DArtagnan and the Iron Mask or Two Years Later - 2

D'Artagnan and the Iron Mask - Book 2

An unknown manuscript by Alexandre Dumas, found in an antique shop in Clermont-Ferrand and purchased for 32,000 euros, along with all rights of editing, copying and publishing, from Master Jacques Perrin, a descendant of one of the heroes of this book.
Adapted translation: Vadim A. Zhmud (owner of the manuscript and publication rights).

© Vadim Zhmud 2022
© Vadim Zhmud 2025 (latest version)


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Summary of the first book

The first book tells how the author of the novel "The Vicomte de Bragelonne" Alexandre Dumas, having heard criticism of the ending of his novel from the young Marquise Dayon de Livry, decided to rewrite it. Contrary to the first version, which describes the death of Porthos, Muston, Raoul, Athos and d'Artagnan, in the new version of this ending only Muston really dies, but he does not die at the moment and for the reason described in the first version, but later at the hands of Colbert's spies. The death of the other heroes, by a lucky chance, did not happen.
Aramis, Bishop of Vannes, in his adventure of replacing the King with his twin brother Philippe, languishing in the Bastille, hoped to become the true ruler of France, and then aimed at becoming a cardinal and even Pope. Although the substitution of the King was only successful for a short time, so that his plans were not realized, nevertheless, he became quite an influential person in the politics of Europe, since he became General of the Order of the Jesuits, and also Duke of Alameda, the Spanish ambassador to the court of France.
D'Artagnan, who was ordered by Louis XIV to destroy all his best friends - Athos, Porthos, Aramis and Raoul, decides to hide from the King that Porthos was accidentally saved and not to carry out the King's order, but on the contrary to save Athos and Raoul, however, having arrived at the scene of the battle, he receives erroneous news about Raoul's death in the battle and Athos's death from poison. Later, he learns from Aramis's messenger that everything was deliberately arranged so that everyone decided that Raoul and Athos had died. D'Artagnan informs the King that Athos, Porthos and Raoul have died, and brings genuine documents about their deaths, drawn up by those who had no doubt about it. D'Artagnan declares that all that remains for him to do is to carry out the order regarding Aramis. However, the King does not believe d'Artagnan and sets a trap for him and Aramis, condemning them to a painful death in the Bastille from hunger in front of each other. Captain d'Artagnan's resourcefulness helps him and Aramis to escape, after which d'Artagnan comes to the conclusion that it is necessary to repeat Aramis's adventurous plan to replace the King with his twin brother. However, over time, he understands that although his choice is correct for saving his friends, it is not correct from the standpoint of the interests of France, so he allows Louis, who escaped from the abbey, to take his former place on the throne of France. The King pretends to forgive Aramis and d'Artagnan, but the punishing sword of revenge of Louis XIV and Colbert is raised over them. The captain seriously considers the idea of staging his death, turning to Count Rochefort for help in this, however, fate itself does everything for him. The circumstances of the captain's injury are such that even Count Rochefort believes that d'Artagnan did not survive and really died.
As a result, the King and his minister Colbert consider Athos, Porthos, d'Artagnan and Raoul dead. Only the Duchess de Chevreuse, known to readers from the novel "The Three Musketeers" as Marie Michon, Aramis's lover and a close friend of Queen Anne of Austria, mother of Raoul, Vicomte de Bragelonne, knows that Athos and Raoul were saved.
While saving his friends, d'Artagnan also acquired new enemies, including the de Trabu;on family, in which the wife, Madame Olivia, was the main organizer and instigator of all the troubles, and her miserable husband Didier was only her tool. Their son Auguste was also only an executor of Olivia's will.

You can find out more by reading the first book at the link http://proza.ru/2022/11/10/1425 .

At the last meeting of the four friends, readers see that they are being watched by Didier de Trabu;on, who had previously acted as a spy for Colbert. How did this man manage to escape from the Ottoman Empire, where he was given as a eunuch to the influential Ahmed Pasha? Was it not Colbert who sent him to spy on the four friends? True, Aramis fired a musket into the bushes where he was hiding, after which a scream was heard from the bushes. Did de Trabu;on escape? What was the letter on Aramis's chest that he was afraid of losing? How will the adventures of the four friends develop further? Readers will learn about this in the second book of the dilogy.

