The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-15

facts which are known concerhihs t.iis
remarkable state prisoner are known Win
accuracy He first was conhnee Dy inc
French government at Pignerol, in savoy,
in 1879. He was removed to the prison
OF exiles In 1881. In 1857 he was removed
to the fortress of Sainte-Marguerte IN
the Mediterranean. In 1893 lie was re-
moved to the Bastile where he died on
November g. 1903 He always wore a
mask of iron. or some say OF black Vei-
We: over his face. To establish ms loen-
tit-- volumes have been written and much
learned research has been made, but all
Z, no definite account. The popular be-
lief Is the one adopted by Dumas for his
story-that the prisoner was a twin
brother of Louis XIV. Perhaps he was
right; who shall say? Sometimes pop
uar belief sprung from thousands OF
obscure and unknown sources comes
nearer to arriving at the truth than can
the most profound research. The Man
in the Iron Mask" is one of Dumas best
known works. and his character draw
ins of Fouuuet, Colbert and Louis is a
masterpiece of historic fiction.
K n D'HERBLAY, Bishop of Vannes.
MI he who once had been Aramis
1V1 the handsome of the famous
Three Guardsmen, came in haste to SAINT
Mande. where NJ. Fouquet, Superinteno-
ent of the Finances of France, was en-
pertaining at dinner a select party Oh
chose enicureans whom he delighted to
feast AS he was announced the cold
face of Aramls appeared at the door OF
the banquet hall. between the faded gar
lands. which, having caught fre from
poorly placed lamp had partially burned
and fallen down. 1t was gay ana rols-
fering company and Fouauet was not the
least CAV among them; but at sight OF
mo marble visage of Aramis he collected
himself with an effort and said; Are you
ro.ne TO ioin us? And yet you would be
frightened, perhaps, at the din our wild
friends are making tonight My lord'
returned Aranis, II will begin by begging
vou to excuse me for interrupting TINS
merry party. and then I will beg you TO
give me, as soon as pleasure is hmshed,
n moments audience on business AL
The word business Fouquet- arose ana
sid: Business first. NJ. dHerblay; and
we are only too happy when business
arrives at the end instead Oh the De
stunning of our meal" Then, taking the
arm of the Bishop. he bowed to the
connany and led the former musketeer
to retired room.
Aramis told his story shortly and forc-
ihly. An old intriguante of the reign OF
his late majesty. Louis XIV, one VINO
had PLAYED a part in the many adven-
tu-es of the Three Guardsmen. Porthos,
Athos and Aramis, and their inseperaoie
I, aft.i
absence from France. reappeared. Every
bodv had supposed her dead put no"
old. shorn of wealth and power, she nae
come back to France to traffic In TN
secrets of which she had become pos
sessed while the Duchess de Chevereus'
was a lady of the court. not AFRAID ever
tn measure strength or fnesse with ths
treat Richelieu or to make herself one
of his instruments in working the will OF
that mighty statesman.
What she had to sell was packet OF
letters written by Cardinal Mazarin, VINO
after the death of Richelieu, had succeed
ed to his power and, under Anne or Aus
tria. had, during her regency and the MI
nority of Louis XIV directed the AFFAIR:
of France The duchess had at one time
been a great friend of Mazarin. These
letters showed that Fouquet had received
from the government 100000 francs FOL
which he had made no accounting.
Fououet would buy the letters they were
his. If not NJ Colbert, his subordinate
and rival, would be offered them. Int
Duchess spoke frankly. She was ousi
ness-like woman and did not waste words
She had made an appointment with Ara
mtg in order to lay the matter before him
because as all France knew the Bishop o.
vsrres was the closest friend and adviser
Of the superintendent.
In old times the then young guardsmai
had not been insensible to the charms o
the Duchess de Chevereuse But Aramii
and M. d'Herblay. Bishop of Vannes
were two different persons. The pishol
had heard her coldly and had refused It
Inv the papers He had followed hel
seeretlv when she left the place of theii
meeting to visit the house of M Colbert
where, Aramis was certain, she mad con
Guided her bargain. This was the matter
for which he had Interrupted the merry
fIpner of NJ. Fouauet.
AForouet heard Aramis through ane
then laughed. "Why. my dear bishop
he said. "the thing Is preposterous. Yot
ala well not to traffic with that ancient
Iezebel. Thirteen millions? Let me see
An. I remember. Mazarin-heaven resI
his soul!-made a profit of 100000 upor
4 concession of land in the Valtelline. Ht
Cancelled them in the registry OF receipts
ssnt them to me and then made me ad
vance them for war purposes. have
his receipt right there. I am a method
cal man, M d'Herbilay, and can put my
hand on 1t at once. 1t is in this drawer
The superintendent opened a secret draw
or in his desk and felt for the desired
naner. He felt in vain. Then he made {
thorough search. IN. dHerblay' sale
he, 1.-THE receipt has been stolen from me
rrhe letters of the Duchess are of some
value. Legal proceedings will be insti
tinted against mel, who never took
dishonest franc in my life! Scandal ant
dishonor will follow. And all this will
fail ,,pon me like a thunderbolt, harshly
pitiIessly. blindly." Fouquet sat trem
bling in his chair.
''You are about to give great enter
tninment to his majesty at your villa o.
vaux" said Arams II was" replied
Fcrouet. but now Take my advice,
paitl Aramis. "Give it. Make it as splen
did as you can. Ruin yourself If neces
nary. will take care of the rest and
W. will triumph yet. If you have not thu
/. money l will procure it for you. II dc
not understand this matter" replied
F'ouquet. but you have the clearer, tht
more delicate mind of the two. You shall