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

Come with us as we release one bite a day of one of your favorite classic novels, plays & short stories. Bree reads these classics like she reads to her daughter, one chapter a day. If you love books or audiobooks and want something to listen to as you're getting ready, driving to work, or as you're getting ready for bed, check out Bite at a Time Books!

Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our Patreon

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 wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTok

Follow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Welcome to Bite 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.

All of the links for our show are in the show notes.

Today we will be continuing The Three Musketeers by Alexandra Dumas 47 the Council of the Musketeers As Athos had foreseen, the Bastian was only occupied by a dozen corpses, French and Rosales.

Gentlemen, said Athos, who had assumed the command of the expedition.

While grammar spreads the table, let us begin by collecting the guns and cartridges together.

We can talk while performing that necessary task.

These gentlemen added he, pointing to the bodies, cannot hear us, but we could throw them into the ditch, said Porthos, after having assured ourselves they have nothing in their pockets.

Yes, said Athos, that's Grahama's business.

Well, then, cried D'Artagnan, pray let Grahamad search them and throw them over the walls.

Heaven forfend, said Athos, they may serve us.

These bodies serve us, said Porthos.

You are mad, dear friend.

Judge not rashly, say the gospel.

And the Cardinal replied Athos, how many guns, gentlemen?

Twelve, replied Aramis.

How many shots?

100.

That's quite as many as we shall want.

Let us load the guns.

The four Musketeers went to work, and as they were Loading the last musket, grammar announced that the breakfast was ready.

Athos replied always by gestures that that was well, and indicated to Grahamad by pointing to a turret that resembled a peppercaster, that he was to stand a Sentinel, only to alleviate the tediousness of the duty, Athos allowed him to take a loaf, two cutlets, and a bottle of wine.

And now to table, said Athos, the four friends seated themselves on the ground with their legs crossed like Turks or even tailors.

And now, said D'Artagnan, as there is no longer any fear of being overheard, I hope you are going to let me into your secret.

I hope at the same time to procure your amusement and glory.

Gentlemen, said Athos, I have induced you to take a charming promenade.

Here is a delicious breakfast, and Yonder are 500 persons, as you may see, through the loopholes taking us for heroes or mad men, two classes of imbeciles greatly resembling each other.

But the secret, said D'Artagnan.

The secret is, said Athos, that I saw my lady last night.

D'artagnan was lifting a glass to his lips, but at the name of my lady, his hand trembled so that he was obliged to put the glass on the ground again for fear of spilling the contents.

You saw your what?

Hush, interrupted Athos.

You forget, my dear, you forget that these gentlemen are not initiated into my family affairs like yourself.

I have seen my lady.

Where?

Demanded D'Artagnan, within two weekseaks of this place, at the end of the Red Dovecot.

In that case I am lost, said D'Artagnan.

Not so bad, yet, replied Athos, for by this time she must have quit the shores of France.

D'artagnan breathed again.

But after all, asked Porthos, who is my lady?

A charming woman, said Athos, sipping a glass of sparkling wine.

Villainous host, cried he, he has given us Angie wine instead of champagne and fancies.

We know no better.

Yes, continued he, a charming woman who entertained kind views toward our friend D'Artagnan, who on his part has given her some offense for which she tried to revenge herself a month ago by having him killed by two musket shots, a week ago by trying to poison him, and yesterday by demanding his head of the Cardinal.

What?

By demanding my head of the Cardinal, cried D'Artagnan, pale with terror.

Yes, that is true, as the gospel, said Porthos.

I heard her with my own ears.

I also, said Aramis.

Then, said D'Artagnan, letting his arm fall with discouragement, it is useless to struggle longer.

I may as well blow my brains out, and all will be over.

That's the last folly to be committed, said Athos, seeing it is the only one for which there is no remedy.

But I can never escape, said D'Artagnan, with such enemies.

First, my stranger of Myung, then de Wardes, to whom I have given three sword wounds, next, my lady, whose secret I have discovered.

