Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
`
` "Beware of what you are about, gentlemen!" said a clear `
` voice which seemed accustomed to command. `
` `
` "It is some superior officer making his night rounds," said `
` Athos. "What do you wish, gentlemen?" `
` `
` "Who are you?" said the same voice, in the same commanding `
` tone. "Answer in your turn, or you may repent of your `
` disobedience." `
` `
` "King's Musketeers," said Athos, more and more convinced `
` that he who interrogated them had the right to do so. `
` `
` "What company?" `
` `
` "Company of Treville." `
` `
` "Advance, and give an account of what you are doing here at `
` this hour." `
` `
` The three companions advanced rather humbly--for all were `
` now convinced that they had to do with someone more powerful `
` than themselves--leaving Athos the post of speaker. `
` `
` One of the two riders, he who had spoken second, was ten `
` paces in front of his companion. Athos made a sign to `
` Porthos and Aramis also to remain in the rear, and advanced `
` alone. `
` `
` "Your pardon, my officer," said Athos; "but we were ignorant `
` with whom we had to do, and you may see that we were good `
` guard." `
` `
` "Your name?" said the officer, who covered a part of his `
` face with his cloak. `
` `
` "But yourself, monsieur," said Athos, who began to be `
` annoyed by this inquisition, "give me, I beg you, the proof `
` that you have the right to question me." `
` `
` "Your name?" repeated the cavalier a second time, letting `
` his cloak fall, and leaving his face uncovered. `
` `
` "Monsieur the Cardinal!" cried the stupefied Musketeer. `
` `
` "Your name?" cried his Eminence, for the third time. `
` `
` "Athos," said the Musketeer. `
` `
` The cardinal made a sign to his attendant, who drew near. `
` "These three Musketeers shall follow us," said he, in an `
` undertone. "I am not willing it should be known I have left `
` the camp; and if they follow us we shall be certain they `
` will tell nobody." `
` `
` "We are gentlemen, monseigneur," said Athos; "require our `
` parole, and give yourself no uneasiness. Thank God, we can `
` keep a secret." `
` `
` The cardinal fixed his piercing eyes on this courageous `
` speaker. `
` `
` "You have a quick ear, Monsieur Athos," said the cardinal; `
` "but now listen to this. It is not from mistrust that I `
` request you to follow me, but for my security. Your `
` companions are no doubt Messieurs Porthos and Aramis." `
` `
` "Yes, your Eminence," said Athos, while the two Musketeers `
` who had remained behind advanced hat in hand. `
` `
` "I know you, gentlemen," said the cardinal, "I know you. I `
` know you are not quite my friends, and I am sorry you are `
` not so; but I know you are brave and loyal gentlemen, and `
` that confidence may be placed in you. Monsieur Athos, do `
` me, then, the honor to accompany me; you and your two `
` friends, and then I shall have an escort to excite envy in `
` his Majesty, if we should meet him." `
` `
` The three Musketeers bowed to the necks of their horses. `
` `
` "Well, upon my honor," said Athos, "your Eminence is right `
` in taking us with you; we have seen several ill-looking `
` faces on the road, and we have even had a quarrel at the Red `
` Dovecot with four of those faces." `
` `
` "A quarrel, and what for, gentlemen?" said the cardinal; `
` "you know I don't like quarrelers." `
` `
` "And that is the reason why I have the honor to inform your `
` Eminence of what has happened; for you might learn it from `
` others, and upon a false account believe us to be in fault." `
` `
` "What have been the results of your quarrel?" said the `
` cardinal, knitting his brow. `
` `
` "My friend, Aramis, here, has received a slight sword wound `
` in the arm, but not enough to prevent him, as your Eminence `
` may see, from mounting to the assault tomorrow, if your `
` Eminence orders an escalade." `
` `
` "But you are not the men to allow sword wounds to be `
` inflicted upon you thus," said the cardinal. "Come, be `
` frank, gentlemen, you have settled accounts with somebody! `
