Part 168 (1/2)
”We will be his guards, monsieur, upon our word as gentlemen; but likewise, upon our word as gentlemen,” added Athos, knitting his brow, ”Monsieur d'Artagnan shall not leave us.”
The Chevalier de Rochefort cast a glance backward, and saw that Porthos and Aramis had placed themselves between him and the gate; he understood that he was completely at the mercy of these four men.
”Gentlemen,” said he, ”if Monsieur d'Artagnan will surrender his sword to me and join his word to yours, I shall be satisfied with your promise to convey Monsieur d'Artagnan to the quarters of Monseigneur the Cardinal.”
”You have my word, monsieur, and here is my sword.”
”This suits me the better,” said Rochefort, ”as I wish to continue my journey.”
”If it is for the purpose of rejoining Milady,” said Athos, coolly, ”it is useless; you will not find her.”
”What has become of her, then?” asked Rochefort, eagerly.
”Return to camp and you shall know.”
Rochefort remained for a moment in thought; then, as they were only a day's journey from Surgeres, whither the cardinal was to come to meet the king, he resolved to follow the advice of Athos and go with them.
Besides, this return offered him the advantage of watching his prisoner.
They resumed their route.
On the morrow, at three o'clock in the afternoon, they arrived at Surgeres. The cardinal there awaited Louis XIII. The minister and the king exchanged numerous caresses, felicitating each other upon the fortunate chance which had freed France from the inveterate enemy who set all Europe against her. After which, the cardinal, who had been informed that d'Artagnan was arrested and who was anxious to see him, took leave of the king, inviting him to come the next day to view the work already done upon the d.y.k.e.
On returning in the evening to his quarters at the bridge of La Pierre, the cardinal found, standing before the house he occupied, d'Artagnan, without his sword, and the three Musketeers armed.
This time, as he was well attended, he looked at them sternly, and made a sign with his eye and hand for d'Artagnan to follow him.
D'Artagnan obeyed.
”We shall wait for you, d'Artagnan,” said Athos, loud enough for the cardinal to hear him.
His Eminence bent his brow, stopped for an instant, and then kept on his way without uttering a single word.
D'Artagnan entered after the cardinal, and behind d'Artagnan the door was guarded.
His Eminence entered the chamber which served him as a study, and made a sign to Rochefort to bring in the young Musketeer.
Rochefort obeyed and retired.
D'Artagnan remained alone in front of the cardinal; this was his second interview with Richelieu, and he afterward confessed that he felt well a.s.sured it would be his last.
Richelieu remained standing, leaning against the mantelpiece; a table was between him and d'Artagnan.
”Monsieur,” said the cardinal, ”you have been arrested by my orders.”
”So they tell me, monseigneur.”
”Do you know why?”
”No, monseigneur, for the only thing for which I could be arrested is still unknown to your Eminence.”