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Wherever you listen to podcasts today, we'll be continuing The Three Musketeers by Alexandra Dumas, 25 Porthos instead of returning directly home, D'Artagnan alighted at the door of Monsieur de Traville and ran quickly up the stairs.

This time he had decided to relate all that had passed.

Monsieur de Traville would doubtless give him good advice as to the whole affair.

Besides, as Monsieur de Traville saw the Queen almost daily, he might be able to draw from Her Majesty some intelligence of the poor young woman whom they were doubtless making pay very dearly for her, devotedness to her mistress.

Monsieur de Traville listened to the young man's account with a seriousness which proved that he saw something else in this adventure Besides a love affair.

When D'Artagnan had finished, he said all this savers of his eminence a League off.

But what is to be done?

Said D'Artagnan.

Nothing, absolutely nothing at present, but quitting Paris.

As I told you, as soon as possible, I will see the Queen.

I will relate to her the details of the disappearance of this poor woman, of which she is no doubt ignorance.

These details will guide her on her part.

And on your return I shall perhaps have some good news to tell you.

Rely on me.

D'artagnan knew that, although agaskin, Monsieur de Traville was not in the habit of making promises, and that when by chance he did promise, he more than kept his word.

He bowed to him then, full of gratitude for the past and for the future, and the worthy captain who on his side felt a lively interest in this young man, so brave and so resolute pressed his hand, kindly wishing him a pleasant journey, determined to put the advice of Monsieur de Traville in practice.

Instantly D'Artagnan directed his course toward the Rue de Fosseurs in order to superintend the packing of his Vales.

On approaching the house, he perceived Monsieur Bonusieu in morning costume, standing at his threshold.

All that the prudent planchet had said to him the preceding evening about the sinister character of the old man recurred to the mind of D'Artagnan, who looked at him with more attention than he had done before.

In fact, in addition to that yellow, sickly paleness which indicates the insinuation of the bile in the blood, and which might Besides be accidental, D'Artagnan remarked something perfidiously significant in the play of the wrinkled features of his countenance.

A rogue does not laugh in the same way that an honest man does.

A hibiquit does not shed the tears of a man of good faith.

All falsehood is a mask, and however wellmade the mask may be, with a little attention, we may always succeed in distinguishing it from the true face.

It appeared then to D'Artagnan that Monsieur Bonusieu wore a mask, and likewise that the mask was most disagreeable to look upon.

In consequence of this feeling of repugnance, he was about to pass without speaking to him.

But as he had done the day before, Monsieur Bonissio accosted him.

Well, young man, said he, we appear to pass rather gay nights.

07:00 in the morning past day.

You seem to reverse ordinary customs and come home at the hour when other people are going out.

No one can reproach you for anything of the kind, Monsieur Bonusiu, said the young man, you are a model for regular people.

It is true that when a man possesses a young and pretty wife, he has no need to seek happiness elsewhere.

Happiness comes to meet him, does it not, Monsieur Bonisseu?

Bonuseu became as pale as death and grinned a ghastly smile.

Aha, said Bonaciu, you are a jocular companion.

But where the devil were you Glading last night, my young master?

It does not appear to be very clean in the crossroads.

D'artagnan glanced down at his boots, all covered with mud.

But that same glance fell upon the shoes and stockings of the Mercer, and it might have been said that they had been dipped in the same mud heap.

Both were stained with splashes of mud of the same appearance.

Then a sudden idea crossed the mind of D'Artagnan.

That little stout man, short and elderly, that sort of Lackey, dressed in dark clothes and treated without ceremony by the men wearing swords, who composed the escort was Bonaciu himself.

The husband had presided at the abduction of his wife.

A terrible inclination seized D'Artagnan to grasp the Mercer by the throat and strangle him, but as we have said, he was a very prudent youth, and he restrained himself.

However, the revolution which appeared upon his countenance was so visible that Bonusieu was terrified at it, and he endeavored to draw back a step or two.

