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"Well, strikingly true as it may be, it is not less true, my friend, that I shall return greatly beloved by M. Monk, who calls me dear captain all day long, although I am neither dear to him nor a captain; and much appreciated by the king, who has already forgotten my name; it is not less true, I say, that I shall return to my beautiful country, cursed by the soldiers I had raised with the hopes of large pay, cursed by the brave Planchet, of whom I borrowed a part of his fortune."
And Planchet double-locked them. "That is well; now draw near." Planchet obeyed. "And open the window, because the noise of the passers-by and the carts will deafen all who might hear us." Planchet opened the window as desired, and the gust of tumult which filled the chamber with cries, wheels, barkings, and steps deafened D'Artagnan himself, as he had wished.
He credited this woman, who appeared to him the equal of a demon, with agents as supernatural as herself; at the least noise, he imagined himself about to be arrested, and that Planchet was being brought back to be confronted with himself and his friends. Still further, his confidence in the worthy Picard, at one time so great, diminished day by day.
D'Artagnan made Planchet lead them to the chateau, and introduced Porthos into his own apartment, where he arrived safely without having been perceived by those he was afraid of meeting. At seven o'clock the same evening, the king gave an audience to an ambassador from the United Provinces, in the grand reception-room. The audience lasted a quarter of an hour.
"There is a servant active and vigilant, not like that lazy fellow Bazin, who is no longer good for anything since he became connected with the church. Follow us, Planchet; we shall continue our conversation to the end of the village."
However, a worthy representative of the hospitality which prevailed in early days, he feigned to be talking very earnestly with D'Artagnan, and incessantly repeated: "Ah! monsieur, what a happiness! what an honor!" "What time shall we have supper, Planchet?" inquired Porthos, "I feel hungry." The foreman clasped his hands together.
Upon this D'Artagnan rose, and instantly set off on the search, telling Planchet not to expect him to breakfast, and perhaps not to dinner.
In fact, tightly held as he was, Lubin endeavored still to cry out. "Stay!" said d'Artagnan; and taking out his handkerchief, he gagged him. "Now," said Planchet, "let us bind him to a tree."
"Ah! good God!" articulated Planchet, drawing back before the dazzling fire of his looks. "Imbecile!" cried D'Artagnan, "you think me mad! Mordioux! On the contrary, never was my head more clear, or my heart more joyous. To the bags, Planchet, to the bags!" "But to what bags, good heavens!" D'Artagnan pushed Planchet towards the window. "Under the shed yonder, don't you see a horse?" "Yes."
Planchet got off his horse, as if he intended to knock at the door; but, on second thoughts, he took hold of his horse by the bridle, and led it about thirty paces further on, his two companions following him. He then advanced about another thirty paces, until he arrived at the door of a cart-house, lighted by an iron grating; and, lifting up a wooden latch, pushed open one of the folding-doors.
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