Monsieur Lecoq · Chapter
XXXV explained
Baron d'Escorval and Corporal Bavois make a perilous descent from the tower, but the rope is cut, causing the baron to fall.
What happens
Baron d'Escorval and Corporal Bavois make a perilous descent from the tower, but the rope is cut, causing the baron to fall. Bavois barely saves himself and discovers the sabotage. Meanwhile, Abbé Midon leads the baron's party to Poignot's cottage, where Jean Lacheneur is already hidden. Poignot agrees to shelter the baron. The fugitives continue toward the frontier, learning of the massacre at Montaignac. Bavois rejoins Maurice and Marie-Anne, and they proceed together.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
The party uses a litter and a false wounded man (Corporal Bavois) to mislead the Duc de Sairmeuse's spies.
Fate and Coincidence
The rope is cut by unknown enemies, nearly causing the baron's death; later, the innkeeper's news of the massacre adds to the fugitives' peril.
Justice and Moral Ambiguity
Poignot wrestles with the risk of sheltering rebels, ultimately choosing courage; the officers aid the baron out of loyalty to a fallen ruler.
Characters to notice
- Baron d'Escorval
Survives a fall from the tower after the rope is cut; is carried to Poignot's cottage and hidden in the loft.
- Corporal Bavois
Braces himself to lower the baron, discovers the rope was cut, narrowly avoids falling, and later rejoins Maurice and Marie-Anne.
- Abbé Midon
Leads the party to Poignot's cottage, arranges shelter for the baron, and organizes the deception with the litter.
- Maurice d'Escorval
Accompanies his father's rescue; parts with the officers who helped them; continues with Marie-Anne and Bavois.
- Marie-Anne Lacheneur
Pale and exhausted, she trembles on Maurice's arm as they travel toward the frontier.
- Jean Lacheneur
Already hidden in Poignot's loft with a sword-thrust wound; the priest hopes Poignot will shelter the baron as well.
Key passages
“The sudden parting of the rope hurled the brave corporal rudely against the tower wall, then he was thrown forward by the rebound. His unalterable sangfroid was all that saved him.”
When the rope snapped, Bavois was flung against the wall and nearly fell, but his cool composure kept him alive.
Highlights Bavois's steady nerve in a life-threatening moment.
“The innkeeper informed them of the bloody massacre at Montaignac. With tears rolling down his cheeks, he related the details of the execution, which he had heard from an eyewitness.”
The innkeeper tearfully told the fugitives about the brutal executions at Montaignac, as described by someone who saw it.
Reveals the grim news that reaches the party at the inn.
“Among the two thousand peasants who believed that this wounded man was Baron d’Escorval, there was not one who turned informer or let drop an indiscreet word.”
Not a single peasant among the two thousand who thought the litter held the baron betrayed the secret.
Shows the solidarity and silence of the local population.