But as he was standing before the half of the door which was shut, the obstacle compelled him to keep his place.

Ah, but you are joking, my worthy man, said D'Artagnan.

It appears to me that if my boots need a sponge, your stockings and shoes stand in equal need of a brush.

May you not have been philandering a little also, Monsieur Bonisu?

Oh, the devil that's unpardonable in a man of your age.

And who Besides has such a pretty wife as yours?

Oh, Lord, no, said Bonaciu.

But yesterday I went to St.

Men to make some inquiries after a servant, as I cannot possibly do without one, and the roads were so bad that I brought back all this mud which I have not yet had time to remove.

The place named by Bonaciu as that which had been the object of his journey was a fresh proof.

In support of the suspicions D'Artagnan had conceived, Bonus had named Mand because Mand was in an exact opposite direction from Saint Cloud.

This probability afforded him his first consolation.

If Bonus Yu knew where his wife was, one might by extreme means force the Mercer to open his teeth and let his secret escape.

The question then was how to change this probability into a certainty.

Pardon, my dear Monsieur Bonus, you if I don't stand upon ceremony, said D'Artagnan, but nothing makes one so thirsty as want of sleep.

I am parched with thirst.

Allow me to take a glass of water in your apartment.

You know that is never refused among neighbors.

Without waiting for the permission of his host, D'Artagnan went quickly into the house and cast a rapid glance at the bed.

It had not been used.

Bonasu had not been a bed.

He had only been back an hour or two.

He had accompanied his wife to the place of her confinement, or else at least to the first relay.

Thanks, Monsieur Bonusieu, said D'Artagnan, emptying his glass.

That is all I wanted of you.

I will now go up into my apartment.

I will make Planchet brush my boots, and when he is done, I will, if you like, send him to brush your shoes.

He left the Mercer quite astonished at his singular farewell and asking himself if he had not been a little inconsiderate.

At the top of the stairs he found Planchet in a great fright.

Ah, Monsieur, cried planchett, as soon as he perceived his master.

Here is more trouble.

I thought you would never come in.

What's the matter now, Plant?

It?

Demanded D'Artagnan.

Oh, I give you a hundred.

I give you a thousand times to guess, Monsieur, the visit I received in your absence.

When?

About half an hour ago, while you were at Monsieur de Travilles, who has been here?

Come, speak.

Montreal de Cava, Monteur de Cava in person, the captain of the Cardinals guards himself.

Did he come to arrest me?

I have no doubt that he did, Monsieur, for all his weedling Manor.

Was he so sweet then?

Indeed he was all honey, Monsieur.

Indeed he came.

He sat on the part of his eminence who wished you well and to beg you to follow him to the Pillas Royale.

It was called the Pilayas Cardinal before Richelieu gave it to the King.

What did you answer him that the thing was impossible, seeing that you were not at home as he could see.

Well, what did he say then?

That you must not fail to call upon him in the course of the day.

And then he added in a low voice, Tell your master that His Eminence is very well disposed towards him and that his fortune perhaps depends upon this interview.

The snare is rather maladroit, for the Cardinal, replied the young man, smiling.

Oh, I saw the snare, and I answered.

You would be quite in despair on your return.

Where is he?

Gone?

Asked Monsieur de Covois.

Detroys and champagne, I answered.

And when did he set out?

Yesterday evening, Planchet, my friend, interrupted D'Artagnan.

You are really a precious fellow, you understand, Monsieur, I thought there would be still time, if you wish to see Monsieur de Covois, to contradict me by saying you were not yet gone.

The falsehood would then lie at my door.

And as I am not a gentleman, I may be allowed to lie be of good heart planted, you shall preserve your reputation as a voracious man.

In a quarter of an hour we set off.

That's the advice I was about to give, Monsieur.

And where are we going, may I ask, without being too curious, are you in the opposite direction to that which you said I was gone?

Besides, are you not as anxious to learn news of grammar, mouse, guitar and Basin as I am to know what has become of Athos Porthos and Aramis?

