# Sainclair — The Mystery of the Yellow Room character guide > Sainclair in The Mystery of the Yellow Room by Gaston Leroux. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Monsieur Sainclair **First appearance:** 0001-the-mystery-of-the-yellow-room ## Snapshot A lawyer and friend of Rouletabille who narrates the investigation, trading his professional dignity for a spy's dark closet. ## Who they are Sainclair accompanies Rouletabille to the Glandier and serves as his chronicler, recording the inquiry with a lawyer's precision and a friend's loyalty. He is uneasy about playing the spy—stationed in a dark triangular closet to watch Arthur Rance's door—but curiosity and the desire to save a woman's life override his scruples. His narration gives the reader both the facts of the case and the texture of a rational man being drawn into an increasingly irrational mystery. ## In the story ### [In Which We Begin Not to Understand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/i-in-which-we-begin-not-to-understand) The narrator, who recounts the story and introduces Rouletabille's involvement in the Yellow Room case. ### [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) The narrator and friend of Rouletabille; a lawyer who provides legal information and accompanies Rouletabille to the Château. ### [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) The narrator and reporter, who presents himself as a faithful 'reporter' and provides the retrospective details known through his business relations with Darzac. ### [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) Accompanies Rouletabille and serves as the narrator, observing the interactions between the key characters. ### [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) Narrates the events, observes the interactions between Rouletabille and Darzac, and accompanies them to the Yellow Room. ### [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) The narrator and friend of Rouletabille, observes the examination, comments on the mystery, and compares it to Poe's 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue'. ### [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) The narrator, present with Rouletabille during the wait and discussion. ### [IX: Reporter and Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/ix-reporter-and-detective) Accompanies Rouletabille and questions the evidence, serving as the reader's surrogate. ### [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) Narrates the chapter; accompanies Rouletabille and notes his friend's mysterious methods. ### [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) Accompanies Rouletabille, investigates the cane's purchase in Paris, and reports back that a man matching Darzac's description bought it. ### [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) Arrives at the Glandier in response to Rouletabille's telegram, bringing revolvers; serves as the listener to Rouletabille's revelations. ### [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) Accompanies Rouletabille on a tour of the château and learns about the strange phenomenon and Rouletabille's expectations. ### [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) The narrator, who listens to Rouletabille's reasoning and is absorbed in thought about Darzac's strange behavior. ### [An Act of Mademoiselle Stangerson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xx-an-act-of-mademoiselle-stangerson) Reluctantly agrees to spy from the triangular closet, feeling like a common policeman but driven by curiosity and a desire to help. ### [On the Watch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxi-on-the-watch) Narrates the chapter, takes up position in the dark closet as instructed, and reflects on the danger of the night's work. ### [XXII: The Incredible Body](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxii-the-incredible-body) Narrator who revives Rouletabille, fires at the fleeing figure, and witnesses the discovery. ### [XXIII: The Double Scent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/chapters/xxiii-the-double-scent) Narrator who accompanies Rouletabille and listens to his account of the night's discoveries. ### [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) Narrator who accompanies Rouletabille to Paris and agrees to meet him the next day; expresses intention to give up the case. ### [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) Present at the trial as a witness, observing the proceedings and reporting on the atmosphere. ### [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) Narrator and friend of Rouletabille, observes the proceedings and speaks with Rouletabille after his initial appearance. ### [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) Narrates the chapter; questions Rouletabille about his deductions and the cane evidence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_yellow_room_se/characters/sainclair - 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