The double life by Gaston Leroux. Short summary

5 seconds

Theophrastus Longuet, after a visit to prison, discovers that he was a criminal in his past life. The man begins to suffer from a split personality, a former outlaw awakens in him.

1 minute

Parisian Theophrastus Longuet goes on an excursion to the Conciergerie prison. He discovers a secret connected with his past life. It turns out that he was a ferocious outlaw Cartouche. Gradually, a former criminal begins to awaken in the man. He takes control of Theophrastus’ body and commits violent crimes, which his wife and friend notice.

Theophrastus cannot resist his second self and breaks the law like a lunatic without realizing it. Some of his own shenanigans he cannot remember at all.

The hero tries to find valuables buried years ago, commits several murders. He begins to be pursued by the authorities, led by Commissar Mifroy. Theophrastus goes underground into the catacombs of Paris, where he finds a tribe of subterranean inhabitants.