Note: dragon volant means "flying dragon".
Major characters:
Richard Beckett - 23, Englishman, wealthy, and speaks fluent French. He's the protagonist.
Marquis d'Harmonville (also named Monsieur Droqville, also named Doctor Planard)-
French associate of the Count. He's a mentor/trickster
Count de St. Alyre - An old man, usually dressed in black. He's a trickster/antagonist.
Countess de St. Alyre - A young very attractive woman, usually dressed in black. She's an attractor/trickster/antagonist.
St. Clair - RB's servant
Colonel Gaillarde - A military officer who hates the Count and Countess.
Magician - an oracle (the Countess in disguise)
Mademoiselle de la Valiere - a friend of the Countess (the Countess in disguise)
Russian officer - man who searched RB's papers while he was in a catatonic state in his carriage (the Countess in disguise)
Tom Whistlewick - a friend of RB's
Monsieur Carmaignac - A friend of Tom's, who ultimately saves RB
Chapter 1: We are introduced to Richard Beckett is 23, Englishman, wealthy, and speaks fluent French. He is 6' tall, a good boxer, and is considered attractive. He helps a broken down carriage, carrying a well-dressed old man and a veiled, mysterious beautiful young woman. From their dress and the stork decoration on their carriage, they appear to be nobility. Both thanked him for his help. The old man had a reedy and nasal voice, while the woman's was a sweet semi-contralto. Fascinated by the woman, RB discretely followed them to an old inn, the Belle Etoile ("beautiful star").
Chapter 2: RB walked into her room in the inn (the door was open) and stared at her while she read a letter. When she discovered his presence, she asked him to leave, but thanked him again for his help. RB took a room in the same inn one floor above them and bribed a helper of the couple to discover info about them. He learned they are called the Count and Countess (we later learn her name is Eugenie and he is the Count de St. Alyre). RB paid his servant, St. Clair, to learn more.
Chapter 3: Just before dinner, out of his open window, he hears the Countess, near her open window one floor below, sing this strange song:
Watch and wait in ambuscade;
At early morn, or else belated,
They meet and mark the man or maid.
Burning sigh, or breath that freezes,
Numbs or maddens man or maid;
Death or Love the victim seizes,
Breathing from their ambuscade."
Chapter 4: On the steps of the hotel, he meets a tall and elegant gentleman, who appeared to be about fifty, the Marquis d'Harmonville also called Monsieur Droqville. Droqville asked if RB was Mr. Beckett. RB said yes. Droqville gives RB a letter from "Lord R----", who knows Beckett. The letter starts "My Dear Beckett," and spoke very highly of the Marquis d'Harmonville, but also gave some private details not connected with Beckett. Puzzled, Beckett sees the letter is not to him but to "George Stanhope Beckett, Esq., M.P." He tells Droqville of the embarrassing mistake and promises to keep the private information in the letter confidential. They become friends as a result. The Marquis took his leave, going up the stairs of the Belle Etoile. (This may have been an elaborate set-up to ensnare RB to trust Droqville, who ends up being an accomplice with the Count.) RB continues down the steps to look at the Countess' carriage again. There he meets a strange French officer with the palest face RB ever saw. It was broad, ugly, and malignant. He was six feet high and across the nose and eyebrow there was a deep scar, which made the repulsive face even grimmer. (We learn later that his name is Colonel Gaillarde.) As they look at the stork emblem on the carriage, the officer says "See, Monsieur; when a man like me--a man of energy, you understand, a man with all his wits about him, a man who has made the tour of Europe under canvas, and, parbleu! often without it--resolves to discover a secret, expose a crime, catch a thief, spit a robber on the point of his sword, it is odd if he does not succeed. Ha! ha! ha! Adieu, Monsieur!" Colonel Gaillarde stomps off.
Chapter 5: RB heads back to the Belle Etoile for dinner. About thirty people had gathered in the dining room, but the Count and Countess were not there. RB sat next to the Marquis d'Harmonville. Droqville warns RB of villany, especially at the gaming tables. RB confesses he arrived in France with a purse of thirty thousand pounds sterling. Droqville confessed that, in a gambling house, he "was saved from ruin by a gentleman whom, ever since, I have regarded with increasing respect and friendship." Namely, the Comte de St. Alyre, who Droqville describes as "the very soul of honor, and the most sensible man in the world". Further, he describes the Count's wife, the Countess as "in every way worthy of so good a man." On the other side of RB, Colonel Gaillarde sits and dominates the conversation by explicit description of his war wounds and experiences. Droqville leaves. At the end of several long monologues, the Colonel asked RB who traveled in the carriage with the stork emblem. RB said "I rather think the Count and Countess de St. Alyre." The Colonel began "muttering to himself, and grinning and scowling." Dinner was over and the guests dispersed.