Author's Preface

My readers probably remember how the novel "Ten Years Later" ends. No matter how much I love my heroes, we must remember that all people are mortal, so I tried to describe not only their life full of incredible adventures, but also their death, worthy of all respect, where I showed that until the very last minute of their lives, each of them remained the noblest nobleman, faithful to the duty of honor. But my little tormentor, the charming young Marquise Dion de Livry, smashed my authorial pride to smithereens, pointing out to me such inaccuracies in my trilogy about the musketeers that destroy my assertion about their true friendship, about their eternal motto "One for all and all for one!" She categorically demanded that I rework the ending of the novel, correcting everything that seemed illogical to her and violated the general spirit of the musketeer brotherhood. Unfortunately, her arguments were so strong that I could not brush her aside like an annoying fly. At the same time, she demanded that I confirm her “brilliant” guess that Porthos, Raoul, Athos and d’Artagnan did not die as absurdly as I had described. The young scoundrel was so young and so sweet that I did not have the courage to argue with her. I frivolously confirmed that I was, allegedly, indeed writing a sequel in which I would explain all the inaccuracies of the novel “The Vicomte de Bragelonne”, and also carelessly promised to send her the manuscript of this novel. Not being particularly responsible, I thought that I would easily forget my promise, and she herself, having grown up, would forget about this conversation. However, the young Marquise Dion de Livry, as it turned out from her numerous letters, never forgot for a day about the promises I had made, and her letters became more and more demanding, and I, due to the weakness of my soul and extreme indulgence towards young ladies, who, to my misfortune, pleased me with their childish spontaneity, could not decisively refuse my promise, and also did not imagine that I would be deprived of these regular letters from the young Marquise.
When I met my young tormentor again, who by this time had already become a charming young mademoiselle, but had not lost her liveliness of mind, I felt that I wanted even more to please her with my literary talent.
“What do you say this time, charming marchioness, about the fate of my heroes in my latest work?” I asked, expecting to receive, at the very least, joyful approval.
“I’ll say that you only listened to some of my comments,” replied the seductive scoundrel.
- Only to some? - I was surprised. - I finished the novel almost entirely according to your recommendations, and still didn’t please you?!
"It's boring," the Marquise replied, shrugging her shoulders. "Raoul is a pattern, Athos is little better, Porthos differs from the dry pattern only in that he can't digest seafood, and the rest are no better. Some strange characters appear in the novel, all these de Trabusons and others. You only succeeded in four people: d'Artagnan himself, de Bezmo, de Saint-Mars, and Louis."
“You are unfair, my dear!” I objected. “And Aramis? And Philippe? And Colbert? And Fouquet? And the Duchess de Chevreuse, after all?”
— As soon as you pay attention to one person, you immediately forget about everyone else. All your heroes do is travel from Paris to the island of Sainte-Marguerite and back! Or even further - to the Greek island of Cyprus or even to Scotland! If you start timing how long each trip should take, then you will get complete stupidity.
- You cannot please me, my dear! - I cried. - In that case I refuse to write any more and will destroy what I have already written! What a blind man I have been! A writer should write only what his own imagination suggests to him, he must not listen to anyone, he must not consult anyone! I will destroy this manuscript, and let everything remain as it was! It is decided! Porthos died in the cave of Locmaria, Raoul - in the war, Athos in his bed of grief, Mouston - while reading the will of the illustrious Porthos, and d'Artagnan died - yes, yes! - d'Artagnan died! He died from a cannonball, and that's all!
- Ugh, how hot-tempered you are! - the marchioness pouted and stuck out her lower lip in a charming way. - You can't stand the slightest remark!
- Yes, yes, and yes again! - I said, gradually calming down. - Just think! I spent a whole month on this new novel, I was in such a hurry that in some places it consists only of dialogues, I betrayed myself by not once describing a single feast! I thought that you would love this work, I thought, damn me, that you would embrace me and kiss me at least on the cheek for all my efforts!..
“That won’t be the case,” said the devilish charm, glided towards me, hugged me tightly, and left traces of its wet lips on my right cheek.
“Well then…” I muttered. “Of course, I got carried away… But explain to me, for God’s sake, what didn’t you like?”
"The last chapters," she said. "You wrote the last chapters in such a way that it is clear to all readers that the novel is coming to an end, all that remains is to put all the characters in their places and close the book."
- But have mercy! - I exclaimed. - After all, this is the law of the genre! Every novel eventually comes to an end, and in this ending all conflicts are resolved.
- Firstly, you can't say that about some of your other novels, - she answered, abruptly returning to her seat. - I mean your best novels. Secondly, life doesn't obey this rule, and the best novel should be like life, not a novel! Every time one problem is solved, another arises, while the heroes are alive, that's real life! And you? Everyone is happy, everyone has gone to Scotland, everyone is doing well! From this it is clear that there will be no sequel.
“I didn’t plan it, my dear!” I replied.
"Well, all right then," she said. "So be it. That means there will be no continuation."
And she looked at me so eloquently that I read in her eyes: “That kiss on the cheek that you just received from me was the last one!”
“I did, however, sketch out a plan for continuing the novel,” I lied. “But you have, I think, convinced me that it is not worth continuing.”
- Me?! I convinced you?! - exclaimed the little monster. - I'm trying to convince you to write the next part and to liven up a little those heroes in whom I didn't see the liveliness that was in your first novels about the musketeers! So that's how you understood me! Charming!
She then waved her arms and finished her gesture with her palms facing upward, which seemed to mean, "Look at this little guy!"
"I seem to be a fetter on your imagination!" she said, wrinkling her nose. "And I imagined myself to be his muse!"
The corners of her eyes sparkled, and I thought with horror that tears might appear in them. I confess that I fear girls' tears even more than morning jogging.
“I swear to you, my dear, that you were my muse!” I cried, almost without lying. “And I ask you to continue to be one!”
“Is this true?” she asked.
In her eyes I read my fate.
To me, her question meant about the same as if she had asked, “Do you really prefer to go to Heaven rather than Hell?”
“Oh my God, of course it’s true!” I replied, almost believing my own words.
“And do you really have a plan for the second volume?” she asked.
- How could you doubt it? Of course there is! Five whole pages! - I lied, and I believe I didn’t give myself away in any way.
There are moments when you need to be able to lie, and as convincingly as possible. So here it is, the second part of my novel, written under the pressure of my tormentor and my muse in one person.

