The Three Musketeers Part 119
You’re reading novel The Three Musketeers Part 119 online at LightNovelFree.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit LightNovelFree.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy!
The four Musketeers went to work; and as they were loading the last musket Grimaud announced that the breakfast was ready.
Athos replied, always by gestures, that that was well, and indicated to Grimaud, by pointing to a turret that resembled a pepper caster, that he was to stand as sentinel. Only, to alleviate the tediousness of the duty, Athos allowed him to take a loaf, two cutlets, and a bottle of wine.
"And now to table," said Athos.
The four friends seated themselves on the ground with their legs crossed like Turks, or even tailors.
"And now," said d'Artagnan, "as there is no longer any fear of being overheard, I hope you are going to let me into your secret."
"I hope at the same time to procure you amus.e.m.e.nt and glory, gentlemen,"
said Athos. "I have induced you to take a charming promenade; here is a delicious breakfast; and yonder are five hundred persons, as you may see through the loopholes, taking us for heroes or madmen--two cla.s.ses of imbeciles greatly resembling each other."
"But the secret!" said d'Artagnan.
"The secret is," said Athos, "that I saw Milady last night."
D'Artagnan was lifting a gla.s.s to his lips; but at the name of Milady, his hand trembled so, that he was obliged to put the gla.s.s on the ground again for fear of spilling the contents."
"You saw your wi--"
"Hus.h.!.+" interrupted Athos. "You forget, my dear, you forget that these gentlemen are not initiated into my family affairs like yourself. I have seen Milady."
"Where?" demanded d'Artagnan.
"Within two leagues of this place, at the inn of the Red Dovecot."
"In that case I am lost," said d'Artagnan.
"Not so bad yet," replied Athos; "for by this time she must have quit the sh.o.r.es of France."
D'Artagnan breathed again.
"But after all," asked Porthos, "who is Milady?"
"A charming woman!" said Athos, sipping a gla.s.s of sparkling wine.
"Villainous host!" cried he, "he has given us Anjou wine instead of champagne, and fancies we know no better! Yes," continued he, "a charming woman, who entertained kind views toward our friend d'Artagnan, who, on his part, has given her some offense for which she tried to revenge herself a month ago by having him killed by two musket shots, a week ago by trying to poison him, and yesterday by demanding his head of the cardinal."
"What! by demanding my head of the cardinal?" cried d'Artagnan, pale with terror.
"Yes, that is true as the Gospel," said Porthos; "I heard her with my own ears."
"I also," said Aramis.
"Then," said d'Artagnan, letting his arm fall with discouragement, "it is useless to struggle longer. I may as well blow my brains out, and all will be over."
"That's the last folly to be committed," said Athos, "seeing it is the only one for which there is no remedy."
"But I can never escape," said d'Artagnan, "with such enemies. First, my stranger of Meung; then de Wardes, to whom I have given three sword wounds; next Milady, whose secret I have discovered; finally, the cardinal, whose vengeance I have balked."
"Well," said Athos, "that only makes four; and we are four--one for one.
Pardieu! if we may believe the signs Grimaud is making, we are about to have to do with a very different number of people. What is it, Grimaud?
Considering the gravity of the occasion, I permit you to speak, my friend; but be laconic, I beg. What do you see?"
"A troop."
"Of how many persons?"
"Twenty men."
"What sort of men?"
"Sixteen pioneers, four soldiers."
"How far distant?"
"Five hundred paces."
"Good! We have just time to finish this fowl and to drink one gla.s.s of wine to your health, d'Artagnan."
"To your health!" repeated Porthos and Aramis.
"Well, then, to my health! although I am very much afraid that your good wishes will not be of great service to me."
"Bah!" said Athos, "G.o.d is great, as say the followers of Mohammed, and the future is in his hands."
Then, swallowing the contents of his gla.s.s, which he put down close to him, Athos arose carelessly, took the musket next to him, and drew near to one of the loopholes.
Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan followed his example. As to Grimaud, he received orders to place himself behind the four friends in order to reload their weapons.
"Pardieu!" said Athos, "it was hardly worth while to distribute ourselves for twenty fellows armed with pickaxes, mattocks, and shovels.
Grimaud had only to make them a sign to go away, and I am convinced they would have left us in peace."
"I doubt that," replied d'Artagnan, "for they are advancing very resolutely. Besides, in addition to the pioneers, there are four soldiers and a brigadier, armed with muskets."
"That's because they don't see us," said Athos.
"My faith," said Aramis, "I must confess I feel a great repugnance to fire on these poor devils of civilians."
"He is a bad priest," said Porthos, "who has pity for heretics."
"In truth," said Athos, "Aramis is right. I will warn them."
"What the devil are you going to do?" cried d'Artagnan, "you will be shot."
But Athos heeded not his advice. Mounting on the breach, with his musket in one hand and his hat in the other, he said, bowing courteously and addressing the soldiers and the pioneers, who, astonished at this apparition, stopped fifty paces from the bastion: "Gentlemen, a few friends and myself are about to breakfast in this bastion. Now, you know nothing is more disagreeable than being disturbed when one is at breakfast. We request you, then, if you really have business here, to wait till we have finished or repast, or to come again a short time hence, unless; unless, which would be far better, you form the salutary resolution to quit the side of the rebels, and come and drink with us to the health of the King of France."
"Take care, Athos!" cried d'Artagnan; "don't you see they are aiming?"
The Three Musketeers Part 119
You're reading novel The Three Musketeers Part 119 online at LightNovelFree.com. You can use the follow function to bookmark your favorite novel ( Only for registered users ). If you find any errors ( broken links, can't load photos, etc.. ), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible. And when you start a conversation or debate about a certain topic with other people, please do not offend them just because you don't like their opinions.
The Three Musketeers Part 119 summary
You're reading The Three Musketeers Part 119. This novel has been translated by Updating. Author: Alexandre Dumas, pere already has 950 views.
It's great if you read and follow any novel on our website. We promise you that we'll bring you the latest, hottest novel everyday and FREE.
LightNovelFree.com is a most smartest website for reading novel online, it can automatic resize images to fit your pc screen, even on your mobile. Experience now by using your smartphone and access to LightNovelFree.com
- Related chapter:
- The Three Musketeers Part 118
- The Three Musketeers Part 120