Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
if our horses will consent." `
` `
` And the travelers buried their rowels in their horses' flanks, `
` who thus vigorously stimulated recovered their energies. They `
` arrived at Amiens at midnight, and alighted at the AUBERGE of the `
` Golden Lily. `
` `
` The host had the appearance of as honest a man as any on earth. `
` He received the travelers with his candlestick in one hand and `
` his cotton nightcap in the other. He wished to lodge the two `
` travelers each in a charming chamber; but unfortunately these `
` charming chambers were at the opposite extremities of the hotel. `
` d'Artagnan and Athos refused them. The host replied that he had `
` no other worthy of their Excellencies; but the travelers declared `
` they would sleep in the common chamber, each on a mattress which `
` might be thrown upon the ground. The host insisted; but the `
` travelers were firm, and he was obliged to do as they wished. `
` `
` They had just prepared their beds and barricaded their door `
` within, when someone knocked at the yard shutter; they demanded `
` who was there, and recognizing the voices of their lackeys, `
` opened the shutter. It was indeed Planchet and Grimaud. `
` `
` "Grimaud can take care of the horses," said Planchet. "If you `
` are willing, gentlemen, I will sleep across your doorway, and you `
` will then be certain that nobody can reach you." `
` `
` "And on what will you sleep?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Here is my bed," replied Planchet, producing a bundle of straw. `
` `
` "Come, then," said d'Artagnan, "you are right. Mine host's face `
` does not please me at all; it is too gracious." `
` `
` "Nor me either," said Athos. `
` `
` Planchet mounted by the window and installed himself across the `
` doorway, while Grimaud went and shut himself up in the stable, `
` undertaking that by five o'clock in the morning he and the four `
` horses should be ready. `
` `
` The night was quiet enough. Toward two o'clock in the morning `
` somebody endeavored to open the door; but as Planchet awoke in an `
` instant and cried, "Who goes there?" somebody replied that he was `
` mistaken, and went away. `
` `
` At four o'clock in the morning they heard a terrible riot in the `
` stables. Grimaud had tried to waken the stable boys, and the `
` stable boys had beaten him. When they opened the window, they `
` saw the poor lad lying senseless, with his head split by a blow `
` with a pitchfork. `
` `
` Planchet went down into the yard, and wished to saddle the `
` horses; but the horses were all used up. Mousqueton's horse `
` which had traveled for five or six hours without a rider the day `
` before, might have been able to pursue the journey; but by an `
` inconceivable error the veterinary surgeon, who had been sent `
` for, as it appeared, to bleed one of the host's horses, had bled `
` Mousqueton's. `
` `
` This began to be annoying. All these successive accidents were `
` perhaps the result of chance; but they might be the fruits of a `
` plot. Athos and d'Artagnan went out, while Planchet was sent to `
` inquire if there were not three horses for sale in the `
` neighborhood. At the door stood two horses, fresh, strong, and `
` fully equipped. These would just have suited them. He asked `
` where their masters were, and was informed that they had passed `
` the night in the inn, and were then settling their bill with the `
` host. `
` `
` Athos went down to pay the reckoning, while d'Artagnan and `
` Planchet stood at the street door. The host was in a lower and `
` back room, to which Athos was requested to go. `
` `
` Athos entered without the least mistrust, and took out two `
` pistoles to pay the bill. The host was alone, seated before his `
` desk, one of the drawers of which was partly open. He took the `
` money which Athos offered to him, and after turning and turning `
` it over and over in his hands, suddenly cried out that it was `
` bad, and that he would have him and his companions arrested as `
` forgers. `
` `
` "You blackguard!" cried Athos, going toward him, "I'll cut your `
` ears off!" `
` `
` At the same instant, four men, armed to the teeth, entered by `
` side doors, and rushed upon Athos. `
` `
` "I am taken!" shouted Athos, with all the power of his lungs. `
` "Go on, d'Artagnan! Spur, spur!" and he fired two pistols. `
` `
` D'Artagnan and Planchet did not require twice bidding; they `
` unfastened the two horses that were waiting at the door, leaped `
` upon them, buried their spurs in their sides, and set off at full `
` gallop. `
` `
` "Do you know what has become of Athos?" asked d'Artagnan of `
` Planchet, as they galloped on. `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur," said Planchet, "I saw one fall at each of his two `
` shots, and he appeared to me, through the glass door, to be `
` fighting with his sword with the others." `
` `
` "Brave Athos!" murmured d'Artagnan, "and to think that we are `
` compelled to leave him; maybe the same fate awaits us two paces `
` hence. Forward, Planchet, forward! You are a brave fellow." `
` `
` "As I told you, monsieur," replied Planchet, "Picards are found `
` out by being used. Besides, I am here in my own country, and `
` that excites me." `
` `
` And both, with free use of the spur, arrived at St. Omer without `
` drawing bit. At St. Omer they breathed their horses with the `
` bridles passed under their arms for fear of accident, and ate a `
` morsel from their hands on the stones of the street, after they `
` departed again. `
` `
` At a hundred paces from the gates of Calais, d'Artagnan's horse `
` gave out, and could not by any means be made to get up again, the `
