Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

a i * 9 cad ttl eee - ‘round, ‘Oh, my God!" exclaimed Madame Bonancieux: “ he will awaken all the neighborhood.” Bonancieux cried out for a long time; but, as such cries were of common occurrence, they attracted no attention in the Rue des Fossoyeurs; and as the mer- cer's house was, moreover, in no very good repute, find- ing that nobody came to his help, he went out, still uttering his outcries, which they heard gradually dying away in the direction of the rue du Bac. ‘And now that he is gone, it is your turn to depart,” said Madame Bonancieux. ‘' Be brave, but, above all, be prudent, and remember that you are devoted to the ueen.”’ . ‘To her, and to you!"’ exclaimed d’A an. ‘Be assured, beautiful Constance, that I shall return worthy of her gratitude; but shall I return worthy also of your love?’’ The young woman oy Es lied by the glowing blush that mantled on her cheek. After a few moments d’Ar- tagnan. went out, enveloped also in a long cloak, which was cavalierly thrust backward by the sheath of his enormous sword. Bonancieux followed him with that long look affection which woman fixes on the man she loves; but, as soon as he had turned the corner of the street, she sunk upon her knees, and joining her hands exclaimed— . ‘*Oh, my God! preserve the queen, and preserve me!’ | Athos,’ said d’Artagnan. CHAPTER XIX. THE PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN, D'ARTAGNAN went straight to M. de Treville. He had reflected that the cardinal would,in afew minutes, be put upon his guard by that cursed stranger, who ap- peared to be his agent, and he very wisely thought that there was not & moment to lose. The heart of the young man overflowed with joy. An adventure was ee to him, by which both gold and glory might be won, and which, as a first encour- agenient, brought him into communication with the woman he adored. This chance had thus given to at once, more he had even dared to solicit from Providence. M. de Treville was in his saloon, surrounded by his usual retinue of gentlemen. p’ Artagnan who was known as an intimate of the house, went directly to his g@@binet, and asked to speak to ‘him on business of e had scarcely been there five minutes before M. de Treville entered. At the first glance and from the joy which sparkled in d’Artagnan’s eyes, the lie captain Sn perceived that something fresh was really on his mind. On his way there, d'Artagnan had been considering whether he should confide in M. de Treville, or merely ask for a free leave of absence for a secret expedition. But M. de Treville had always been so kind to him, was so entirely devoted to the king and queen, and so cor- dially hated the cardinal, that the young man determin- ed to tell him all the affair, “Yon sent for me, my young friend?’’ said M. de vike. “Yes, sir,’ said d'Artagnan; ‘‘and you will pardon me, I hope, for having disturbed you, when you know the importance of the occasion." “Speak then. I am all attention."’ **Tt is nothing less,” said d’Artagnan, speaking low, “* than that the honor, and perhaps the life of the queen are at stake.’ ‘* What are you saying?’ said M. de Treville, looking to be certain that they were alone. *T say, sir, that chance has made me master of a cre ” Which you will guard with your life, I hope, young man. ‘But which I ought to impart to you, sir, for you alone can assist me in the mission which I have just re- ceived from her majesty.’ ‘Ig this secret your own?” **No, sir, itis the queen's.”’ i you authorized by the queen to impart it to me?’’ ‘No, sir! for on the contrary, the most profound secrecy is recommended."’ : “ And why, then, are you about to betray it to me?"’ ‘* Because, as I tell you, without you I am powerless; and Tee tp t you will refuse me the favor which I an Ae a it, unless you know the object for which it 3 solic . Mm CR a es Ds. es . re ’ “ x ne 6 Jt fr oe 4 s te ’ ’ ; ' ; j * ‘ - fi a f* alt ya or. ‘ ,: 2 wi s > z “ Not & oe - —_ ae > & Kgl s a ¥ 7 ve i os C. ety “A. “ « ’ - a ' 4 ~ . yes ’ oi . ‘ I 4. . , ' - ’ THE THREE GUARDSMEN. “Without imparting to them the secret, which I | sword, his should rather not know?”’ * We have sworn to one another, once for all, a blind confidence, and a devyotedness proof against all trials; besides, you can tell them that you have the fullest con- fidence in me, and they will not be more incredulous than yourself.” “IT can give each of them a leave of absence for_fif- teen days, and that is all:—to Athos, who still suffers from his wound, to go tothe waters of Forges; and to Porthos and Aramis, to follow their friend, whom they do not wish to abandon in his ayn | condi- tion. My sending their leave will be proof that I authorize the expedition.”’ “Thank you—a thousand thanks, sir, for your good- ness!"’ “Go, and find them, then, immediately; and let everything be settled this very night. But, first, write me your request to M. des Essarts. Perhaps you hada y at your heels, and your visit, which is in that case already known to the cardinal, be thus accounted ay D’Artagnan wrote his request in form; and M. de Treville, as he received it from him, assured him that, before two in the morning, the four furloughs should be at the respective homes of the travelers. ‘‘Have the goodness to send mine to the lodgings of ** I should be afraid of some disagreeable encounter if I returned home again.” ‘* Don't be uneasy. Farewell, and a good journe to you,"* said M. de Treville; “ but,” added he, recall- ing him, * apropos ‘Artagnan returned, ‘‘ Have you got any monger, D’Artagnan shook the bag which he had in his ket. ‘ Have you enough?" said M. de Treville. ‘Three hundred pistoles."’ ‘““That will do: you might go to the end of the world with that."’ D'A an bowed to M. de Treville, and pressed the hand which he offered him with respect, mingled with gratitude. From thetime of his arrival in Paris, this excellent man had been uniformly entitled to his highest esteem; he had found him always consistent, honorable, and elevated. His first visit was to Aramis. He had not been to his friend’s lodgings since the eveniug when he had fol- lowed Madame Bonancieux, and, what is more, he had #carcely seen him since, and whenever he had met him he fancied that he saw a corroding sorrow stam upon his countenance, This evening, also, Aramis was sorrowful and dreamy. D'A n, put some questions to him concerning this continual melancholy; but Aramis imputed it to a com- mentary on the eighteenth chapter of St. Augustin, whith fe was obliged to write in Latin by the following week, and which much occupied him. When the two friends had been talking some time, a servant of M. de Treville brought a sealed packet. ** What is that?’’ demanded Aramis. ‘“The leave of absence which monsieur has manded,"’ replied the servant. “Me? Ihave not demanded a leave."’ ‘*Hold your tongue, and take it," said d’Artagnan. ‘‘ And here, my.friend, here is half a pistole for your trouble; you will tell M.de Treville that M. Aramis very sincerely thanks him. Go.” The servant bowed to the ground, and left the room. ‘* What does all this mean?” inquired Aramis. “* Take what you may want for a fifteen days’ journey, and follow me.”’ om But I cannot leave Paris, at present, without know- de- ramis stopped himself. ‘* What is become of her’ is it not?’ continued d’Ar- an, ** Who?" resumed Aramis. ‘The lady who was here—the lady with the embroid- ered handkerchief.”’ ** Who told you there was a lady here?” said Aramis, becoming as pale as death. ‘*T saw her.”’ ‘*And do you know who she is?” “ [ think | can guess, at least.”’ “Listen,” said Aramis: “since you know so many things, do you know what has become of this lady’"’ - FS wih that she has returned to Tours.”’ “To Tours? Yes, thatis it; you evidently know her. But how is it that she returned to Tours, withont saying es Keep your secret, young man, and tell me what you | anything to me about it?’’ want. ‘*T wish you to obtain for me, from M. des Essarts, a leave of absence for fifteen days.”’ “Do vou leave Paris?"’ ‘IT go on & mission.”’ ‘Can you tell me where?’ “To London.” | | ** Because she was in fear of being arrested.” ‘Why did she not write to me?" ‘* Because she was afraid of compromising you."’ “D'Artagnan, you give me new life!” cried Aramis. ‘*] believed that I was despised—deceived. Iwas so happy to see her again! I could not believe that she had hazarded her liberty to see me; and yet for what cause could she have returned to Paris?" ‘* For the same cause which this day obliges us to co ‘‘ Has any one an interest in preventing the success of | to England.” your design?”’ ‘‘ The cardinal, I believe, prevent that success,” ‘* And do you ge alone?"’ “Tn that hrough Bondy. 1 _ In that case, you must not pass through ondy. It is | who tell you A on the word of Treville. } ; «You will be aa * You assassinated.”’ ‘‘[ shall die doing my duty.” ‘* But your mission will not be performed.’ That is true,” said d°A an. - bell ' Bald M, de Treville, “in every enter- would give all the world to prise i that one May succeed, | oni eit | | this kind, there ought to be four at least, in order | } ' * Ah! ou.are right,”’ said d’Artagnan; “ but you | | know nnd Porthos, and Aramis, and you can judge | come to them at Athos’s— whether I may make use of them.” ‘“ And what is that cause?’ demanded Aramis. ‘You shall know it some day, Aramis; but, for the present, I will imitate the reserve of the doctor's niece!” Aramis smiled, for he remembered the tale he had | told his friends on a Certain evening. “Well, then, since she has left Paris—and you are sure of it, d"Artagnan—nothing more detains me here, and I am ready to follow you. You say we are 5 going ———’ “To Athos, at present; and, if you wish to come, I | beg hy will make haste, for we have already lost too much time. A; s, tell Bazin.”’ ** Does Bazin go with us?” inquired Aramis. ‘Perhaps so. But at any rate, it is better that he should follow us to Athos.” Aramis called Bazin, and after having told him to “Let us go, then,’ said he, taking his cloak, his TR Le Ee ee 7 »%, 7 “ * —“ 0s. ele Sat onSTtwe? 2 = = eee _ s 4 ¢ af f a* * t he s bh Py" , P - r] a - “As ¥ = 4 al \ su 4 t Pp» 4 ‘ r ‘ i ' ” ~~ ’ - , “* AY nd el ‘ * , a » istols, and frnitlessly three or four drawers in hopes of fi a few pistoles. Then, when he was quite satisfied that this search was saper- fluous, he followed wines swe wondering howitwas that the young guardsman knew, as well as he did, who | the lady was to whom he had afforded hospitality, and = knew better than he did where she was now e. Just as they were going out, Aramis laid hand on d’Artagnan's arm, and looking earnestly at him— 4 have not spoken to any one about thie lady?” said he. ‘** To no one in the world.”’ “Not even to Porthos and Athos?" ‘*T have not breathed a word to them about it." “That's *y | , Satisfied on that important point, Aramis went on hia — way with d’Artagnan, and they both soon reached —_ Athos’ lodgings. 5329 Théy found him holding his leave of absence in one hand, and M. de Treville’s letter in the other. ‘*Can you explain to me,” said he, ‘‘whatthese meam = that I have just received?” . / “My dear Athos, I very much wish, as your health — absolutely requires it, that you should re yourself ~ for fifteen days. Go, therefore, and take the waters of «© Forges, or any other which may with you,andget —s_ well quickly. Your's affectionately, TREv1LLx.”’ a ** Well,”’ said d’A an, ‘the leave and the letter mean that you must follow me.” re “To the waters of Forges?’’ . ‘There or elsewhere.” + ‘*On the king’s service?” ‘The king’s or the queen's. of their majesties?”’ At this moment Porthos entered. . : { | Are we not the servante ‘*Egad!"? said he, ‘“‘here’s a curious circumstance. — Since when have they granted leaves to the musketeers, without their asking for them?” iy See ‘‘ Ever since they have had friends who ask imstead of = them,”"’ said d’Artagnan. ‘ee ‘“‘Ah! ahl’’ said Porthos, ‘‘it appears that there is something fresh in the wind.”’ . ‘Yes, we are off," said Aramis. | ‘To what country?’ demanded Porthos. Ue pon my word, Ido not know much about it,said = Athos, *‘ ask d’Art an.”’ ae ‘*To London, gentlemen," said d’Artagnan. : . Bike) ‘To London,” said Porthos; ‘‘and what are yor = §— going to do there?”’ ‘* And that is what I cannot tell must trust to me.” : Y a ‘But, to go to London, money is necessary, and I Vi have none,”’ said Porthos. | “ne ‘*Nor I,” said Aramis. “Phave,” said dari lugging us ‘*T have,” said d’Artagnan, his treasure out of his pocket, and laying it Gn the table. “There ar in that bag three hundred pistoles; let each of us seventy-five, which is quite enough to go to London and wo return. Besides, be easy; we shall not all reach Lon- on,”’ * And why not?”’ ‘* Because, according to all will be left on the road.” = ' me it a campaign, then, that we are aboutto under- a ee?" iA 4 + ‘Yes, and a most dangerous one, [ forewarn ‘* Ah! but, since we risk our lives, I, at rather know why we do so,” said Porthos. 3 . “That will do you a mighty deal of good,” replied thos, you, gentlemen; you probability, some of ue ¥ y at 7 ou. 4/ é Peg 7 . - 4 ,»woud | ‘* Nevertheless,’' said Aramis, “‘I am of the same ae. oP Pray” said avArt does the king nsually Peal ay. wage . an, “does the Sa give you his reasons? He tells you bluntly—gentle- men, they are fighting in Gascoyn, or in Flanders; go __ Yq and fight: and you go. As for any reasons—youdonot trouble your heads about it.”’ . ‘“D'Artagnan is right," said Athos. ‘ Behold our — three leaves of absence, which come from M. de Tre- — ville; and here are three hundred pistoles, whichcome from I know not where. Let usgo and be killed where we are toldto go. Is life worth so many questions? PD’ Artagnan, I am ready to follow you.” ; ‘And I also,’ said Porthos. ‘* And I also,” said Aramis. leave Paris, after all. lieve poe mind.” | Mn 3 ‘Well, and you will have quite enough to occupy, — your minds, gentlemen, depend upon it,” suid d’ og | tagnan. ease | | “And now, when must we set off,’’ inquired Athos. nartae - * Directly,”’ said d'Artagnan; ‘‘not a minute must be ~~ ost.” an ‘‘Halloo, Grimaud, Planchet, Mousqueton, Bazin!” Rept! | bawled ent the four young men, calling their servants: = = “ orem our boots, and fetch our horses from’ the — 5% > 1otel.”’ ~ In fact, each musketeer left at the general hotel, asat = a barrack, his own horse and that of his servant. see a3 Planchet, Mousqueton, Grimaud, and Bazin, a ‘“‘T shall not be sorryto I want a little amusementtore- _ 1S yg in 7 — haste. ) ‘Now, let us arrange the plan of the campaign,” = said Porthos. ‘Where are 6 98 go firet?” ee To Calais,” said d’Artagnan; “itis the mostdirece line to London.” gs Gar . Well,” said Porthos, ‘ my advice is as follows.” ve ** Speak. ~~ . Fonr men travelling together will be who + Oe D’Artagnan must therefore give his instructions Sogn ry oe ent e dye J of us. I will go first, by way of Boulogne ; road; Athos 5 set out, two hours after oy Coat 3 will follow us by that of Nove ° ras ae for das tagnan, he will travel by that which he as for d’Art ew w : best, in Planchet’s clothes; whilst Planichet’ ta shall follow, inthe uniform of the guards, to } ‘Gentlemen,’ said Athos, ‘my advice is, not temix = Gomicboo