Alexandre Dumas

The Man in the Iron Mask Annotated and Illustrated Edition Alexandre Dumas

"The Man in the Iron Mask" is a historical fiction novel, written by Alexandre Dumas, that takes place in the 1600s in France. Aramis, one of the former musketeers and a bishop, goes to the Bastille to visit Philippe, the imprisoned twin brother of the current king, Louis XIV. He tells Philippe that he can put him on the throne, switching him with his brother. Philippe is apprehensive at first, but Aramis insists the two men can do great things together. At a party in Vaux, thrown by Fouquet, one of the king's advisors, Aramis plans to make the switch. The king is not pleased with the party's lavishness, and uses missing money from the treasury as a reason to arrest Fouquet. He tells D'Artagnan, the captain of the musketeers and friend of Athos, Porthos, and Athos, to watch over Fouquet during the night until the king makes a final decision. Aramis kidnaps Louis XIV and puts Philippe in his place. Philippe, as king, says he will not arrest Fouquet. Aramis, overjoyed that his plan has worked and his friend is free, tells Fouquet about the switch of kings, but Fouquet quickly goes to free the king and set things right. Aramis and another former musketeer, Porthos, are forced to flee to Belle-Isle, one of Fouquet's islands. The king does not immediately arrest Fouquet, taking all his money before finally doing so. D'Artagnan chases after Fouquet on horseback and brings him in for the king.