The Man In The Iron Mask

During his first few moments in the Bastille, King Louis earnestly believes he died and that this is hell. When the reality of his situation sets in, he breaks the wooden chair in his cell and uses it as a battering ram in an unsuccessful attempt to break down the door. He also breaks some of the glass in the window and tries to shout outside, but no one is outside to hear him. His beating and banging awaken other prisoners, who shout their displeasure at him through the floors and down the halls. When a man comes to bring him breakfast, King Louis demands to see Baisemeaux, but the jailer refuses and takes his knife away, assuming that his behavior is a sign of madness. In his office, Baisemeaux contemplates how long the prisoner will last if he has indeed gone mad.

D’Artagnan racks his brain for a proper way to carry out Fouquet’s arrest. He makes his way to Fouquet’s room while he is readying himself for bed. D’Artagnan simply states that he intends to sit in Fouquet’s room and keep watch while he sleeps, but Fouquet quickly determines that D’Artagnan is there to arrest him, and he asks him to summon Aramis. While D’Artagnan is out, Fouquet gathers many important papers and burns them in the fireplace. D’Artagnan returns to find Fouquet sitting exactly where he left him, but D’Artagnan says he knows Fouquet used the brief time he was gone to burn those papers. D’Artagnan also tells him that Aramis was not in his room, much to Fouquet's surprise. The two resolve to stay in the room until morning; Fouquet falls asleep in his bed, and D’Artagnan falls asleep in the armchair by the door.

Philippe takes his brother’s place in the king’s room. He feels uncomfortable in his brother’s bed and cannot sleep. In the morning, Aramis comes to greet him. Philippe is anxious about what to do with Porthos, but Aramis assures him that Porthos poses no threat to their plan. In Fouquet’s room, D’Artagnan explains to Fouquet how his sword sometimes drops to a lower facet on his belt or slips in its scabbard and how the sword’s behavior signals to him that he must do something disagreeable that day. D’Artagnan suspects he will arrest someone today—but having already arrested Fouquet the night before, D’Artagnan is uncertain who he could possibly be meant to arrest today. He leaves Fouquet’s room and goes to see the king. Aramis opens the door and explains that the king does not wish to be disturbed yet, as he is tired from the night before. D’Artagnan is confused by this, even more so when Aramis presents him with the king’s order to pardon Fouquet. D’Artagnan and Aramis go to Fouquet’s room to release him.

After Fouquet sees the official pardon, Aramis dismisses D’Artagnan. In private, Fouquet questions the sudden change in the king’s behavior. Aramis explains that the proof Colbert had was merely a record of funds receipts stolen from Fouquet in the first place and that Colbert had presented as new the old, stolen letter from Fouquet to La Valliere. Fouquet still insists upon hearing an explanation for the king’s changed mind, and he further wants to know why the king wanted him to know the reasons behind his arrest, which Aramis is now telling him. Aramis simply responds that the king did not ask him to explain anything (182). Aramis explains his and Philippe’s plan, much to Fouquet’s astonishment. At first, Fouquet is ready to help Aramis switch the kings; however, once Aramis tells him the switch has already occurred, Fouquet becomes upset. The two almost fight, as Fouquet sees Aramis’s action as an extreme dishonor under his roof. Fouquet tells Aramis to leave his house immediately. Aramis wakes Porthos; they procure horses from the stable and ride off. Fouquet leaves separately by carriage.