The Washington herald., 1911-09-04
"MAN OF THE IRON MASK"
NOT BROTHER OF LOUIS

A contemporary French historian re-
veals what he believes to be the real
mystery of the Man in the Iron Mask" 4"
If what he publishes is true. the romance
upon which Dumas the elder based his
sequel to the Three Musketeers" ('Le
ViCtormte de Bragelonne'D has been ex-
.ploded by the discovery OF official docu-
ments in the archives of the Quai dor
sey. The tale as told by Alexandra Du-
mas is plain enough. In the Bastille
that fOrbidding fortress in the center of
Paris which was filled with dark. slImy,
rat-infested dungeons for political prison.
ers, there was incarcerated one whose
name was not known. who wore an iron
mask, which never was removed from
his face. but which enabled him TO eat; in
whose presence the guards, even to the
governor of the Bastlle. remained stand
ing: who was very fond of music and fine
clothes, and who was ever treated with
great consideration, but also with un-
ceaSlng vigilance.
This unfortunate man universally was
credited with bling the brother Of the
grand mOnarque," Louis XIV, or as
these princes were called under the Bour
bon dynasty, monsieur" Dumas tells
us that Anne of Austria, the mother Of
Louis XIV, bore twins and that in order
TO settle the question of succession to
the throne one of the infants was alb
Quoted Clandestinely. This child. who
was brought up by female servant in
the confidence Of the Queen and loyal to
her, upon attaining manhood became the
man in the iron mask. The occasional
meeting between mother and son in his
rural retreat as a youth. one interview
in particular, are masterfully depicted
by Dumas, that master Of romance. The
likeness of the man to his brother the
King. was responsible for the conceal
ment of his face.
But there was another version that
tells how Anne Of Austria bore a child
whose father was not her royal hus-
band, Louis XIII, but the handsome Eng
Iish Duke of buckingham, the most vi
vacious and most powerful. also the most
spoilt darling of the fair sex at the court
of King Charles II. and who II chronl-
clers of that day are to be beheVed' was
great favorite Of the French queen.
Still another report has It that the chlla
was the son of Cardinal Mazartn, with
whom Anne of Austria was on senti-
mental terms while he was Richelteus
successor, was prime minister, and TO
whom, after the death OF LOUIS MIL
she is said to have been secretly wedded.
Both of these tales, according TO the
latest researches and developments, are
obliterated. The mysterious prisoner is
now identified as a certain Count Mat
toll, born in 164O at Bologna, In Italy
and of ambitious and restless tempera-
ment. Duke Charles III of Mantua made
him his secretary of state, and he held
that high office also under the successor,
Duke Charles ". This latter ruler was
the owner of a fortified palace called
CasaIe, and Of that fortress Louis XIV
desired to have possession. The duke was
in need of funds and Count Mattioli was
approached. He was sent TO Paris was
graciously received by the King ana
loaded with presents. He sold the castle
OF Casale to France.
But on his return to Mantua he DIS
closed this alleged attempt to brioe him
and the entire disgraceful transaction to
Spain. Austria, and the principal states
of Italy. Thus. the grand monarque was
Casale remained in the pos
session, and Count Mattioli literally dis
closed himself as a double traitor. King
Louis was in a rage. He never forgaye
him and actually forgot his then favor
! g..