Finally the Cardinal, whose vengeance I have balked.

Well, said Athos, that only makes four, and we are four.

One for one.

Pardue, if we may believe the signs Grammar is making, we are about to have to deal with a very different number of people.

What is it, Grammar?

Considering the gravity of the occasion.

I permit you to speak, my friend, but be iconic, I beg, what do you see?

A troop of how many persons?

20 men.

What sort of men?

16 pioneers, four soldiers.

How far?

Distant, 500 paces.

Good.

We have just time to finish the spell and to drink one glass of wine.

To your health, D'Artagnan.

To your health, repeated Porthos and Aramis.

Well then, to my health.

Although I am very much afraid that your good wishes will not be of great service to me, Bah, said Athos.

God is great, as, say, the followers of Mohammed, and the future is in his hands.

Then, swallowing the contents of his glass, which he put down close to him, Athos arose carelessly, took the musket next to him, and drew near to one of the loopholes.

Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan followed his example.

As to Grimad, he received orders to place himself behind the four friends in order to reload their weapons.

Pard, you, said Athos, it was hardly worthwhile to distribute ourselves for 20 fellows armed with pickaxes, Maddox, and shovels.

Grammar had only to make them a sign to go away, and I am convinced they would have left us in peace.

I doubt that, replied D'Artagnan, for they are advancing very resolutely.

Besides, in addition to the Pioneers, there are four soldiers and a Brigadier armed with muskets.

That's because they don't see us, said Athos.

My faith, said Aramis.

I must confess I feel a great repugnance to fire on these poor Devils of civilians.

He is a bad priest, said Porthos, who has pity for heretics.

In truth, said Athos, Aramis is right.

I will warn them.

What the devil are you going to do?

Cried D'Artagnan.

You will be shot.

But Athos he did not, his advice mounting on the breech with his musket in one hand and his hat in the other, he said, bowing courteously and addressing the soldiers and the pioneers, who, astonished at this apparition, stopped 50 paces from the bastion.

Gentlemen, a few friends and myself are about to breakfast in this bastion.

Now you know nothing is more disagreeable than being disturbed when one is at breakfast.

We request you then, if you really have business here, to wait till we have finished our repast, or to come again a short time hence, unless which would be far better, you form the salutary resolution to quit the sight of the rebels and come and drink with us to the health of the King of France.

Take care, Athos, cried D'Artagnan.

Don't you see they're aiming?

Yes, yes, said Athos, but they are only civilians, very bad marksmen who will be sure not to hit me.

In fact, at the same instant four shops were fired and the balls were flattened against the wall around Athos, but not one touched him.

Four shots replied to them almost instantaneously, but much better aimed than those of the aggressors.

Three soldiers fell dead and one of the pioneers was wounded, grahamard, said Athos, still on the breach, another musket.

Grahamad immediately obeyed.

On their part, the three friends had Reloaded their arms.

A second discharge followed the first.

The Brigadier and two pioneers fell dead.

The rest of the troop took flight.

Now, gentlemen, authority, cried Athos, and the four friends rushed out of the Fort, gained the field of battle, picked up the four muskets of the privates and the half pike of the Brigadier, and, convinced that the fugitives would not stop till they reached the city, turned again toward the bastion, bearing with them the trophies of their victory.

Reload the musket skimmer, said Athos, and we gentlemen will go on with our breakfast and resume our conversation.

Where were we?

I recollect.

You were saying, said D'Artagnan, that after having demanded my head of the Cardinal, my lady had quit the shores of France.

Whither goes?

She added.

He strongly interested in the route my lady followed.

She goes into England, said Athos.

With what view?

With the view of assassinating or causing to be assassinated the Duke of Buckingham.

D'artagnan uttered an exclamation of surprise and indignation.

But this is infamous, cried he.

As to that, said Athos, I beg you to believe that I care very little about it.

Now you have done grammar.

