Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
bunches of wild odoriferous herbs, doubtless possessed of virtues `
` unknown to common men, were fastened to the ceiling and hung down in the `
` corners of the apartment. There was no family, no servant; the tall man `
` alone inhabited this house. `
` `
` Athos cast a cold and indifferent glance upon the objects we have `
` described, and at the invitation of him whom he came to seek sat down `
` near him. `
` `
` Then he explained to him the cause of his visit, and the service he `
` required of him. But scarcely had he expressed his request when the `
` unknown, who remained standing before the Musketeer, drew back with `
` signs of terror, and refused. Then Athos took from his pocket a small `
` paper, on which two lines were written, accompanied by a signature and `
` a seal, and presented them to him who had made too prematurely these `
` signs of repugnance. The tall man had scarcely read these lines, seen `
` the signature, and recognized the seal, when he bowed to denote that he `
` had no longer any objection to make, and that he was ready to obey. `
` `
` Athos required no more. He arose, bowed, went out, returned by the same `
` way he came, re-entered the hotel, and went to his apartment. `
` `
` At daybreak d'Artagnan entered the chamber, and demanded what was to be `
` done. `
` `
` "To wait," replied Athos. `
` `
` Some minutes after, the superior of the convent sent to inform the `
` Musketeers that the burial would take place at midday. As to the `
` poisoner, they had heard no tidings of her whatever, only that she must `
` have made her escape through the garden, on the sand of which her `
` footsteps could be traced, and the door of which had been found shut. `
` As to the key, it had disappeared. `
` `
` At the hour appointed, Lord de Winter and the four friends repaired to `
` the convent; the bells tolled, the chapel was open, the grating of the `
` choir was closed. In the middle of the choir the body of the victim, `
` clothed in her novitiate dress, was exposed. On each side of the choir `
` and behind the gratings opening into the convent was assembled the whole `
` community of the Carmelites, who listened to the divine service, and `
` mingled their chant with the chant of the priests, without seeing the `
` profane, or being seen by them. `
` `
` At the door of the chapel d'Artagnan felt his courage fall anew, `
` and returned to look for Athos; but Athos had disappeared. `
` `
` Faithful to his mission of vengeance, Athos had requested to be `
` conducted to the garden; and there upon the sand following the light `
` steps of this woman, who left sharp tracks wherever she went, he `
` advanced toward the gate which led into the wood, and causing it to be `
` opened, he went out into the forest. `
` `
` Then all his suspicions were confirmed; the road by which the carriage `
` had disappeared encircled the forest. Athos followed the road for some `
` time, his eyes fixed upon the ground; slight stains of blood, which came `
` from the wound inflicted upon the man who accompanied the carriage as a `
` courier, or from one of the horses, dotted the road. At the end of `
` three-quarters of a league, within fifty paces of Festubert, a larger `
` bloodstain appeared; the ground was trampled by horses. Between the `
` forest and this accursed spot, a little behind the trampled ground, was `
` the same track of small feet as in the garden; the carriage had stopped `
` here. At this spot Milady had come out of the wood, and entered the `
` carriage. `
` `
` Satisfied with this discovery which confirmed all his suspicions, Athos `
` returned to the hotel, and found Planchet impatiently waiting for him. `
` `
` Everything was as Athos had foreseen. `
` `
` Planchet had followed the road; like Athos, he had discovered the stains `
` of blood; like Athos, he had noted the spot where the horses had halted. `
` But he had gone farther than Athos--for at the village of Festubert, `
` while drinking at an inn, he had learned without needing to ask a `
` question that the evening before, at half-past eight, a wounded man who `
` accompanied a lady traveling in a post-chaise had been obliged to stop, `
` unable to go further. The accident was set down to the account of `
` robbers, who had stopped the chaise in the wood. The man remained in `
` the village; the woman had had a relay of horses, and continued her `
` journey. `
` `
` Planchet went in search of the postillion who had driven her, and found `
` him. He had taken the lady as far as Fromelles; and from Fromelles `
` she had set out for Armentieres. Planchet took the crossroad, and by `
` seven o'clock in the morning he was at Armentieres. `
` `
` There was but one tavern, the Post. Planchet went and presented himself `
