Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
"You jest, I presume." `
` `
` "I never jest." `
` `
` "Let me pass!" `
` `
` "You shall not pass." `
` `
` "My brave young man, I will blow out your brains. HOLA, Lubin, `
` my pistols!" `
` `
` "Planchet," called out d'Artagnan, "take care of the lackey; I `
` will manage the master." `
` `
` Planchet, emboldened by the first exploit, sprang upon Lubin; and `
` being strong and vigorous, he soon got him on the broad of his `
` back, and placed his knee upon his breast. `
` `
` "Go on with your affair, monsieur," cried Planchet; "I have `
` finished mine." `
` `
` Seeing this, the gentleman drew his sword, and sprang upon `
` d'Artagnan; but he had too strong an adversary. In three seconds `
` d'Artagnan had wounded him three times, exclaiming at each `
` thrust, "One for Athos, one for Porthos; and one for Aramis!" `
` `
` At the third hit the gentleman fell like a log. D'Artagnan `
` believed him to be dead, or at least insensible, and went toward `
` him for the purpose of taking the order; but the moment he `
` extended his hand to search for it, the wounded man, who had not `
` dropped his sword, plunged the point into d'Artagnan's breast, `
` crying, "One for you!" `
` `
` "And one for me--the best for last!" cried d'Artagnan, furious, `
` nailing him to the earth with a fourth thrust through his body. `
` `
` This time the gentleman closed his eyes and fainted. D'Artagnan `
` searched his pockets, and took from one of them the order for the `
` passage. It was in the name of Comte de Wardes. `
` `
` Then, casting a glance on the handsome young man, who was `
` scarcely twenty-five years of age, and whom he was leaving in his `
` gore, deprived of sense and perhaps dead, he gave a sigh for that `
` unaccountable destiny which leads men to destroy each other for `
` the interests of people who are strangers to them and who often `
` do not even know that they exist. But he was soon aroused from `
` these reflections by Lubin, who uttered loud cries and screamed `
` for help with all his might. `
` `
` Planchet grasped him by the throat, and pressed as hard as he `
` could. "Monsieur," said he, "as long as I hold him in this `
` manner, he can't cry, I'll be bound; but as soon as I let go he `
` will howl again. I know him for a Norman, and Normans are `
` obstinate." `
` `
` In fact, tightly held as he was, Lubin endeavored still to cry `
` out. `
` `
` "Stay!" said d'Artagnan; and taking out his handkerchief, he `
` gagged him. `
` `
` "Now," said Planchet, "let us bind him to a tree." `
` `
` This being properly done, they drew the Comte de Wardes close to `
` his servant; and as night was approaching, and as the wounded man `
` and the bound man were at some little distance within the wood, `
` it was evident they were likely to remain there till the next `
` day. `
` `
` "And now," said d'Artagnan, "to the Governor's." `
` `
` "But you are wounded, it seems," said Planchet. `
` `
` "Oh, that's nothing! Let us attend to what is more pressing `
` first, and then we will attend to my wound; besides, it does not `
` seem very dangerous." `
` `
` And they both set forward as fast as they could toward the `
` country house of the worthy functionary. `
` `
` The Comte de Wardes was announced, and d'Artagnan was introduced. `
` `
` "You have an order signed by the cardinal?" said the governor. `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur," replied d'Artagnan; "here it is." `
` `
` "Ah, ah! It is quite regular and explicit," said the governor. `
` `
` "Most likely," said d'Artagnan; "I am one of his most faithful `
` servants." `
` `
` "It appears that his Eminence is anxious to prevent someone from `
` crossing to England?" `
` `
` "Yes; a certain d'Artagnan, a Bearnese gentleman who left Paris `
` in company with three of his friends, with the intention of going `
` to London." `
` `
` "Do you know him personally?" asked the governor. `
` `
` "Whom?" `
` `
` "This d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "Perfectly well." `
` `
` "Describe him to me, then." `
` `
` "Nothing more easy." `
` `
` And d'Artagnan gave, feature for feature, a description of the `
` Comte de Wardes. `
` `
` "Is he accompanied?" `
` `
` "Yes; by a lackey named Lubin." `
` `
` "We will keep a sharp lookout for them; and if we lay hands on `
` them his Eminence may be assured they will be reconducted to `
` Paris under a good escort." `
` `
` "And by doing so, Monsieur the Governor," said d'Artagnan, "you `
` will deserve well of the cardinal." `
` `
` "Shall you see him on your return, Monsieur Count?" `
` `
` "Without a doubt." `
` `
` "Tell him, I beg you, that I am his humble servant." `
` `
` "I will not fail." `
` `
` Delighted with this assurance the governor countersigned the `
` passport and delivered it to d'Artagnan. D'Artagnan lost no time `
` in useless compliments. He thanked the governor, bowed, and `
` departed. Once outside, he and Planchet set off as fast as they `
` could; and by making a long detour avoided the wood and reentered `
` the city by another gate. `
` `
` The vessel was quite ready to sail, and the captain was waiting `
` on the wharf. "Well?" said he, on perceiving d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Here is my pass countersigned," said the latter. `
