Part 95 (1/2)
”As you execute you will understand”
”And yet I should have preferred----”
”You will have the pleasure of the surprise”
”Ah, that is true”
”Hush!+”
Porthos remained silent and motionless
In fact, the two soldiers advanced on the side where the as, rubbing their hands, for it was cold, it being the uardhouse was opened and one of the soldiers was su to call this soldier and talk to hi to say to you, Porthos Everything lies in the execution”
”Good, the execution of plots is my forte”
”I knoell I depend on you Look, I shall turn to the left, so that the soldier will be at your right, as soon as hehe doesn't et up, stretch out your ar hiills, you ht that he can't cry out”
”Oh!” said Porthos ”Suppose I happen to strangle him?”
”To be sure there would only be a Swiss the less in the world; but you will not do so, I hope Lay hi hiet from him one unifor at the Gascon with the nan
”Yes,” said Porthos, recollecting himself, ”but one uniform and one sill not suffice for two”
”Well; but there's his comrade”
”True,” said Porthos
”Therefore, when I cough, stretch out your arm”
”Good!”
The two friends then placed the co, co voice and , sir,” answered the soldier, in a strong provincial accent
”'Tis not too warnan
”No, sir”
”And I think a glass of ill not be disagreeable to you?”
”A glass of ill be extremely welcome”
”The fish bites--the fish bites!” whispered the Gascon to Porthos
”I understand,” said Porthos
”A bottle, perhaps?”
”A whole bottle? Yes, sir”
”A whole bottle, if you will drink ly,” answered the soldier
”Come, then, and take it, friend,” said the Gascon
”With all ad! one would think it had been placed here on purpose”
”Get on it; that's it, friend”
And D'Artagnan coughed
That instant the arhtning, firm as a pair of blacksmith's pincers, the soldier's throat He raised hih the aperture, at the risk of flaying hie He then laid hi hied hian to undress him with the promptitude and dexterity of a man who had learned his business on the field of battle Then the soldier, gagged and bound, was placed upon the hearth, the fire of which had been previously extinguished by the two friends
”Here's a sword and a dress,” said Porthos
”I take thenan, ”for myself If you want another uniforain Stop! I see the other soldier issue frouardroom and come toward us”
”I think,” replied Porthos, ”it would be iain; it is said that no man can succeed twice in the sao down, seize the ed”
”That is better,” said the Gascon
”Be ready,” said Porthos, as he slipped through the opening
He did as he said Porthos seized his opportunity, caught the next soldier by his neck, gagged hih the bars into the room, and entered after him Then they undressed him as they had done the first, laid him on their bed and bound hi of oak This operation proved as great a success as the first
”There,” said D'Artagnan, ”this is capital! Now let me try on the dress of yonder chap Porthos, I doubt if you can wear it; but should it be too tight, never mind, you can wear the breastplate and the hat with the red feathers”
It happened, however, that the second soldier was a Swiss of gigantic proportions, so, save that some few of the seams split, his uniform fitted Porthos perfectly
They then dressed themselves
”'Tis done!” they both exclaimed at once ”As to you, co will happen to you if you are discreet; but if you stir you are dead men”
The soldiers were corasp of Porthos pretty powerful and that it was no joke to fight against it