"Be it so," said Athos; "yet it is probable, on the contrary, that we shall enter, because we seem to have to do with sensible people. There seems to be only one thing to do, which is, to send our names to Her Majesty the Queen of England, and if she engages to answer for us I presume we shall be allowed to enter."
On hearing these words the shortest of the other three men seemed more attentive than ever to what was going on, wrapping his cloak around him more carefully than before.
"Merciful goodness!" whispered Aramis to Athos, "did you see?"
"What?" asked Athos.
"The face of the shortest of those three gentlemen?"
"No."
"He looked to me -- but 'tis impossible."
At this instant the sergeant, who had been for his orders, returned, and pointing to the three gentlemen in cloaks, said:
"The passports are in order; let these three gentlemen pass."
The three gentlemen bowed and hastened to take advantage of this permission.
Aramis looked after them, and as the last of them passed close to him he pressed the hand of Athos.
"What is the matter with you, my friend?" asked the latter.
"I have -- doubtless I am dreaming; tell me, sir," he said to the sergeant, "do you know those three gentlemen who are just gone out?"
"Only by their passports; they are three Frondists, who are gone to rejoin the Duc de Longueville."
"'Tis strange," said Aramis, almost involuntarily; "I fancied that I recognized Mazarin himself."
The sergeant burst into a fit of laughter.
"He!" he cried; "he venture himself amongst us, to be hung!
Not so foolish as all that."
"Ah!" muttered Athos, "I may be mistaken, I haven't the unerring eye of D'Artagnan."
"Who is speaking of Monsieur D'Artagnan?" asked an officer who appeared at that moment upon the threshold of the room.
"What!" cried Aramis and Athos, "what! Planchet!"
"Planchet," added Grimaud; "Planchet, with a gorget, indeed!"
"Ah, gentlemen!" cried Planchet, "so you are back again in Paris. Oh, how happy you make us! no doubt you come to join the princes!"
"As thou seest, Planchet," said Aramis, whilst Athos smiled on seeing what important rank was held in the city militia by the former comrade of Musqueton, Bazin and Grimaud.
"And Monsieur d'Artagnan, of whom you spoke just now, Monsieur d'Herblay; may I ask if you have any news of him?"
"We parted from him four days ago and we have reason to believe that he has reached Paris before us."
"No, sir; I am sure he hasn't yet arrived. But then he may have stopped at Saint Germain."
"I don't think so; we appointed to meet at La Chevrette."
"I was there this very day."
"And had the pretty Madeleine no news?" asked Aramis, smiling.
"No, sir, and it must be admitted that she seemed very anxious."
"In fact," said Aramis, "there is no time lost and we made our journey quickly. Permit me, then, my dear Athos, without inquiring further about our friend, to pay my respects to M.
Planchet."
"Ah, monsieur le chevalier," said Planchet, bowing.
"Lieutenant?" asked Aramis.
"Lieutenant, with a promise of becoming captain."
"'Tis capital; and pray, how did you acquire all these honors?"
"In the first place, gentlemen, you know that I was the means of Monsieur de Rochefort's escape; well, I was very near being hung by Mazarin and that made me more popular than ever."
"So, owing to your popularity ---- "
"No; thanks to something better. You know, gentlemen, that I served the Piedmont regiment and had the honor of being a sergeant?"
"Yes."
"Well, one day when no one could drill a mob of citizens, who began to march, some with the right foot, others with the left, I succeeded, I did, in ****** them all begin with the same foot, and I was made lieutenant on the spot."
"So I presume," said Athos, "that you have a large number of the nobles with you?"
"Certainly. There are the Prince de Conti, the Duc de Longueville, the Duc de Beaufort, the Duc de Bouillon, the Marechal de la Mothe, the Marquis de Sevigne, and I don't know who, for my part."
"And the Vicomte Raoul de Bragelonne?" inquired Athos, in a tremulous voice. "D'Artagnan told me that he had recommended him to your care, in parting."
"Yes, count; nor have I lost sight of him for a single instant since."
"Then," said Athos in a tone of delight, "he is well? no accident has happened to him?"
"None, sir."
"And he lives?"
"Still at the Hotel of the Great Charlemagne."
"And passes his time?"
"Sometimes with the queen of England, sometimes with Madame de Chevreuse. He and the Count de Guiche are like each other's shadows."
"Thanks, Planchet, thanks!" cried Athos, extending his hand to the lieutenant.
"Oh, sir!" Planchet only touched the tips of the count's fingers.
"Well, what are you doing, count -- to a former lackey?
"My friend," said Athos, "he has given me news of Raoul."
"And now, gentlemen," said Planchet, who had not heard what they were saying, "what do you intend to do?"
"Re-enter Paris, if you will let us, my good Planchet."
"Let you. sir? Now, as ever, I am nothing but your servant."
Then turning to his men:
"Allow these gentlemen to pass," he said; "they are friends of the Duc de Beaufort."
"Long live the Duc de Beaufort!" cried the sentinels.
The sergeant drew near to Planchet.
"What! without passports?" he murmured.
"Without passports," said Planchet.
"Take notice, captain," he continued, giving Planchet his expected title, "take notice that one of the three men who just now went out from here told me privately to distrust these gentlemen."
"And I," said Planchet, with dignity, "I know them and I answer for them."
As he said this, he pressed Grimaud's hand, who seemed honored by the distinction.
"Farewell till we meet again," said Aramis, as they took leave of Planchet; "if anything happens to us we shall blame you for it."
"Sir," said Planchet, "I am in all things at your service."
"That fellow is no fool," said Aramis, as he got on his horse.
"How should he be?" replied Athos, whilst mounting also, "seeing he was used so long to brush your hats."