Yes, Monsieur, said planchett.

And I will go as soon as you please.

Indeed, I think provincial air will suit us much better just now than the air of Paris.

So then, so then pack up our luggage, Planchet, and let us be off on my part.

I will go out with my hands in my pockets that nothing may be suspected.

You may join me at the Hotel de Gardas.

By the way, planchett, I think you are right with respect to our host, and that he is decidedly a frightfully low wrench.

Monsieur, you may take my word when I tell you anything.

I am a physiognomist, I assure you.

D'artagnan went out first, as he had been agreed upon.

Then, in order that he might have nothing to reproach himself with, he directed his steps for the last time toward the residences of his three friends.

No news had been received of them, only a letter, all perfumed and of an elegant writing in small characters, had come for Aramis.

D'artagnan took charge of it.

Ten minutes afterward, Planchet joined him at the stables of the Hotel de Gardes D'Artagnan, in order that there might be no time lost, had saddled his horse himself.

That's well, said he to planchett, when the latter added the Port menu to the equipment.

Now saddle the other three horses.

Do you think, then, Monsieur, that we shall travel faster with two horses apiece?

Said planchett.

With his shrewd air.

No, Monsieur Jester, replied D'Artagnan, but with our four horses we may bring back our three friends, if we should have the good fortune to find them living, which is a great chance, replied planchett.

But we must not despair of the mercy of God.

Amen, said D'Artagnan, getting into his saddle.

As they went from the Hotel de Gardas, they separated, leaving the street at opposite ends, one having to quit Paris by the barrier de la Villette, and the other by the Marriott Monamarte to meet again beyond St.

Denis, a strategic maneuver which, having been executed with equal punctuality, was crowned with the most fortunate results.

D'artagnan and Planchet entered Pierre Fitt together.

Planchett was more courageous, it must be admitted, by day than by night.

His natural prudence, however, never forsook him.

For a single instant he had forgotten not one of the incidents of the first journey, and he looked upon everybody he met on the road as an enemy.

It followed that his hat was forever in his hand, which procured him some severe reprimands from D'Artagnan, who feared that his excess of politeness would lead people to think he was the Lackey of a man of no consequence.

Nevertheless, whether the passengers were really touched by the urbanity of Planchet, or whether this time nobody was posted on the young man's road.

Our two travelers arrived at Chantilly without any incidents, and Alighted at the Tavern of Great St.

Martin, the same at which they had stopped on their first journey.

The host, on seeing a young man followed by a Lackey with two extra horses, advanced respectfully to the door.

Now, as they had already traveled eleven leagues, D'Artagnan thought it time to stop.

Whether Porthos were or were not in the Inn, perhaps it would not be prudent to ask at once what had become of the musketeer.

The result of these reflections was that D'Artagnan, without asking information of any kind, Alighted, commended the horses to the care of his Lackey, entered a small room destined to receive those who wish to be alone, and desired the host to bring him a bottle of his best wine and as good a breakfast as possible, a desire which further corroborated the high opinion the innkeeper had formed of the traveler at first sight.

D'artagnan was therefore served with miraculous celebrity.

The Regiment of the Guards was recruited among the first gentlemen of the Kingdom, and D'Artagnan, followed by a Lackey in traveling with four magnificent horses, despite the simplicity of his uniform, could not fail to make a sensation.

The host desired himself to serve him, which D'Artagnan, perceiving ordered two glasses to be brought, and commenced the following conversation.

My face, my good host, said D'Artagnan, filling the two glasses.

I asked for a bottle of your best wine, and if you have deceived me, you will be punished in what you have sinned.

For seeing that I hate drinking by myself, you shall drink with me take your glass then, and let us drink.

But what shall we drink too, so as to avoid wounding any susceptibility?

Let us drink to the prosperity of your establishment.

Your Lordship does me honor, said the host, and I thank you sincerely for your kind wish.

But don't mistake, said D'Artagnan.