` as a lackey out of a place, who was in search of a situation. He had `
` not chatted ten minutes with the people of the tavern before he learned `
` that a woman had come there alone about eleven o'clock the night before, `
` had engaged a chamber, had sent for the master of the hotel, and told `
` him she desired to remain some time in the neighborhood. `
` `
` Planchet had no need to learn more. He hastened to the rendezvous, `
` found the lackeys at their posts, placed them as sentinels at all the `
` outlets of the hotel, and came to find Athos, who had just received this `
` information when his friends returned. `
` `
` All their countenances were melancholy and gloomy, even the mild `
` countenance of Aramis. `
` `
` "What is to be done?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "To wait!" replied Athos. `
` `
` Each retired to his own apartment. `
` `
` At eight o'clock in the evening Athos ordered the horses to be saddled, `
` and Lord de Winter and his friends notified that they must prepare for `
` the expedition. `
` `
` In an instant all five were ready. Each examined his arms, and put them `
` in order. Athos came down last, and found d'Artagnan already on `
` horseback, and growing impatient. `
` `
` "Patience!" cried Athos; "one of our party is still wanting." `
` `
` The four horsemen looked round them with astonishment, for they sought `
` vainly in their minds to know who this other person could be. `
` `
` At this moment Planchet brought out Athos's house; the Musketeer leaped `
` lightly into the saddle. `
` `
` "Wait for me," cried he, "I will soon be back," and he set off at a `
` gallop. `
` `
` In a quarter of an hour he returned, accompanied by a tall man, masked, `
` and wrapped in a large red cloak. `
` `
` Lord de Winter and the three Musketeers looked at one another `
` inquiringly. Neither could give the others any information, for all `
` were ignorant who this man could be; nevertheless, they felt convinced `
` that all was as it should be, as it was done by the order of Athos. `
` `
` At nine o'clock, guided by Planchet, the little cavalcade set out, `
` taking the route the carriage had taken. `
` `
` It was a melancholy sight--that of these six men, traveling in silence, `
` each plunged in his own thoughts, sad as despair, gloomy as `
` chastisement. `
` `
` `
` `
` 65 TRIAL `
` `
` It was a stormy and dark night; vast clouds covered the heavens, `
` concealing the stars; the moon would not rise till midnight. `
` `
` Occasionally, by the light of a flash of lightning which gleamed along `
` the horizon, the road stretched itself before them, white and solitary; `
` the flash extinct, all remained in darkness. `
` `
` Every minute Athos was forced to restrain d'Artagnan, constantly in `
` advance of the little troop, and to beg him to keep in the line, which `
` in an instant he again departed from. He had but one thought--to go `
` forward; and he went. `
` `
` They passed in silence through the little village of Festubert, where `
` the wounded servant was, and then skirted the wood of Richebourg. At `
` Herlier, Planchet, who led the column, turned to the left. `
` `
` Several times Lord de Winter, Porthos, or Aramis, tried to talk with the `
` man in the red cloak; but to every interrogation which they put to him `
` he bowed, without response. The travelers then comprehended that there `
` must be some reason why the unknown preserved such a silence, and ceased `
` to address themselves to him. `
` `
` The storm increased, the flashes succeeded one another more rapidly, the `
` thunder began to growl, and the wind, the precursor of a hurricane, `
` whistled in the plumes and the hair of the horsemen. `
` `
` The cavalcade trotted on more sharply. `
` `
` A little before they came to Fromelles the storm burst. They spread `
` their cloaks. There remained three leagues to travel, and they did it `
` amid torrents of rain. `
` `
` D'Artagnan took off his hat, and could not be persuaded to make use of `
` his cloak. He found pleasure in feeling the water trickle over his `
` burning brow and over his body, agitated by feverish shudders. `
` `
` The moment the little troop passed Goskal and were approaching the Port, `
` a man sheltered beneath a tree detached himself from the trunk with `
` which he had been confounded in the darkness, and advanced into the `
` middle of the road, putting his finger on his lips. `
` `
` Athos recognized Grimaud. `
` `
` "What's the manner?" cried Athos. "Has she left Armentieres?" `
` `
` Grimaud made a sign in the affirmative. D'Artagnan groaned his teeth. `
` `
` "Silence, d'Artagnan!" said Athos. I have charged myself with this `
` affair. It is for me, then, to interrogate Grimaud." `
` `
` "Where is she?" asked Athos. `
` `
` Grimaud extended his hands in the direction of the Lys. "Far from `
` here?" asked Athos. `
