Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

- > eee * See Oe reid attention. 7 — a - -s THE THREE GUARDSMEN. eee “T recollect,” said d’Artagnan; i were sayin that, after having demanded my head of the cardinal, her jadyship had left the shores of France. And where is she going?’’ added'd’Artagnan, who was painfully anxious about the itinerary of the lady's journey. ‘She is going to England,” replied Athos. * And for what object?’ ‘*To assassinate the Duke of Buckingham, or to get him assassinated.”’ D'Artagnan uttered an exclamation of surprise and indignation. ‘Tt is infamons!"’ exclaimed he. “Oh, as to that,’’ said Athos, “I beg you to believe that I concern myself very little about it. Now that you have finished Grimaud,”’ continued he, ‘take the half-pike of our brigadier, fasten a napkin to it, and fix it on the end of our bastion, that those rebellions Rochellois may see that they are opposed to brave and loyal subjects of the king.”’ Grimaud obeyed without reply; and an instant after- wards the white flag floated over the heads of the four friends. Ary of joy, a thunder of applause saluted its appearance. alf the camp was at the barriers. ‘What!’ said d’Artagnan, ‘*‘ you concern yourself but little about her pe, | uckingham, or causing him to be killed? The dukeis our friend.” ‘The duke is an Englishman; the duke fights against us; let her do therefore as she likes with the duke. I care as little about him as an empty bottle.”’ As Athos said this, he threw, some fifteen yards be- fore him, a bottle which he held in his hand, and from which he had just emptied the last drop in his own | | ass, ’ ‘‘Wait an instant,’’ said d'Artagnan, Ido not aban- | don Buckingham in that manner; he gave us some very beautiful horses.” ‘*And especially some very beautiful saddles,’’ added Porthos, who was then wearing the lace of his upon his cloak. ‘‘ Besides," said Aramis, ‘‘ God wishes for the conver- sion, not the death, of a sinner.”’ ‘* Amen!’ said Athos, ‘‘ and we will return to that by and by, if such is your pleasure; but that which most en my attention at the time, and I am sure you will understand why, d’Artagnan, was how to take from this woman acarte-blanche, which ehe had extorted from the cardinal, and by means of which she might get rid | of you, and prehaps the whole of us, with impunity,” “This creature is a very demon,’ said Porthos, hold- ing his plate to Aramis, who was cutting up a fow]l. * And this document,"’ said d'Artagnan, “did it re- | main in her hands?" ‘No, it passed {nto mine. Icannot say that it was | without some trouble; for, if I did, I should tell alie.”’ ‘*My dear Athos,”’ said d’Artagnan, ‘‘I must no long- er count the times I owe my life to you.” J, “Then it was to visit her that you quitted us?” said ris. “ ctly so."" and rule have got the cardinal’s letter?’ inquired d’Artagnan. ‘““ Here it is,"’ replied Athos. 2 He took the precious ny from the pocket of his | coat. D’Artagnan unfolded it with a hand, of which he did not attempt to hide the trembling, and read:— ‘‘Itia by my order, and for the rood of the state, that the bearer of this did that which he has now done. ‘*RICHELIE’.” “Tt is, in fact, a regular absolution,” said Aramis, “We must destroy this paper,’’ said d’Arta who scemed to read itin his own sentence of deat ‘On the contrary,’’ said Athos, “it must be most scrupulously preserved; and I would not give it up for the gold that would cover it in coin.” ‘¢And what will she do now?” inquired d’A n. ‘Why,’ said Athos, carelessly, ‘‘she will write to the cardinal, that a cursed musketeer named Athos, took her safe-guard from her by force; and she will, at the sume time, advise his eminence to get rid of him, and also of his two friends, Porthos and Aramis. The car- dinal will recollect that these are the very men that are alwaysin his way. Then, some fine morning, he will have d’Artagnan arrested, and, that he may not be an- noyed by solitude, will send us to keep him company in | the Bastile.