There is more selfishness in my toast than perhaps you may think.

For it is only in prosperous establishments that one is wellreceived.

In hotels that do not flourish, everything is in confusion.

And the traveler is a victim to the embarrassments of his host.

Now, I travel a great deal, particularly on this road, and I wish to see all innkeepers making a fortune.

It seems to me, said the host, that this is not the first time I have had the honor of seeing Monsieur BA.

I have passed perhaps ten times through Chantilly, and out of the ten times I have stopped three or four times at your house at least.

Why, I was only here ten or twelve days ago.

I was conducting some friends, Musketeers, one of whom, by the by, had a dispute with a stranger.

A man who sought a quarrel with him, for I don't know what exactly.

So, said the host.

I remember it perfectly.

It is not Monsieur Porthos that Your Lordship means.

Yes, that is my companion's name.

My God.

Dear Host, tell me, if anything has happened to him.

Your Lordship must have observed that he could not continue his journey.

Why, to be sure, he promised to rejoin us, and we have seen nothing of him.

He has done us the honor to remain here.

What he had done you the honor to remain here?

Yes, fancier in this house.

And we are even a little uneasy.

On what account of certain expenses he has contracted.

Well, but whatever expenses he may have incurred, I am sure he is in a condition to pay them.

Monsieur, you infused genuine balm into my blood.

We have made considerable advances.

In this very morning, the surgeon declared that if Monsieur Porthos did not pay him, he should look to me as it was I who had sent for him.

Porthos is wounded.

Then I cannot tell you, Monsieur.

What you cannot tell me.

Surely you ought to be able to tell me better than any other person.

Yes, but in our situation, we must not say all we know, particularly as we have been warned, that our ears should answer for our tongues.

Well, can I see Porthos?

Certainly, Monsieur.

Take the stairs on your right.

Go up the first flight and knock it.

Number one.

Only warn him that it is you.

Why should I do that?

Because, Monsieur, some mischief might happen to you.

Of what kind?

In the name of wonder, Monsieur Porthos may imagine you belong to the house and in a fit of passion might run his sword through you or blow out your brains.

What have you done to him?

Then we have asked him for money.

The devil.

I can understand that it is a demand that Porthos takes very ill when he is not in funds.

But I know he must be so at present.

We thought so too, Monsieur.

And as our house is carried on very regularly, and we make out our bills every week, at the end of eight days we presented our account.

But it appeared we had chosen an unlucky moment, for at the first word on the subject he sent us to all the Devils.

It is true he has been playing the day before.

Playing the day before.

And with whom, Lord?

Who can say, Monsieur?

With some gentleman who was traveling this way, to whom he proposed a game of lanskynet?

That's it, then.

And the foolish fellow lost all he had even to his horse, Monsieur.

For when the gentleman was about to set out, we perceived that his Lackey was saddling Monsieur Porthos horse as well as his Masters.

When we observed this to him, he told us all to trouble ourselves about our own business, as this horse belonged to him.

We also informed Monsieur Porthos of what was going on, but he told us we were scoundrels to doubt a gentleman's word, and that, as he had said, the horse was his.

It must be so that's Porthos all over, murmured D'Artagnan.

Then continued the host, I replied that as from the moment we seemed not likely to come to a good understanding with respect to payment, I hoped that he would have at least the kindness to grant the favor of his custom to my brother, host of the Golden Eagle.

But Monsieur Porthos replied that my house being the best, he should remain where he was.

This reply was too flattering to allow me to insist on his departure.

I can find myself then to begging him to give up his Chamber, which is the handsomest in the hotel, and to be satisfied with a pretty little room on the third floor.

But to this Monsieur Porthos replied that as he every moment expected his mistress, who was one of the greatest ladies in the court, I might easily comprehend that the Chamber he did me the honor to occupy in my house was itself very mean for the visit of such a personage.

Nevertheless, while acknowledging the truth of what he said, I thought proper to insist.

