AN OLD MYSTERY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 73, 9 November 1911, Page 7

AN OLD MYSTERY.

In the current number of the “Papyrus” (says “M. A. P.”), Mr. Michael iVionohan reveals what he believes to 00 tiie real secret of tJie celeorateu ••'Man in the Iron Mask.” He claims Mat the whole romance on which the elder Dumas based his sequel to the •Three Musketeers” has been exploded by the discovery of official ciocumonts in the archives of the French' Foreign Office. The story, as told by Dumas is simple. In the Pastille there 1 was a prisoner wnose name no one knew. He wore an iron mask which was never removed from his face, but which enabled him to cat, in whose prescence the warders frequently remained standing who was exceedingly fond of music and fine clothes and who was treated with great consideration,’ though at the same time with great vigilance.

This unfortunate man was credited with being the brother or half-brother of Louis XIV himself. Lumas in his verison of the legend makes out that Anno of Austria bore twins and that in order to settle the question of the succession to the throne, One of the Babies were Secretly Abducted. In later years he became the “The Man in the Iron Mask,” whose extraordinary likeness to Louis XIV'. ‘ was responsible for the concealment of his face. The other reason of the story is that Anne of Austria bore an illegitimate child either by the Luke of Buckingham or by Cardinal Mazarin with both of whom she was known to have been on sentimental terms. Both these tales are according to the “Papyrus,” obliterated by the most recent researches. The secret prisoner is now indentified as a certain Count Mattioli, born in 1640 at Bologna. He was an Italian of ambitious and restless temperament. Luke Charles 111. of Mantua made him Secretary of State—an office which he held) under Charles IV. Charles IV was 1 tllb owner of a fortified palace called Casale of which Louis XIV. desired to:have possession. Luke Charles wasiff want of money and Mattioli was approached He was sent tod.Par is was graciously received by Louis, was loaded with presents and lie sold Casale to France. On his return to Mantua he quietly disclosed the whole disgrace!id t bargain to Spain, Austrid 1 , 1 find the pi-ih-cipal Italian States, Louig XIV was thus checkmated. Casale remained with Mantua and Count Mattioli be--1 came literally -a doliblo-dyed Traitor. Louis never forgave the mah. j. On May 2, 1679, the unfortunate .Count was inviegled by f| certain ecclesiastics to the frontier between Turin, and Franco. He was forcibly arrested and Thrown Into the Dungeon of Plgnsrcl. Louis himself wrote the instructions “Look to it,” ran the closing words of the warrant, “that no one knows what became of this man.” SaintMars (the Governor of Pignerol) was ordered to “guard him in such a-man-ner that not only may he have no. communication witli anyone but that lie may have cause to repent his conduct. and that no one may know you have a new prisoner.” Reference was made to him always as Lestang. His wife died in a convent without knowing a word of his fate. For years Louis pursued him with maligant instructions “It is not the intention of the King” wrote Louvois “that the Sieur de Lestang should be well treated or or that except the absolute accessories of life you should give him anything to soften his captivity.” A little later he wrote:— “Ton must keep Lestang in the ngorous confinement which I enjoined m my former letters.” Again Saint-Mars is ordered to “treat such a rascal as he deserved,” and to “see that no one ever learns what your ancient prisoner has done. On September IS, 1698, Mattioli was challenged in nine years, and his major lodged in Bastile, the journey to Paris being “accomplished in such ;■ manner that he shall be seen by no ■ one.” On November 19, 1703, the man died, the register identifying him as “the prisoner unknown, masked always with a mask of black velvet, whom M. de Saint-Mars (the Governor) brought with him from the Isles of Saint-Marguerite, and whom ho had for rt long time.” He was buried in the churchyard of St. Paul. “History,” says Mr Monahan, “adds one more cruel and ironical touch to this true tale of the Man in the Iron Mask.” At the very

hour of his unheeded death in the Bastile, his former lord and master, Duke Charles of Mantua, arrived on a v isit to Louis XIA T . Monsieur Topin conjectures that they were perhaps feasting amid the riches of the Luxembourg Palace, scarce a bowshot distant, when the body of their ancient intermediary, dupe and victim was being trailed in the dust bv f.wo turnkeys to its obscure grave.” You are interested in photography aren’t you? You are looking forward to pleasant hours spent with your camera during the coming summer? Picnics, country rambles, family reunions, and other subjects that afford many an opportunity for a picture come with the hot weather. There are good times coming alright for the man or girl with the camera. Have you a camera though P Or are you well supplied with the necessary accessories ? Send for our big book dealing with every phase of photography and lose no time in making preparations for the coming holiday season. Within the 390 pages of our big photographic book you will find par ticulars regarding every camera and photo appliance—all your requirements are there listed and priced. Send a half-penny post-card to-day for this splendid free book. Harrinp ton’s N.Z. Ltd., successors to Imperi nl Camera Co., 42, Willis Street, Wei lington.*