# D'Estreicher — The Secret Tomb character guide

> D'Estreicher in The Secret Tomb by Maurice Leblanc.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** d'Estreicher

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-ch-teau-de-roborey

## Snapshot

A patient conspirator who has spent years weaving a plot around the Marquis's will, he arrives disguised and strikes the moment the codicil is within reach.

## Who they are

D'Estreicher orchestrates a long con built on a dress rehearsal, a bribed confederate, and a forged identity, all to seize the codicil at the reading of the will. When his accomplice wavers, he kills him without hesitation and vanishes into a Russian soldier's disguise, his shaved skull and slung arm rendering him unrecognizable. His cold methodical violence transforms the treasure hunt from a family puzzle into a manhunt, and his whistle in the dark signals that the real enemy is already inside the walls.

## In the story

### [III: Extra-Lucid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/iii-extra-lucid)

Observes Saint-Quentin's reaction and deduces the earrings are in the cardboard box, which he seizes and opens to reveal the sapphires.

### [V: “We Will Help You”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/v-we-will-help-you)

Proposes partnership to Dorothy, threatens her with the cardboard box, and is drugged by Dorothy's powder.

### [On the Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/vi-on-the-road)

Has escaped from Roborey; attacks Raoul's grandfather at Hillocks Manor with an accomplice, but flees when confronted.

### [VII: The Hour Draws Near](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/vii-the-hour-draws-near)

Hides in the underground hiding-place at Hillocks Manor, spies on Dorothy and Raoul; later breaks into Juliet Assire's home with an accomplice and tortures her to find the medal.

### [VIII: On the Iron Wire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/viii-on-the-iron-wire)

Tortures Juliet Assire for the medal's location, causing her madness; is outwitted by Dorothy's escape.

### [IX: Face to Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/ix-face-to-face)

Retrieves the disc, captures Dorothy, and is outwitted by her revelation that the medal is not in the case.

### [XIII: Lazarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/xiii-lazarus)

Revealed as the mastermind behind the impostor's scheme, though currently imprisoned.

### [XIV: The Fourth Medal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/xiv-the-fourth-medal)

Disguised as a Russian soldier; steals the fourth medal; threatens Dorothy and the young men with revolvers; escapes.

### [XV: The Kidnapping of Montfaucon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/xv-the-kidnapping-of-montfaucon)

Masterminds the kidnapping of Montfaucon as a leverage tactic, using the rope ladder for escape and orchestrating the ambush.

### [XVI: The Last Quarter of a Minute](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/xvi-the-last-quarter-of-a-minute)

Triumphant but uneasy, he attempts to force Dorothy to surrender the envelope and physically assaults her, but is disconcerted by her composure.

### [XVII: The Secret Perishes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/xvii-the-secret-perishes)

Outwitted by Dorothy's bluff, he escapes but vows to return for the diamonds and for her.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/characters/d_estreicher
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/characters