Take our brigadiers half pike tie a napkin to it and plant it on top of barbastian that these rebels of Rochelais may see that they have to deal with brave and loyal soldiers of the King.

Grammar obeyed without replying.

An instant afterward, the white flag was floating over the heads of the four friends.

A Thunder of applause saluted its appearance.

Half the camp was at the barrier.

How, replied D'Artagnan, you care little if she kills Buckingham or causes him to be killed.

But the Duke is our friend.

The Duke is English.

The Duke fights against us.

Let her do what she likes with the Duke.

I care no more about him than an empty bottle.

And as us threw 15 paces from him an empty bottle from which he had poured the last drop into his glass.

A moment, said D'Artagnan, I will not abandon Buckingham.

Thus he gave us some very fine horses, and Moreover, a very handsome saddle, said Porthos, who at the moment wore on his cloak the lace of his own.

Besides, said Aramis, God desires the conversion and not the death of a sinner.

Amen, said Athos, and we will return to that subject later, if such be your pleasure.

But what for the moment engaged my attention most earnestly, and I am sure you will understand me.

D'artagnan was the getting from this woman a kind of cart Blanche which she had extorted from the Cardinal, and by means of which she could with impunity and get rid of you and perhaps of us.

But this creature must be a demon, said Porthos, holding out his plate to Aramis, who was cutting up a foul.

And this cart Blanche, said D'Artagnan.

This cart Blanche, does it remain in her hands?

No, it passed into mine.

I will not say without trouble, for I did.

I should tell a lie.

My dear Athos, I shall no longer count the number of times I am indebted to you for my life than it was to go to her that you left us, said Aramis.

Exactly.

And you have that letter of the Cardinal, said D'Artagnan.

Here it is, said Athos, and he took the invaluable paper from the pocket of his uniform.

D'artagnan unfolded it with one hand, whose trembling he did not even attempt to conceal, to read.

December 3, 1627 it is by my order and for the good of the state, that the bearer of this has done what he has done.

Rishalu.

In fact, said Aramis, it is an absolution according to rule.

That paper must be torn to pieces, said D'Artagnan, who fancied he read in it his sentence of death.

On the contrary, said Athos, it must be preserved carefully.

I would not give up this paper if covered with as many gold pieces.

And what will she do now?

Asked the young man.

Why, replied Athos carelessly.

She is probably going to write to the Cardinal that a damned musketeer named Athos has taken her safe conduct from her by force.

She will advise him in the same letter to get rid of his two friends, Aramis and Porthos.

At the same time the Cardinal will remember that these are the same men who have often crossed his path.

And then some fine morning he will arrest D'Artagnan, and for fear he should feel lonely, he will send us to keep him company in the bestill go to.

It appears to me you make dull jokes, my dear, said Porthos.

I do not, just, said Athos.

Do you know, said Porthos, that to twist that damned my lady's neck would be a smaller sin than to twist those of these poor Devils of Hug nods who have committed no other crime than singing in French the Psalms we sing in Latin.

What, says?

The Abbe?

Asked Athos quietly.

I say I am entirely of Porthos opinion, replied Aramis.

And I too, said D'Artagnan.

Fortunately, she is far off, said Porthos, for I confess she would worry me if she were here.

She worries me in England as well as in France, said Athos.

She worries me everywhere, said D'Artagnan.

But when you held her in your power, why did you not drown her?

Strangle her, hang her, said Porthos.

It is only the dead who do not return.

You think so, Porthos?

Replied the musketeer with a sad smile, which D'Artagnan alone understood.

I have an idea, said D'Artagnan.

What is it?

Said the Musketeers.

To arms, cried Grimaud.

The young men sprang up and seized their muskets.

This time a small troop advanced, consisting of from 20 to 25 men, but they were not pioneers, they were soldiers of the Garrison.

Shall we return to the camp?

Said Porthos.

I don't think the sides are equal.

Impossible for three reasons, replied Athos.

The first, that we have not finished breakfast, the second, that we still have some very important things to say, and the third, that it yet wants ten minutes before the lapse of the hour.

