Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
`
` "Let us go to the Parpaillot, then, for here the walls are `
` like sheets of paper." `
` `
` D'Artagnan, who was accustomed to his friend's manner of `
` acting, and who perceived immediately, by a word, a gesture, `
` or a sign from him, that the circumstances were serious, `
` took Athos's arm, and went out without saying anything. `
` Porthos followed, chatting with Aramis. `
` `
` On their way they met Grimaud. Athos made him a sign to `
` come with them. Grimaud, according to custom, obeyed in `
` silence; the poor lad had nearly come to the pass of `
` forgetting how to speak. `
` `
` They arrived at the drinking room of the Parpaillot. It was `
` seven o'clock in the morning, and daylight began to appear. `
` The three friends ordered breakfast, and went into a room in `
` which the host said they would not be disturbed. `
` `
` Unfortunately, the hour was badly chosen for a private `
` conference. The morning drum had just been beaten; everyone `
` shook off the drowsiness of night, and to dispel the humid `
` morning air, came to take a drop at the inn. Dragoons, `
` Swiss, Guardsmen, Musketeers, light-horsemen, succeeded one `
` another with a rapidity which might answer the purpose of `
` the host very well, but agreed badly with the views of the `
` four friends. Thus they applied very curtly to the `
` salutations, healths, and jokes of their companions. `
` `
` "I see how it will be," said Athos: "we shall get into some `
` pretty quarrel or other, and we have no need of one just `
` now. D'Artagnan, tell us what sort of a night you have had, `
` and we will describe ours afterward." `
` `
` "Ah, yes," said a light-horseman, with a glass of brandy in `
` his hand, which he sipped slowly. "I hear you gentlemen of `
` the Guards have been in the trenches tonight, and that you `
` did not get much the best of the Rochellais." `
` `
` D'Artagnan looked at Athos to know if he ought to reply to `
` this intruder who thus mixed unasked in their conversation. `
` `
` "Well," said Athos, "don't you hear Monsieur de Busigny, who `
` does you the honor to ask you a question? Relate what has `
` passed during the night, since these gentlemen desire to `
` know it." `
` `
` "Have you not taken a bastion?" said a Swiss, who was `
` drinking rum out of beer glass. `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur," said d'Artagnan, bowing, "we have had that `
` honor. We even have, as you may have heard, introduced a `
` barrel of powder under one of the angles, which in blowing `
` up made a very pretty breach. Without reckoning that as the `
` bastion was not built yesterday all the rest of the building `
` was badly shaken." `
` `
` "And what bastion is it?" asked a dragoon, with his saber `
` run through a goose which he was taking to be cooked. `
` `
` "The bastion St. Gervais," replied d'Artagnan, "from behind `
` which the Rochellais annoyed our workmen." `
` `
` "Was that affair hot?" `
` `
` "Yes, moderately so. We lost five men, and the Rochellais `
` eight or ten." `
` `
` "Balzempleu!" said the Swiss, who, notwithstanding the `
` admirable collection of oaths possessed by the German `
` language, had acquired a habit of swearing in French. `
` `
` "But it is probable," said the light-horseman, "that they `
` will send pioneers this morning to repair the bastion." `
` `
` "Yes, that's probable," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Athos, "a wager!" `
` `
` "Ah, wooi, a vager!" cried the Swiss. `
` `
` "What is it?" said the light-horseman. `
` `
` "Stop a bit," said the dragoon, placing his saber like a `
` spit upon the two large iron dogs which held the firebrands `
` in the chimney, "stop a bit, I am in it. You cursed host! a `
` dripping pan immediately, that I may not lose a drop of the `
` fat of this estimable bird." `
` `
` "You was right," said the Swiss; "goose grease is kood with `
` basdry." `
` `
` "There!" said the dragoon. "Now for the wager! We listen, `
` Monsieur Athos." `
` `
` "Yes, the wager!" said the light-horseman. `
` `
` "Well, Monsieur de Busigny, I will bet you," said Athos, `
` "that my three companions, Messieurs Porthos, Aramis, and `
` d'Artagnan, and myself, will go and breakfast in the bastion `
` St. Gervais, and we will remain there an hour, by the watch, `
` whatever the enemy may do to dislodge us." `
` `
` Porthos and Aramis looked at each other; they began to `
` comprehend. `
` `
` "But," said d'Artagnan, in the ear of Athos, "you are going `
` to get us all killed without mercy." `
` `
` "We are much more likely to be killed," said Athos, "if we `
` do not go." `
` `
` "My faith, gentlemen," said Porthos, turning round upon his `
` chair and twisting his mustache, "that's a fair bet, I `
` hope." `
` `
` "I take it," said M. de Busigny; "so let us fix the stake." `
` `
` "You are four gentlemen," said Athos, "and we are four; an `
` unlimited dinner for eight. Will that do?" `
` `
` "Capitally," replied M. de Busigny. `
` `
` "Perfectly," said the dragoon. `
` `
` "That shoots me," said the Swiss. `
` `
` The fourth auditor, who during all this conversation had `
` played a mute part, made a sign of the head in proof that he `
` acquiesced in the proposition. `
` `
` "The breakfast for these gentlemen is ready," said the host. `
` `
