The Three Musketeers (The Modern Library) - Alexandre Dumas [58]
“I believe you. You appear to be an honorable man. Besides, your services might well make your fortune.”
“Without thought of reward, I shall do all I can to serve the King and to be useful to the Queen. Pray believe me your friend.”
“But I—where shall I go meanwhile?”
“Is there nobody who can put you in touch with Monsieur de La Porte?”
“I dare not trust anyone.”
“Ah, I have it! . . . . we are but a few steps from where Athos lives . . . yes, that’s it! . . . .”
“Who is Athos?”
“One of my friends.”
“But what if he is at home? What if he should see me?”
“He is not at home. I shall lock you in and take the key away with me.”
“Suppose he returns?”
“He will not return. Even if he did, he would be told that I brought a lady there and that she was in his apartment.”
“Of course you realize how compromising that will be.”
“What matter? Nobody knows you. In a desperate situation like ours, we can afford to overlook a few social conventions.”
“Let us go to your friend’s house. Where does he live?”
“Rue Férou, just around the corner.”
As D’Artagnan had foreseen, Athos was out. D’Artagnan picked up the key, which was always given him, and introduced Madame Bonacieux into the little apartment.
“Make yourself at home,” he said. “Stay here, bolt the door and let no one in unless you hear three raps, so: two fairly hard raps, close together, and after an interval, a third rap, much lighter.”
“Good. Now may I give you your instructions.”
“I am all attention.”
“When you reach the Louvre, go in at the wicket by the Rue de l’Echelle and ask for Germain.”
“Yes?”
“When Germain asks you what you want, say two words: ‘Tours’ and ‘Brussels’. Immediately he will place himself at your orders.”
“What shall I tell him to do?”
“Tell him to fetch Monsieur de La Porte, valet to Her Majesty.”
“And when he has fetched him?”
“You will ask Monsieur de La Porte to come here to me.”
“That offers no difficulty. But—”
“But what?”
“But where and how shall I see you again?”
“Do you wish very much to see me again?”
“Certainly.”
“Then you may count on me. Meanwhile, do not fret.”
“I depend on your word.”
“You may do so unreservedly.”
D’Artagnan bowed to Madame Bonacieux, darting the most loving glance he could possibly concentrate upon her petite, slight person. As he was starting down the stairs he heard the door being closed, double-locked and bolted. In two bounds he reached the Louvre; as he entered the wicket at the Rue de l’Echelle, the clock struck ten. The whole drama we have described took place within just one half-hour.
Everything happened just as Madame Bonacieux had indicated. At the given password, Germain bowed; ten minutes later, Monsieur de La Porte was at the porter’s lodge; in two words D’Artagnan informed him of everything including the whereabouts of Madame Bonacieux. La Porte made sure of the address where his godchild waited. Then he left at a run, but he had not taken ten steps before he hastened back.
“Young man, let me give you a piece of advice!”
“What?”
“You may get into trouble because of what has just happened.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Have you by any chance some friend whose clock runs too slow?”
“Monsieur, I—”
“Go call on him. Let him testify that you were at his house at nine-thirty. In a court of justice that is what we call an alibi.”
D’Artagnan, finding this counsel prudent, hurried off to Monsieur de Tréville’s. But instead of going into the reception room with the rest of the crowd, he asked to be shown into the Captain’s study. As he frequented the Hôtel so assiduously, his request was granted; Monsieur de Tréville was informed that his young compatriot, having something important to communicate, solicited a private audience. Five minutes later, Monsieur de Tréville was asking D’Artagnan what he could do to be of service and what occasioned a visit at so late an hour.
“I beg your pardon, Monsieur, I did not think twenty-five minutes past nine was too late to wait upon you.”
(Left alone to wait for the Captain, he had of course turned back Monsieur de Tréville’s clock three quarters of an