` `
` Grimaud showed his master his forefinger bent. `
` `
`
` unknown to common men, were fastened to the ceiling and hung down in the `
` corners of the apartment. There was no family, no servant; the tall man `
` alone inhabited this house. `
` `
` Athos cast a cold and indifferent glance upon the objects we have `
` described, and at the invitation of him whom he came to seek sat down `
` near him. `
` `
` Then he explained to him the cause of his visit, and the service he `
` required of him. But scarcely had he expressed his request when the `
` unknown, who remained standing before the Musketeer, drew back with `
` signs of terror, and refused. Then Athos took from his pocket a small `
` paper, on which two lines were written, accompanied by a signature and `
` a seal, and presented them to him who had made too prematurely these `
` signs of repugnance. The tall man had scarcely read these lines, seen `
` the signature, and recognized the seal, when he bowed to denote that he `
` had no longer any objection to make, and that he was ready to obey. `
` `
` Athos required no more. He arose, bowed, went out, returned by the same `
` way he came, re-entered the hotel, and went to his apartment. `
` `
` At daybreak d'Artagnan entered the chamber, and demanded what was to be `
` done. `
` `
` "To wait," replied Athos. `
` `
` Some minutes after, the superior of the convent sent to inform the `
` Musketeers that the burial would take place at midday. As to the `
` poisoner, they had heard no tidings of her whatever, only that she must `
` have made her escape through the garden, on the sand of which her `
` footsteps could be traced, and the door of which had been found shut. `
` As to the key, it had disappeared. `
` `
` At the hour appointed, Lord de Winter and the four friends repaired to `
` the convent; the bells tolled, the chapel was open, the grating of the `
` choir was closed. In the middle of the choir the body of the victim, `
` clothed in her novitiate dress, was exposed. On each side of the choir `
` and behind the gratings opening into the convent was assembled the whole `
` community of the Carmelites, who listened to the divine service, and `
` mingled their chant with the chant of the priests, without seeing the `
` profane, or being seen by them. `
` `
` At the door of the chapel d'Artagnan felt his courage fall anew, `
` and returned to look for Athos; but Athos had disappeared. `
` `
` Faithful to his mission of vengeance, Athos had requested to be `
` conducted to the garden; and there upon the sand following the light `
` steps of this woman, who left sharp tracks wherever she went, he `
` advanced toward the gate which led into the wood, and causing it to be `
` opened, he went out into the forest. `
` `
` Then all his suspicions were confirmed; the road by which the carriage `
` had disappeared encircled the forest. Athos followed the road for some `
` time, his eyes fixed upon the ground; slight stains of blood, which came `
` from the wound inflicted upon the man who accompanied the carriage as a `
` courier, or from one of the horses, dotted the road. At the end of `
` three-quarters of a league, within fifty paces of Festubert, a larger `
` bloodstain appeared; the ground was trampled by horses. Between the `
` forest and this accursed spot, a little behind the trampled ground, was `
` the same track of small feet as in the garden; the carriage had stopped `
` here. At this spot Milady had come out of the wood, and entered the `
` carriage. `
` `
` Satisfied with this discovery which confirmed all his suspicions, Athos `
` returned to the hotel, and found Planchet impatiently waiting for him. `
` `
` Everything was as Athos had foreseen. `
` `
` Planchet had followed the road; like Athos, he had discovered the stains `
` of blood; like Athos, he had noted the spot where the horses had halted. `
` But he had gone farther than Athos--for at the village of Festubert, `
` while drinking at an inn, he had learned without needing to ask a `
` question that the evening before, at half-past eight, a wounded man who `
` accompanied a lady traveling in a post-chaise had been obliged to stop, `
` unable to go further. The accident was set down to the account of `
` robbers, who had stopped the chaise in the wood. The man remained in `
` the village; the woman had had a relay of horses, and continued her `
` journey. `
` `
` Planchet went in search of the postillion who had driven her, and found `
` him. He had taken the lady as far as Fromelles; and from Fromelles `
` she had set out for Armentieres. Planchet took the crossroad, and by `
` seven o'clock in the morning he was at Armentieres. `
` `
` There was but one tavern, the Post. Planchet went and presented himself `
` as a lackey out of a place, who was in search of a situation. He had `