` "Well, bring it," said Athos. `
` `
` The host obeyed. Athos called Grimaud, pointed to a large `
` basket which lay in a corner, and made a sign to him to wrap `
` the viands up in the napkins. `
` `
` Grimaud understood that it was to be a breakfast on the `
` grass, took the basket, packed up the viands, added the `
` bottles, and then took the basket on his arm. `
` `
` "But where are you going to eat my breakfast?" asked the `
` host. `
` `
` "What matter, if you are paid for it?" said Athos, and he `
` threw two pistoles majestically on the table. `
` `
` "Shall I give you the change, my officer?" said the host. `
` `
` "No, only add two bottles of champagne, and the difference `
` will be for the napkins." `
` `
` The host had not quite so good a bargain as he at first `
` hoped for, but he made amends by slipping in two bottles of `
` Anjou wine instead of two bottles of champagne. `
` `
` "Monsieur de Busigny," said Athos, "will you be so kind as `
` to set your watch with mine, or permit me to regulate mine `
` by yours?" `
` `
` "Which you please, monsieur!" said the light-horseman, `
` drawing from his fob a very handsome watch, studded with `
` diamonds; "half past seven." `
` `
` "Thirty-five minutes after seven," said Athos, "by which you `
` perceive I am five minutes faster than you." `
` `
` And bowing to all the astonished persons present, the young `
` men took the road to the bastion St. Gervais, followed by `
` Grimaud, who carried the basket, ignorant of where he was `
` going but in the passive obedience which Athos had taught `
` him not even thinking of asking. `
` `
` As long as they were within the circle of the camp, the four `
` friends did not exchange one word; besides, they were `
` followed by the curious, who, hearing of the wager, were `
` anxious to know how they would come out of it. But when `
` once they passed the line of circumvallation and found `
` themselves in the open plain, d'Artagnan, who was completely `
` ignorant of what was going forward, thought it was time to `
` demand an explanation. `
` `
` "And now, my dear Athos," said he, "do me the kindness to `
` tell me where we are going?" `
` `
` "Why, you see plainly enough we are going to the bastion." `
` `
` "But what are we going to do there?" `
` `
` "You know well that we go to breakfast there." `
` `
` "But why did we not breakfast at the Parpaillot?" `
` `
` "Because we have very important matters to communicate to `
` one another, and it was impossible to talk five minutes in `
` that inn without being annoyed by all those importunate `
` fellows, who keep coming in, saluting you, and addressing `
` you. Here at least," said Athos, pointing to the bastion, `
`
` "Let us go to the Parpaillot, then, for here the walls are `
` like sheets of paper." `
` `
` D'Artagnan, who was accustomed to his friend's manner of `
` acting, and who perceived immediately, by a word, a gesture, `
` or a sign from him, that the circumstances were serious, `
` took Athos's arm, and went out without saying anything. `
` Porthos followed, chatting with Aramis. `
` `
` On their way they met Grimaud. Athos made him a sign to `
` come with them. Grimaud, according to custom, obeyed in `
` silence; the poor lad had nearly come to the pass of `
` forgetting how to speak. `
` `
` They arrived at the drinking room of the Parpaillot. It was `
` seven o'clock in the morning, and daylight began to appear. `
` The three friends ordered breakfast, and went into a room in `
` which the host said they would not be disturbed. `
` `
` Unfortunately, the hour was badly chosen for a private `
` conference. The morning drum had just been beaten; everyone `
` shook off the drowsiness of night, and to dispel the humid `
` morning air, came to take a drop at the inn. Dragoons, `
` Swiss, Guardsmen, Musketeers, light-horsemen, succeeded one `
` another with a rapidity which might answer the purpose of `
` the host very well, but agreed badly with the views of the `
` four friends. Thus they applied very curtly to the `
` salutations, healths, and jokes of their companions. `
` `
` "I see how it will be," said Athos: "we shall get into some `
` pretty quarrel or other, and we have no need of one just `
` now. D'Artagnan, tell us what sort of a night you have had, `
` and we will describe ours afterward." `
` `
` "Ah, yes," said a light-horseman, with a glass of brandy in `
` his hand, which he sipped slowly. "I hear you gentlemen of `
` the Guards have been in the trenches tonight, and that you `
` did not get much the best of the Rochellais." `
` `
` D'Artagnan looked at Athos to know if he ought to reply to `
` this intruder who thus mixed unasked in their conversation. `
` `
` "Well," said Athos, "don't you hear Monsieur de Busigny, who `
` does you the honor to ask you a question? Relate what has `
` passed during the night, since these gentlemen desire to `
` know it." `
` `
` "Have you not taken a bastion?" said a Swiss, who was `
` drinking rum out of beer glass. `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur," said d'Artagnan, bowing, "we have had that `
` honor. We even have, as you may have heard, introduced a `
` barrel of powder under one of the angles, which in blowing `
` up made a very pretty breach. Without reckoning that as the `
` bastion was not built yesterday all the rest of the building `