Chapter 6: RB sat in an arm chair, drank wine and fell asleep. He had a strange dream that he was in a "huge cathedral, without light, except from four tapers that stood at the corners of a raised platform hung with black, on which lay, draped also in black, what seemed to me the dead body of the Countess de St. Alyre. The place seemed empty, it was cold ..." RB awakes and find the Colonel looking at him. The Colonel makes odd statements about gathering clues regarding the Count and Countess. RB leaves the inn and meets Droqville in the town. They talk about leaving for Paris the next day. They also discuss the Colonel, who Droqville describes as "a little mad." They go their separate ways. Back at his inn, RB talks to a waiter:
RB: "Is he perfectly in his right mind?"
Waiter: "Perfectly, Monsieur."
RB: "Has he been suspected at any time of being out of his mind?"
Waiter: "Never, Monsieur; he is a little noisy, but a very shrewd man."
But then, in the hall of the old inn, the Colonel confronts the Count and Countess. The Colonel's sword was drawn in his hand, and he said: "You! you! both--vampires, wolves, ghouls. Summon the gendarmes, I say. By St. Peter and all the devils, if either of you try to get out of that door I'll take your heads off." RB steps between the Count and the Colonel. RB hits the Colonel twice in the head with his walking stick, knocking him out. The Count rushed out into his carriage. RB escorts the Countess to the carriage. She gives RB a white rose as a present for saving them.
Chapter 7: Droqville has rented the last of the carriage horses, RB must travel wth Droqville in his carriage to Paris. The Colonel is taken to his room, unconscious, cared for by "a bald-headed little military surgeon of sixty". During the trip, RB asked about the Countess: "Has he not a daughter?" Droqville replied: "Yes; I believe a very beautiful and charming young lady--I cannot say--it may have been she, his daughter by an earlier marriage." (Clearly, based on later info, a distraction.) They drank coffee (later w learn RB's was drugged) then Droqville read letters from a locked box, and RB "slept" (though aware of his surroundings).
Chapter 8: RB and Droqville arrived at their hotel in Paris (the Dragon Volant) and RB is still asleep/drugged (though aware of his surroundings). While Droqville exits, "a total stranger got in [his carriage] silently and shut the door." Here we learn "he was a young man ..." (but later it is explained that the person is the Countess). When RB recovered, he disclosed the experience to Droqville. Droqville said he hear of a similar "attack", who never experienced it again. This comforted RB.
Chapter 9: RB arrived in his room, looking out his hotel window upon Paris, when Droqville visited him. Droqville insisted that RB not venture out to gamble without him, and that Droqville would provide all the introductions he needed. RB asked about the Count and Countess and we learn (a) she is unhappy, (b) he wants her to sell her diamonds (worth a million francs), (c) they do not socialize much. Again, warning RB not to venture out without him, Droqville leaves.
Chapter 10: Two days later, Droqville visited him again. There is a masked ball on Wed and he wants RB to go with him. RB says he can't, as he's seeing friends that day. Droqville got very upset and coerced RB into cancelling his engagement to attend the ball. Droqville then told RB to book a hotel in Versailles for the night of the ball. RB left soon afterwards to try to find a hotel room but all the inns were booked. RB happened upon Droqville (surely Droqville was following RB), who told RB that there was a room reserved at Le Dragon Volant for him. Droqville took him to the Dragon Volant and they made arrangements on what costumes they would wear to the masked ball, so they could meet up there.
Chapter 11: At the DV, RB is shown to his room by the host. The host tells RB that the inn is owned by the Count de St. Alyre. Outside RB's window he sees a small park with the a run down house called the Chateau de la Carque. RB is told that the Count is staying there. The host leaves and RB's servant St Clair enters. St Clair tells RB of a story of a man who stayed at the DV and disappeared afterwards.