` `
` "And that other gentleman? `
` `
` "He will not go today," said d'Artagnan; "but here, I'll pay you `
` for us two." `
` `
` "In that case let us go," said the shipmaster. `
` `
` "Let us go," repeated d'Artagnan. `
` `
` He leaped with Planchet into the boat, and five minutes after `
` they were on board. It was time; for they had scarcely sailed `
` half a league, when d'Artagnan saw a flash and heard a `
` detonation. It was the cannon which announced the closing of the `
` port. `
` `
` He had now leisure to look to his wound. Fortunately, as `
` d'Artagnan had thought, it was not dangerous. The point of the `
` sword had touched a rib, and glanced along the bone. Still `
` further, his shirt had stuck to the wound, and he had lost only `
` a few drops of blood. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was worn out with fatigue. A mattress was laid upon `
` the deck for him. He threw himself upon it, and fell asleep. `
` `
` On the morrow, at break of day, they were still three or four `
` leagues from the coast of England. The breeze had been so light `
` all night, they had made but little progress. At ten o'clock the `
` vessel cast anchor in the harbor of Dover, and at half past ten `
` d'Artagnan placed his foot on English land, crying, "Here I am at `
` last!" `
` `
` But that was not all; they must get to London. In England the `
` post was well served. D'Artagnan and Planchet took each a post `
` horse, and a postillion rode before them. In a few hours they `
` were in the capital. `
` `
` D'Artagnan did not know London; he did not know a word of `
` English; but he wrote the name of Buckingham on a piece of paper, `
` and everyone pointed out to him the way to the duke's hotel. `
` `
` The duke was at Windsor hunting with the king. D'Artagnan `
` inquired for the confidential valet of the duke, who, having `
` accompanied him in all his voyages, spoke French perfectly well; `
` he told him that he came from Paris on an affair of life and `
` death, and that he must speak with his master instantly. `
` `
` The confidence with which d'Artagnan spoke convinced Patrick, `
` which was the name of this minister of the minister. He ordered `
` two horses to be saddled, and himself went as guide to the young `
` Guardsman. As for Planchet, he had been lifted from his horse as `
` stiff as a rush; the poor lad's strength was almost exhausted. `
` d'Artagnan seemed iron. `
` `
` On their arrival at the castle they learned that Buckingham and `
` the king were hawking in the marshes two or three leagues away. `
` In twenty minutes they were on the spot named. Patrick soon `
` caught the sound of his master's voice calling his falcon. `
`
` `
` "I never jest." `
` `
` "Let me pass!" `
` `
` "You shall not pass." `
` `
` "My brave young man, I will blow out your brains. HOLA, Lubin, `
` my pistols!" `
` `
` "Planchet," called out d'Artagnan, "take care of the lackey; I `
` will manage the master." `
` `
` Planchet, emboldened by the first exploit, sprang upon Lubin; and `
` being strong and vigorous, he soon got him on the broad of his `
` back, and placed his knee upon his breast. `
` `
` "Go on with your affair, monsieur," cried Planchet; "I have `
` finished mine." `
` `
` Seeing this, the gentleman drew his sword, and sprang upon `
` d'Artagnan; but he had too strong an adversary. In three seconds `
` d'Artagnan had wounded him three times, exclaiming at each `
` thrust, "One for Athos, one for Porthos; and one for Aramis!" `
` `
` At the third hit the gentleman fell like a log. D'Artagnan `
` believed him to be dead, or at least insensible, and went toward `
` him for the purpose of taking the order; but the moment he `
` extended his hand to search for it, the wounded man, who had not `
` dropped his sword, plunged the point into d'Artagnan's breast, `
` crying, "One for you!" `
` `
` "And one for me--the best for last!" cried d'Artagnan, furious, `
` nailing him to the earth with a fourth thrust through his body. `
` `
` This time the gentleman closed his eyes and fainted. D'Artagnan `
` searched his pockets, and took from one of them the order for the `
` passage. It was in the name of Comte de Wardes. `
` `
` Then, casting a glance on the handsome young man, who was `
` scarcely twenty-five years of age, and whom he was leaving in his `
` gore, deprived of sense and perhaps dead, he gave a sigh for that `
` unaccountable destiny which leads men to destroy each other for `
` the interests of people who are strangers to them and who often `
` do not even know that they exist. But he was soon aroused from `
` these reflections by Lubin, who uttered loud cries and screamed `
` for help with all his might. `
` `
` Planchet grasped him by the throat, and pressed as hard as he `
` could. "Monsieur," said he, "as long as I hold him in this `
` manner, he can't cry, I'll be bound; but as soon as I let go he `
` will howl again. I know him for a Norman, and Normans are `
` obstinate." `
` `
` In fact, tightly held as he was, Lubin endeavored still to cry `
` out. `
` `
` "Stay!" said d'Artagnan; and taking out his handkerchief, he `
` gagged him. `
` `
` "Now," said Planchet, "let us bind him to a tree." `
` `
` This being properly done, they drew the Comte de Wardes close to `
` his servant; and as night was approaching, and as the wounded man `