` was badly shaken." `
` `
` "And what bastion is it?" asked a dragoon, with his saber `
` run through a goose which he was taking to be cooked. `
` `
` "The bastion St. Gervais," replied d'Artagnan, "from behind `
` which the Rochellais annoyed our workmen." `
` `
` "Was that affair hot?" `
` `
` "Yes, moderately so. We lost five men, and the Rochellais `
` eight or ten." `
` `
` "Balzempleu!" said the Swiss, who, notwithstanding the `
` admirable collection of oaths possessed by the German `
` language, had acquired a habit of swearing in French. `
` `
` "But it is probable," said the light-horseman, "that they `
` will send pioneers this morning to repair the bastion." `
` `
` "Yes, that's probable," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Athos, "a wager!" `
` `
` "Ah, wooi, a vager!" cried the Swiss. `
` `
` "What is it?" said the light-horseman. `
` `
` "Stop a bit," said the dragoon, placing his saber like a `
` spit upon the two large iron dogs which held the firebrands `
` in the chimney, "stop a bit, I am in it. You cursed host! a `
` dripping pan immediately, that I may not lose a drop of the `
` fat of this estimable bird." `
` `
` "You was right," said the Swiss; "goose grease is kood with `
` basdry." `
` `
` "There!" said the dragoon. "Now for the wager! We listen, `
` Monsieur Athos." `
` `
` "Yes, the wager!" said the light-horseman. `
` `
` "Well, Monsieur de Busigny, I will bet you," said Athos, `
` "that my three companions, Messieurs Porthos, Aramis, and `
` d'Artagnan, and myself, will go and breakfast in the bastion `
` St. Gervais, and we will remain there an hour, by the watch, `
` whatever the enemy may do to dislodge us." `
` `
` Porthos and Aramis looked at each other; they began to `
` comprehend. `
` `
` "But," said d'Artagnan, in the ear of Athos, "you are going `
` to get us all killed without mercy." `
` `
` "We are much more likely to be killed," said Athos, "if we `
` do not go." `
` `
` "My faith, gentlemen," said Porthos, turning round upon his `
` chair and twisting his mustache, "that's a fair bet, I `
` hope." `
` `
` "I take it," said M. de Busigny; "so let us fix the stake." `
` `
` "You are four gentlemen," said Athos, "and we are four; an `
` unlimited dinner for eight. Will that do?" `
` `
` "Capitally," replied M. de Busigny. `
` `
` "Perfectly," said the dragoon. `
` `
` "That shoots me," said the Swiss. `
` `
` The fourth auditor, who during all this conversation had `
` played a mute part, made a sign of the head in proof that he `
` acquiesced in the proposition. `
` `
` "The breakfast for these gentlemen is ready," said the host. `
` `
` "Well, bring it," said Athos. `
` `
` The host obeyed. Athos called Grimaud, pointed to a large `
` basket which lay in a corner, and made a sign to him to wrap `
` the viands up in the napkins. `
` `
` Grimaud understood that it was to be a breakfast on the `
` grass, took the basket, packed up the viands, added the `
` bottles, and then took the basket on his arm. `
` `
` "But where are you going to eat my breakfast?" asked the `
` host. `
` `
` "What matter, if you are paid for it?" said Athos, and he `
` threw two pistoles majestically on the table. `
` `
` "Shall I give you the change, my officer?" said the host. `
` `
` "No, only add two bottles of champagne, and the difference `
` will be for the napkins." `
` `
` The host had not quite so good a bargain as he at first `
` hoped for, but he made amends by slipping in two bottles of `
` Anjou wine instead of two bottles of champagne. `
` `
` "Monsieur de Busigny," said Athos, "will you be so kind as `
` to set your watch with mine, or permit me to regulate mine `
` by yours?" `
` `
` "Which you please, monsieur!" said the light-horseman, `
` drawing from his fob a very handsome watch, studded with `
` diamonds; "half past seven." `
` `
` "Thirty-five minutes after seven," said Athos, "by which you `
` perceive I am five minutes faster than you." `
` `
` And bowing to all the astonished persons present, the young `
` men took the road to the bastion St. Gervais, followed by `
` Grimaud, who carried the basket, ignorant of where he was `
` going but in the passive obedience which Athos had taught `
` him not even thinking of asking. `
` `
` As long as they were within the circle of the camp, the four `
` friends did not exchange one word; besides, they were `
` followed by the curious, who, hearing of the wager, were `
` anxious to know how they would come out of it. But when `
` once they passed the line of circumvallation and found `
` themselves in the open plain, d'Artagnan, who was completely `
` ignorant of what was going forward, thought it was time to `
` demand an explanation. `
` `
` "And now, my dear Athos," said he, "do me the kindness to `
` tell me where we are going?" `
` `
` "Why, you see plainly enough we are going to the bastion." `
` `
` "But what are we going to do there?" `
` `
` "You know well that we go to breakfast there." `
` `
` "But why did we not breakfast at the Parpaillot?" `
` `
` "Because we have very important matters to communicate to `
` one another, and it was impossible to talk five minutes in `
` that inn without being annoyed by all those importunate `
` fellows, who keep coming in, saluting you, and addressing `
` you. Here at least," said Athos, pointing to the bastion, `
`