Saint-Mars arrives at the Isles Sainte-Marguerite, which as yet had not been used as a State Prison, as they are at present.[579] Obeying Louvois’ orders he causes some new buildings to be erected,[580] in which he receives in turns various prisoners, especially Protestant ministers.[581] Does the gaoler’s behaviour change at this period? Is it then that we find a trace of those peculiarities which are so abundantly proved, and which form one of the characteristic features of the story of the Man with the Iron Mask? The following despatch from Barbézieux to Saint-Mars will furnish us with an answer:-- “At the Camp before Namur, June 29, 1692.[582] “I have received your letter of the fourth of this month. When any of the prisoners confided to your care will not do what you order them, or cause a mutiny, you have only to[583] punish them as you may think proper.” It has been unceasingly repeated that Saint-Mars never quitted his famous prisoner from the moment that he received him in charge. This is again one of the features characterizing the mysterious captive, and the two men are in some degree always represented as the prisoners of one another. Do we find, either at Exiles or during the first years of Saint-Mars’ residence at the Isles Sainte-Marguerite, this significant peculiarity? We are about to see:-- “December 14, 1681. “Nothing prevents you from going to Casale from time to time, in order to see Monsieur Catinat.”[584] “December 22, 1681. “His Majesty does not disapprove of your sleeping away from Exiles for one night when you desire to pay a visit in the neighbourhood.”[585] “Turin, January 9, 1682. “Monsieur de Saint-Mars arrived at Turin yesterday. _Some time ago when he passed through here_ he did me the honour to stop with me. But this time M. de Masin has the preference.”[586] “April 18, 1682. “The King does not disapprove of your going to pay your respects to the Duke of Savoy.” “March 7, 1685. “The King is willing that you should go for change of air to the place you may think best for your health.” “March 20, 1685. “Madame de Saint-Mars having told me that you wished to go to the baths of Aix in Savoy, I have informed the King, and his Majesty has commanded me to acquaint you that he is pleased to grant you permission to absent yourself from Exiles on this ground for the space of a fortnight or three weeks.” “July 5, 1688.[587] “The King approves of your absenting yourself from the place where you command, two days a month, and also of your returning the Governor of Nice the visit he has paid you.”[588]