Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

ee —-— ———— me ee es Cts Oe or _ ‘“Well,” said d’Artagnan, whose ears were terribly | not plainly eee, by our ap wounded by this term coiner's. ‘Forgive me, sir, for speaking of such things, but they are truly my excuse. The authorities had fright- ened me; and you know that an innkeeper must reapect the anthorities.” ‘‘But, once more, where is this gentleman? has become of him? Is he dead, oris he alive?’ Patience, sir, we have justcometothat. Well, you | know what happened; and your hasty departure,”’ add- | ed the innkeeper, witha cunning, which d’Artagnan, “ seemed to justify my proceedings. The ventleman, your friend, defended himself desperately. His servant had, unfortunately, sought an unforeseen quarrel with the officers of justice, who were disguised as stableboys.”’ **Ah! the wretches!"’ cried d’Artagnan. allin the plot, and I know not why I should not exter- minute you all!” ‘*Alas! no, sir, we were not all agreed, as you will soon perceive, The gentleman, your friend—pardon me for not giving him the honorable name which no donbt he bears, but we do not know that name—the gen- tleman, your fri: nd, after having disabled two men by his two pistolshots, beat a retreat, defending hinself | h which he also maimed another of | with his sword, wit my men, and with the flat side of which he stunned me.’ ‘ But, hangman! will you come to an end’ Athos! what has become of Athos?” “In beatin found behind him the cellar stairs, and, as the door was open, he rushed into it. Once there, he locked the door, and barricaded himself within; and, as we were sure of finding him there, we let him alone.”’ ** Yes,’’ said d’Artag sary to kill him, but only to imprison him." ‘*Good God! to imprison fi, sir! He imprisoned himself, I swear! For, first, he had made a pretty severe business of it:—one man was killed outright, and two were grievously wounded. The dead man and the two wound d ones were carried off by their com- panions, and I have never since heard any more of either the one or the other. I myself, when T had re- covered my senses, went to find the governor, towhom I related everything that had taken place, and of whom Linquired what I was to do with the + erent But the governor seemed asif he was entirely ignorant of the matter: he told me that he did not know what I was talking about; that the orders I had received did not come from him; and that,if I had the misfortune to tell any one whatever, that he had anything to do with this disturbance, he would have me oe It ap- p ared thatI had made a mistake, sir; that I had ar- rested the wrong person; and that he who was to have been arrested had escaped.” ‘But Athos!” cried d’Artagnan, who became doubly bold when he found that the authorities dis- claimed the affair: ‘*‘ what has become of him?” ‘‘As I wasin haste to repair the injury I had inflicted on the prisoner,’’ replied the seyste eo ‘** | hurried to the cellar, to liberate him. Ah! sir, he aman—he was adevil! On proposing his liberation, he declared that it was a snare which was laid for him, and that before he came out he must impose conditions, [ told him, with great humility—for I did not concea: from myself the awkward position in which I had placed myself by laying hands on one of his majesty’s musketeers—I told him that I was ready to submit to | his conditions.” ‘* First,’’ suid he, ‘‘ you must give me back my ser- vant, completely armed.” ‘*We hastened to obey this order; for, you under- stand, sir, that we were —— to do everything that your friend wished. M. Grimanud (for he told us his name, althongh he speaks but little,) M. Grimaud was sent down into the ceLar, all wounded as he was, and his master having received him, barricaded the door n, and bade us mind our business.”’ ‘* But, after all,’ cried d’Artagnan, ‘“‘ where is he? Where is Athos?” ‘In the cellar, sir.*’ " eee you rascal! have you kept him in the cellar all this time?"’ ‘‘ Good heavens! no, sir. We keep him in the cel- lar? You do not know, then, what he is about there, Ah if you could only persuade him to come ont, sir, | shenla, be for ever grateful to you—I would adore you asmy patron saint!”’ ‘Then he is there? I shall findhim there?’ — “Certainly, sir; he has obstinately persisted in re- maining there, Every day we put through the air-hole some bread on the point of a pitchfork, and some meat too, when he asks for it; but, alas! it isnot of bread und meat he makes the greatest consumption. I en- deavored once to go down, with two of my servants; but he went into aterrible fury. I heard the sound of his pistols, and of his servant’s carbine. Then, when we asked what their intentions were, the master an- | d’Artagn “But he needs must be disturbed,”’ exclaimed the | What | . | nost. “You were | his retreat, as I have told you, sir, he | an, “it was not thought neces- | looked at one anot was no longer | swered, that they had between them forty shots to fire, | and that they would fire them all, even to the last, sooner than permit any one of us to put a foot in the cellar. Then, sir, I went. and complained to the gov- ernor, who told me that I had only got what I deserved, and that this would teach me how to insult honorable tlemen who put up at my house.’ oer 80 that, ands that time—”’ replied d’Artagnan, who was unable to refrain from laughing at the piteous face of the innkeeper. ‘So that, from that time, sir,’ continued he, “ we Jead the saddest life that can be imagined; for, sir, you must know, that all our provisions are in the cellar. There is our wine in botties, and our wine in casks; beer, oil, spices, lard, and sausages; and as we are forbid- den to go down, we are obliged to refuse provisions and drink to the travellers who come here, so that we lose custom every day. Should your friend stop in my cel- lar one more week, we shall be utterly ruined.” ‘‘And serve you right, too, you knaye! Could you | ——$_——ee —— lh 000 me 4 THE THREE GUARDSMEN, oe —— ed _-— —————— = rance, that we were men of quality, and not coiners?”’ ** Yes, sir, yes; you are right,’ said mine host. hark! hark! he is getting into a passion now.”’ “But an. “Two English gentlemen have just come in.”’ ‘Well, what then?"’ “Well, the English gentlemen love good wine, as you id not escape | know, sir; and these gentlemen have called for the best. My wife has, no doubt, asked permission of M. | Athos to enter, to satisfy these gentlemen, and he has | refused, as usual. the uproar increases.” D'A from the cellar. He therefore arose, and preceded by the landlord, who wrung his hands, and followed by Planchet, who carried his carbine ready cocked, he ap- proached the scene of action. The two gentlemen and were dying with hunger and thirst. ** But it is positive tyranny,”’ cried they, in very good French, although with a foreign accent, **that this downright macman will not allow these good people the use of theirown wine. We will break open the door, and, if he is too furious, we will kill him.’ *“*Hold there, gentlemen!’ exclaimed d’Artagnan, ee —e anyone, if you please.” ‘\ Very good, very good,” said the calm voice of little children enter, and we shall soon see.”’ Brave as they ro te to be, the two Englishmen } One would have said that the cellar contained one of those ravenous ogres—those gigantic heroes of the opular legends—whose cavern none could enter with mpunity. There was a moment of silence: but at last, the two Englishmen were ashamed to retire, and the most im. patient of them went down five or six steps of the stair- will take the one that is up here; you take charge of him who is below, Ah! eee 8 you wish for a fight, doyou? Well, we wi give you one!” I hear d’ Artagnan’s voice.” * Yes,”’ said d’Artagnan, raising his voice in his turn; “*Ttis l myself, my friend,”’ aa Good! ’ breakers!” The themselves caught between two fires, they hesitat again fora moment. As before, however, pride carried the day, and a second kick made the door crash from top to bottom. ‘Step aside, d’Artagnan, step aside,” cried Athos, **} am going to fire.”’ ‘*Gentlemen,”’ cried d’Artagnan, whose coolness never forsook him—*‘gentlemen, think better of it. Waita moment, Athos. You are about to begin a bad business, and will be riddled with shot. Here are land my servant, who will give you three fires; you will re- ceive the same number from the cellar; and then we shall still have our swords, which I and my friend can handle pretty well, I assure you. Let me arrange the | affair, You shall have something to drink directly, I give you my word.” ** If there is any left,’ growled Athos, in a sneering tone. The innkeeper felt a cold perspiration trickling down his back-bone. ** What! if there is any left?’ muttered he. ** What the deuce!’ replied d’Artagnan, “ there must be some left; surely these two cannot have drunk out the cellar. Gentlemen, return your swords to their scabbards.”* ‘Well! put your pistols back into your belts!’ “ Willingly.” D’Ariagnan set the exaniple. Then, turning to Planchet, he made him asign to uncock his carbine. The Englishmen were satisfied, yet grumbled as they sheathed their swords. D’Artagnan gave them an ac- count of Athos’s imprisonment, and, as they were men of honor, they blamed the innkeeper. ‘* Now, gentlemen,”’ continued he, “return to your room, and 1 answer for it, that in ten minutes you shall have every thing you want.” The Englishmen bowed and departed. ‘Now that am alone, my dear Athos,"’ said d’Ar- tagnan, ‘“‘open the door to me, I beseech you.” ‘* Directly,’ said Athos. Then was heard the sound of clashing fagots and groaning beams; these were the counterscraps and bas- ‘ee of Athos, which the besieged was himself demol- shing. In cnothattr instant the door moved, and there was seen the pale face of Athos, who, with a rapid glance surveyed the outworks. D’A an threw himself upon his neck, and em- braced him tenderly. But when he wished to lead him out of this humid habitation, he perceived that Athos staggered. ‘* You are wounded?’ exclaimed he. ‘*Me? Not the least in the world. I am dead drunk, that’s all, and never did man do more to become so. By Jove! landlord, I must have drunk, for my own share, at least one hundred and fifty bottles.” “Gracious heavens!’’ exclaimed the landlord, “ if the fervant has drunk only half as much as the master, I am ruined.” ‘* Grimaud is too well-behaved a servant,”’ said Athos, “to allow himself to live in the same manner as his master: he has therefore only drank out of the cask. Hark! I verily believe that he has forgotten to put the spigotin. Do you hear? Itis running.” said Athos, “then we'll work these door- were highly exasperated: they had traveled a long way, | dy _ covered all the left-hand corner of the cellar; and dimes ng ood. drawing his pistols from his belt: ‘“‘you will not kill | Athos, from behind the door: “ let these devourers of ntlemen had drawn their swords, but emer | Ah, merciful goodness! listen how | rtagnan did, in fact, hear a great noise proceeding | rel, of which the tap had been left open, was | last drops of its blood. — D’Artagnan broke out inte a roar of laughter, whieh changed the landlord's shivers into a raging fever, At the same time Grimaud made his appearance, be | hind his master, with his carbine on his shoulder, and hi ‘No doubt somebody has disturbed him,’ said | head shaking likethe drunken Satyrin Rubens’ pictures. He was soaked, both before and behind, with an unctu- ous liquid, which the landlord recognized as his best olive oil. The little company crossed the large room, and in- © stalled itself in the best apartment of the inn, which d’Artaguan took possession of, authoritatively. In the meantime, the landlord and his wife hastened with lamps into the cellar, from which they had been eo long excluded, and where a frightful spectacle awaited them, Beyond the fortifications, in which Athos had made a breach to get out, and which were composed of fagots, planks, and empty casks, arranged according to the rules of strategic art, they saw here ‘and there, floating amidst pools of oil and wine, the bones of all the hams that had been eaten: whilst a hea through that opening the of broken bottles The image of devastation and death, as the poet of an- tiquity says, reigned there as on a battle-field. Of fifty sausages, which had hun scarcely ten remained. The gon the beams through the vaulted ceiling of the cellar; @ himself was affected by them: whilst Athos | ' i | a wall, ‘** Planchet,”’ said d’Artagnan, cocking his pistols, ‘‘ 1 | It was all your fanit,”’ | ' | | dred even turn his head. +} howlings of the landlord and his wife pierced, am not But rage succeeded grief. ‘The innkeeper armed him~' self with a spit, and rushed, in a paroxysm of despair, ‘*‘Some wine!” ‘*“Some wine! lost! annihilated!”’ ‘** Bah!’’ said Athos, “‘ we were constantly thirsty er with some degree of hesitation, | into the room where the two friends were sitting. ““ Some wine!’’ cried Athos, on seeing the la * But, even if yonhad bee: sontented with case, and gave the door akick, sufficient to break through | but you have broken all the bottles.’ “Why, you pushed me-on ah ‘* All my oil is lost!’ ‘Oil ts arsevereign balm: for wounds, and b ord, — exclaimed the astonished host. Why you have drunk more:than a hun- pistoles’ worth; and I am a ruined man!—ruined! | —- eap which rolled over, iam GY da a | it was necessary that poor Grimaud should bathe those you **My God!”’ cried the hollow voice of Athos, ‘‘I think | had inflicted.” ‘* All my sausages are gnawed!” ‘ There is an enormous ype Oo ‘* You shall pay me fora landlord. f rats in that cellar.” ithis!”’ cried the exasperated — ‘* Thrice-doomed knave|"’ exclaimed Athos. But he fell back immediately; he had exhausted all his strength. Di Anaenes hastened to shield him, by raising his rid- = p. he host recoiled a step and burst into tears, That, will teach you, said d’Artagnan, *‘ to behave witha little - more politeness to the guests that God sends ‘*God—say the devil!” you,” ‘‘My dear friend,” said d’Artagnan, “if yon assail our ears in this way again, we will all four go and shut ourselves in your cellar, and see whether the destruction | is as great as you pretend.” ** Well, then, gentlemen,” said the landlord, “T ant wrong, I confess; but mercy is due to every sinner: you are noblemen, atid I am only a poor innkeeper: you will have ity on me.” “Ab, if you talk in that manner,” said Athos will pierce my heart, and the tears will flow eyes, as the wine ran from your casks. great a devil as I look. Come—come here and let us talk it over.” The host approached, with some uneasiness, ‘*Come here, I tell you, and do not be afraid,” con- Y laid Ay ores tii the table.’ aid my purse upon the table.” “Yes nyt de it to be faise money.” * Well, then! sec pistoles,”’ * Atthe moment I was about to ut your lordship well knows that the never they are all good coin.”’ ves up what it has once aot: If money there might be some hope; but, unf . , “you: I am not so pay you, «And that purse contained sixty pistoles, where is “ Lodged at the register-office, my lord. It was said get my purse back again, and keep the ter-office t was bad ortunately, ‘Let us see,” said d’Artagnan, “‘ where is Athos’s old horse?” “In the stables.” ‘**How much is he worth?” pistoles, at the most.” * Fifty | He ‘8 worth eighty: take him, and say no more about it.” ‘* What! do you mean to sell all ‘*my Bajazet? Andon what sh —on Grimaud’s’"’ ‘** | have brought you another,”’ said @’ ‘** And a magnificent one,” cried the ‘¢ Then,” something to drink.”’ ae of Ww And now let us have — sort?’ said mine host, comple ‘* Of that which is at the bottom, near are twenty-five bottles of it remaining; the others were’ broken by my fall. Bring up six.” ‘* This man is a perfect tun!” said the landlord to him- self. ‘‘If he should onl should pay for what he i affairs.” remain here a fortni rinks, I shall pets 5 : there a horse,’ said Ath I make the campaien? P| landlord. d Athos, ‘if there be another, y and handsomer, take the old one. r t, and. ish my ‘* Now,”’ said Athos, ‘“‘ whilst we are waiting for the wine, tell me what has .et me hear.”’ of the others. Come, | i+ D’ Artagnan recounted how he had found Porthos in — ] sd with a As he end (E ee ©) rain, and Aramis between two ee his narration, the landlord entered with the oe , % P ° Po f 3 . . : = * ¥ all = . 7