The Beautiful Mystery

Abbot Dom Philippe tries to continue with the Vespers service, but the knocking continues. At the door is a robed stranger—Frère Sebastien, a monk from Rome. The abbot assumes he is here about the prior’s death, and Frère Sebastien does not correct him, but Gamache soon realizes the journey from Rome must have begun long before the murder. Frère Charles explains that the visitor is a Dominican friar, a word that comes from the Latin domini canis, or “hound of the lord” (288). At Vespers, the newly arrived priest, stunned by hearing the chants in person, is brought to tears.

At dinner, Gamache claims to be humming the tune Frère Simon taught him from the prior’s torn vellum page to get a rise out of everyone. Frère Simon tries to get Gamache to stop, denying the piece has anything to do with chant. It turns out that Frère Sebastien is also a talented singer; he quickly claims that what Gamache was humming as the folk song “Camptown Races.” Finally, the other monks ask Frère Sebastien why he has come. He is with “The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,” which Gamache learns is also known by the more familiar name: “The Inquisition” (292).

Gamache and Beauvoir retreat to discuss events; Gamache is disturbed to see furniture out of place from Beauvoir’s fight with Francoeur. Beauvoir, angry and frustrated, wants to be done with the case. Gamache is still concerned Francoeur has a scheme, reflecting, “It was a terrible mistake to underestimate him. And in all the years they’d worked together, Gamache knew that Francoeur’s greatest gift was bringing out the worst in people” (294). Gamache recalls others Francoeur had corrupted, and is consumed with anger and fear for Beauvoir.

Gamache confronts Francoeur, demanding to know why he is taking advantage of Beauvoir’s vulnerability. Francoeur taunts him, saying, “It’s too late, Armand, […] The harm’s already done. And you’re the one who did it. Not me” (297).

Beauvoir reads messages from Annie, paranoid and resentful she is socializing without him. Beauvoir then goes to see Frère Antoine in his cell, surprised to find the monk also reads hockey books. Frère Antoine explains that the church likely sent an Inquisitor to understand how a murder could have happened, and possibly with another goal.

Gamache decides to send Beauvoir away for his own safety. Beauvoir refuses to explain what Francoeur said, demanding to know whether Gamache has truly given up investigating the leaked tape. Gamache has not, but he cannot tell Beauvoir about his secret anticorruption investigations. Beauvoir, guilt-stricken, recalls that Gamache too has suffered because of the tape. He wants to be alone with the pills to watch the video again.

As the two walk the halls, Gamache realizes where the foundational rot must be—in the outer wall. Beauvoir finds this a fitting metaphor: “Two skins […] The public face, and then the crumbling, rotting one behind” (305). Frère Sebastien joins them and asks about the murder investigation. In turn, Gamache asks him why he has come, since it clearly does not relate to the murder. The Dominican is surprised by his perspicacity. Frère Sebastien hums the dinner tune again, asking Gamache what it really is.

The abbot reflects on the new gossip about the prior’s last words, skeptical they were about sex. Frère Antoine tells the abbot he suspects the Dominican has another agenda besides the murder investigation. The abbot is relieved to find their relationship restored. He shows Frère Antoine what he thinks the prior’s last words really were, though the reader is kept in the dark.

Frère Sebastien reminds Gamache him of himself: “The Dominican exuded calm and invited confidences. And then the Chief Inspector realized why he was at once attracted and guarded. Those were, he knew, the qualities he used in an investigation” (312). Gamache shows the visitor the piece of paper, explaining that it was found with the prior’s body. Frère Sebastien is unconvinced the words are meant as a sacrilege: They seem to suggest the author had secular goals. Frère Sebastien describes it as a unique composition. Like Gamache and Beauvoir, he cannot see the connection between music and lyrics. Gamache demands the truth from the priest, who explains his office is in charge of heresy, and that the Gilbertines were right to flee Europe. The Inquisition has never given up looking for the Gilbertines—the recording was the first evidence they had that the order had survived. Gamache reflects this means the monks were “betrayed by their chants” (317).

At the next service, Gamache prays alone, though “Even in this peaceful place he could feel his rage grow at the very sight of Sylvain Francoeur” (317). He breathes deeply, trying to achieve calm. Beauvoir, alone, takes more pills and returns to the office to torment himself with the video of himself being shot. Frère Sebastien is drawn in to the chants, stunned by Frère Luc’s talent.