Chéri-Bibi and Cécily

Chéri-Bibi and Cécily (French: Chéri-Bibi et Cécily) is a 1916 adventure thriller novel by the French writer Gaston Leroux. A serial novel, it was the second of four works featuring the character of Chéri-Bibi.

Synopsis
Having previously been wrongly convicted and sent to a penal colony and escaped, Chéri-Bibi and his fellow escapees are now in control of a ship and considering a career in piracy. A chance encounter with the Marquis du Touchais, the unworthy husband of Cécily the woman he loves, alters his plans. He takes the place of the Marquis and returns to France to enjoy a new life there and seek revenge on the man responsible for his troubles.

Film adaptations
It was the inspiration for the 1931 American film The Phantom of Paris directed by John S. Robertson and starring John Gilbert as Chéri-Bibi and the 1955 French-Italian film Chéri-Bibi directed by Marcello Pagliero and featuring Jean Richard in the title role.