登陆注册
5287000000257

第257章 86(2)

"Are you satisfied, gentlemen?" asked Mazarin.

"I think so, indeed; we should be hard to please if we were not. Deuce take it! three poor gentlemen escorted by a prince of the church! Ah! apropos, my lord! you remarked that we were all active, vigorous and armed."

"Yes."

"You are mistaken. Monsieur du Vallon and I are the only two who are armed. The count is not; and should we meet with one of your patrol we must defend ourselves."

"'Tis true."

"Where can we find another sword?" asked Porthos.

"My lord," said D'Artagnan, "will lend his, which is of no use to him, to the Comte de la Fere."

"Willingly," said the cardinal; "I will even ask the count to keep it for my sake."

"I promise you, my lord, never to part with it," replied Athos.

"Well, well," cried D'Artagnan, "this reconciliation is truly touching; have you not tears in your eyes, Porthos?"

"Yes," said Porthos; "but I do not know if it is feeling or the wind that makes me weep; I think it is the wind."

"Now climb up, Athos, quickly," said D'Artagnan. Athos, assisted by Porthos, who lifted him up like a feather, arrived at the top.

"Now, jump down, Athos."

Athos jumped and disappeared on the other side of the wall.

"Are you on the ground?" asked D'Artagnan.

"Yes."

"Without accident?"

"Perfectly safe and sound."

"Porthos, whilst I get up, watch the cardinal. No, I don't want your help, watch the cardinal."

"I am watching," said Porthos. "Well?"

"You are right; it is more difficult than I thought. Lend me your back -- but don't let the cardinal go."

Porthos lent him his back and D'Artagnan was soon on the summit of the wall, where he seated himself.

Mazarin pretended to laugh.

"Are you there?" asked Porthos.

"Yes, my friend; and now ---- "

"Now, what?" asked Porthos.

"Now give me the cardinal up here; if he makes any noise stifle him."

Mazarin wished to call out, but Porthos held him tight and passed him to D'Artagnan, who seized him by the neck and made him sit down by him; then in a menacing tone, he said:

"Sir! jump directly down, close to Monsieur de la Fere, or, on the honor of a gentleman, I'll kill you!"

"Monsieur, monsieur," cried Mazarin, "you are breaking your word to me!"

"I -- did I promise you anything, my lord?"

Mazarin groaned.

"You are free," he said, "through me; your liberty was my ransom."

"Agreed; but the ransom of that immense treasure buried under the gallery, to which one descends on pushing a spring hidden in the wall, which causes a tub to turn, revealing a staircase -- must not one speak of that a little, my lord?"

"Diavolo!" cried Mazarin, almost choked, and clasping his hands; "I am a lost and ruined man!"

But without listening to his protestations of alarm, D'Artagnan slipped him gently down into the arms of Athos, who stood immovable at the bottom of the wall.

Porthos next made an effort which shook the solid wall, and by the aid of his friend's hand gained the summit.

"I didn't understand it all," he said, "but I understand now; how droll it is!"

"You think so? so much the better; but that it may prove laughter-worthy even to the end, let us not lose time." And he jumped off the wall.

Porthos did the same.

"Attend to monsieur le cardinal, gentlemen," said D'Artagnan; "for myself, I will reconnoitre."

The Gascon then drew his sword and marched as avant guard.

"My lord," he said, "which way do we go? Think well of your reply, for should your eminence be mistaken, there might ensue most grave results for all of us."

"Along the wall, sir," said Mazarin, "there will be no danger of losing yourselves."

The three friends hastened on, but in a short time were obliged to slacken the pace. The cardinal could not keep up with them, though with every wish to do so.

Suddenly D'Artagnan touched something warm, which moved.

"Stop! a horse!" he cried; "I have found a horse!"

"And I, likewise," said Athos.

"I, too," said Porthos, who, faithful to the instructions, still held the cardinal's arm.

"There's luck, my lord! just as you were complaining of being tired and obliged to walk."

But as he spoke the barrel of a pistol was presented at his breast and these words were pronounced:

"Touch it not!"

"Grimaud!" he cried; "Grimaud! what art thou about? Why, thou art posted here by Heaven!"

"No, sir," said the honest servant, "it was Monsieur Aramis who posted me here to take care of the horses."

"Is Aramis here?"

"Yes, sir; he has been here since yesterday."

"What are you doing?"

"On the watch ---- "

"What! Aramis here?" cried Athos.

"At the lesser gate of the castle; he's posted there."

"Are you a large party?"

"Sixty."

"Let him know."

"This moment, sir."

And believing that no one could execute the commission better than himself, Grimaud set off at full speed; whilst, enchanted at being all together again, the friends awaited his return.

There was no one in the whole group in a bad humor except Cardinal Mazarin.