` Confess; you know I have the right of giving absolution." `
` `
` "I, monseigneur?" said Athos. "I did not even draw my `
` sword, but I took him who offended me round the body, and `
` threw him out of the window. It appears that in falling," `
` continued Athos, with some hesitation, "he broke his thigh." `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said the cardinal; "and you, Monsieur Porthos?" `
` `
` "I, monseigneur, knowing that dueling is prohibited--I `
` seized a bench, and gave one of those brigands such a blow `
` that I believe his shoulder is broken." `
` `
` "Very well," said the cardinal; "and you, Monsieur Aramis?" `
` `
` "Monseigneur, being of a very mild disposition, and being, `
` likewise, of which Monseigneur perhaps is not aware, about `
` to enter into orders, I endeavored to appease my comrades, `
` when one of these wretches gave me a wound with a sword, `
` treacherously, across my left arm. Then I admit my patience `
` failed me; I drew my sword in my turn, and as he came back `
` to the charge, I fancied I felt that in throwing himself `
` upon me, he let it pass through his body. I only know for a `
` certainty that he fell; and it seemed to me that he was `
` borne away with his two companions." `
` `
` "The devil, gentlemen!" said the cardinal, "three men placed `
` hors de combat in a cabaret squabble! You don't do your `
` work by halves. And pray what was this quarrel about?" `
` `
` "These fellows were drunk," said Athos. "and knowing there `
` was a lady who had arrived at the cabaret this evening, they `
` wanted to force her door." `
` `
` "Force her door!" said the cardinal, "and for what purpose?" `
` `
` "To do her violence, without doubt," said Athos. "I have `
` had the honor of informing your Eminence that these men were `
` drunk." `
` `
` "And was this lady young and handsome?" asked the cardinal, `
` with a certain degree of anxiety. `
` `
` "We did not see her, monseigneur," said Athos. `
` `
` "You did not see her? Ah, very well," replied the cardinal, `
` quickly. "You did well to defend the honor of a woman; and `
` as I am going to the Red Dovecot myself, I shall know if you `
` have told me the truth." `
` `
` "Monseigneur," said Athos, haughtily, "we are gentlemen, and `
` to save our heads we would not be guilty of a falsehood." `
` `
` "Therefore I do not doubt what you say, Monsieur Athos, I do `
` not doubt it for a single instant; but," added he, "to `
` change the conversation, was this lady alone?" `
` `
` "The lady had a cavalier shut up with her," said Athos, "but `
` as notwithstanding the noise, this cavalier did not show `
` himself, it is to be presumed that he is a coward." `
` `
` "'Judge not rashly', says the Gospel," replied the cardinal. `
` `
` Athos bowed. `
` `
` "And now, gentlemen, that's well," continued the cardinal. `
` "I know what I wish to know; follow me." `
` `
` The three Musketeers passed behind his Eminence, who again `
` enveloped his face in his cloak, and put his horse in `
` motion, keeping from eight to ten paces in advance of his `
` four companions. `
` `
` They soon arrived at the silent, solitary inn. No doubt the `
` host knew what illustrious visitor was expected, and had `
` consequently sent intruders out of the way. `
` `
` Ten paces from the door the cardinal made a sign to his `
` esquire and the three Musketeers to halt. A saddled horse `
` was fastened to the window shutter. The cardinal knocked `
` three times, and in a peculiar manner. `
` `
` A man, enveloped in a cloak, came out immediately, and `
` exchanged some rapid words with the cardinal; after which he `
` mounted his horse, and set off in the direction of Surgeres, `
` which was likewise the way to Paris. `
` `
` "Advance, gentlemen," said the cardinal. `
` `
` "You have told me the truth, my gentlemen," said he, `
` addressing the Musketeers, "and it will not be my fault if `
` our encounter this evening be not advantageous to you. In `
` the meantime, follow me." `
` `
` The cardinal alighted; the three Musketeers did likewise. `
` The cardinal threw the bridle of his horse to his esquire; `
` the three Musketeers fastened the horses to the shutters. `
