登陆注册
5287000000211

第211章 68(2)

"Just so. The explosion would have done what the axe had failed to do. Men would have said that the king had escaped human justice and been overtaken by God's. You see now why I did not care to know your gentleman in the mask; for really, in spite of his excellent intentions, I could not thank him for what he has done."

Mordaunt bowed humbly. "Sir," he said, "you are a profound thinker and your plan was sublime."

"Say absurd, since it has become useless. The only sublime ideas in politics are those which bear fruit. So to-night, Mordaunt, go to Greenwich and ask for the captain of the felucca Lightning. Show him a white handkerchief knotted at the four corners and tell the crew to disembark and carry the powder back to the arsenal, unless, indeed ---- "

"Unless?" said Mordaunt, whose face was lighted by a savage joy as Cromwell spoke:

"This skiff might be of use to you for personal projects."

"Oh, my lord, my lord!"

"That title," said Cromwell, laughing, "is all very well here, but take care a word like that does not escape your lips in public."

"But your honor will soon be called so generally."

"I hope so, at least," said Cromwell, rising and putting on his cloak.

"You are going, sir?"

"Yes," said Cromwell. "I slept here last night and the night before, and you know it is not my custom to sleep three times in the same bed."

"Then," said Mordaunt, "your honor gives me my liberty for to-night?"

"And even for all day to-morrow, if you want it. Since last evening," he added, smiling, "you have done enough in my service, and if you have any personal matters to settle it is just that I should give you time."

"Thank you, sir; it will be well employed, I hope."

Cromwell turned as he was going.

"Are you armed?" he asked.

"I have my sword."

"And no one waiting for you outside?"

"No."

"Then you had better come with me."

"Thank you, sir, but the way by the subterranean passage would take too much time and I have none to lose."

Cromwell placed his hand on a hidden handle and opened a door so well concealed by the tapestry that the most practiced eye could not have discovered it. It closed after him with a spring. This door communicated with a subterranean passage, leading under the street to a grotto in the garden of a house about a hundred yards from that of the future Protector.

It was just before this that Grimaud had perceived the two men seated together.

D'Artagnan was the first to recover from his surprise.

"Mordaunt," he cried. "Ah! by Heaven! it is God Himself who sent us here."

"Yes," said Porthos, "let us break the door in and fall upon him."

"No," replied D'Artagnan, "no noise. Now, Grimaud, you come here, climb up to the window again and tell us if Mordaunt is alone and whether he is preparing to go out or go to bed.

If he comes out we shall catch him. If he stays in we will break in the window. It is easier and less noisy than the door."

Grimaud began to scale the wall again.

"Keep guard at the other door, Athos and Aramis. Porthos and I will stay here."

The friends obeyed.

"He is alone," said Grimaud.

"We did not see his companion come out."

"He may have gone by the other door."

"What is he doing?"

"Putting on his cloak and gloves."

"He's ours," muttered D'Artagnan.

Porthos mechanically drew his dagger from the scabbard.

"Put it up again, my friend," said D'Artagnan. "We must proceed in an orderly manner."

"Hush!" said Grimaud, "he is coming out. He has put out the lamp, I can see nothing now."

"Get down then and quickly."

Grimaud leaped down. The snow deadened the noise of his fall.

"Now go and tell Athos and Aramis to stand on each side of the door and clap their hands if they catch him. We will do the same."

The next moment the door opened and Mordaunt appeared on the threshold, face to face with D'Artagnan. Porthos clapped his hands and the other two came running around. Mordaunt was livid, but he uttered no cry nor called for assistance.

D'Artagnan quietly pushed him in again, and by the light of a lamp on the staircase made him ascend the steps backward one by one, keeping his eyes all the time on Mordaunt's hands, who, however, knowing that it was useless, attempted no resistance. At last they stood face to face in the very room where ten minutes before Mordaunt had been talking to Cromwell.

Porthos came up behind, and unhooking the lamp on the staircase relit that in the room. Athos and Aramis entered last and locked the door behind them.

"Oblige me by taking a seat," said D'Artagnan, pushing a chair toward Mordaunt, who sat down, pale but calm. Aramis, Porthos and D'Artagnan drew their chairs near him. Athos alone kept away and sat in the furthest corner of the room, as if determined to be merely a spectator of the proceedings. He seemed to be quite overcome. Porthos rubbed his hands in feverish impatience. Aramis bit his lips till the blood came.

D'Artagnan alone was calm, at least in appearance.

"Monsieur Mordaunt," he said, "since, after running after one another so long, chance has at last brought us together, let us have a little conversation, if you please."

