Twenty Years After Dumas comes out on the side of the monarchy in general, or at least the text often praises the "idea" of benevolent royalty. His musketeers are valiant and just in their efforts to protect young Louis XIV and the doomed Charles I from their attackers. The action begins during the regency of Queen Anne of Austria (term 1643–1651), with Cardinal Mazarin as First Minister. D'Artagnan, who seemed to have a promising career ahead of him at the end of "The Three Musketeers", has for twenty years remained a lieutenant, and seems unlikely to progress despite his ambition and the debt
After Twenty Years and Jimmy Wells have an agreement to meet after twenty years on a particular spot near a restaurant. While Bob is waiting, a policeman arrives and they begin to talk as Bob boasts of how well he has fared meanwhile. Later, "Jimmy Wells" arrives and as they walk into a lighted area, Bob discovers that this is not the real Jimmy he knew. Characteristic of O. Henry's surprise endings to stories, the story ends with the revelation that the policeman who met Bob earlier was Jimmy Wells, but lacking heart to arrest his own friend who he recognizes to be