` and the bound man were at some little distance within the wood, `
` it was evident they were likely to remain there till the next `
` day. `
` `
` "And now," said d'Artagnan, "to the Governor's." `
` `
` "But you are wounded, it seems," said Planchet. `
` `
` "Oh, that's nothing! Let us attend to what is more pressing `
` first, and then we will attend to my wound; besides, it does not `
` seem very dangerous." `
` `
` And they both set forward as fast as they could toward the `
` country house of the worthy functionary. `
` `
` The Comte de Wardes was announced, and d'Artagnan was introduced. `
` `
` "You have an order signed by the cardinal?" said the governor. `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur," replied d'Artagnan; "here it is." `
` `
` "Ah, ah! It is quite regular and explicit," said the governor. `
` `
` "Most likely," said d'Artagnan; "I am one of his most faithful `
` servants." `
` `
` "It appears that his Eminence is anxious to prevent someone from `
` crossing to England?" `
` `
` "Yes; a certain d'Artagnan, a Bearnese gentleman who left Paris `
` in company with three of his friends, with the intention of going `
` to London." `
` `
` "Do you know him personally?" asked the governor. `
` `
` "Whom?" `
` `
` "This d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "Perfectly well." `
` `
` "Describe him to me, then." `
` `
` "Nothing more easy." `
` `
` And d'Artagnan gave, feature for feature, a description of the `
` Comte de Wardes. `
` `
` "Is he accompanied?" `
` `
` "Yes; by a lackey named Lubin." `
` `
` "We will keep a sharp lookout for them; and if we lay hands on `
` them his Eminence may be assured they will be reconducted to `
` Paris under a good escort." `
` `
` "And by doing so, Monsieur the Governor," said d'Artagnan, "you `
` will deserve well of the cardinal." `
` `
` "Shall you see him on your return, Monsieur Count?" `
` `
` "Without a doubt." `
` `
` "Tell him, I beg you, that I am his humble servant." `
` `
` "I will not fail." `
` `
` Delighted with this assurance the governor countersigned the `
` passport and delivered it to d'Artagnan. D'Artagnan lost no time `
` in useless compliments. He thanked the governor, bowed, and `
` departed. Once outside, he and Planchet set off as fast as they `
` could; and by making a long detour avoided the wood and reentered `
` the city by another gate. `
` `
` The vessel was quite ready to sail, and the captain was waiting `
` on the wharf. "Well?" said he, on perceiving d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Here is my pass countersigned," said the latter. `
` `
` "And that other gentleman? `
` `
` "He will not go today," said d'Artagnan; "but here, I'll pay you `
` for us two." `
` `
` "In that case let us go," said the shipmaster. `
` `
` "Let us go," repeated d'Artagnan. `
` `
` He leaped with Planchet into the boat, and five minutes after `
` they were on board. It was time; for they had scarcely sailed `
` half a league, when d'Artagnan saw a flash and heard a `
` detonation. It was the cannon which announced the closing of the `
` port. `
` `
` He had now leisure to look to his wound. Fortunately, as `
` d'Artagnan had thought, it was not dangerous. The point of the `
` sword had touched a rib, and glanced along the bone. Still `
` further, his shirt had stuck to the wound, and he had lost only `
` a few drops of blood. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was worn out with fatigue. A mattress was laid upon `
` the deck for him. He threw himself upon it, and fell asleep. `
` `
` On the morrow, at break of day, they were still three or four `
` leagues from the coast of England. The breeze had been so light `
` all night, they had made but little progress. At ten o'clock the `
` vessel cast anchor in the harbor of Dover, and at half past ten `
` d'Artagnan placed his foot on English land, crying, "Here I am at `
` last!" `
` `
` But that was not all; they must get to London. In England the `
` post was well served. D'Artagnan and Planchet took each a post `
` horse, and a postillion rode before them. In a few hours they `
` were in the capital. `
` `
` D'Artagnan did not know London; he did not know a word of `
` English; but he wrote the name of Buckingham on a piece of paper, `
` and everyone pointed out to him the way to the duke's hotel. `
` `
` The duke was at Windsor hunting with the king. D'Artagnan `
` inquired for the confidential valet of the duke, who, having `
` accompanied him in all his voyages, spoke French perfectly well; `
` he told him that he came from Paris on an affair of life and `
` death, and that he must speak with his master instantly. `
` `
` The confidence with which d'Artagnan spoke convinced Patrick, `
` which was the name of this minister of the minister. He ordered `
` two horses to be saddled, and himself went as guide to the young `
` Guardsman. As for Planchet, he had been lifted from his horse as `
` stiff as a rush; the poor lad's strength was almost exhausted. `
` d'Artagnan seemed iron. `
` `
` On their arrival at the castle they learned that Buckingham and `
` the king were hawking in the marshes two or three leagues away. `
` In twenty minutes they were on the spot named. Patrick soon `
` caught the sound of his master's voice calling his falcon. `
`