Section 23 Summary

"The Secret"

The title of this section refers to the secret of the Montglane Service. The quotes at the beginning of this section refer to the ultimate realization of the power of numbers - that through the proper and enlightened manipulation of mathematics, deep universal truths can and will be understood.

October 1798. Alexander, grandson of Catherine the Great and fated to be Russia's ruler, learns from his hysterical father Paul (Catherine's heir) that the Abbess is imprisoned, and has for years refused to speak of the Service. Paul tells Alexander he has one of its pieces, ranting hysterically about how it represents the power of the Service and how he needs that power to defeat Napoleon, who is marching with an army across Europe. Upon leaving his father, Alexander rides deep into the forest where he meets Mireille, Shahin and Charlot. Dialogue between...