Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads the fourteenth chapter of The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

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Welcome to Byte At a Time Books, where we read you your favorite classics, One Bite at a Time.

My name is Brie Carlyle and I love to read and wanted to share my passion with listeners like you.

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Wherever you listen to podcasts today, we will be continuing the Three Musketeers by Alexandra Domes 14 the man of Myung The crowd was caused not by the expectation of a man to be hanged, but by the contemplation of a man who was hanged.

The carriage, which had been stopped for a minute, resumed its way, passed through the crowd, threaded the Rue Saint Honor, turned into the Rue despond's advance, and stopped before a low door.

The door opened.

Two guards received bonus EW in their arms from the officer who supported him.

They carried him through an alley, up a flight of stairs, and deposited him in an antechamber.

All these movements had been affected mechanically as far as he was concerned.

He had walked as one walks in a dream.

He had a glimpse of objects as through a fog his ears had perceived sounds without comprehending them.

He might have been executed at that moment without his making a single gesture in his own defense or uttering a cry to implore mercy.

He remained on the bench with his back leaning against the wall and his hands hanging down exactly on the spot where the guards placed him on looking around him, however, as he could perceive no threatening object, as nothing indicated that he ran any real danger, as the bench was comfortably covered with a wellstuffed cushion, as the wall was, ornamented with a beautiful Cordova leather, and as large red damask curtains fastened back by gold clasps, floated before the window, he perceived by degrees that his fear was exaggerated, and he began to turn his head to the right and the left, upward and downward.

At this movement, which nobody opposed, he resumed a little courage and ventured to draw up one leg and then the other.

At length, with the help of his two hands, he lifted himself from the bench and found himself on his feet.

At this moment an officer with a pleasant face opened a door, continued to exchange some words with the person in the next Chamber, and then came up to the prisoner is your name, Bonusieu?

Said he.

Yes, Monsieur, officer, stammered the Mercer.

More dead than alive at your service.

Come in, said the officer, and he moved out of the way to let the Mercer pass.

The latter obeyed without reply, and entered the Chamber where he appeared to be expected.

It was a large cabinet, close and stifling, with the walls furnished with arms offensive and defensive, and in which there was already a fire, although it was scarcely the end of the month of September.

A square table covered with books and papers, upon which was unrolled in immense plan of the city of La Rochelle, occupied the center of the room.

Standing before the chimney was a man of middle height, of a haughty, proud man, with piercing eyes, a large brow, and a thin face, which was made still longer by a Royal or Imperial, as it is now called, surmounted by a pair of mustaches.

Although this man was scarcely 36 or 37 years of age, hair, mustaches, and Royal all began to be Gray.

This man, except a sword, had all the appearance of a soldier, and his buff boots, still slightly covered with dust, indicated that he had been on horseback in the course of the day.

This man was Armand Jean Duplexes, Cardinal de Richelieu, not such as he is now represented, broken down like an old man suffering like a martyr, his body bent, his voice failing, buried in a large armchair as an anticipated tomb, no longer living but by the strength of his genius, and no longer maintaining the struggle with Europe, but by the eternal application of his thoughts, but such as he really was at this period, that is to say, an active and Galliant cavalier, already weak of body, but sustained by that moral power which made of him one of the most extraordinary men that ever lived, preparing after having supported the Duke Denavers in his Duchy of Mantua, after having taken names Castros and Yusuf, to drive the English from the Isle of Rey and lay siege to La Rochelle.

At first sight nothing denoted the Cardinal, and it was impossible for those who did not know his face to guess in whose presence they were.

The poor Mercer remained standing at the door, while the eyes of the personage we have just described were fixed upon him, and appeared to wish to penetrate even into the depths of the past.

Is this that Bonus you asked he after a moment of silence.

Yes, Monseigneur, replied the officer.

That's well, give me those papers and leave us.

The officer took from the table the papers pointed out, gave them to him, who asked for them, bowed to the ground, and retired.

Bonus EU recognized in these papers his interrogatories of the Basil.

From time to time the man by the chimney raised his eyes from the writings and plunged them like ponyards into the heart of the poor Mercer.