But without even giving himself the trouble to enter into any discussion with me, he took one of his pistols, laid it on his table day and night, and said that at the first word that should be spoken to him about removing either within the house or out of it, he would blow out the brains of the person who should be so imprudent as to meddle with a matter which only concerned himself.

Since that time, Monsieur, nobody entered his Chamber but his servants.

What mascara is here, then?

Oh, yes, Monsieur, five days after your departure, he came back and in a very bad condition, too.

It appears that he had met with disagreeableness likewise on his journey.

Unfortunately, he is more nimble than his master, so that for the sake of his master, he puts us all under his feet.

And as he thinks, we might refuse what he asked for, he takes all he wants without asking at all.

The fact is, said D'Artagnan, I have always observed a great degree of intelligence and devotedness in mascot.

And that is possible, Monsieur.

But suppose I should happen to be brought in contact even four times a year with such intelligence and devotedness?

Why, I should be a ruined man.

No, for Porthos will pay you, said the host in a doubtful tone.

The favorite of a great lady will not be allowed to be inconvenienced for such upholstery sum as he owes you.

If I Durst say what I believe on that head.

What you believe I ought rather to say what I know, what you know and even what I am sure of.

And of what are you sure?

I would say that I know this great lady.

You?

Yes, I.

And how do you know her?

Oh, Monsieur, if I could believe I might trust in your discretion.

Speak by the word of a gentleman.

You shall have no cause to repent of your confidence.

Well, Monsieur, you understand that uneasiness makes us do many things.

What have you done?

Oh, nothing which was not right in the character of a creditor.

Well, Monsieur Porthos gave us a note for his Duchess, ordering us to put it in the post.

This was before his servant came.

As he could not leave his Chamber, it was necessary to charge us with the Commission.

And then, instead of putting the letter in the post, which is never safe, I took advantage of the journey of one of my lads to Paris and ordered him to convey the letter to the Duchess himself.

This was fulfilling the intentions of Monsieur Porthos, who had desired us to be so careful of this letter, was it not?

Nearly so?

Well, Monsieur, do you know who this great lady is?

No.

I have heard Porthos speak of her, that's all.

Do you know who this pretended Duchess is?

I repeat to you, I don't know her.

Why, she is the old wife of a pro curator of the chalet, Monsieur, named Madame Coconut, who, although she is at least 50, still gives herself jealous heirs.

It struck me as very odd that a Princess should live in the Rue of ours.

But how do you know all this?

Because she flew into a great passion on receiving the letter, saying that Monsieur Porthos was a weathercock and that she was sure it was for some woman.

He had received this wound.

Has he been wounded, then?

Oh, good Lord, what have I said?

You said that Porthos had received a sword cut.

Yes, but he has forbidden me to strictly say so.

And why so, Zam's monster?

Because he had boasted that he would perforate the stranger with whom you left him in dispute.

Whereas the stranger, on the contrary, in spite of all his rota Montes, quickly threw him on his back.

As Monsieur Porthos is a very boastful man, he insists that nobody shall know he has received this wound except the Duchess, whom he endeavored to interest by an account of his adventure.

It is a wound that confines him to his bed.

Aha, and a master stroke too, I assure you.

Your friend's soul must stick tight to his body.

Were you there then, Monsieur?

I followed them from curiosity so that I saw the combat without the combatants seeing me.

And what took place?

Oh, the affair was not long, I assure you.

They placed themselves on guard.

The stranger made a faint and a lunge and thought so rapidly that when Monsieur Porthos came to the parade, he had already three inches of steel in his breast.

He immediately fell backward.

The stranger placed the point of his sword at his throat.

And Monsieur Porthos, finding himself at the mercy of his adversary, acknowledged himself conquered, upon which the stranger asked his name.

And, learning that it was Porthos and not D'Artagnan, he assisted him to rise, brought him back to the hotel, mounted his horse and disappeared.

So it was with Monsieur D'Artagnan.

