The Three Musketeers (The Modern Library) - Alexandre Dumas [319]
“Ho, there, Monsieur,” he cried. “You are Monsieur d’Artagnan, are you not?”
Glancing up, D’Artagnan uttered a cry of joy. Here was the man he called his phantom, the stranger he had encountered first at Meung, next in the Rue des Fossoyeurs in Paris, then in Arras, and now, at long last, on the road to La Rochelle.
D’Artagnan drew his sword and sprang toward the door. But this time, instead of taking to his heels, the stranger leaped from his horse and strode forward.
“So, Monsieur, we meet at last,” said the Gascon. “But this time you shall not escape me!”
“I have no intention of doing so, Monsieur,” the stranger replied. “This time, I am after you! In the name of His Majesty the King, I have the honor to put you under arrest. I order you to yield your sword, Monsieur, without resistance. I also warn you that your head is at stake.”
“And who may you be, Monsieur?” D’Artagnan inquired, lowering his sword but still holding it firmly in his grasp.
“I am the Chevalier de Rochefort, the equerry of Monseigneur le Cardinal de Richelieu. I have orders to conduct you to His Eminence forthwith.”
Suddenly Athos stepped forward, and:
“We are on our way to the Cardinal’s,” he explained. “You will please take Monsieur d’Artagnan’s word for it that he will proceed immediately to La Rochelle.”
“I am in duty bound to hand him over to the guards. They will take him into camp.”
“I pledge our word as gentlemen that we will be his guards,” Athos countered. “But, by the same token—our gentleman’s word—we and Monsieur d’Artagnan shall not part company.”
The Chevalier de Rochefort, turning, saw that Porthos and Aramis had moved up behind him and cut off his retreat. He understood that he was completely at the mercy of the four comrades.
“Very well, gentlemen,” he conceded. “If Monsieur d’Artagnan will surrender his sword and add his word of honor to yours, I shall be satisfied with your promise to convey Monsieur d’Artagnan to the quarters of Monseigneur the Cardinal.”
“I give you my word, Monsieur,” said D’Artagnan. “Here is my sword!”
“So much the better,” Rochefort exclaimed, “because I must continue my journey.”
“If you propose to join Milady, yours is a sleeveless errand,” said Athos, coolly. “You will not find her.”
“What has become of her?” Rochefort asked eagerly.
“Come back to camp with us and you will find out.”
Rochefort made no immediate reply. Obviously he was turning the matter over in his mind. As Surgières, where the Cardinal awaited His Majesty, was only a day’s journey distant, Rochefort decided to accept the advice Athos proffered. Besides, to return with our friends gave him the advantage of keeping an eye on his prisoner. So the five took to the road again.
They reached Surgières next day at three o’clock in the afternoon. The Cardinal had made elaborate preparations to greet his sovereign; their meeting was most cordial. They embraced each other, they exchanged numerous compliments, salutes, blandishments, and congratulations on the lucky accident which had rid the realm of France of an inveterate enemy who had roused all Europe against her. Whereupon the Cardinal, aware that D’Artagnan was under arrest and anxious to see him, took ceremonious leave of the King. As they parted, it was decided that His Majesty would inspect and dedicate the dyke, the works of which were now completed.
Returning in the evening to his headquarters close to the bridge of La Pierre, the Cardinal found D’Artagnan standing swordless in front of the house, the three musketeers, fully armed, beside him. This time, well attended by a bodyguard, His Eminence stared sternly at them and, with eye and hand, beckoned D’Artagnan to follow him. As the young Gascon obeyed:
“We shall wait for you, D’Artagnan,” Athos said loudly enough for the Cardinal to hear him.
Richelieu frowned, stopped for a moment, then went on his way. D’Artagnan followed and as he disappeared four guards took their stand by the door. Richelieu entered the room that served him for a study, walked over to the mantelpiece, and, leaning