# Monsieur Robert Darzac — The Mystery of the Yellow Room character guide > Monsieur Robert Darzac in The Mystery of the Yellow Room by Gaston Leroux. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Robert Darzac, Monsieur Darzac, Darzac **First appearance:** 0001-the-mystery-of-the-yellow-room ## Snapshot The fiancé who is found pale and trembling at the scene, whose gloved hands and cryptic past make him the most suspicious man in the case. ## Who they are Darzac is a Sorbonne professor on the verge of marrying Mademoiselle Stangerson when the attack occurs, and his behaviour in the aftermath is anything but reassuring. He is frightfully pale, his face lined with suffering, and he reacts with terror when Rouletabille whispers a phrase about a presbytery and a garden — a phrase that clearly means something to him. When Rouletabille demands to see his ungloved hands, Darzac's quiet compliance and subsequent friendship with his accuser only deepen the ambiguity. He is the novel's most tantalising suspect: a man who loves the victim, knows more than he admits, and may be either the villain or the key to everything. ## In the story ### [In Which Joseph Rouletabille Appears for the First Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/ii-in-which-joseph-rouletabille-appears-for-the-first-time) Mentioned as being at the Château du Glandier; Rouletabille wants to speak with him, suggesting he may have key information. ### [In the Bosom of Wild Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/iv-in-the-bosom-of-wild-nature) Referred to as the 'eternal fiancé' who persisted in his tender attention to Mathilde for years; his marriage to her was announced shortly before the attack. ### [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) Visibly distressed and pale; initially impatient but is deeply affected by Rouletabille's cryptic remark, agreeing to let him inside. ### [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) Leads the group to the château, initially offended by Rouletabille's suspicion but later cooperates. Provides key information about the mutton-bone and the crime. ### [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) Present during the examination, informs Rouletabille that Larsan claims to have solved the case and will explain the murderer's escape that evening. ### [VIII: The Examining Magistrate Questions Mademoiselle Stangerson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/viii-the-examining-magistrate-questions-mademoiselle-stangerson) Relays the full interrogation to Rouletabille from memory, showing unusual docility. ### [IX: Reporter and Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/ix-reporter-and-detective) Shows visible distress when his footprints match the murderer's; vehemently declares he would kill the murderer himself. ### [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) Present in the laboratory during the examination. ### [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) Seen kneeling by Mademoiselle Stangerson's bedside; later implicated by the cane purchase, which provides a possible alibi. ### [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) Pleads with Rouletabille to keep the Élysée phrase secret; is under suspicion due to footprints and the cane, but Rouletabille believes he is innocent. ### [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) Expected to be arrested soon; his absences coincide with the murderer's visits, increasing suspicion against him. ### [The Inexplicable Gallery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xvii-the-inexplicable-gallery) Mentioned as knowing the murderer and being suspected by Larsan; Rouletabille believes he is innocent. ### [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) Revealed to know the murderer's name, likely from Mademoiselle Stangerson, and has asked Rouletabille to watch over her room. ### [On the Watch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxi-on-the-watch) Is mentioned as having departed and having told Rouletabille something that confirms the night's plan; his dread of the man is noted. ### [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) Arrested after being seen at Epinay-sur-Orge; refuses to explain his actions and is taken away. ### [XXV: Rouletabille Goes on a Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxv-rouletabille-goes-on-a-journey) Referenced as being in prison, which Rouletabille says prevents further attempts. ### [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) The accused, standing in the prisoner's dock, calm and handsome, maintains his innocence but refuses to explain his silence. ### [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) Shows agitation during Rouletabille's testimony; Rouletabille asserts his innocence. ### [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) Released on bail after the trial adjournment; cleared of suspicion. ### [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) Learns of Mademoiselle Stangerson's past, swears to silence Ballmeyer, and is outwitted by Larsan's machinations. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/robert_darzac - 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