At the end of ten minutes of reading and 10 seconds of examination, the Cardinal was satisfied.

That head has never conspired, murmured he.

But it matters not.

We will see you are accused of high treason, said the Cardinal slowly.

So I have been told already, Monseigneur, cried Bonaciu, giving his interrogator the title he had heard the other officer give him.

But I swear to you that I know nothing about it.

The Cardinal repressed a smile.

You have conspired with your wife?

With Madame de Chevroth, and with my Lord Duke of Buckingham.

Indeed, Montaigneur, responded the Mercer.

I have heard her pronounce all those names.

And on what occasion?

She said that the Cardinal de Richelieu had drawn the Duke of Buckingham to Paris to ruin him and to ruin the Queen.

She said that?

Cried the Cardinal, with violence.

Yes, Monseigneur.

But I told her she was wrong to talk about such things and that His Eminence was incapable.

Hold your tongue.

You are stupid, replied the Cardinal.

That's exactly what my wife said.

Monsignor, do you know who carried off your wife?

No, Monsignure.

You have suspicions nevertheless?

Yes, Monsignor.

But these suspicions appeared to be disagreeable to Monsieur the commentary, and I no longer have them.

Your wife has escaped, did you know that?

No, Monseigneur.

I learned it since I have been in prison.

And that from the conversation of Monster the commentary an amiable man, the Cardinal repressed another smile.

Then you are ignorant of what has become of your wife since her flight?

Absolutely, Montagneur.

But she has most likely returned to the Louvre at 01:00 this morning.

She had not returned.

My God, what can have become of her?

Then we shall know.

Be assured, nothing is concealed from the Cardinal.

The Cardinal knows everything.

In that case, Monseigneur, do you believe the Cardinal would be so kind as to tell me what has become of my wife?

Perhaps he may.

But you must in the first place, reveal to the Cardinal all you know of your wife's relations with Madame de Chevrose.

But Monseigneur, I know nothing about them.

I have never seen her.

When you went to fetch your wife from the Louvre, did you always return directly home?

Scarcely ever.

She had business to transact with linen Drapers to whose houses I conducted her.

And how many were there of these linen Drapers?

Two, Monseigneur.

And where did they live?

One in Rue de Vigyard and the other Rue de la Harp.

Did you go into these houses with her?

Never, Monseigneur.

I waited at the door.

And what excuse did she give you for entering all alone?

She gave me none.

She told me to wait and I waited.

You are a very complacent husband, my dear Monsieur Bonuseu, said the Cardinal.

He calls me his dear Monsieur, said the Mercer to himself.

Best day.

Matters are going alright.

Should you know those doors again?

Yes.

Do you know the numbers?

Yes.

What are they?

Number 25 in the Rue de Vigard.

75 in the Rue de la Harp.

That's well, said the Cardinal.

At these words he took up a silver Bell and rang it.

The officer entered.

Go, said he in a subdued voice, and find Rockefort.

Tell him to come to meet immediately if he is returned.

The count is here, said the officer, and requests to speak with your Eminence instantly.

Let him come in then, said the Cardinal.

Quickly the officer sprang out of the apartment with the alacrity which all the servants of the Cardinal displayed in obeying him to your eminence, murmured Vonasu, rolling his eyes round in astonishment.

5 seconds had scarcely elapsed after the disappearance of the officer, when the door opened and a new personage entered.

It is, he, cried Bonus U.

He what?

He?

Asked the Cardinal.

The man who abducted my wife.

The Cardinal rang a second time.

The officer reappeared.

Place this man in the care of his guards again and let him wait till I send for him.

No, Monsignor, no, it is not, he, cried Bonuseu.

No, I was deceived.

This is quite another man and does not resemble him at all.

Monsieur is, I am sure, an honest man.

Take away that fool, said the Cardinal.

The officer took Bonaciu by the arm and led him into the antechamber, where he found his two guards.

The newly introduced personage followed Bonaciu impatiently with his eyes till he had gone out, and the moment the door closed.