` blood flowing from his eyes and his nose. There still remained `
` Planchet's horse; but he stopped short, and could not be made to `
` move a step. `
` `
` Fortunately, as we have said, they were within a hundred paces of `
` the city; they left their two nags upon the high road, and ran `
` toward the quay. Planchet called his master's attention to a `
` gentleman who had just arrived with his lackey, and only preceded `
` them by about fifty paces. They made all speed to come up to `
` this gentleman, who appeared to be in great haste. His boots `
` were covered with dust, and he inquired if he could not instantly `
` cross over to England. `
` `
` "Nothing would be more easy," said the captain of a vessel ready `
` to set sail, "but this morning came an order to let no one leave `
` without express permission from the cardinal." `
` `
` "I have that permission," said the gentleman, drawing the paper `
` from his pocket; "here it is." `
` `
` "Have it examined by the governor of the port," said the `
` shipmaster, "and give me the preference." `
` `
` "Where shall I find the governor?" `
` `
` "At his country house." `
` `
` "And that is situated?" `
` `
` "At a quarter of a league from the city. Look, you may see it `
` from here--at the foot of that little hill, that slated roof." `
` `
` "Very well," said the gentleman. And, with his lackey, he took `
` the road to the governor's country house. `
` `
` D'Artagnan and Planchet followed the gentleman at a distance of `
` five hundred paces. Once outside the city, d'Artagnan overtook `
` the gentleman as he was entering a little wood. `
` `
` "Monsieur, you appear to be in great haste?" `
` `
` "No one can be more so, monsieur." `
` `
` "I am sorry for that," said d'Artagnan; "for as I am in great `
` haste likewise, I wish to beg you to render me a service." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "To let me sail first." `
` `
` "That's impossible," said the gentleman; "I have traveled sixty `
` leagues in forty hours, and by tomorrow at midday I must be in `
` London." `
` `
` "I have performed that same distance in forty hours, and by ten `
` o'clock in the morning I must be in London." `
` `
` "Very sorry, monsieur; but I was here first, and will not sail `
` second." `
` `
` "I am sorry, too, monsieur; but I arrived second, and must sail `
` first." `
` `
` "The king's service!" said the gentleman. `
` `
` "My own service!" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "But this is a needless quarrel you seek with me, as it seems to `
` me." `
` `
` "PARBLEU! What do you desire it to be?" `
` `
` "What do you want?" `
` `
` "Would you like to know?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
` `
` "Well, then, I wish that order of which you are bearer, seeing `
` that I have not one of my own and must have one." `
` `
` "You jest, I presume." `
`
` `
` And the travelers buried their rowels in their horses' flanks, `
` who thus vigorously stimulated recovered their energies. They `
` arrived at Amiens at midnight, and alighted at the AUBERGE of the `
` Golden Lily. `
` `
` The host had the appearance of as honest a man as any on earth. `
` He received the travelers with his candlestick in one hand and `
` his cotton nightcap in the other. He wished to lodge the two `
` travelers each in a charming chamber; but unfortunately these `
` charming chambers were at the opposite extremities of the hotel. `
` d'Artagnan and Athos refused them. The host replied that he had `
` no other worthy of their Excellencies; but the travelers declared `
` they would sleep in the common chamber, each on a mattress which `
` might be thrown upon the ground. The host insisted; but the `
` travelers were firm, and he was obliged to do as they wished. `
` `
` They had just prepared their beds and barricaded their door `
` within, when someone knocked at the yard shutter; they demanded `
` who was there, and recognizing the voices of their lackeys, `
` opened the shutter. It was indeed Planchet and Grimaud. `
` `
` "Grimaud can take care of the horses," said Planchet. "If you `
` are willing, gentlemen, I will sleep across your doorway, and you `
` will then be certain that nobody can reach you." `
` `
` "And on what will you sleep?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Here is my bed," replied Planchet, producing a bundle of straw. `
` `
` "Come, then," said d'Artagnan, "you are right. Mine host's face `
` does not please me at all; it is too gracious." `
` `
` "Nor me either," said Athos. `
` `
` Planchet mounted by the window and installed himself across the `
` doorway, while Grimaud went and shut himself up in the stable, `
` undertaking that by five o'clock in the morning he and the four `
` horses should be ready. `
` `
` The night was quiet enough. Toward two o'clock in the morning `
` somebody endeavored to open the door; but as Planchet awoke in an `
` instant and cried, "Who goes there?" somebody replied that he was `
` mistaken, and went away. `
` `
` At four o'clock in the morning they heard a terrible riot in the `
` stables. Grimaud had tried to waken the stable boys, and the `
` stable boys had beaten him. When they opened the window, they `
` saw the poor lad lying senseless, with his head split by a blow `
` with a pitchfork. `
` `
` Planchet went down into the yard, and wished to saddle the `
` horses; but the horses were all used up. Mousqueton's horse `
` which had traveled for five or six hours without a rider the day `
` before, might have been able to pursue the journey; but by an `
` inconceivable error the veterinary surgeon, who had been sent `
` for, as it appeared, to bleed one of the host's horses, had bled `