Well, then, said Aramis, we must form a plan of battle.

That's very simple, replied Athos.

As soon as the enemy are within musket shot, we must fire upon them.

If they continue to advance, we must fire again.

We must fire as long as we have loaded guns.

If those who remain of the troop persist in coming to the assault, we will allow the procedures to get as far as the ditch, and then we will push down upon their heads that strip of wall which keeps its perpendicular by a miracle.

Bravo, cried Porthos decidedly Athos.

You were born to be a general, and the Cardinal, who fancies himself a great soldier, is nothing beside you, gentlemen, said Athos, no divided attention.

I beg let each one pick out his man.

I cover mine, said D'Artagnan.

And I mine, said Porthos.

And I mind, said Aramis.

Fire then, said Athos.

The four muskets made but one report, but four men fell, the drum immediately beat, and the little troop advanced at charging pace.

Then the shots were repeated without regularity, but always aimed with the same accuracy.

Nevertheless, as if they had been aware of the numerical weakness of the friends, the Rochales continued to advance in quick time.

With every three shots.

At least two men fell, but the March of those who remained was not slackened arrived at the foot of the bastion.

There were still more than a dozen of the enemy Alaska discharge welcomed them, but did not stop them.

They jumped into the ditch and prepared to scale the breach.

Now my friends, said Athos, finish them at a blow to the wall.

To the wall, and the four friends, seconded by grammar, pushed with the barrels of their muskets.

An enormous sheet of the wall, which bent as if pushed by the wind and attaching itself from its base, fell with a horrible crash into the ditch, and a fearful crash was heard.

A cloud of dust mounted toward the sky, and all was over.

Can we have destroyed them all from the first to the last?

Said Athos.

My faith, it appears so, said D'Artagnan.

No, cried Porthos.

There go three or four limping away.

In fact, three or four of these unfortunate men, covered with dirt and blood, fled along the hollow way and at length regained the city.

These were all who were left of the little troop.

Athos looked at his watch.

Gentlemen, said he, we have been here an hour, and our wager is one, but we will be fair players.

Besides, D'Artagnan has not told us his idea yet, and the musketeer, with his usual coolness, receded himself before the remains of the breakfast.

My idea, said D'Artagnan.

Yes, you said you had an idea, said Athos.

Oh, I remember, said D'Artagnan.

Well, I will go to England a second time.

I will go and find Buckingham.

You shall not do that, D'Artagnan said Athos Coolly.

And why not?

Have I not been there once?

Yes, but at that period we were not at war.

At that period Buckingham was an ally and not an enemy.

What you would now do amounts to treason.

D'artagnan perceived the force of this reasoning and was silent.

But, said Porthos, I think I have an idea in my turn.

Silence for Monsieur Porthos idea, said Aramis, I will ask leave of absence of Monsieur de Traville on some pretext or other which you must invent.

I am not very clever at pretexts.

My lady does not know me.

I will get access to her without her suspecting me, and when I catch my beauty, I will strangle her.

Well, replied Athos.

I am not far from approving the idea of Monsieur Porthos.

For shame, said Aramis.

Kill a woman.

No, listen to me.

I have the true idea.

Let us see your idea, Aramis, said Athos, who felt much defense for the young Musketeer, we must inform the Queen.

My faith.

Yes, said Porthos and D'Artagnan at the same time, we are coming nearer to it now.

Inform the Queen, said Athos.

And how have we relations with the court?

Could we send anyone to Paris without it being known in the camp?

From here to Paris is 140 leagues before our letter was At Angers.

We should be in a dungeon as to remitting a letter with safety to Her Majesty, said Aramis coloring.

I will take that upon myself.

I know a clever person at Tours.

Aramis stopped on, seeing Athos smile.

Well, do you not adopt this means, Athos?

Said D'Artagnan.

I do not reject it altogether, said Athos.

