The Robe of Peace (Henry)
Short Summary
New York City, early 20th century. Johnny Bellchambers, a prominent socialite known for his impeccable fashion sense, mysteriously disappeared. His friends, Tom Eyres and Lancelot Gilliam, discovered him a year later in a remote Swiss monastery.
Eyres and Gilliam were shocked to find Bellchambers living as a monk, now called Brother Ambrose. They attempted to persuade him to return to his former life, but Bellchambers refused, explaining that he had found true happiness in the monastery.
'You see this robe that I wear?' Bellchambers caressingly touched the straight-hanging garment: 'At last I have found something that will not bag at the knees. I have attained—'
The quote revealed that Bellchambers' obsession with perfect clothing, particularly trousers that wouldn't bag at the knees, led him to embrace monastic life. His friends left the monastery, unable to convince him to return. The story concluded with Eyres and Gilliam sharing this unexpected resolution to Bellchambers' disappearance with their social circle back in New York.
Detailed Summary
The division of the summary into chapters is conditional.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Johnny Bellchambers
The story began with the unexplained disappearance of Johnny Bellchambers, which had ceased to be a mystery to the reading public and his friends after nearly a year. The solution to this mystery was so incredible that only a select few who were close to Bellchambers would fully believe it.
Johnny Bellchambers was a prominent figure in New York's elite social circle.
Johnny Bellchambers, as is well known, belonged to the intrinsically inner circle of the élite. Without any of the ostentation of the fashionable ones who endeavor to attract notice by eccentric display of wealth and show...
He was particularly renowned for his impeccable sense of style and was considered the best-dressed man in America.
Especially did he shine in the matter of dress. In this he was the despair of imitators. Always correct, exquisitely groomed, and possessed of an unlimited wardrobe, he was conceded to be the best-dressed man in New York...
Bellchambers had a particular obsession with trousers, never tolerating even the slightest wrinkle. His sudden disappearance left no trace, and all methods of inquiry failed to locate him.
Bellchambers disappeared very suddenly. For three days his absence brought no alarm to his friends, and then they began to operate the usual methods of inquiry. All of them failed. He had left absolutely no trace behind.
The Discovery in the Swiss Alps
In May, two of Bellchambers' old friends, Tom Eyres and Lancelot Gilliam, went on a trip to Europe. While in Italy and Switzerland, they heard about a remote monastery in the Swiss Alps that boasted unique attractions: a divine cordial made by the monks, a brass bell that had been ringing for 300 years, and the claim that no Englishman had ever set foot within its walls.
Intrigued, Eyres and Gilliam decided to visit the monastery. After a challenging two-day journey with guides, they reached the monastery of St. Gondrau. They were hospitably received and enjoyed the cordial and the sound of the great bell. As they watched the monks file past on their way to the refectory, Eyres suddenly recognized Johnny Bellchambers among them.
Shocked by their discovery, Eyres and Gilliam asked Brother Cristofer for permission to speak with Bellchambers. The abbot granted their request, and they waited in a reception room for their old friend.
The Transformation of Johnny Bellchambers
When Bellchambers, now known as Brother Ambrose, entered the room, Eyres and Gilliam were astonished by his transformation.
Upon his smooth-shaven face was an expression of ineffable peace, of rapturous attainment, of perfect and complete happiness. His form was proudly erect, his eyes shone with a serene and gracious light.
Despite his changed appearance, Bellchambers greeted his old friends with his usual grace and ease. However, his attire was drastically different from his former fashionable self.
Now he seemed clothed in but a single garment—a long robe of rough brown cloth, gathered by a cord at the waist, and falling in straight, loose folds nearly to his feet.
Eyres and Gilliam were bewildered by Bellchambers' transformation and urged him to return to his old life in New York. They reminded him of his former lifestyle and the people who missed him. However, Bellchambers calmly explained his contentment with his new life.
'You fellows don't understand,' he said, soothingly. 'It's nice of you to want me to go back, but the old life will never know me again. I have reached here the goal of all my ambitions. I am entirely happy and contented.'
Bellchambers revealed that he had finally found something that would not bag at the knees, referring to his monk's robe. Before he could elaborate further, the monastery's bell rang, summoning him to devotions. With a slight wave of his hand, Brother Ambrose left his old friends, returning to his new life of contemplation and simplicity.
Eyres and Gilliam left the monastery without seeing Bellchambers again, carrying with them this extraordinary tale of transformation and contentment.