Part 8 (1/2)
”Those that you asked about yesterday”
”Athos, Porthos and Ara for them?”
”Yes”
”On honor?”
”What, then, is there surprising in that?”
”Nothing Queer, though And in whose behalf are you looking for them?”
”You are in no doubt on that score”
”That is true”
”Unfortunately, I have no idea where they are”
”And you have no way to get news of theive you so I must find them within three days”
”Three days are a short tie”
”No s are done”
”And when do you set out?”
”I am now on ood journey”
”Perhaps we shall meet on our road”
”That is not probable”
”Who knows? Chance is so capricious Adieu, till we ain! Apropos, should Mazarin speak to you about me, tell him that I should have requested you to acquaint him that in a short time he will see whether I am, as he says, too old for action”
And Rochefort went aith one of those diabolical snan shudder, but D'Artagnan could now see it without alar in his turn, with an expression of melancholy which the recollections called up by that sive to his countenance, he said: ”Go, demon, do what thou wilt! It matters little now to me There's no second Constance in the world”
On his return to the cathedral, D'Artagnan saw Bazin, as conversing with the sacristan Bazin was estures D'Artagnan perceived that he was enforcing prudence with respect to hinan slipped out of the cathedral and placed himself in ambuscade at the corner of the Rue des Canettes; it was io out of the cathedral without his seeing hi in every direction to see if he were observed, but he saw no one Calh the Rue Notre Da place and arrived in time to see Bazin turn down the Rue de la Juiverie and enter, in the Rue de la Calandre, a respectable looking house; and this D'Artagnan felt no doubt was the habitation of the worthy beadle Afraid of nan entered a small tavern at the corner of the street and asked for a cup of hypocras This beverage required a good half-hour to prepare And D'Artagnan had time, therefore, to watch Bazin unsuspected
He perceived in the tavern a pert boy between twelve and fifteen years of age whouise of a chorister He questioned hinan learned that he exercised, fro until nine, the office of chorister, and froht that of a waiter in the tavern
Whilst he was talking to this lad a horse was brought to the door of Bazin's house It was saddled and bridled Almost immediately Bazin came downstairs
”Look!” said the boy, ”there's our beadle, who is going a journey”
”And where is he going?” asked D'Artagnan
”Forsooth, I don't know”
”Half a pistole if you can find out,” said D'Artagnan
”Forwith joy, ”if I can find out where Bazin is going? That is not difficult You are not joking, are you?”
”No, on the honor of an officer; there is the half-pistole;” and he showed hiive it him
”I shall ask him”
”Just the very way not to know Wait till he is set out and then, marry, come up, ask, and find out The half-pistole is ready,” and he put it back again into his pocket
”I understand,” said the child, with that jeering sa to wait Fiveon his horse by the blows of a parapluie, which he was in the habit of using instead of a riding whip
Scarcely had he turned the corner of the Rue de la Juiverie when the boy rushed after him like a bloodhound on full scent
Before ten minutes had elapsed the child returned
”Well!” said D'Artagnan
”Well!” answered the boy, ”the thing is done”
”Where is he gone?”
”The half-pistole is for me?”
”Doubtless, answer me”
”I want to see it Give it me, that I may see it is not false”
”There it is”
The child put the piece of one?” inquired D'Artagnan