The stranger meant a quarrel?

It appeared so.

And do you know what has become of him?

No, I never saw him until that moment and have not seen him since.

Very well.

I know all that I wish to know.

Porthos Chamber is you say on the first story, number one?

Yes, Monsieur.

The handsomest in the Inn a Chamber that I could have let ten times over.

Ba be satisfied, said D'Artagnan, laughing.

Poor.

Those will pay you with the money of the Duchess coconut.

Oh, Monsieur.

Procurators wife or Duchess, if she will but loosen her purse strings, it will be all the same.

But she positively answered that she was tired of the exigencies and infidelities of Monsieur Porthos, and that she would not send him a dinner.

And did you convey this answer to your guest?

We took good care not to do that.

He would have found in what fashion?

We had executed his Commission so that he still expects his money.

Oh, Lord.

Yes, Monsieur.

Yesterday he wrote again, but it was his servant who this time put the letter in the post.

Do you say the procurator's wife is old and ugly?

50 at least, Monsieur.

And not at all handsome, according to Pathard's account.

In that case, you may be quite at ease.

She will soon be softened.

Besides, Porthos cannot owe you much.

How not much?

20 good Pistoles already, without reckoning.

The doctor, he denies himself nothing.

It may easily be seen he has been accustomed to live well, never mind if his mistress abandons him, he will find friends, I will answer for it.

So, my dear host, be not uneasy and continue to take all the care of him that his situation requires.

Monsieur has promised me not to open his mouth about the procurator's wife and not to say a word of the wound.

That's agreed.

You have my word.

Oh, he would kill me.

Don't be afraid.

He is not so much of a devil as he appears.

Saying these words, D'Artagnan went upstairs, leaving his host a little better, satisfied with respect to two things in which he appeared to be very much interested, his debt and his life.

At the top of the stairs, upon the most conspicuous door of the corridor was traced in black ink a gigantic number one D'Artagnan.

Knocked, and upon the bidding to come in, which came from inside, he entered the Chamber.

Porthos was in bed and was playing a game of lanskonet with mascata to keep his hand in, while a spit loaded with partridges was turning before the fire.

And on each side of a large chimney piece, over two chafing dishes were boiling, two stew pans from which exhaled a double odor of rabbit and fish stews rejoicing to the smell.

In addition to this, he perceived that the top of a wardrobe and the marble of Komod were covered with empty bottles.

At the side of his friend, Porthos uttered a loud cry of joy and mouse.

Katan, rising respectfully, yielded his place to him and went to give an eye to the two stupons of which he appeared to have the particular inspection apart.

You is that you?

Said Porthos to D'Artagnan.

You are right.

Welcome.

Excuse me, not coming to meet you, but, added, he looking at D'Artagnan with a certain degree of uneasiness.

You know what has happened to me?

No.

Has the host told you nothing?

Then I asked after you and came up as soon as I could.

Porthos seemed to breathe more freely.

And what has happened to you, my dear Porthos?

Continued D'Artagnan.

Why, on making a thrust at my adversary, whom I had already hit three times and whom I meant to finish with the fourth, I put my foot on a stone, slipped and strained my knee.

Truly honor.

Luckily for the Rascal, for I should have left him dead on the spot, I assure you.

And what has become of him?

Oh, I don't know.

He had enough and set off without waiting for the rest.

But you, my dear D.

Artagnan, what has happened to you?

So that the strain of the knee continued D'Artagnan.

My dear Porthos keeps you in bed?

My God, that's all.

I shall be about again in a few days.

Why did you not have yourself conveyed to Paris?

You must be cruelly bored here.

That was my intention.

But, my dear friend, I have one thing to confess to you.

What's that?

It is that as I was cruelly bored, as you say, and as I had the 75 Pistoles in my pocket which you had distributed to me.

In order to amuse myself, I invited a gentleman who was traveling this way to walk up and proposed a cast of dice.

He accepted my challenge and my faith.

