Part 97 (1/2)
”Take notice that you are shut up--captured”
”You well know, my lord, that there always remains to us a last resource”
”What?”
”That of dying together”
Mazarin shuddered
”Listen,” he said; ”at the end of yonder corridor is a door, of which I have the key, it leads into the park Go, and take this key with you; you are active, vigorous, and you have ar to the left, you will find the wall of the park; get over it, and in three leaps you will be on the road and free”
”Ah! by Jove, nan, ”you have well said, but these are only words Where is the key you speak of?”
”Here it is”
”Ah, my lord! You will conduct us yourself, then, to that door?”
”Very willingly, if it be necessary to reassure you,” answered the et off so cheaply, led the way, in high spirits, to the corridor and opened the door
It led into the park, as the three fugitives perceived by the night breeze which rushed into the corridor and blew the wind into their faces
”The devil!” exclaiht, my lord We don't know the locality, and shall never find the wall Since your eminence has come so far, come a few steps further; conduct us, my lord, to the wall”
”Be it so,” replied the cardinal; and walking in a straight line he went to the wall, at the foot of which they all four arrived at the saentlemen?” asked Mazarin
”I think so, indeed; we should be hard to please if ere not Deuce take it! three poor gentlemen escorted by a prince of the church! Ah! apropos, orous and armed”
”Yes”
”You are mistaken Monsieur du Vallon and I are the only tho 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 hily,” 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 clinan 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 aht; it is ht Lend o”
Porthos lent hinan was soon on the summit of the wall, where he seated hih
”Are you there?” asked Porthos
”Yes, my friend; and now----”
”Nohat?” asked Porthos
”Now give me the cardinal up here; if he makes any noise stifle hiht and passed hinan, who seized hi tone, he said: ”Sir! jump directly down, close to Monsieur de la Fere, or, on the honor of a gentleman, I'll kill you!”