Prologue

Aramis unfolded the envelope he had received from Venice.

"General! Since you have lost the title of Bishop of Vannes, and since your position as Duke of Alameda at the Spanish court has lost some of its benefits, since Spain is no longer an ally of France, we see one simple way for you to restore your high position in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and to strengthen your influence on the politics of Europe for the benefit of the Order, if you agree to be called Antonio Pignatelli.
The real Antonio Pignatelli, who was born in 1615, just 7 years after you, has disappeared. Considering your resemblance to him and how young you look, you could very well be him. He was born into the princely family of Pignatelli, which is in the south of Italy, in Apulia, as we have learned. He probably died during an accidental wreck of a small vessel in the Mediterranean. He was supposed to go on a short trip. The news of his death has not yet spread, he is believed to be alive and, in addition, his career is being promoted by quite influential people in the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. However, he was not in close relationships with anyone, and you look so much like him that the chances of success are high, considering that his two closest friends are members of our order, so they will confirm at any level that you are him. There is every reason to believe that Antonio Pignatelli was destined for the cardinal's hat, and that some sagacious minds predicted him to be a future pope. You should know that he was educated at the Jesuit College in Rome, where he received the degree of doctor in canon and civil law. When he was still a young man, about twenty years old, Pope Urban VIII appointed him an official of the ecclesiastical court. Pignatelli was a referendary in the Apostolic Signatura, and also governor of Fano and Viterbo. Later he went to Malta, where he served as inquisitor from 1646 to 1649. Shortly after that he received priestly ordination. You could easily replace him, given all the circumstances described in this letter.
Signed: A.S."

"What do they write from the mainland?" asked d'Artagnan.
“And this…,” Aramis smiled. “They just informed me that I am no longer the Bishop of Vannes.”
"You read the letter with this news so attentively, my dear Aramis," said d'Artagnan with a smile. "One would think that it offered you a cardinal's hat!"
"My friend!" replied Aramis, with an equally responsive smile. "Being a cardinal is too much trouble, and I have become quite lazy. I expect to retire soon."
"But you are the only one of us who is still officially on the list of the living!" cried d'Artagnan. "Are you thinking of faking your death and leaving France forever?"
"You have no idea how nearly you have guessed my plans!" agreed Aramis. "All my affairs are not worth talking about. They are all the petty troubles of an old man who cannot wait for the time when everyone will forget about him, so that he can rest from worldly cares."
"I hope your friends are not on the list of people you would like to run away from?" the captain asked.
- Not at all! - agreed Aramis. - It is to my friends that I would like to escape from political affairs! It is so charming here! Such wonderful air! Nature!
- By the way, have you forgotten that we have a picnic planned today? - asked d'Artagnan. - You are such a rare guest and are so short-lived that it is definitely worth noting! Dinner in the open air - what could be better?
"I already have a presentiment of it and am already happy about how wonderfully we will rest!" answered Aramis. "Of course, on two conditions."
“Which ones?” asked d’Artagnan.
"The first condition is that my horse will not have to carry the provisions we have stored for our dear Porthos!" Aramis smiled. "And the second condition is that there must be no seafood in this basket. For some reason, Porthos really doesn't like seafood.
“Yes, I noticed that,” d’Artagnan smiled in response. “Don’t worry, Grimaud will take care of the food, which means that…”
"That means we have nothing to worry about!" cried Aramis.