But I wish to remind Aramis that he cannot quit the camp, and that nobody but one of ourselves is trustworthy that 2 hours after the messenger has set out all the cap chins, all the police, all the black caps of the Cardinal will know your letter by heart, and you and your clever person will be arrested without reckoning, objected Porthos.

That the Queen would save Monsieur de Buckingham, but would take no heed of us.

Gentlemen, said D'Artagnan.

What Porthos says is full of sense.

But what's going on in the city?

Yonder, said Athos.

They are beating the general alarm.

The four friends listened, and the sound of the drum plainly reached them.

You see, they're going to send a whole Regiment against us, said Athos.

You don't think of holding out against a whole Regiment, do you?

Said Porthos.

Why not?

Said the Musketeer.

I feel myself quite in a humor for it, and I would hold out before an army if we had taken the precaution to bring a dozen more bottles of wine.

Upon my word, the drum draws near, said D'Artagnan.

Let it come, said Athos.

It is a quarter of an hour's journey from here to the city.

Consequently, a quarter of an hour's journey from the city to Hither.

That is more than time enough for us to devise a plan.

If we go from this place, we shall never find another so suitable.

Oh, stop.

I have it.

Gentlemen, the right idea has just occurred to me.

Tell us.

Allow me to give Grammar some indispensable orders.

Those made a sign for his Lackey to approach Grammar, said Athos, pointing to the bodies which lay under the wall of the bastion.

Take those gentlemen, set them up against the wall, put their hats upon their heads and their guns in their hands.

Oh, the great man, cried D'Artagnan, I comprehend.

Now you comprehend, said Porthos.

And you comprehend, grahamad, said Aramis, grimad made a sign of the affirmative.

That's all that is necessary, said Athos.

Now for my idea.

I should like, however, to comprehend, said Porthos.

That is useless.

Yes, Athos idea, cried Aramis.

And D'Artagnan at the same time.

This, my lady, this woman, this creature, this demon has a brother inlaw as I think you told me, D'Artagnan.

Yes, I know him very well, and I also believe that he is not a very warm affection for his sisterinlaw.

There is no harm in that.

If he detested her, it would be all the better, replied Athos.

In that case we are as well off as we wish.

And yet, said Porthos, I would like to know what grammar is about.

Silence, Porthos, said Aramis.

What is her brotherinlaw's name?

Lord de Winter.

Where is he now?

He returned to London at the first sound of war.

Well, there's just the man we want, said Athos.

It is he whom we must warn.

We will have him informed that his sister in law is on the point of having someone assassinated and beg him not to lose sight of her.

There is in London, I hope, some establishment like that of the Magdalens or of the Repentant daughters.

He must place his sister in one of these and we shall be in peace.

Yes, said D'Artagnan, till she comes out.

Oh, my faith, said Athos, you require too much, D'Artagnan.

I have given you all I have, and I beg leave to tell you that this is the bottom of my sack.

But I think it would be still better, said Aramis, to inform the Queen and Lord de Winter at the same time.

Yes, but who is to carry the letter to Tours?

And who to London?

I answer for Basin, said Aramis.

And I for planchett, said D'Artagnan.

I, said Porthos, if we cannot leave the camp, or lackeys may to be sure they may.

And this very day we will write the letters, said Aramis.

Get the lackeys money and they will start.

We will give them money, replied Athos.

Have you any money?

The four friends looked at one another, and a cloud came over the brows, which but lately had been so cheerful.

Look out, cried D'Artagnan.

I see black points and red points moving Yonder.

Why did you talk of a Regiment, Athos?

It is a veritable army, my faith.

Yes, said Athos.

There they are.

See the sneaks come without drum or trumpet.

Have you finished Grammar?

Grammar made a sign in the affirmative and pointed to a dozen bodies which he had set up in the most picturesque attitudes.

Some carried arms, others seemed to be taking aim, and the remainder appeared merely to be sword in hand.

Bravo, said Athos.

That does honor to your imagination.

All very well, said Porthos.