My 75 Pistoles passed from my pocket to his without reckoning my horse, which he won into the bargain.

But you, my dear D'Artagnan, what can you expect?

My dear Porthos?

A man is not privileged in always, said D'Artagnan, you know the proverb unlucky play lucky in love.

You are too fortunate in your love for play not to take its revenge.

What consequence can the reverse as a fortune be to you?

Have you not happy rogue that you are?

Have you not your Duchess who cannot fail to come to your aid?

Well, you see, my dear D'Artagnan, with what ill luck I play, replied Porthos, with the most careless heir in the world.

I wrote to her to send me 50 Louis or so, of which I stood absolutely in need on account of my accident.

Well, she must be at her country seat, for she has not answered me truly, no.

So I yesterday addressed another epistle to her, still more pressing than the first.

But you are here, my dear fellow.

Let us speak of you.

I confess I begin to be very uneasy on your account.

But your host behaves very well towards you.

As it appears, my dear Porthos, said D'Artagnan, directing the sick man's attention to the full stewpans and the empty bottles.

Soso, replied Porthos.

Only three or four days ago, the impertinent Jack and apes gave me his bill, and I was forced to turn both him and his bill out of the door so that I am here something in the fashion of a conqueror holding my position, as it were, my conquest.

So you see, being in constant fear of being forced from that position, I am armed to the teeth.

And yet, said D'Artagnan, laughing, it appears to me that from time to time you must make swordes and again pointed the bottles in the stew pans.

Not I, unfortunately, said Porthos.

This miserable strain confines me to my bed.

But mousqueton forages and brings in provisions.

Friend mousqueton, you see that we have a reinforcement, and we must have an increase of supplies.

Mascot on, said D'Artagnan, you must render me a service.

What, Monsieur?

You must give your recipe to plant it.

I may be besieged in my turn, and I shall not be sorry for him to be able to let me enjoy the same advantages with which you gratify your master.

Lord, Monsieur, there is nothing more easy, said Masqueradon, with a modest air.

One only needs to be sharp, that's all.

I was brought up in the country, and my father, in his leisure time, was something of a poacher.

And what did he do the rest of the time, Monsieur?

He carried on a trade which I've already thought satisfactory, which as it was a time of war between the Catholics and the Hugh knots.

And as he saw the Catholics exterminate the Hug nuts and the Hugonauts exterminate the Catholics all in the name of religion, he adopted a mixed belief which permitted him to be sometimes Catholic, sometimes a Hugue knot.

Now he was accustomed to walk with his fouling piece on his shoulder behind the hedges which border the roads.

And when he saw a Catholic coming alone, the Protestant religion immediately prevailed in his mind.

He lowered his gun in the direction of the traveler.

Then, when he was within ten paces of him, he commenced a conversation which almost always ended by the travelers abandoning his purse to save his life.

It goes without saying that when he saw a Hug knot coming, he felt himself filled with such ardent Catholic zeal that he could not understand how a quarter of an hour before he had been able to have any doubts upon the superiority of our Holy religion.

For my part, Monsieur, I am Catholic, my father faithful to his principles, having made my elder brother a Hug knot.

And what was the end of this worthy man?

Asked D'Artagnan.

Oh, of the most unfortunate kind, Monsieur.

One day he was surprised in a lonely road between a Hug not and a Catholic, with both of whom he had before had business, and who both knew him again.

So they United against him and hanged him on a tree.

Then they came and boasted of their fine exploit in the cabaret of the next village where my brother and I were drinking.

And what did you do?

Said D'Artagnan.

We let them tell their story out, replied mousqueton.

Then, as in leaving the cabaret, they took different directions.

My brother went and hid himself on the road of the Catholic and I on that of the Huguenotat.

2 hours after all was over, we had done the business of both admiring the foresight of our poor father, who had taken the precaution to bring each of us up in a different religion.

Well, I must allow, as you say, your father was an intelligent fellow, as you say, in his leisure moments, the worthy man was a poacher.