They have seen each other, said he, approaching the Cardinal eagerly.

Who?

Asked his eminence.

He and she.

The Queen and the Duke cried Rishelu.

Yes.

Where?

At the Louvre.

Are you sure of it?

Perfectly sure.

Who told you of it?

Madame de Lanoi, who was devoted to your eminence, as you know.

Why did she not let me know sooner?

Whether by chance or mistrust, the Queen made Madame de Sargis sleep in her Chamber and detained her all day.

Well, we are beaten now.

Let us try to take our revenge.

I will assist you with all my heart, Monseigneir.

Be assured of that.

How did it come about?

At 12:30, the Queen was with her woman.

Where?

In her bed Chamber.

Go on.

When someone came and brought her a handkerchief from her laundry.

And then the Queen immediately exhibited strong emotion, and despite the Rouge with which her face was covered, evidently turned pale.

And then she then arose, and with altered voice.

Ladies, said she wait for me ten minutes.

I shall soon return.

She then opened the door of her alcove and went out.

Why did not Madame de Lanoi come and inform you instantly?

Nothing was certain.

Besides, Her Majesty had said, Ladies, wait for me, and she did not dare to disobey the Queen.

How long did the Queen remain out of the Chamber?

Threequarters of an hour.

None of her women accompanied her.

Only Donna Estefania.

Did she afterward return?

Yes, but only to take a little Rosewood casket with her cipher upon it and went out again immediately.

And when she finally returned, did she bring that casket with her?

No.

Does Madame de Lanoi know what was in that casket?

Yes.

The diamond studs which His Majesty gave the Queen.

And she came back without this casket?

Yes.

Madame de Lanoi, then, is of opinion that she gave them to Buckingham.

She is sure of it.

How can she be so?

In the course of the day, Madame de Lanoi and her quality of Tyre, woman of the Queen, looked for this casket, appeared uneasy at not finding it, and at length asked information of the Queen and the Queen.

The Queen became exceedingly red and replied that having in the evening broken one of those studs, she had sent it to her Goldsmith to be repaired.

He must be called upon.

And so, ascertain if the thing be true or not, I've just been with him.

And the Goldsmith?

The Goldsmith has heard nothing of it.

Well, Rockafort, all is not lost, and perhaps, perhaps everything is for the best.

The fact is that I do not doubt Your Eminence is genius will repair the blunders of his agent, is that it?

That is exactly what I was going to say if Your Eminence had let me finish my sentence.

Meanwhile, do you know where the Duchess de Chevrolet and the Duke of Buckingham are now concealed?

No, Monsignor.

My people could tell me nothing on that head.

But I know you, Mon signure.

Yes, or at least I guess they were.

One in the Rue de Vagard, number 25, the other in the Rue de Harp, number 75.

Does your eminents command that they both be instantly arrested?

It will be too late.

They will be gone.

But still we can make sure that they are.

So take ten men of my Guardsmen and search the two houses thoroughly.

Instantly, Monsignor and Rockfort went hastily out of the apartment.

The Cardinal, being left alone, reflected for an instant, and then rang the Bell a third time.

The same officer appeared.

Bring the prisoner in again, said the Cardinal.

Monsieur Bonuseux was introduced afresh, and upon a sign from the Cardinal, the officer retired.

You have deceived me, said the Cardinal sternly.

I cried Bonusieu, I deceive Your Eminence, your wife, and going to Rue de Vigard and Rue de la Harpe, did not go to find linen Drapers.

Then why did she go?

Just God, she went to meet the Duchess de Chevrous and the Duke of Buckingham.

Yes, cried Bonnetieu, recalling all his remembrances of the circumstances.

Yes, that's it.

Your Eminence is right.

I told my wife several times that it was surprising that linen Drapers should live in such houses as those in houses that had no signs.

But she always laughed at me.

Aham, Singh, continued Vanessa, throwing himself at his Eminence's feet.

How truly you are, the Cardinal, the great Cardinal, the man of genius whom all the world reveres.

The Cardinal, however, contemptible might be the triumph gained over so vulgar a being as Bonaciu did not the less enjoy it.