But I should like to understand.

Let us decamp first, and you will understand afterward.

A moment, gentlemen, a moment.

Give Graham on time to clear away the breakfast, said Aramis.

The black points and the red points are visibly enlarging.

I am of D'Artagnan's opinion.

We have no time to lose in regaining our camp.

My faith, said Athos.

I have nothing to say against a retreat.

We bet upon 1 hour and we have stayed an hour and a half.

Nothing can be said.

Let us be off, gentlemen.

Let us be off.

Grahamad was already ahead with the basket and the dessert.

The four friends followed ten paces behind him.

What the devil shall we do now, gentlemen?

Cried Athos.

Have you forgotten anything?

Said Aramis, the white flag more blue.

We must not leave a flag in the hands of the enemy, even if that flag be but a napkin.

And Athos ran back to the bastion, mounted the platform, and bore off the flag.

But as the Rosalys had arrived within Musket range, they opened a terrible fire upon this man, who appeared to expose himself for Pleasure's sake.

But Athos might be said to bear a charmed life.

The balls passed and whistled all around him.

Not one struck him.

Athos waved his flag, turning his back on the guards of the city and saluting those of the camp on both sides.

Loud cries arose on the one side, cries of anger on the other, cries of enthusiasm.

A second discharge followed the first and three balls by passing through.

It made the napkin really a flag.

Cries were heard from the camp.

Come down, come down, Athos came down.

His friends, who anxiously awaited him, saw him returned with joy.

Come along, Athos, come along, cried D'Artagnan.

Now we have found everything except money.

It would be stupid to be killed.

But Athos continued to March majestically.

Whatever remarks his companions made, and they, finding their remarks useless, regulated their pace by his grammar, and his basket were far in advance out of the range of the balls.

At the end of an instant they heard a furious fuselade.

What's that?

Asked Porthos.

What are they firing at now?

I hear no balls whistle, and I see nobody.

They are firing at the corpses, replied Athos.

But the dead cannot return their fire.

Certainly not.

They will then fancy it is an ambuscade.

They will deliberate, and by the time they have found out the pleasantry, we shall be out of the range of their balls.

That renders it useless to get a pleurisy by too much haste.

Oh, I comprehend now, said the astonished Porthos.

That's lucky, said Athos, shrugging his shoulders.

On their part, the French, on seeing the four friends return at such a step, uttered cries of enthusiasm.

At length a fresh discharge was heard, and this time the balls came rattling among the stones around the four friends and whistling sharply in their ears.

The Rochellez had at last taken possession of Sebastian.

These Rochales are Bungling fellows, said Athos.

How many have we killed?

Of them, a dozen or 15.

How many did we crush under the wall?

Eight or ten.

And in exchange for all that, not even a scratch.

But what is the matter with your hands, D'Artagnan?

It bleeds, seemingly.

Oh, it's nothing, said D'Artagnan.

A spent ball.

Not even that.

What is it, then?

We have said that Athos loved D'Artagnan like a child, and the somber and inflexible personage felt the anxiety of a parent, for the young man only grazed a little, replied D'Artagnan.

My fingers were caught between two stones, that of the wall and that of my ring, and the skin was broken that comes with wearing diamonds.

My master, said Athos disdainfully.

To be sure, cried Porthos, there is a diamond.

Why the devil then do we plague ourselves about money when there is a diamond?

Stop a bit, said Aramis.

Well thought of Porthos.

This time you have an idea.

Undoubtedly, said Porthos, drawing himself up at Athos compliment.

As there is a diamond, let us sell it.

But, said D'Artagnan, it is the Queen's Diamond.

The stronger reason why it should be sold, replied Athos the Queen, saving Monsieur de Buckingham her lover.

Nothing more, just the Queen saving us her friends, nothing more moral.

Let us sell the diamond.

What says Monsieur de Abbe?

I don't ask Porthos.

His opinion has been given.

Why, I think, said Aramis, blushing as usual, that his ring not coming from a mistress and Consequently not being a love token, D'Artagnan may sell it.

