the start of the novel, we see the wedding of Robert Darzac and Mathilde Stangerson taking place in secret, two years after a notorious trial involving dark and convoluted events. Guests at the ceremony, including the narrator, are anxious about the possible return of Frédéric Larsan, a figure linked to a tragic past. As the wedding unfolds, the absence of Rouletabille raises concerns, particularly for Mathilde, who seems to be grieving. The narrative hints at Rouletabille's complex emotions and connections to the past as the characters confront shadows of their former lives, especially when a mysterious telegram arrives, igniting fear and urgency in the already charged atmosphere. (This is an automatically generated summary.)