# The Last Link explained — The Slaves of Paris

> Chapter companion for The Slaves of Paris by Émile Gaboriau.

## What happens

Mascarin assembles his confederates—Hortebise, Paul, and Catenac—to finalize their schemes. He reveals that the Mussidans have yielded to the marriage with Croisenois, and that he has deciphered a cryptogram linking the Duke and Duchess of Champdoce to a long-hidden secret, with the final link provided by Caroline Schimmel. He threatens Catenac for his treachery and presents the full manuscript of the Champdoce mystery.

## Themes in this chapter

### Blackmail and Corruption

Mascarin's entire scheme relies on blackmailing the Duke and Duchess of Champdoce and the Mussidans, using deciphered letters and secrets.

### Deception and Secrecy

The cryptogram, the hidden scar, and the long-concealed family secret all underscore the theme of deception.

### Power and Manipulation

Mascarin manipulates Catenac, Hortebise, and Paul, threatening Catenac with total ruin to ensure obedience.

## Character check-ins

### Baptiste Mascarin

Reveals the deciphered cryptogram and the full Champdoce secret; threatens Catenac with exposure.

### Dr. Hortebise

Reports that the Countess de Mussidan has agreed to the marriage; present during the cipher revelation.

### Paul Violaine

Arrives timidly; congratulated on winning Flavia Rigal's affections; reads the Champdoce manuscript aloud.

### Catenac

Accused of treachery for withholding the scar clue; threatened by Mascarin with ruin.

### Caroline Schimmel

Referred to as the one who, under the influence of drink, revealed the final link in the Champdoce secret.

## Key lines

> Suppose, Catenac, that I were to tell you that I know far more of the Champdoce matter than you do; for, after all, your knowledge is only derived from what the Duke has told you.

Mascarin asserts that his own investigation into the Champdoce affair is far deeper than Catenac's, which is based solely on the Duke's account.

_Highlights Mascarin's superior knowledge and control over the conspiracy._

> Accidentally I held the piece of paper between myself and the light, with the side on which the writing was turned from me, and read it at once. It was a cryptogram of the simplest kind, as the letters forming the words were simply reversed.

Mascarin describes how he accidentally discovered that the cipher was merely a reversal of letters, revealing the message 'Mercy, I am innocent. Give me back our son.'

_Reveals the method by which Mascarin unlocked the Champdoce secret._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxvii-the-last-link
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters