登陆注册
5287000000192

第192章 61(3)

As to Groslow, he promised himself that on the following evening he would recover from D'Artagnan what he had lost to Porthos, and on leaving reminded the Gascon of his appointment.

The next day was spent as usual. D'Artagnan went from Captain Groslow to Colonel Harrison and from Colonel Harrison to his friends. To any one not acquainted with him he seemed to be in his normal condition; but to his friends -- to Athos and Aramis -- was apparent a certain feverishness in his gayety.

"What is he contriving?" asked Aramis.

"Wait," said Athos.

Porthos said nothing, but he handled in his pocket the fifty pistoles he had gained from Groslow with a degree of satisfaction which betrayed itself in his whole bearing.

Arrived at Ryston, D'Artagnan assembled his friends. His face had lost the expression of careless gayety it had worn like a mask the whole day. Athos pinched Aramis's hand.

"The moment is at hand," he said.

"Yes," returned D'Artagnan, who had overheard him, "to-night, gentlemen, we rescue the king."

"D'Artagnan," said Athos, "this is no joke, I trust? It would quite cut me up."

"You are a very odd man, Athos," he replied, "to doubt me thus. Where and when have you seen me trifle with a friend's heart and a king's life? I have told you, and I repeat it, that to-night we rescue Charles I. You left it to me to discover the means and I have done so."

Porthos looked at D'Artagnan with an expression of profound admiration. Aramis smiled as one who hopes. Athos was pale, and trembled in every limb.

"Speak," said Athos.

"We are invited," replied D'Artagnan, "to pass the night with M. Groslow. But do you know where?"

"No."

"In the king's room."

"The king's room?" cried Athos.

"Yes, gentlemen, in the king's room. Groslow is on guard there this evening, and to pass the time away he has invited us to keep him company."

"All four of us?" asked Athos.

"Pardieu! certainly, all four; we couldn't leave our prisoners, could we?"

"Ah! ah!" said Aramis.

"Tell us about it," said Athos, palpitating.

"We are going, then, we two with our swords, you with daggers. We four have got to master these eight fools and their stupid captain. Monsieur Porthos, what do you say to that?"

"I say it is easy enough," answered Porthos.

"We dress the king in Groslow's clothes. Musqueton, Grimaud and Blaisois have our horses saddled at the end of the first street. We mount them and before daylight are twenty leagues distant."

Athos placed his two hands on D'Artagnan's shoulders, and gazed at him with his calm, sad smile.

"I declare, my friend," said he, "that there is not a creature under the sky who equals you in prowess and in courage. Whilst we thought you indifferent to our sorrows, which you couldn't share without crime, you alone among us have discovered what we were searching for in vain. I repeat it, D'Artagnan, you are the best one among us; I bless and love you, my dear son."

"And to think that I couldn't find that out," said Porthos, scratching his head; "it is so simple."

"But," said Aramis, "if I understand rightly we are to kill them all, eh?"

Athos shuddered and turned pale.

"Mordioux!" answered D'Artagnan, "I believe we must. I confess I can discover no other safe and satisfactory way."

"Let us see," said Aramis, "how are we to act?"

"I have arranged two plans. Firstly, at a given signal, which shall be the words `At last,' you each plunge a dagger into the heart of the soldier nearest to you. We, on our side, do the same. That will be four killed. We shall then be matched, four against the remaining five. If these five men give themselves up we gag them; if they resist, we kill them. If by chance our Amphitryon changes his mind and receives only Porthos and myself, why, then, we must resort to heroic measures and each give two strokes instead of one.

It will take a little longer time and may make a greater disturbance, but you will be outside with swords and will rush in at the proper time."

"But if you yourselves should be struck?" said Athos.

"Impossible!" said D'Artagnan; "those beer drinkers are too clumsy and awkward. Besides, you will strike at the throat, Porthos; it kills as quickly and prevents all outcry."

"Very good," said Porthos; "it will be a nice little throat cutting."

"Horrible, horrible," exclaimed Athos.

"Nonsense," said D'Artagnan; "you would do as much, Mr. Humanity, in a battle. But if you think the king's life is not worth what it must cost there's an end of the matter and I send to Groslow to say I am ill."

"No, you are right," said Athos.

At this moment a soldier entered to inform them that Groslow was waiting for them.

"Where?" asked D'Artagnan.

"In the room of the English Nebuchadnezzar," replied the staunch Puritan.

"Good," replied Athos, whose blood mounted to his face at the insult offered to royalty; "tell the captain we are coming."

The Puritan then went out. The lackeys had been ordered to saddle eight horses and to wait, keeping together and without dismounting, at the corner of a street about twenty steps from the house where the king was lodged.

