having gone to Paris to pursue Darzac; Rouletabille criticizes his reasoning abilities. ### [XV: The Trap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xv-the-trap) Awakened by Rouletabille; posted at the window to prevent escape. ### [Strange Phenomenon of the Dissociation of Matter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xvi-strange-phenomenon-of-the-dissociation-of-matter) Joins the chase from the 'off-turning' gallery and claims to have touched the murderer. ### [The Inexplicable Gallery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xvii-the-inexplicable-gallery) Discusses the case with Rouletabille, notes the footprints and the murderer's disappearance, and suspects Robert Darzac. ### [XVIII: Rouletabille Has Drawn a Circle Between the Two Bumps on His Forehead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xviii-rouletabille-has-drawn-a-circle-between-the-two-bumps-on-his-forehead) Rouletabille contrasts his own method with Larsan's, calling him a fool and accusing him of relying on 'merely animal intelligence.' ### [XIX: Rouletabille Invites Me to Breakfast at the Donjon Inn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xix-rouletabille-invites-me-to-breakfast-at-the-donjon-inn) Mentioned as someone Rouletabille alternately admires and disdains, and as a person to whom Darzac's suspicions may be mentioned. ### [An Act of Mademoiselle Stangerson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xx-an-act-of-mademoiselle-stangerson) Mentioned as having provided background information about Arthur Rance's history with the Stangersons. ### [On the Watch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxi-on-the-watch) Dines with Rouletabille and Sainclair, engages in cryptic conversation about the case, then suddenly collapses, apparently drugged. ### [XXII: The Incredible Body](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxii-the-incredible-body) Opens his window and calls out; shares disappointment at the outcome. ### [XXIII: The Double Scent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxiii-the-double-scent) Joins Rouletabille in tracking footprints and questioning Daddy Jacques; expresses uncertainty about an accomplice. ### [Rouletabille Knows the Two Halves of the Murderer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxiv-rouletabille-knows-the-two-halves-of-the-murderer) Drives the conveyance for Darzac's arrest; shows a joyful expression at the capture. ### [XXVI: In Which Joseph Rouletabille Is Awaited with Impatience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxvi-in-which-joseph-rouletabille-is-awaited-with-impatience) Called to give his theory on the keeper's death; explains the murderer likely killed the keeper while escaping, but is interrupted by Rouletabille. ### [XXVII: In Which Joseph Rouletabille Appears in All His Glory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxvii-in-which-joseph-rouletabille-appears-in-all-his-glory) Present in court, accepts Rouletabille's challenge, and is ultimately revealed as the murderer through Rouletabille's reasoning. ### [XXVIII: In Which It Is Proved That One Does Not Always Think of Everything](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxviii-in-which-it-is-proved-that-one-does-not-always-think-of-everything) Has vanished after being exposed; his lie about the cane and his wound are discussed. ### [XXIX: The Mystery of Mademoiselle Stangerson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxix-the-mystery-of-mademoiselle-stangerson) Identified as the notorious Ballmeyer (Jean Roussel), who blackmails and attacks Mademoiselle Stangerson, and frames Darzac. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/frederic_larsan - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters