The Three Musketeers (The Modern Library) - Alexandre Dumas [99]
“For the same reason that is sending us to England tonight.”
“I don’t understand—”
“You will later. Meanwhile, my dear Aramis, allow me to model my discretion on that of the niece of your theologian.”
Aramis smiled as he remembered the evasive yarn he had told his inquisitive friends one evening.
“So long as you are sure she has left Paris,” he said, “nothing keeps me here. I am ready to follow you. Where are we off to?”
“First we must see Athos. If you want to come along, do make haste; time is short. If you are with me, tell Bazin.”
“Bazin is going with us?”
“Perhaps. Anyhow, he had better follow us now.”
Aramis summoned Bazin and gave him the necessary instructions, and:
“Off we go,” he said, picking up his cloak, his sword and his three pistols. He opened several drawers in search of cash. Convinced this was useless, he followed D’Artagnan. How, Aramis wondered, could this young cadet in the guards know about the lady he had sheltered? How again could he know what had become of her? Aramis placed his hand on D’Artagnan’s arm and asked earnestly:
“You have spoken of this lady to no one?”
“To no one on earth.”
“Not even to Porthos and Athos?”
“I have not breathed the slightest word to either.”
“Thank heavens!”
And, his mind at rest on this important point, Aramis breathed more easily.
They found Athos with his orders in one hand and Monsieur de Tréville’s letter in the other.
“Can you explain the meaning of this leave and this letter?” Athos asked in astonishment, then proceeded to read:
My dear Athos,
As I know your health absolutely requires it, I am perfectly willing for you to take a fortnight’s rest.
Go to the spa at Forges, then, or to any other spa that you prefer, profit by the waters, and come back thoroughly fit.
Cordially yours,
De Treville
“That letter and that leave,” D’Artagnan explained, “mean that you must follow me, Athos.”
“To the waters at Forges?”
“There or elsewhere.”
“On the King’s Service?”
“The King’s or the Queen’s. Are we not servants of both Their Majesties?”
Just then Porthos came in:
“Look here, friends,” he said, “here is a queer thing for you! Since when are furloughs granted to musketeers without their being requested?”
“Since the day musketeers have friends to ask for leaves on their behalf.”
“Aha! then something is brewing, eh?”
“Yes we are going—” Aramis informed him.
“To what country?” Porthos interrupted.
“Upon my soul, I know less than nothing about it,” Athos confessed. “Ask D’Artagnan.”
“We are leaving for London, gentlemen,” D’Artagnan announced.
“For London? What the devil are we going to do in London?”
“That is something I am not at liberty to tell you, gentlemen. You will have to trust me blindly.”
“But to go to London we must have money,” Porthos objected, “and I haven’t a sou.”
“Nor I,” said Aramis.
“Nor I,” said Athos.
“I have,” D’Artagnan said triumphantly as he drew his treasure from his pocket and placed it on the table. “This bag contains three hundred pistoles. Let us each take seventy-five; that is enough to take us to London and back. Besides, don’t worry, all of us will not reach London.”
“Why, pray?”
“Because in all probability some one or other of us will be held up on the way!”
“Is this a campaign we are undertaking?”
“A most dangerous one, I warn you.”
“Well, if we’re risking our lives,” Porthos complained, “I would like to know in what cause.”
“What on earth for?” Athos asked.
“I agree with Porthos,” said Aramis.
“Does the King usually give you his reasons in matters of this sort? No. He tells you gaily: ‘Gentlemen, there is fighting in Flanders, or in Gascony. Go fight there!’ And off you go! Why do you go? You do not even bother to think why?”
“D’Artagnan is right,” Athos declared. “Here are our three furloughs