` not chatted ten minutes with the people of the tavern before he learned `
` that a woman had come there alone about eleven o'clock the night before, `
` had engaged a chamber, had sent for the master of the hotel, and told `
` him she desired to remain some time in the neighborhood. `
` `
` Planchet had no need to learn more. He hastened to the rendezvous, `
` found the lackeys at their posts, placed them as sentinels at all the `
` outlets of the hotel, and came to find Athos, who had just received this `
` information when his friends returned. `
` `
` All their countenances were melancholy and gloomy, even the mild `
` countenance of Aramis. `
` `
` "What is to be done?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "To wait!" replied Athos. `
` `
` Each retired to his own apartment. `
` `
` At eight o'clock in the evening Athos ordered the horses to be saddled, `
` and Lord de Winter and his friends notified that they must prepare for `
` the expedition. `
` `
` In an instant all five were ready. Each examined his arms, and put them `
` in order. Athos came down last, and found d'Artagnan already on `
` horseback, and growing impatient. `
` `
` "Patience!" cried Athos; "one of our party is still wanting." `
` `
` The four horsemen looked round them with astonishment, for they sought `
` vainly in their minds to know who this other person could be. `
` `
` At this moment Planchet brought out Athos's house; the Musketeer leaped `
` lightly into the saddle. `
` `
` "Wait for me," cried he, "I will soon be back," and he set off at a `
` gallop. `
` `
` In a quarter of an hour he returned, accompanied by a tall man, masked, `
` and wrapped in a large red cloak. `
` `
` Lord de Winter and the three Musketeers looked at one another `
` inquiringly. Neither could give the others any information, for all `
` were ignorant who this man could be; nevertheless, they felt convinced `
` that all was as it should be, as it was done by the order of Athos. `
` `
` At nine o'clock, guided by Planchet, the little cavalcade set out, `
` taking the route the carriage had taken. `
` `
` It was a melancholy sight--that of these six men, traveling in silence, `
` each plunged in his own thoughts, sad as despair, gloomy as `
` chastisement. `
` `
` `
` `
` 65 TRIAL `
` `
` It was a stormy and dark night; vast clouds covered the heavens, `
` concealing the stars; the moon would not rise till midnight. `
` `
` Occasionally, by the light of a flash of lightning which gleamed along `
` the horizon, the road stretched itself before them, white and solitary; `
` the flash extinct, all remained in darkness. `
` `
` Every minute Athos was forced to restrain d'Artagnan, constantly in `
` advance of the little troop, and to beg him to keep in the line, which `
` in an instant he again departed from. He had but one thought--to go `
` forward; and he went. `
` `
` They passed in silence through the little village of Festubert, where `
` the wounded servant was, and then skirted the wood of Richebourg. At `
` Herlier, Planchet, who led the column, turned to the left. `
` `
` Several times Lord de Winter, Porthos, or Aramis, tried to talk with the `
` man in the red cloak; but to every interrogation which they put to him `
` he bowed, without response. The travelers then comprehended that there `
` must be some reason why the unknown preserved such a silence, and ceased `
` to address themselves to him. `
` `
` The storm increased, the flashes succeeded one another more rapidly, the `
` thunder began to growl, and the wind, the precursor of a hurricane, `
` whistled in the plumes and the hair of the horsemen. `
` `
` The cavalcade trotted on more sharply. `
` `
` A little before they came to Fromelles the storm burst. They spread `
` their cloaks. There remained three leagues to travel, and they did it `
` amid torrents of rain. `
` `
` D'Artagnan took off his hat, and could not be persuaded to make use of `
` his cloak. He found pleasure in feeling the water trickle over his `
` burning brow and over his body, agitated by feverish shudders. `
` `
` The moment the little troop passed Goskal and were approaching the Port, `
` a man sheltered beneath a tree detached himself from the trunk with `
` which he had been confounded in the darkness, and advanced into the `
` middle of the road, putting his finger on his lips. `
` `
` Athos recognized Grimaud. `
` `
` "What's the manner?" cried Athos. "Has she left Armentieres?" `
` `
` Grimaud made a sign in the affirmative. D'Artagnan groaned his teeth. `
` `
` "Silence, d'Artagnan!" said Athos. I have charged myself with this `
` affair. It is for me, then, to interrogate Grimaud." `
` `
` "Where is she?" asked Athos. `
` `
` Grimaud extended his hands in the direction of the Lys. "Far from `
` here?" asked Athos. `
` `
` Grimaud showed his master his forefinger bent. `
` `
`