Chapter 12: "No more brilliant spectacle than this masked ball could be imagined. Among other salons and galleries, thrown open, was the enormous Perspective of the "Grande Galerie des Glaces," lighted up on that occasion with no less than four thousand wax candles, reflected and repeated by all the mirrors, so that the effect was almost dazzling." RB soon met Droqville, who arrived with the Count and Countess. Droqville introduced RB to the Count, who remembered him from the Belle Etoile inn. The Count offered to introduce RB to his wife, the Countess, when she was available. Droqville then asked the Count to see "the magician", who can answer any question asked of him. The three of them went to "the magician". The oracle was dressed, very richly, in the Chinese fashion. The Count (disguised by his mask) asked "the magician" several questions. The magician replied that in ways embarrassing to the Count (eg, that the Count loved his wife's diamonds more than her and that they argued about their marriage document, signed 25th July, 1811.
Chapter 13: The magician also talked to Colonel Gaillarde, who's mask did not disguise him from RB, and to RB himself.
Colonel: "Whom do I pursue at present?"
Magician: "An Englishman, whom if you catch, he will kill you; and a French widow, whom if you find, she will spit in your face."
The Colonel left.
RB: "Have I ever learned any words of devotion by heart?"
Magician: "Yes, approach."
RB did. The man with the black wand closed the curtains, and the magician said these words:
Magician: "I may never see you more; and, oh! I that I could forget you!--go--farewell--for God's sake, go!"
These were the last words whispered to RB by the Countess. Droqville and RB follow the Count to look for the Countess.
Chapter 14: Droqville told RB to wait in a room called the "Salon d'Apollon". RB sat on a sofa next to a young woman disguised as "Mademoiselle de la Valiere". We learn later that she is the Countess de St. Alyre in disguise. They talk, in very respectful tones, about the Countess, who the "Mademoiselle de la Valiere" claims is a close friend. The Mademoiselle tells RB: "You shall meet her at two o'clock this morning in the Park of the Château de la Carque." This obviously made RB very happy.
Chapter 15: On the way back to the DV, at around midnight, RB ran into an English friend Tom Whistlewick and his friend Monsieur Carmaignac. Carmaignac told RB of two strange disappearances at the DV about four years ago. Both were wealthy men who suddenly and mysteriously vanished. Carmaignac also said that the room in the DV they vanished from was in the back of the inn, upstairs to the right - the same room RB has. Tom and Carmaignac had to go but the agreed to talk more the next day.
Chapter 16: The DV closed its doors at 3am or so. RB's meeting with the Countess was at 2am. RB got changed, packing 2 pistols for protection, and left his room for the park of the Château de la Carque. There he met the "Mademoiselle de la Valiere", who now confessed to RB that she is the Countess. RB promised to be her "slave", They agreed to meet the next night when she would give him more details of her plan. She hinted that she wants to leave the Count.
Chapter 17: Droqville called on RB early the next day and asked if RB was going to Paris. RB said yes. Droqville asked to share RB's carriage, as his had an accident. They went to Paris and to RB's hotel room there. There the Count was waiting for him. The Count was wearing his arm in a cast and wanted a favor. Droqville said he's be happy to but it would have to wait until later that day, as he had to leave immediately to meet some people. RB offered his help. Droqville left. The Count explained that a relative died and he needed to fill out a form, and pay some fees, but couldn't because of his arm sprain. RB took the money from the Count and took care of the funeral
preparations for the Count's dead relative. The Count left in his carriage. RB finished his own banking affairs and then took his carriage back to the DV.
Chapter 18: Back at the DV, the next night RB had dinner with his friends, including Carmaignac. Carmaignac told RB about yet another strange disappearance of a wealthy person from the DV room RB was in. After that (long) story was relayed, RB's friends left and RB, once again, prepared to meet the Countess in the park near the DV. On the way to the park, RB saw Colonel Gaillarde (but CG did not see RB). CG was meeting someone else, but the two of them walked in a different direction that that taken by RB.
Chapter 19: RB meets the Countess. She said: "Richard, I must speak plainly. The crisis of my life has come. I am sure you would defend me. I think you pity me; perhaps you even love me." The Countess showed RB a necklace of diamonds. She says she will sell the diamonds and they will share the wealth after she runs away from her tyrant husband. They plan to leave when the Count is at his relative's funeral. the Countess then said: "My only difficulty, is how we shall quickly enough convert my diamonds into money; I dare not remove them while my husband is in the house."
