The Three Musketeers (The Modern Library) - Alexandre Dumas [156]
“The devil you did!” said D’Artagnan glowering once more.
“I won back your harness, I won back my own harness, I won back my horse, then I lost my horse again. To cut a long story short, I emerged with your harness and mine and that’s where we stand now. I must say I had made a superb throw, so I let it go at that and left off.”
D’Artagnan breathed as though the weight of the entire hostelry had been lifted off his chest.
“My diamond is still safe then?” he asked timidly.
“Safe as houses, my dear fellow. And we still have the harnesses of your Bucephalus and mine.”
“But of what use can our harnesses be without horses?”
“D’Artagnan, I have an idea about that problem.”
“Athos, you make me shudder.”
“Look here, you haven’t gambled for a long time, have you?”
“No, I have not, and I swear I have no desire to do so.”
“Ah, D’Artagnan, no man must ever swear to anything lest he prove forsworn.”
“What do you propose, Athos?”
“Luckily my Englishman and his companion are still here. I noticed that he seemed very regretful about the harnesses; you seem to set great store by your horse. If I were you, I would stake the harness you possess against the horse I lost for you.”
“But surely your Englishman will not be interested in just one harness?”
“Well, then, lad, stake the pair of them! I am not as selfish as you!”
Despite his prudence, D’Artagnan felt the subtle influence of Athos prevailing insidiously upon him.
“Would you really do that, Athos?” he asked, in great perplexity.
“As I am an honest man, ay; I vow I would risk both harnesses at one throw.”
“But having lost both horses, I am particularly anxious to save the equipment.”
“Stake your diamond, then!”
“No, Athos, never; that is quite another thing. I could never do that!”
“Devil take it, I would propose staking Planchet,” Athos said, “but that has been done already and probably the Englishman would object.”
“Truth to tell, my dear Athos, I would prefer to stake nothing.”
“What a pity!” Athos said coldly. “That Englishman’s pockets are bulging with pistoles. Come along, lad, try one throw; one throw is soon cast.”
“What if I lose?”
“You will win.”
“But if I lose?”
“Then you will forfeit the harnesses.”
“Done!” said D’Artagnan recklessly. “Here goes for one throw.”
Athos went off in search of the Englishman whom he found in the stables, viewing the harnesses with a covetous eye. The moment was auspicious. Athos was able to impose his own conditions: both harnesses against either one horse or one hundred pistoles at the winner’s choice. The Englishman, calculating rapidly, realized that the harnesses were worth a hundred and fifty pistoles apiece. He and Athos shook hands to seal the bargain.
After the usual courtesies had been exchanged, D’Artagnan took up the dice and, with trembling hand, rolled a trey! Athos, shocked as he noted how pale his friend turned, merely remarked:
“Ha, partner, that was a sorry throw!” and, nodding toward the Englishman: “Our adversary will have his horses fully equipped.”
Triumphant, the Englishman did not even bother to shake the dice but threw them on the table without looking down, so certain was he of victory. D’Artagnan meanwhile turned aside to conceal his disappointment and vexation.
“Look at that!” Athos remarked in his usual calm tones. “There’s an extraordinary throw for you. Upon my word, I’ve only seen it happen four times in my life. A pair of aces losing to a trey!”
The Englishman looked down at the table, incredulous, then surprise loomed large over his features; D’Artagnan, following his glance, was overcome with pleasure.
“Ay,” Athos continued, “only four times in my life. Once when we were playing with Monsieur de Créquy; another time at my own place in the country when I had a château; a third at Monsieur de Tréville’s, to our general amazement; and a fourth at an inn where I threw two aces, losing a hundred louis and a supper into the bargain.”
“So, Monsieur, you have won back your horse!” the Englishman said ruefully.
“I have indeed!”
“And there is to be no revenge?”
“You recollect,