同类推荐
  • 燕丹子

    燕丹子

    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。
  • 科场条贯

    科场条贯

    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。
  • THE IDLE THOUGHTS OF AN IDLE FELLOW

    THE IDLE THOUGHTS OF AN IDLE FELLOW

    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。
  • 象台首末

    象台首末

    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。
  • Book of Pirates

    Book of Pirates

    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
  • 大明二十四监

    大明二十四监

    《道界之旅》简介弃婴李泰,无缘得到可以隐身的隐珠。被啄木认发现,带其到滞留在地球养伤的雷公身边,沉睡六年学得'病气化真诀',师傅死后,留下灵药园让他送回道界。啄木变身成大将,成俑为永守师傅墓。传驭灵术,可收宠物从小到大九名。察人等级求,比知高出自己三级。神农架路遇野人绑架,智救救赌城司空逸馨。出了森林,得死士龟甲,收服杀手,利用灵药园的特征,放到无人飞机上可以驾驶遨游天地……口头禅。请不要叫我医生:因为医生在古代是太医院的学生,我已经出师。请不要叫我中医我有自己的名字,请叫我疾医、医家我就是用针法,针是针,灸就灸,根本不是一回事“毉”请大家记住这个字,这才是最古老的医'匚'指抑按皮肉,跷谓捷举手足'矢',表砭石,就代表针法'巫'是指大巫沟通天地以上才构成一个“毉”医。请大家来大大雷泰怎样演绎自己的《道界之旅》不见不散。
  • 妈咪小西点

    妈咪小西点

    《妈咪私房菜丛书》根据家庭一日三餐的营养需求,精选了一千三百多道营养食谱,食物搭配具有较强的针对性,富含营养,有益身心,让你吃得美味,吃出健康。《妈咪私房菜丛书》内容丰富,实用性强,通俗易懂,是家庭主妇的有益参考书。
  • 历代御医推荐给皇后的养生食谱

    历代御医推荐给皇后的养生食谱

    食典、食经、品宫廷养生文化;益身、益心、传华夏强健秘方。想知道皇后是如何养颜、养气、补血的?书中汇集萧皇后、吕后、慈禧太后等历史上有名的美女皇后的保养秘方,一探皇家养生秘笈。
  • 让孩子自由成长

    让孩子自由成长

    《让孩子自由成长》作者力求突破目前许多家长的“制约式”、“强硬式”、“填鸭式”教育方法,期望让孩子自由成长的同时,也给教育一个恰当的定位。孩子是属于大自然的,是天然的存在,这是人的本能,是自然的意志,而不属于家长意识的一部分。教育的目的、蓝图、对人的期待,应当符合人的天性,而不能违背自然规律。
  • 有个女孩叫夏桐

    有个女孩叫夏桐

    三个青梅竹马的小故事。初恋总是那么青涩又动人,而竹马们也总是从莽撞的愣头青变成了成熟可以依靠的男人。
  • 出生菩提心经

    出生菩提心经

    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。
  • 玄荒记

    玄荒记

    主角是泉星,书中不服孟婆泼孟婆汤,急中生智找了个名叫荒古大陆的轮回门跳了,主角带着前世的记忆在异界转世了。天生就神念强得离谱又得大荒法体的主角开始了在异界风声水起的经历。
  • 谁能让我忘记(原创经典作品)

    谁能让我忘记(原创经典作品)

    善读精品美文,拾取久违的感动;体悟百味人生,感受成长的’陕乐。阅读其间,时而在惊险悬疑的案件中悚然而惊,时雨为体察入微的真情潸然泪下,时而又涌动着想针砭时弊的激情……掩卷而思,人性的美丑,世事的善恶,人生际遇的变幻无常不禁让人感慨万千。
  • 大佬只能我拯救

    大佬只能我拯救

    本应该成为人生赢家的大佬们,因为各种天灾人祸偏离了原本的轨迹,而温情需要帮助大佬们重新登上人生巅峰。
  • 侯门小毒妃

    侯门小毒妃

    她,大秦中山侯府庶出七小姐,自小被亲娘抛弃,一场高烧烧坏了脑子,从此成为侯府人人唾弃的小傻子。一心爱慕自家表哥,却被姐姐设计在大雪中待了一个晚上,以致活活冻死。她,来自现代的一缕幽魂,新世纪的独立女性,因为相亲路上遭遇碰瓷,不幸在纠缠过程中被迎面而来的大卡车撞死。从此以后,她成了她。一朝重生,二世为人。你的冤,我来伸,你的仇,我来报!中山侯府,庶女重生,恶女归来。奴仆凶恶?竟敢以下犯上,分明就是作死。嫡母狠毒?赠你中风外加瘫痪大礼包。姐妹无情?那就别怪我无义,正好一个个打包送你们上路。既然一个个都不想让我好过,那大家谁都别想安生。谁知道男人心,海底针,猜不透,摸不着。