It was nine o'clock in the evening; the sentinels had been relieved at eight and Captain Groslow had been on guard for an hour. D'Artagnan and Porthos, armed with their swords, and Athos and Aramis, each carrying a concealed poniard, approached the house which for the time being was Charles Stuart's prison. The two latter followed their captors in the humble guise of captives, without arms.

"Od's bodikins," said Groslow, as the four friends entered, "I had almost given you up."

D'Artagnan went up to him and whispered in his ear:

"The fact is, we, that is, Monsieur du Vallon and I, hesitated a little."

"And why?"

D'Artagnan looked significantly toward Athos and Aramis.

"Aha," said Groslow; "on account of political opinions? No matter. On the contrary," he added, laughing, "if they want to see their Stuart they shall see him.

"Are we to pass the night in the king's room?" asked D'Artagnan.

同类推荐
  • 胜鬘宝窟

    胜鬘宝窟

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 禅林宝训顺朱

    禅林宝训顺朱

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 皇明本纪

    皇明本纪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 乞彩笺歌

    乞彩笺歌

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大方广佛花严经修慈分一卷

    大方广佛花严经修慈分一卷

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 我的超级老婆

    我的超级老婆

    据全球妇联协会曾公布的老婆排行榜,如下:初级,中级,高级,超级。而,主角的老婆就荣登超级行列。
  • 来自非人部落的问候

    来自非人部落的问候

    自幼是孤儿的卡达尔在各平行世界艰难存活的故事
  • 荔枝

    荔枝

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 嫁个绝色相公

    嫁个绝色相公

    月黑风高的夜晚,静的只剩下风声。我小心翼翼的走在林间的小道上,一手拿着手枪,一拿紧紧将重要的宝物搂在怀中。这件宝物,只是一副画而已。但是,这副画却已经有几千年的历史,价值数亿元。可是,这副画现在确在我的手上,呵呵,没错,我是一个小偷……兼杀手。要说我的师傅是谁嘛?保密。要问我是哪个组织嘛?我是自由人士,无门无派。……
  • 黑暗领主

    黑暗领主

    一场噩梦让人类迎来了一个黑暗的时代。而陈晞的人生也自此改变。残暴嗜血的怪虫,危机四伏的迷雾之都,扭曲人性的异族神教徒……且看他如何在这条充斥着绝望和杀戮的道路上力挽狂澜!“并不是不怕死,只是骨子里深刻着一股不服输的劲。”
  • 余生有你自难忘

    余生有你自难忘

    安暖和萧墨远始于一场意外,原以为从此天涯海角再不相见。三年后,丈夫作为私生子被认祖归宗。安暖跟着鸡犬升天,走进A市的顶级豪门。“你看着有些眼熟,我们在哪里见过?”丈夫的小叔将她逼至角落,狭长的眼眸里透着危险地光芒。安暖紧张的一颗心提上来,红晕一直泛到耳根,狠狠地掐了自己一把才低弱道:“小叔,您认错人了。”“是嘛。”萧墨远勾唇,将她放开。看着萧墨远远走地背影,安暖虚弱地靠着墙滑下去。萧墨远用尽手段编织一张网,让安暖无路可逃。
  • 文化与艺术的多视角探索(中国艺术研究院学术文库)

    文化与艺术的多视角探索(中国艺术研究院学术文库)

    《中国艺术研究院学术文库:文化与艺术的多视角探索》是从作者已发表的学术成果中精选出的32篇论文汇集而成的个人文集,它涵盖了五个方面的论题,主要内容包括:文化艺术理论探索、非物质文化遗产保护研究、文学语言之思、艺术语言论析、艺术理论家评述。
  • The Dore Lectures on Mental Science

    The Dore Lectures on Mental Science

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 名门私宠:偏执老公太黏人

    名门私宠:偏执老公太黏人

    “我爱你。”临死之前,他抱着她最后的低语。她惊讶,她诧异,她后悔,她更恨自己!重生一世,她迈出一百九十九步走近他;她一层一层的揭开一切虚伪的假象;她靠着自己得双手成就一翻风雨。秦暖傻愣愣的看着男人走向自己,吐出三个字“你…来了?”耳边滂沱的雨声都在这一刻变得不再清晰。“傻瓜。”回予她的是他宠溺的的目光。--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 沉思录III

    沉思录III

    古罗马著名政治家、演说家、和哲学家马尔库斯·图利乌斯·西塞罗的传世名作。此书详细阐述了友谊与义务、善良与社会、利益与责任之间的关系——“友谊来不得半点虚假”、“任公职者要信守规则”、“只要能坚持,老年亦健康”,这样的语段让我们在觥筹交错、霓灯闪烁间坚定地认清自己而不至误入歧途。