My dear Aramis, you speak like theology personified.

Your advice then, is to sell the diamond, replied Aramis.

Well then, said D'Artagnan gaily, let us sell the diamond and say no more about it.

The fuselude continued, but the four friends were out of reach, and the Rochelais only fired to appease their consciences by faith.

It was time that idea came into Porthos head.

Here we are at the camp.

Therefore, gentlemen, not a word more of this affair.

We are observed.

They are coming to meet us.

We shall be carried in triumph.

In fact, as we have said, the whole camp was in motion.

More than 2000 persons had assisted as at a spectacle in this fortunate but wild undertaking.

Of the four friends and undertaking of which they were far from suspecting the real motive, nothing was heard but cries of live the Musketeers, live the Guards.

Monsieur Debutsini was the first to come and shake Athos by the hand and acknowledge that the wager was lost.

The Dragoon and the Swiss followed him, and all their comrades followed the Dragoon and the Swiss.

There was nothing but felicitations pressures of the hand and embraces.

There was no end to the indistinguishable laughter of the Rochelleis.

The Tumults at length became so great that the Cardinal fancied there must be some riot, and sent Lahonyer, his captain of the guards, to inquire what was going on.

The affair was described to the messenger with all the effervescence of enthusiasm.

Well as the Cardinal on seeing Lahoudinier return.

Well, Monsignor, replied the latter, three Musketeers and a Guardsman laid a wager with Monsignor Debutsigni that they would go and breakfast in the bastion St.

Gervais, and while breakfasting they held it for 2 hours against the enemy.

And if killed, I don't know.

How many Rochelleis did you inquire the names of those three Musketeers?

Yes, Monsignor.

What are their names?

Messiers Athos Porthos and Aramis.

Still my three brave fellows, murmured the Cardinal and the Guardsmen.

D'artagnan still my young escape Grace positively.

These four men must be on my side.

The same evening, the Cardinal spoke to Monsieur de Traville Of the exploit of the morning, which was the talk of the whole camp.

Monsieur de Traville, who had received the account of the adventure from the mouths of the heroes of it, Related it in all its detail to his eminence, not forgetting the episode of the napkin that's well, Monsieur de Traville, said the Cardinal.

Pray, let that napkin be sent to me.

I will have three Florida loos embroidered on it in gold and will give it to your company as a standard Monsignor, said Monsieur de Traville.

That will be unjust the Guardsmen.

Monsieur D'Artagnan is not with me.

He serves under Monsieur de Sarte.

Well, then, take him, said the Cardinal.

When four men are so much attached to one another, It is only fair that they should serve in the same company.

That same evening, Monsieur de Traville announced this good news to the three Musketeers and D'Artagnan inviting all four to breakfast with him.

Next morning, D'Artagnan was beside himself with joy.

We know that the dream of his life has been to become a Musketeer.

The three friends were likewise greatly delighted.

My faith, said D'Artagnan, to Athos you had a triumphant idea.

As you said, we have acquired glory and were enabled to carry on a conversation of the highest importance which we can resume now without anyone suspecting us.

For with the help of God, we shall henceforth pass for Cardinal lists.

That evening, D'Artagnan went to present his respects to Monsieur dessert and informed him of his promotion.

Monsieur de Sarte, who esteemed D'Artagnan, made him offers of help as this change would entail expenses for equipment.

D'artagnan refused, but thinking the opportunity a good one, he begged him to have the diamond he put into his hand, Valued as he wished to turn it into money.

The next day, Monsieur decades valet came to D'Artagnan's lodging and gave him a bag containing 70 leaf race.

This was the price of the Queen's Diamond.

Thank you for joining Byte At A Timebooks today while we read A bite of one of your favorite classics.

All of the links for our show are in the show notes.

We are part of the Bite At A Timebooks 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 Byte At A Time Books Behind the Story Tuesdays, wherever You Listen podcasts again.