*’ ‘Ah! then," said Porthos, ‘‘I think that you are pas- | sing somewhat melancholy jokes.”’ “T am not joking,’’ replied Athos. **Do you know,” said Porthos, ‘that I fancy it would be a less crime to twist this cursed lady's neck, than those of these poor devils of ys pee ap who have never , to adopt Portho’s idea,” a committed any greater crime than singing, in French, the very psalms we sing in Latin.”’ “What does the abbe say to that?’ quietly asked thos. ‘+ say that I am quite of Porthos's opinion." ‘¢+ And J also, '’ said d’Artagnuan. ‘Happily, she is far away,” added Porthos, “ for I | confess she would much annoy me here.” ‘‘She annoys me in England, as well as in France,"’ os. ery oe annoys me everywhere,"’ said d’Artagnan. “‘But, when you had her in your power,” said Porthos, “why did you not drown, strangle, or hang her? Itis only the dead who never return. “Do you think so, Porthos?"’ said Athos, with a dark mile, which d'Artagnan alone could understand. “T have an idea,"’ said d’Artagnan. “* Let us hear it,’’ cried the musketeers. “To arms!" exclaimed Grimanud. - The young men arose hastily, and ran to their muskets. This time there was a small band advancing com- posed of twenty or flve-and-twenty men, no longer yioneers, but soldiers of the garrison. “Sup we now return to thecamp,"’ said Porthos; ‘it seems to me that the match is not equal.” “Impossible; for three reasons,’ answered Athos. ‘' Bhe first ie, because we have not uished our break- ooo fast. The second, beeanse we have still some impor- | tant affairs to talk ten minutes before the hour is elapsed.”’ ‘* But, nevertheless,’’ said Aramis, ‘‘ we must arrange | a plam of battle.”’ 3 | “It is vastly simple,” said Athos. ‘“‘As soon as the enemy is within musket-shot, we must fire; if he continues to advance, we must fire again; in fact, we. must fire away as long as we have guns loaded. If the remnant of the band should then wish to mount to the assault, we must let the besiegers descend as far as the ditch, and then we must heave on their heads a large mass of the wall, which only keeps up now by a miracle of equilibrium.”’ ‘* Bravo!" exclaimed Porthos. ‘* Athos, you were un- | doubtedly born to be a general; and the cardinal, who | thinks himself a great warrior, is a mere nothing to you.” ‘** Gentlemen,’’ said Athos, ‘do not waste your am- munition, I beseech you: let each pick out his man.”’ ‘**T have got mine,” said d’Artagnan. | **And I mine,”’ said Porthos, ** And I the same," said Aramis. ** Fire!"’ cried Athos. The four guns made but one report, and four men fell. The drum then beat, and the little band advanced to the charge. The shots of the four friends were then fired without 2 agmny: § butinvariably with the same deadly effect. Yet, as though they had known the numerical weakness of their opponents, the Rochellois continued to advance at a quick pace. | At three other shots two men fell; yet the march of | those who remained unwoynded did not slacken, Having reached the foot of the bastion, there were | still twelve or fifteen of the enemy. A last discharge received, but did not arrest them. They leaped into the ditch, and prepared to scaie the breach. ** Now, my friends,” said Athos, ‘‘let us finish them atone blow. ‘To the wall! to the wall!” And the four friends, assisted by Grimand, set them. selves to topple over, with the barrels of their muskets, an enormous mass of wall, which bowed as though the wind waved it, and, loosening itself from its founda- | tion, it fell with a tremendous crashinto the ditch. A fearful cry was then heard; a cloud of dust ascended | towards the skies; and—all was over, | * Can we have crushed them all, from the first to the | last?’ said Athos. | ** Faith, it looks very like it,’’ replied d’Artagnan. “No,” said Porthos; ‘‘ there are two or three of them escaping, quite crippled.”’ In fact three or four of these unfortunate beings cov- ered with mire and blood, fled along the hollow way, and regained the town. ‘They were all that had not per- ished of the little band. Athos looked at his watch. ‘* Gentlemen,"’ said he, *‘ we have been here an hour, and now the wager is gained: but we must be goo 8 besides d’Artagnan has not yet told us his ea.”’ And the musketeer with his habitual coolness, seated himself before the remains of the breakfast. ‘*Would you like to hear my plan?’ said d'Ar an to his three companions, when, after the alarm which had go fearful a termination to the little troop of Ro- chelloi = had resumed their places before the rem- nants of their meal. os Yes,’ replied Athos; ‘‘you said that you had an ea.” “Ah! [haveit,’’ exclaimed d'Artagnan. ‘I will go to England forthe second time, will find his grace of Buckingham, and warn him of the plot which been formed against his life." ** You will do nosuch thing, d'Artagnan,”’ —e Athos, a ‘““Why not? Did I not go before?” “Yes, but at that time we were not at war; at that time the Duke of Buckingham was an ally, and not an enemy: what you now suggest would be denominated treason.”’ ‘*But,’’ said Porthos, ‘I fancy that I, in my turn, have also got an idea."’ “Silence for M. Portho’s idea,”’ cried Aramis. ‘*T will ask leave of absence of M. de Treville, on any pretext whatsoever you can suggest; I am _ not very clever at excuses myself. The lady does not know me: I will get near her without exciting her alarm} and when I have found the pane, I will srengle her.’ “Ah,” said Athos, ‘I really am somewhat disposed ‘* Fie, then!’ exclaimed Aramis: ‘kill a woman! No! Listen, I have the right idea.” ‘*Let us have your idea, Aramis,’ said Athos, who had much deference for the young musketeer. “We mustannounce it to the queen.” ** Ah, faith, yes!" cried d'Artagnan and Porthos to- gether; “1 eve that we have found the true course at last.” ** Announce it to the queen?” said Athos; ‘‘and how can we do that?’ Have we any connections at court? Can we send any one to Paris, withoutits being known in the camp? ere are a hundred and forty 1 ages between here and Paris, and our letter will not have reached Angers before we ourselves shall be in a dun- geon.”’ ‘* As for said A —— etting aletter safely delivered to the queen,”’ &, blushing, ‘‘I myself will undertake it. I know a very skillful person at Tours—"’ Aramis stopped, on seeing Athos smile. ‘Well! will you not adopt this plan, Athos?” inquired an, “IT do not entirely reject it,’’ replied Athos, ‘but I would merely observe to Aramis, that he cannot himself leave the camp; and that, with anybody but one of our- selves, there will no security that, two hours after the messenger has started, all the capucins, all the algu- azila, all the black-bonnets of the cardinal, will not -— ——-=—- — ee about: and the third, it wants yet | son W e. LL twtr ee know your letter by heart; and your very skillful if not be immediately arrested.”’ eee “Without calculating,” added Porthos, “that the queen would save the Duke of Buckingham, but would leave us to our fate.”’ ; ‘*Gentlemen,” said d’Artagnan, ‘‘ Porthos’s objection is full of sense!” “Ah! ah! what is going on in the town?” sald Athos. ‘* They are heating to arme.”’ The four friends listened, and the sound of the drum reached their ears. “You will see,” continued Athos, “that they will eS an ope regiment aye us,”’ > “ You do not expect to keep your groun ainst an entire regiment?” ‘eaid Porthos at * : “ Why not?” replied the musketeer. in the humor, and would hold it if we had only had the precaution to bottles more.”’ ‘*Upon my word, the drum comes nearer,"’ said d’Ar- an, "eTet it come,” replied Athos; ‘‘ there is a quarter of an hour’s march between the town and this place. Itis more time than we shall require to arrange our _— If we go away from here, we shall never again find such aconvenient spot. And i has come into my mind.” **Let us hear it.” Athos made a sign for his valet to come to aim. “Grimaud,” said Athos, pointing to the dead bodies, which lay in the bastion, “‘you will teke these gentle men, fix them upright against the wall, put their hats on their heads, and place their muskets in their hands.” ‘““O, great man!’ cried d’Artagnan, “I understand yon,”’ ‘You understand?” said Porthos. ‘* And you, Grimaud, do you understand?’ inquirea ainst an army ringa dozen Aramis, Grimand gave a sign in the affirmative. “Tt is allthatis necessary,’’ said Athos: us return to my idea.”’ ‘*[ should like, however, to understand—" Porthos. **Itis of no use.”’ said . " “now, let. “Yes, yes, the idea of Athos!” said a Artagnan ano Aramis at the same time. “'Thislady, this woman, this creature, this demon, has a brother-in-law, I think you told me?’ *Yex; Leven know him, and J believe that he has no great sympathy with his sister-in-law.” ‘** There is no harm in that,” replied Athos: “ and if ““T feel myself | isten, gentlemen; the veryidea _ he detested her, even, it would be so much the bet- \ ter.” ‘**In that case, we are fitted toa nic ** Nevertheless,”* said Porthos, ‘I derstand what Grimand is about.” ‘** Silence, Porthos!" cried Aramis, . ‘** What is the name of this brother-in-law ?"’ “Lord de Winter."’ ‘Where is he at present?” ‘‘He returned to London on the first repert of the war.’ ‘Well, there is exactly the man we want,” said Athos. ‘It is to him we must give information: we must let him know that his sister-in-law is going to a some one, and entreat him not to lose sight of her. There must be in London, I should hope, some es tablishment like the Madelonnettes, or the M en> ~ must place his sister-in-law there, and we shall then e at p oe “Yes,” said d’A an, “until she gets out again.’” “Ah, faith,’ said Athos, ‘‘you ask too much d’ an. Ihave given you all that I have, and tell bn that my budget is now exhausted,” ““T think it the best plan we can de " observed Aramis: ‘* we will inform the queen and Lord DeWink r at the same time.*’ **But by whom shal) we convey the one letter to Lon- don, and the other to Tours?” bile “T answer for Bazin,” replied Aramis, ** And I for Planchet, added d’ Artenan. ety.” Sy should like to un- * . 7 a —— . - bs - | , a ‘*In fact,’ said Porthos, “if we cannot leave the ° camp, our servants can.” , ‘“Certainly,”’ added Aramis; “‘so we will write th letters this very day, give them some money, and sen thein on the journey,” ‘: We will give them some money?’ said Athos: ‘*then you have got money. have you?’’ The four friends looked at each other. and a c!ond@ — ey the brows which had been for an instant rightened, ‘‘ Attention,” cried d’Artagnan: I see black and red: points in movement, below there. What where yow saying about a regiment, Athos? Itis a regtilar "thd ‘Faith, yes,” replied Athos, ‘‘there they are. Do you see the cma ellows, who are advancing without. - one or trumpet? Ah, ah! Have you finished,Grim- and’ ey Grimand gave a sign inthe affirmative, and pointed f to a dozen dead es, which he had placed in the most picturesque attitudes—some poitiey | arms, Others | ‘ n . OF . seeming to take aim, others sword in ha ‘‘Bravo!"’ cried Athos, ‘‘ that does credit to your im- agination.”’ 25 a bf ‘ “It’s all the same,”’ said Porthos; “and yet I should like to understand it.” ‘“* Let us decamp first,” said d"Artagnan; ‘‘you will understand stterwarde : “One moment, gentlemen—wait one moment; let us give Grimaud time to take away the breakfast things," “Ab!” suid Aramis, ‘“‘here are the black and red points becoming visibly larger, and I am of d’ an’s opinion; I believe that we have no time to lose in re- gaining the camp.” ‘es remained an hour anda half. Thereisnothing more to Coenen? so Jet us be off, gentlemen, off.’’, IOO "GO ' é 4 i ee - = oc . how me ) ~ * th,’ said Athos, “I have nothing more to say against a retreat; we betted for one hour, and we hate’ are. “= r. ry > et usBe -_' +> ‘ ¥ — - Py y ' ay Ze | aa - By it aay ' | my =. | 4 i « " _* : ~ CT Pam * a. ;