For an instant, then, almost immediately, as if a fresh thought had occurred, a smile played upon his lips, and he said, offering his hand to the Mercer, Rise, my friend, you are a worthy man.

The Cardinal has touched me with his hand.

I have touched the hand of the great man, cried Bonusieu.

The great man has called me his friend.

Yes, my friend, yes, said the Cardinal, with that paternal tone which he sometimes knew how to assume, but which deceived none who knew him.

And as you have been unjustly suspected, well, you must be indemnified.

Here, take this purse of 100 Pistoles and pardon me.

I pardon you, Monseigneur, said Bonusieux.

Hesitating to take the purse, fearing doubtless that this pretended gift was but a pleasantry.

But you are able to have me arrested.

You are able to have me tortured.

You are able to have me hanged.

You are the master, and I could not have the least word to say.

Pardon you, Monsignor.

You cannot mean that.

My dear Monsieur Bonus, you are generous in this matter.

I see it, and I thank you for it.

Thus then you will take this bag and you will go away without being too malcontent.

I go away enchanted.

Farewell, then, or rather a raw, for I hope we shall meet again whenever Monsignor wishes.

I am always at His Eminence's orders.

That will be frequently, I assure you, for I have found something extremely agreeable in your conversation.

O Monseigneur avoir Monsieur Bonaciu arroir.

And the Cardinal made him a sign with his hand, to which Bonuses replied, bowing to the ground, he then went out backward, and when he was in the antechamber, the Cardinal heard him in his enthusiasm, crying out, Long life to the Monseigneur, long life to His Eminence.

Long life to the great Cardinal.

The Cardinal listened with a smile to this vociferous manifestation of the feelings of Monsieur Bonaciu.

And then, when Bonaciu's cries were no longer audible, good, said he, that man would henceforward lay down his life for me.

And the Cardinal began to examine with the greatest attention to the map of La Rochelle, which, as we have said, lay open on the desk, tracing with a pencil the line in which the famous Dike was to pass, which 18 months later shut up the Port of the besieged city.

As he was in the deepest of his strategic meditations, the door opened and Rockafort returned.

Well, said the Cardinal eagerly, rising with a promptitude which proved the degree of importance he attached to the Commission with which he had charged the court.

Well, said the latter.

A young woman of about 26 or 28 years of age and a man of from 35 to 40 have indeed lodged at the two houses pointed out by Your Eminence.

But the woman left last night, and the man this morning it was they cried, the Cardinal, looking at the clock.

And now it is too late to have them pursued.

The Duchess is at Tours and the Duke at Bologna.

It is in London.

They must be found.

What are Your Eminence's orders?

Not a word of what has passed.

Let the Queen remain in perfect security.

Let her be ignorant that we know her secret.

Let her believe that we are in search of some conspiracy or other.

Send me the keeper of the seals figure and that man.

What is Your Eminence done with him?

What man?

Asked the Cardinal.

That bonuseu I have done with him all that could be done.

I have made him a spy upon his wife.

The Comte de Rocafort bowed like a man who acknowledges the superiority of the master as great and retired.

Left alone, the Cardinal seated himself again and wrote a letter, which he secured with his special seal.

Then he rang the officer, entered for the fourth time.

Tell the tray to come to me, said he, and tell him to get ready for a journey.

An instant after, the man he asked for was before him.

Booted and spurred, the tray, said he, you will go with all speed to London.

You must not stop an instant.

On the way, you will deliver this letter to My Lady.

Here is an order for 200 Pistoles.

Call upon my Treasurer and get the money.

You shall have as much again if you are back within six days and have executed your Commission well.

The messenger, without replying a single word, bowed, took the letter with the order for the 200 Pistoles and retired.

Here is what the letter contained.

My lady be at the first ball at which the Duke of Buckingham shall be present.

He will wear on his doublet twelve diamond studs.

Get as near to him as you can and cut off, too, as soon as these studs shall be in your possession.

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We are now part of the Bite At A Time Books Productions Network.

If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite At a Time Books Behind the Story Tuesdays.

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