` Mousqueton's. `
` `
` This began to be annoying. All these successive accidents were `
` perhaps the result of chance; but they might be the fruits of a `
` plot. Athos and d'Artagnan went out, while Planchet was sent to `
` inquire if there were not three horses for sale in the `
` neighborhood. At the door stood two horses, fresh, strong, and `
` fully equipped. These would just have suited them. He asked `
` where their masters were, and was informed that they had passed `
` the night in the inn, and were then settling their bill with the `
` host. `
` `
` Athos went down to pay the reckoning, while d'Artagnan and `
` Planchet stood at the street door. The host was in a lower and `
` back room, to which Athos was requested to go. `
` `
` Athos entered without the least mistrust, and took out two `
` pistoles to pay the bill. The host was alone, seated before his `
` desk, one of the drawers of which was partly open. He took the `
` money which Athos offered to him, and after turning and turning `
` it over and over in his hands, suddenly cried out that it was `
` bad, and that he would have him and his companions arrested as `
` forgers. `
` `
` "You blackguard!" cried Athos, going toward him, "I'll cut your `
` ears off!" `
` `
` At the same instant, four men, armed to the teeth, entered by `
` side doors, and rushed upon Athos. `
` `
` "I am taken!" shouted Athos, with all the power of his lungs. `
` "Go on, d'Artagnan! Spur, spur!" and he fired two pistols. `
` `
` D'Artagnan and Planchet did not require twice bidding; they `
` unfastened the two horses that were waiting at the door, leaped `
` upon them, buried their spurs in their sides, and set off at full `
` gallop. `
` `
` "Do you know what has become of Athos?" asked d'Artagnan of `
` Planchet, as they galloped on. `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur," said Planchet, "I saw one fall at each of his two `
` shots, and he appeared to me, through the glass door, to be `
` fighting with his sword with the others." `
` `
` "Brave Athos!" murmured d'Artagnan, "and to think that we are `
` compelled to leave him; maybe the same fate awaits us two paces `
` hence. Forward, Planchet, forward! You are a brave fellow." `
` `
` "As I told you, monsieur," replied Planchet, "Picards are found `
` out by being used. Besides, I am here in my own country, and `
` that excites me." `
` `
` And both, with free use of the spur, arrived at St. Omer without `
` drawing bit. At St. Omer they breathed their horses with the `
` bridles passed under their arms for fear of accident, and ate a `
` morsel from their hands on the stones of the street, after they `
` departed again. `
` `
` At a hundred paces from the gates of Calais, d'Artagnan's horse `
` gave out, and could not by any means be made to get up again, the `
` blood flowing from his eyes and his nose. There still remained `
` Planchet's horse; but he stopped short, and could not be made to `
` move a step. `
` `
` Fortunately, as we have said, they were within a hundred paces of `
` the city; they left their two nags upon the high road, and ran `
` toward the quay. Planchet called his master's attention to a `
` gentleman who had just arrived with his lackey, and only preceded `
` them by about fifty paces. They made all speed to come up to `
` this gentleman, who appeared to be in great haste. His boots `
` were covered with dust, and he inquired if he could not instantly `
` cross over to England. `
` `
` "Nothing would be more easy," said the captain of a vessel ready `
` to set sail, "but this morning came an order to let no one leave `
` without express permission from the cardinal." `
` `
` "I have that permission," said the gentleman, drawing the paper `
` from his pocket; "here it is." `
` `
` "Have it examined by the governor of the port," said the `
` shipmaster, "and give me the preference." `
` `
` "Where shall I find the governor?" `
` `
` "At his country house." `
` `
` "And that is situated?" `
` `
` "At a quarter of a league from the city. Look, you may see it `
` from here--at the foot of that little hill, that slated roof." `
` `
` "Very well," said the gentleman. And, with his lackey, he took `
` the road to the governor's country house. `
` `
` D'Artagnan and Planchet followed the gentleman at a distance of `
` five hundred paces. Once outside the city, d'Artagnan overtook `
` the gentleman as he was entering a little wood. `
` `
` "Monsieur, you appear to be in great haste?" `
` `
` "No one can be more so, monsieur." `
` `
` "I am sorry for that," said d'Artagnan; "for as I am in great `
` haste likewise, I wish to beg you to render me a service." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "To let me sail first." `
` `
` "That's impossible," said the gentleman; "I have traveled sixty `
` leagues in forty hours, and by tomorrow at midday I must be in `
` London." `
` `
` "I have performed that same distance in forty hours, and by ten `
` o'clock in the morning I must be in London." `
` `
` "Very sorry, monsieur; but I was here first, and will not sail `
` second." `
` `
` "I am sorry, too, monsieur; but I arrived second, and must sail `
` first." `
` `
` "The king's service!" said the gentleman. `
` `
` "My own service!" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "But this is a needless quarrel you seek with me, as it seems to `
` me." `
` `
` "PARBLEU! What do you desire it to be?" `
` `
` "What do you want?" `
` `
` "Would you like to know?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
` `
` "Well, then, I wish that order of which you are bearer, seeing `
` that I have not one of my own and must have one." `
` `
` "You jest, I presume." `
`