`
` "Beware of what you are about, gentlemen!" said a clear `
` voice which seemed accustomed to command. `
` `
` "It is some superior officer making his night rounds," said `
` Athos. "What do you wish, gentlemen?" `
` `
` "Who are you?" said the same voice, in the same commanding `
` tone. "Answer in your turn, or you may repent of your `
` disobedience." `
` `
` "King's Musketeers," said Athos, more and more convinced `
` that he who interrogated them had the right to do so. `
` `
` "What company?" `
` `
` "Company of Treville." `
` `
` "Advance, and give an account of what you are doing here at `
` this hour." `
` `
` The three companions advanced rather humbly--for all were `
` now convinced that they had to do with someone more powerful `
` than themselves--leaving Athos the post of speaker. `
` `
` One of the two riders, he who had spoken second, was ten `
` paces in front of his companion. Athos made a sign to `
` Porthos and Aramis also to remain in the rear, and advanced `
` alone. `
` `
` "Your pardon, my officer," said Athos; "but we were ignorant `
` with whom we had to do, and you may see that we were good `
` guard." `
` `
` "Your name?" said the officer, who covered a part of his `
` face with his cloak. `
` `
` "But yourself, monsieur," said Athos, who began to be `
` annoyed by this inquisition, "give me, I beg you, the proof `
` that you have the right to question me." `
` `
` "Your name?" repeated the cavalier a second time, letting `
` his cloak fall, and leaving his face uncovered. `
` `
` "Monsieur the Cardinal!" cried the stupefied Musketeer. `
` `
` "Your name?" cried his Eminence, for the third time. `
` `
` "Athos," said the Musketeer. `
` `
` The cardinal made a sign to his attendant, who drew near. `
` "These three Musketeers shall follow us," said he, in an `
` undertone. "I am not willing it should be known I have left `
` the camp; and if they follow us we shall be certain they `
` will tell nobody." `
` `
` "We are gentlemen, monseigneur," said Athos; "require our `
` parole, and give yourself no uneasiness. Thank God, we can `
` keep a secret." `
` `
` The cardinal fixed his piercing eyes on this courageous `
` speaker. `
` `
` "You have a quick ear, Monsieur Athos," said the cardinal; `
` "but now listen to this. It is not from mistrust that I `
` request you to follow me, but for my security. Your `
` companions are no doubt Messieurs Porthos and Aramis." `
` `
` "Yes, your Eminence," said Athos, while the two Musketeers `
` who had remained behind advanced hat in hand. `
` `
` "I know you, gentlemen," said the cardinal, "I know you. I `
` know you are not quite my friends, and I am sorry you are `
` not so; but I know you are brave and loyal gentlemen, and `
` that confidence may be placed in you. Monsieur Athos, do `
` me, then, the honor to accompany me; you and your two `
` friends, and then I shall have an escort to excite envy in `
` his Majesty, if we should meet him." `
` `
` The three Musketeers bowed to the necks of their horses. `
` `
` "Well, upon my honor," said Athos, "your Eminence is right `
` in taking us with you; we have seen several ill-looking `
` faces on the road, and we have even had a quarrel at the Red `
` Dovecot with four of those faces." `
` `
` "A quarrel, and what for, gentlemen?" said the cardinal; `
` "you know I don't like quarrelers." `
` `
` "And that is the reason why I have the honor to inform your `
` Eminence of what has happened; for you might learn it from `
` others, and upon a false account believe us to be in fault." `
` `
` "What have been the results of your quarrel?" said the `
` cardinal, knitting his brow. `
` `
` "My friend, Aramis, here, has received a slight sword wound `
` in the arm, but not enough to prevent him, as your Eminence `
` may see, from mounting to the assault tomorrow, if your `
` Eminence orders an escalade." `
` `
` "But you are not the men to allow sword wounds to be `
` inflicted upon you thus," said the cardinal. "Come, be `
` frank, gentlemen, you have settled accounts with somebody! `
` Confess; you know I have the right of giving absolution." `
