"Yes, the written order," said Porthos, who now began to comprehend what D'Artagnan was aiming at, "we ask only for that."
However inclined Mordaunt was to have recourse to violence, he understood the reasons D'Artagnan had given him; besides, completely ignorant of the friendship which existed between the four Frenchmen, all his uneasiness disappeared when he heard of the plausible motive of the ransom. He decided, therefore, not only to fetch the order, but the two thousand pistoles, at which he estimated the prisoners. He therefore mounted his horse and disappeared.
"Good!" thought D'Artagnan; "a quarter of an hour to go to the tent, a quarter of an hour to return; it is more than we need." Then turning, without the least change of countenance, to Porthos, he said, looking him full in the face: "Friend Porthos, listen to this; first, not a syllable to either of our friends of what you have heard; it is unnecessary for them to know the service we are going to render them."
"Very well; I understand."
"Go to the stable; you will find Musqueton there; saddle your horses, put your pistols in your saddle-bags, take out the horses and lead them to the street below this, so that there will be nothing to do but mount them; all the rest is my business."
Porthos made no remark, but obeyed, with the sublime confidence he had in his friend.
"I go," he said, "only, shall I enter the chamber where those gentlemen are?"
"No, it is not worth while."
"Well, do me the kindness to take my purse. which I left on the mantelpiece."
"All right."
He then proceeded, with his usual calm gait, to the stable and went into the very midst of the soldiery, who, foreigner as he was, could not help admiring his height and the enormous strength of his great limbs.
At the corner of the street he met Musqueton and took him with him.
D'Artagnan, meantime, went into the house, whistling a tune which he had begun before Porthos went away.
"My dear Athos, I have reflected on your arguments and I am convinced. I am sorry to have had anything to do with this matter. As you say, Mazarin is a knave. I have resolved to fly with you, not a word -- be ready. Your swords are in the corner; do not forget them, they are in many circumstances very useful; there is Porthos's purse, too."
He put it into his pocket. The two friends were perfectly stupefied.
"Well, pray, is there anything to be so surprised at?" he said. "I was blind; Athos has made me see, that's all; come here."
The two friends went near him.
"Do you see that street? There are the horses. Go out by the door, turn to the right, jump into your saddles, all will be right; don't be uneasy at anything except mistaking the signal. That will be the signal when I call out -- Jesus Seigneur!"
"But give us your word that you will come too, D'Artagnan," said Athos.
"I swear I will, by Heaven."
"'Tis settled," said Aramis; "at the cry `Jesus Seigneur' we go out, upset all that stands in our way, run to our horses, jump into our saddles, spur them; is that all?"
"Exactly."
"See, Aramis, as I have told you, D'Artagnan is first amongst us all," said Athos.