Part 49 (1/2)
”Who are you?”
”Ah! Mordioux! you ask too much; I don't like talking through doors.”
”Only tell me your name.”
”I don't like to declare my name in the open air, either; besides, you may be sure I shall not eat your dog, and I hope to G.o.d he will be as reserved with respect to me.”
”You bring news, perhaps, monsieur, do you not?” replied the voice, patient and querulous as that of an old man.
”I will answer for it, I bring you news you little expect. Open the door, then, if you please, hein!”
”Monsieur,” persisted the old man, ”do you believe, upon your soul and conscience, that your news is worth waking the king?”
”For G.o.d's sake, my dear monsieur, draw your bolts; you will not be sorry, I swear, for the trouble it will give you. I am worth my weight in gold, parole d'honneur!”
”Monsieur, I cannot open the door till you have told me your name.”
”Must I, then?”
”It is by the order of my master, monsieur.”
”Well, my name is--but, I warn you, my name will tell you absolutely nothing.”
”Never mind, tell it, notwithstanding.”
”Well, I am the Chevalier d'Artagnan.”
The voice uttered an exclamation.
”Oh! good heavens!” said a voice on the other side of the door.
”Monsieur d'Artagnan. What happiness! I could not help thinking I knew that voice.”
”Humph!” said D'Artagnan. ”My voice is known here! That's flattering.”
”Oh! yes, we know it,” said the old man, drawing the bolts; ”and here is the proof.” And at these words he let in D'Artagnan, who, by the light of the lantern he carried in his hand, recognized his obstinate interlocutor.
”Ah! Mordioux!” cried he: ”why, it is Parry! I ought to have known that.”
”Parry, yes, my dear Monsieur d'Artagnan, it is I. What joy to see you once again!”
”You are right there, what joy!” said D'Artagnan, pressing the old man's hand. ”There, now you'll go and inform the king, will you not?”
”But the king is asleep, my dear monsieur.”
”Mordioux! then wake him. He won't scold you for having disturbed him, I will promise you.”
”You come on the part of the count, do you not?”
”The Comte de la Fere?”