3. • Fouquet it was who discovered the King’s hidden twin and had him
thrown into dread Chateau D’If
4. • Fouquet too who has been conducting the nation-wide search since the youth’s
miraculous escape six months ago (See ‘Chateau D’If)
5. • Among the attendant courtiers are the Four Musketeers, newly returned from the English island of
Sark, beyond Fouquet’s reach – accompanied by a youth called ‘Auguste’ and Pathos’ niece, Louise De
La Valliere
6. • The musketeers’ plan kicks into action when a bucket boot
sends Louise’s pooch ‘Wuffles’ sailing out in front of the King
7. • Naturally Louise rushes to retrieve the mutt and comes eye-to-eye with Louis –
• the rest, as they say, is Geography, for Louise has the message for the troops and
Louis is instantly smitten like he has never been smited before
8. • Instantly obsessed Louis leads Louise towards the gardens – the one place in
a 17thC. Mansion where you can find a little privacy
9. • Designed by La Notre the gardens are full of sylvan arbours where a
gentleman can pen a love sonnet in peace or lovers can get on with some
serious hand-holding undisturbed
10. • Wuffles leads the way to the bower where Bathos, Chanel and the youth currently known as ‘Auguste’
lie in wait
11. • The lovers emerge looking a little dishevelled – serious hand-holding can do
that – Queen Anne, the Queen Mother and accomplice of the musketeers,
rushes to endorse the new friendship while Fouquet finds the King strangely
distant
12. The King returns to his carriage inviting Louise to join him. He will go on to fulfil all that Richelieu and
Mazarin have dreamed of, becoming ‘Le Soliel Roi’ the wonder of his age, with Louise La Valliere at his
side as ‘maitresse en titre’ – Wuffles and Dribble salute the new union
13. • Fouquet meanwhile is taken under arrest by Captain D’Artagnan, destined for the fortress of Pinerola
in French Savoy he will never see the light of day again
14. Shortly afterwards the missing prisoner is returned to Chateau D’If.
This time he will never be left alone, this time he wears an iron mask
to prevent all communication – ever.
15. • Inspired by the wonder of Faux, King Louis will go on to build his own palace, at
Versailles, using the same architect and gardener
16. • While Fouquet and the Man in the Iron mask at Chateau D’If will never be
heard of again