Yes, Monsieur, and it was he who taught me to lay a snare and ground a line.

The consequence is that when I saw our laborers which did not at all suit to such delicate stomachs as ours, I had recourse to a little of my own trade.

While walking near the wood of Monsieur le Prince, I laid a few snare in the runs, and while reclining on the banks of His Highnesses pieces of water, I slipped a few lines into his fish ponds, so that now, thanks be to God, we do not want, as Monsieur can testify, for partridges, rabbits, carp, or Eels, all light, wholesome food suitable for the sick.

But the wine, said D'Artagnan, who furnishes the wine.

Your host that is to say yes and no.

How yes and no.

He furnishes it.

It is true.

But he does not know that he has that honor.

Explain yourself, mascatan.

Your conversation is full of instructive things.

That is, Monsieur, it has so chanced that I met with the Spaniard in my pregnancies who has seen many countries and among them, the New World.

What connection can the new World have with the bottles which are on the commode and the wardrobe?

Patience, Monsieur.

Everything will come in its turn.

The Spaniard had in his service a Lackey who had accompanied him and his voyage to Mexico.

This Lackey was my compatriot and we became the more intimate from there being many resemblances of character between us.

We loved sporting of all kinds better than anything.

So that he related to me how in the Plains of the Pompous, the natives Hunt the Tiger and the wild Bull with simple running nooses which they throw to a distance of 20 or 30 paces the end of a cord with such nicety.

But in face of the proof, I was obliged to acknowledge the truth of the recital.

My friend placed a bottle at a distance of 30 paces.

And at each cast he caught the neck of the bottle in his running noose.

I practiced this exercise and his nature has endowed me with some faculties.

At this day, I can throw the lasso with any man in the world.

Well, do you understand, Monsieur?

Our host has a well furnished seller, the key of which never leaves him.

Only the seller has a ventilating hole.

Now, through this ventilating hole, I throw my lasso.

And as I now know, in which part of the seller is the best wine.

That's my point for sport.

You see, Monsieur, what the New World has to do with the bottles which are on the commode and the wardrobe.

Now, will you taste our wine?

And without prejudice, say what you think of it.

Thank you, my friend.

Thank you.

Unfortunately, I have just breakfast.

Well said, Porthos.

Arrange the table, Mouse Guitar and while we breakfast, D'Artagnan will relate to us what has happened to him during the ten days since he left us.

Willingly, said D'Artagnan, while Porthos and Mouse Guitar were breakfasting with the appetites of convalescence and with that brotherly cordiality which unites men in misfortune, D'Artagnan related how Aramis, being wounded, was obliged to stop at Crevasseur, how he had left Athos fighting at Amans with four men who accused him of being a coroner.

And how he D'Artagnan had been forced to run the Count's Dewordis through the body in order to reach England.

But there the confidence of D'Artagnan stopped.

He only added that on his return from Great Britain, he had brought back four magnificent horses, one for himself and one for each of his companions.

Then he informed Porthos that the one intended for him was already installed in the stable of the Tavern at this moment, planchett entered to inform his master that the horses were sufficiently refreshed and that it would be possible to sleep at Claremont.

At this moment, planchett entered to inform his master that the horses were sufficiently refreshed and that it would be possible to sleep at Claremont.

A.

D'artagnan.

Was tolerably reassured with regard to Porthos and as he was anxious to obtain news of his two other friends, he held out his hand to the wounded man and told him he was about to resume his route in order to continue his researches for the rest, as he reckoned upon returning by the same route in seven or eight days, if Porthos were still at the Great St.

Maarten, he would call for him on his way.

Porthos replied that in all probability his spring would not permit him to depart yet a while.

Besides, it was necessary he should stay at Chantilly to wait for the answer from his Duchess D'Artagnan.

Wished that answer might be prompt and favorable.

And having again recommended Porthos to the care of mousqueton and paid his bill to the host, he resumed his route with Planchet already relieved of one of his lead horses.

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