` `
` "I, monseigneur?" said Athos. "I did not even draw my `
` sword, but I took him who offended me round the body, and `
` threw him out of the window. It appears that in falling," `
` continued Athos, with some hesitation, "he broke his thigh." `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said the cardinal; "and you, Monsieur Porthos?" `
` `
` "I, monseigneur, knowing that dueling is prohibited--I `
` seized a bench, and gave one of those brigands such a blow `
` that I believe his shoulder is broken." `
` `
` "Very well," said the cardinal; "and you, Monsieur Aramis?" `
` `
` "Monseigneur, being of a very mild disposition, and being, `
` likewise, of which Monseigneur perhaps is not aware, about `
` to enter into orders, I endeavored to appease my comrades, `
` when one of these wretches gave me a wound with a sword, `
` treacherously, across my left arm. Then I admit my patience `
` failed me; I drew my sword in my turn, and as he came back `
` to the charge, I fancied I felt that in throwing himself `
` upon me, he let it pass through his body. I only know for a `
` certainty that he fell; and it seemed to me that he was `
` borne away with his two companions." `
` `
` "The devil, gentlemen!" said the cardinal, "three men placed `
` hors de combat in a cabaret squabble! You don't do your `
` work by halves. And pray what was this quarrel about?" `
` `
` "These fellows were drunk," said Athos. "and knowing there `
` was a lady who had arrived at the cabaret this evening, they `
` wanted to force her door." `
` `
` "Force her door!" said the cardinal, "and for what purpose?" `
` `
` "To do her violence, without doubt," said Athos. "I have `
` had the honor of informing your Eminence that these men were `
` drunk." `
` `
` "And was this lady young and handsome?" asked the cardinal, `
` with a certain degree of anxiety. `
` `
` "We did not see her, monseigneur," said Athos. `
` `
` "You did not see her? Ah, very well," replied the cardinal, `
` quickly. "You did well to defend the honor of a woman; and `
` as I am going to the Red Dovecot myself, I shall know if you `
` have told me the truth." `
` `
` "Monseigneur," said Athos, haughtily, "we are gentlemen, and `
` to save our heads we would not be guilty of a falsehood." `
` `
` "Therefore I do not doubt what you say, Monsieur Athos, I do `
` not doubt it for a single instant; but," added he, "to `
` change the conversation, was this lady alone?" `
` `
` "The lady had a cavalier shut up with her," said Athos, "but `
` as notwithstanding the noise, this cavalier did not show `
` himself, it is to be presumed that he is a coward." `
` `
` "'Judge not rashly', says the Gospel," replied the cardinal. `
` `
` Athos bowed. `
` `
` "And now, gentlemen, that's well," continued the cardinal. `
` "I know what I wish to know; follow me." `
` `
` The three Musketeers passed behind his Eminence, who again `
` enveloped his face in his cloak, and put his horse in `
` motion, keeping from eight to ten paces in advance of his `
` four companions. `
` `
` They soon arrived at the silent, solitary inn. No doubt the `
` host knew what illustrious visitor was expected, and had `
` consequently sent intruders out of the way. `
` `
` Ten paces from the door the cardinal made a sign to his `
` esquire and the three Musketeers to halt. A saddled horse `
` was fastened to the window shutter. The cardinal knocked `
` three times, and in a peculiar manner. `
` `
` A man, enveloped in a cloak, came out immediately, and `
` exchanged some rapid words with the cardinal; after which he `
` mounted his horse, and set off in the direction of Surgeres, `
` which was likewise the way to Paris. `
` `
` "Advance, gentlemen," said the cardinal. `
` `
` "You have told me the truth, my gentlemen," said he, `
` addressing the Musketeers, "and it will not be my fault if `
` our encounter this evening be not advantageous to you. In `
` the meantime, follow me." `
` `
` The cardinal alighted; the three Musketeers did likewise. `
` The cardinal threw the bridle of his horse to his esquire; `
` the three Musketeers fastened the horses to the shutters. `
`