同类推荐
  • 金光明经文句记

    金光明经文句记

    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。
  • 郑氏关系文书

    郑氏关系文书

    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。
  • 明伦汇编人事典十二岁部

    明伦汇编人事典十二岁部

    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。
  • 梅仙观记

    梅仙观记

    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。
  • 存存斋医话稿

    存存斋医话稿

    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
  • 卿本惊华:邪王欺上身

    卿本惊华:邪王欺上身

    "母亲偷人外逃,父亲气死身亡,蛇蝎姨娘善伪装,嫡姐庶妹喜找茬。因意外发现姨娘秘密,跌楼惨死,异世强魂重生后,看她如何撕了姨娘的伪装面皮,如何玩弄于曾经欺她,辱她,骂她之人。说她是灵力全无的废渣,被家族利用丢弃的废物,重塑根骨后,白色灵力闪瞎你们的狗眼。上古神兽尽收在手,眼红你们的狗眼。真实身份扑朔迷离,躲在暗处一心想置她于死地的神秘人物,既然要来,那她便遇神杀神,遇佛杀佛,既然他们想找死,自己何不如帮他们一把?还有,那个一直死皮赖脸的人要一直缠她到何时?原本那个一找着机会就想杀了她的人,为何对她紧追不舍,还说是前世注定的缘,此生定要在一起。啊呸!你以为你是谁啊!"--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 流浪地球

    流浪地球

    50亿年的壮丽生涯已成为飘逝的梦幻,太阳死了。幸运的是,还有人活着。地球航出了冥王星轨道,航出了太阳系,在寒冷广漠的外太空继续着它孤独的航程。地球在航行2400年后到达比邻星,再过100年时间,它将泊入这颗恒星的轨道,成为它的一颗卫星。
  • 邪皇盛宠:特工狂后

    邪皇盛宠:特工狂后

    千夜月穿越至冷宫废后身上并失忆了,只记得自己要保护最大的BOSS,成为了牧凌绝的侩子手,帮牧凌绝四处暗杀,征战天下,直到夺回江山,恢复记忆后,才知道自己帮的是自己的仇人~【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 雨做的云

    雨做的云

    有时候,人与人之间的相遇就像是流星,瞬间迸发出令人羡慕的火花,却注定只是匆匆而过……
  • 珊瑚钩诗话

    珊瑚钩诗话

    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。
  • 重生之指末的幸福

    重生之指末的幸福

    她从未想过自己会死在他的手上,六年的婚姻,全部的努力换回的既然是这样一个结果。再回首,她意外地回到了六岁那年,她平复心中的心情,努力想要重来,可看到他的那一刻,她发现真的要忘掉的一个人真的没有那么容易,即使这个人杀了她。前世她活了二十八年,在遇见他的那一天开始,她似乎就没有为自己真正的活一天,现在,时间重来,她不再打扰他的人生,守着父母朋友的人身份做最熟悉的陌生人,如此,他们不再有任何的交际,她也要抓住这样的机会做真正的自己。辗转挣扎,只为了一个属于自己的灿烂人生。
  • 西凉

    西凉

    晚歌第一次遇到陆西凉是在学校男澡堂,他站在莹莹水雾中,水珠正从黝黑的头发上滴下来,落在不算发达的胸肌上,她鬼喊鬼叫地逃出去,从此一想到这个画面就脸红。第二次狭路相逢,是在花荫小道,他穿着蓝白相间的校服,合欢花落在他的肩膀上,眉目清楚,衣衫落拓。原来与一个俊朗的男生在美景之下相遇真的好美。可是秦颜说:“你没赢面,花心思瞅他还不如把时间留着去睡觉。”篮球场边的再次邂逅,谁也没有想到他会因为替她挡球而受伤,她趁机说要负责到底,鞍前马后地张罗。喜欢就死皮赖脸地跟着,是十七岁的女孩子都爱做的傻事。
  • 魔伊传奇

    魔伊传奇

    “雪姐……”“咩?”“可否把我的日记还给我?”“你来抢啊。”某女懒懒散散地回了一句。某男狠狠地握了握拳头。想他一国王子,竟被这来历不明的魔法师给抢了魔法日记,简直耻辱!好在,她不能使用他的日记……等等,御龙术,千面术,还魂术!你你你!某女嫌弃地把魔法日记抛还给他,嘲笑道:“尽是些辅助性魔法,你还说你不是辅助型法师?”
  • 三界帝君之耀天

    三界帝君之耀天

    他从一开始就不能修炼,在昆仑山,山灵的帮助之下得到了上古八大神器;宝莲灯‘玉如意’无形剑‘三界轮回盘’三界帝君印‘无上帝君令’五灵珠‘天珠帝珠。在耀天与十二祖兽的共同努力之下,打败了魔尊重楼,成就三界无上帝君,再次让三界恢复和平!
  • 神探王妃:王爷独宠小萌妃

    神探王妃:王爷独宠小萌妃

    [神探大小姐vs腹黑世子爷,宠文,悬疑,1v1]某日,沐依然心血来潮问某人:“都说情人眼里出西施,那在你眼里我其实是不是没有你说的那么糟糕?”某人:“嗯,如果没有那么贪吃,孩子气,矮,时不时的智商不在线的话。”沐依然“......”我忍,眨巴着眼睛看着,“那你猜我眼里出什么啊?”某人认真的盯着沐依然的眼睛看了会儿:“眼屎。”某女累觉不爱......