RB volunteered thirty thousand pounds to help. She then gave RB a key. It was a double key -- a long, slender stem, with a key at each end--one about the size which opens an ordinary room door; the other as small, almost, as the key of a dressing-case. She then said: "You cannot employ too much caution tomorrow night. An interruption would murder all my hopes. I have learned that you occupy the haunted room in the Dragon Volant. It is the very room I would have wished you in. I will tell you why -- there is a story of a man who, having shut himself up in that room one night, disappeared before morning. The truth is, he wanted, I believe, to escape from creditors; and the host of the Dragon Volant at that time, being a rogue, aided him in absconding. My husband investigated the matter, and discovered how his escape was made. It was by means of this key. ..." They departed, to meet again soon.
Chapter 20: Back at the DV, RB met an old woman in his room who added wood to his heater. She: "These old eyes saw you in the park of the château tonight. It avails nothing, Monsieur; I know why you stay here; and I tell you to begone. Leave this house tomorrow morning, and never come again." Near the window was a wood slide revealing a key-hole. Using the Countess' key, a door in the panel opened, showing a narrow, arched doorway, within which was a stone spiral staircase. With a candle, RB descended the stairs to the ground floor, where the other end of the Countess' key opened a door outside. RB made his way outside then, satisfied with his experiment, returned to his
room the way he came.
Chapter 21: RB told his inn host he planned a trip and would be gone for a week. RB traveled to Paris and withdrew 30000 pounds, placed in a strong-box. Afterwards, he walked around and happened to see, in an antique store, Droqville and Colonel Gaillarde talking together. RB was able to sneak away unseen. RB returned to the Dragon Volant, where he summoned St Clair, his servant. He told St Clair he planned a trip and would be gone for a week and gave him 50 pounds for the weeks expenses. After St Clair left, RB departed out the secret passageway from his room.
Chapter 22: RB went to the meeting place and waited for a signal from the Countess. When he saw it, he approached the Chateau de la Carque. As RB ascended some steps, the Countess appeared and said: "Richard, dearest Richard, come, oh! come! how I have longed for this moment!" She exhibited her diamonds and he produced his strng-box of 30000 pounds. There was a knock at the door. The Countess said: "I know who this is. My trusty maid, who is coming with us." After a whispered conversation, "She is bringing some coffee to the next room." The Countess then left to talk further wither her maid. There was a door at the other end. RB took a candle, opened the
door and walked into the room.
Chapter 23: On a narrow table, lay a coffin. According to a plate on the coffin, this was the body of the Count's dead relative. Strange, as the Countess earlier said that the Count had already left for the funeral. Returning to the first room, he met the Countess de St. Alyre, who detected in RB's face some evidence of what had happened. The Countess' excuse: (paraphrasing slightly) "The body did not arrive till eight or ten minutes after the Count set out. He was afraid lest the people at the cemetery should suppose that the funeral was postponed. He knew that the remains of poor Pierre would certainly reach this tonight, although an unexpected delay has occurred; and there are reasons why he wishes the funeral completed before tomorrow. ... It is the last time, I shall ever practice a deception on my brave and beautiful Richard -- my hero! Am I forgiven?" The coffee and some liquor arrived. The Countess served RB both coffee and liquor. Finally, the Countess gives Richard her name - Eugenie. After telling her how impatient RB was to set out upon their journey, an odd sensation ("a sudden constraint of the brain") overcame RB. Once the Countess had convinced herself that RB was in a frozen catatonic state, she rang a handball two or three times sharply.
Chapter 24: The door to the room with the coffin opened and the Count enters. The Count praised the Countess for her good work. They counted his money.
Chapter 25: The door to the room with the coffin opened and Droqville entered. The Count called him "Planard," and also "doctor". They discussed ow much poison the Countess gave to RB. They said the amount given should "evaporate" from RB's body after 7 hours. The Countess left and they started to undress RB.
Chapter 26: They placed RB in the coffin, which it turns out was empty. The put his clothes and pocket belongings in a "press" (some kind of storage box). Droqville, ie Doctor Planard, said he would go to the hall to summon the men who were to carry the coffin out and place it in the hearse. Droqville returned and said: "Monsieur le Comte, I am sorry to have to announce to you a most unseasonable interruption. Here is Monsieur Carmaignac, a gentleman holding an office in the police department, who says that information to the effect that large quantities of smuggled English and other goods have been distributed in this neighborhood, and that a portion of them is concealed in your house." Carmaignac said: "The Count de St. Alyre will pardon me ... I am instructed to make a general search ..." Eventually, Carmaignac discovered that RB was in the coffin, and was still alive. RB was saved and the Count and Countess were arrested. The Countess admitted she, admirably disguised, had rifled my papers in the carriage on my night-journey to Paris. She also had figured as the magician at the masked ball at Versailles.
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