Part 86 (1/2)
The Parisian aranized with the proeois whenever they are uise themselves as soldiers On the nineteenth the impromptu army had attempted a sortie, more to assure itself and others of its actual existence than with any more serious intention They carried a banner, on which could be read this strange device: ”We are seeking our king”
The next following days were occupied in trivialoff of a few herds of cattle and the burning of two or three houses
That was still the situation of affairs up to the early days of February On the first day of that ne, and, in two parties, had set out for Paris Toward the end of the fourth day of the journey Athos and Aramis reached Nanterre, which place they cautiously passed by on the outskirts, fearing that they ht encounter soainst his will that Athos took these precautions, but Araht to be i Charles with a supreme and sacred mission, which, received at the foot of the scaffold, could be accomplished only at the feet of Queen Henrietta Upon that, Athos yielded
On reaching the capital Athos and Araate refused even to let theeant, with the air of importance which such people assunity, said: ”Who are you, gentleentlemen”
”And where do you co to do in Paris?”
”We are going with a land”
”Ah, every one seeland We have already at the station three gentlemen whose passports are under examination, who are on their way to her majesty Where are your passports?”
”We have none; we left England, ignorant of the state of politics here, having left Paris before the departure of the king”
”Ah!” said the sergeant, with a cunning smile, ”you are Mazarinists, who are sent as spies”
”My dear friend,” here Athos spoke, ”rest assured, if ere Mazarinists we should come well prepared with every sort of passport In your situation distrust those who are well provided with every foreant; ”ill lay your case before the couardroo, so In a corner, alentlemen, who had preceded Athos and Ara their passports The first impulse of these three, and of those who last entered, was to cast an inquiring glance at each other The first arrivals wore long cloaks, in whose drapery they were carefully enveloped; one of theround
When the sergeant on entering the roo in two Mazarinists, it appeared to be the unaniht not to pass
”Be it so,” said Athos; ”yet it is probable, on the contrary, that we shall enter, because we seem to have to do with sensible people There see to do, which is, to send our naes to answer for us I presu these words the shortest of the other threeon, wrapping his cloak around hioodness!” whispered Aramis to Athos, ”did you see?”
”What?” asked Athos
”The face of the shortest of those three gentlemen?”
”No”
”He looked to eant, who had been for his orders, returned, and pointing to the three gentlemen in cloaks, said: ”The passports are in order; let these three gentleentlee of this permission
Aramis looked after them, and as the last of them passed close to him he pressed the hand of Athos
”What is the matter with you, my friend?” asked the latter
”I have--doubtless I aeant, ”do you know those three gentleone out?”
”Only by their passports; they are three Frondists, who are gone to rejoin the Duc de Longueville”
”'Tis strange,” said Aranized Mazarin hihter
”He!” he cried; ”he venture hi! Not so foolish as all that”
”Ah!”eye of D'Artagnan”
”Who is speaking of Monsieur D'Artagnan?” asked an officer who appeared at that moment upon the threshold of the room
”What!” cried Aramis and Athos, ”what! Planchet!”
”Planchet,” added Grientleain in Paris Oh, how happy you make us! no doubt you come to join the princes!”
”As thou seest, Planchet,” said Ara what important rank was held in the city militia by the former comrade of Mousqueton, Bazin and Grinan, of whom you spoke just now, Monsieur d'Herblay; may I ask if you have any news of hio and we have reason to believe that he has reached Paris before us”
”No, sir; I am sure he hasn't yet arrived But then he may have stopped at Saint Germain”
”I don't think so; we appointed to meet at La Chevrette”
”I was there this very day”
”And had the pretty Madeleine no news?” asked Ara
”No, sir, and it must be admitted that she seemed very anxious”
”In fact,” said Aramis, ”there is no time lost and we made our journey quickly Per further about our friend, to pay my respects to M Planchet”
”Ah,