But Aramis was mistaken, there was reason to worry. The messenger who brought Aramis the letter was recognized by one of the sailors on the ship on which he had sailed to Scotland. This sailor was Didier de Trabu;on, who had escaped from Turkish captivity. He had met this messenger when he had received some orders from Aramis through him at the time when he was still, under duress, carrying out some assignments from the prelate. Having decided to follow this man in the hope that this might lead him to Aramis himself, Didier immediately deserted the ship on which he had been taken out of pity. He even abandoned his simple belongings, taking only a small savings and stealing a couple of excellent short-barreled muskets from the captain's cabin. De Trabu;on was driven only by the thirst for revenge, and the man he hoped to meet was precisely Aramis.
 
So, d'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis had a picnic in the middle of a forest clearing in Scotland, not far from the Monkville estate, which belonged to d'Artagnan.
“My friends, this picnic reminds me of a couple of others,” said d’Artagnan.
- By my sword, I know what you mean! - exclaimed Porthos. - First of all, is this a dinner at the fortress of La Rochelle? Those were fine days!
“I agree,” Aramis smiled softly.
"To our youth, friends! Why are your cups empty?" cried Athos, although his cup could hardly be called full, since he had hardly drunk in recent years.
“Well, and the second one?” asked d’Artagnan.
“Of course, the one on which we planned this glorious event,” said Aramis with the same gentle smile.
- It's all true, friends! How glad I am that we are together again, as we were then, and how, I hope, for a long time! - exclaimed d'Artagnan, tipping back his goblet of excellent Anjou wine. - And do you know what just came into my head?
“We’ll probably find out now,” Athos grinned.
— And the fact is that the four of us have been keeping our finger on the pulse of history for almost forty years now.
"Have mercy, d'Artagnan, are we really that old?" protested Aramis.
“I remember, Aramis, you’re not strong in mathematics,” d’Artagnan interjected.
“Not strong, by God!” answered Aramis.
“But in architecture,” continued d’Artagnan.
- Let's not talk about that! So what were you saying about the pulse of history?
— I claim that history is us, and we are history. We sometimes correct its course, that is, I say that we hold the reins of this spirited horse in our hands.
“As always, I agree with you, d’Artagnan,” replied Aramis, after he had furtively felt the envelope in question on his chest and made sure that the letter was still where it belonged.
"And no one can stop us!" continued d'Artagnan. "No one will dare to cross our path."
“Nobody!” Aramis confirmed, “But for God’s sake, be quiet!”
At this moment, a dry branch snapped under the foot of Didier de Trabu;on, who had fled the Ottoman Empire and had sworn to kill Monsieur d'Artagnan and Monsieur d'Herblay.
"Can they really hear us here in the forest?" d'Artagnan was surprised. "I've heard that walls have ears, but there aren't even walls here. Only trees."
At that moment, Aramis looked in the direction of the sounds and, thanks to his keen eyesight, clearly saw in the bushes the surprised face of de Trabu;on, who immediately hid again. Without giving any sign, he continued the conversation.
"Unless it's some stupid wild animal? A squirrel, for instance," said Aramis, and with these words he phlegmatically fired into the bushes, as if he hadn't taken aim at all.
Aramis's bullet struck de Trabu;on in the chest just above the collarbone, he cried out in pain and surprise and fell to the ground, more from fear than from helplessness, face down in an anthill. Overcoming the pain from his wound and the ant bites, he crawled quietly back and hid behind a tree, after which he began a methodical retreat into the depths of the forest.
“I thought I heard a scream?” d’Artagnan became wary.
"A squirrel, d'Artagnan! A squirrel," Aramis objected.
"As for me, it was a whole boar!" exclaimed Porthos. "I think I'll take a look."
“It’s not worth it, Porthos,” Athos objected softly, “Aramis told you that it was a squirrel, so it was a squirrel.”
"A squirrel, or a marten. I'm weak in biology, as well as in mathematics," Aramis grinned.
“ I hope there weren’t any other… squirrels with her,” Porthos chuckled.
“We’ve been sitting too long,” Athos replied, and silently indicated to Grimaud that he could put his things away.
“Mademoiselle Campredon is already waiting for our marshal,” Porthos smiled.
“And Mrs. Thomson is waiting for our baron,” d’Artagnan interjected in response.
"Miss Grefton's aunt is not bad at all," smiled Porthos. "Besides, she finds me impressive."
“I was not interested in how Mademoiselle Suzanne Campredon found me,” replied d’Artagnan, “what is more important to me is that I find her charming.”
"My friends!" cried Porthos, "it seems our friend is going to marry and make half a dozen little d'Artagnans! After that we shall have to leave Monqueville."
"What have you to fear, Porthos?" asked d'Artagnan. "After all, Fran;ois has converted all your estates into money and transferred the money to your account! You are rich, my friend, and can buy ten such Monkvilles."
- That's true! - Porthos answered proudly. - But I haven't decided yet where I want to spend the rest of my days. I haven't chosen a suitable castle yet. Here in Scotland, all the estates are too modest.
"My friends," said Athos, "Aramis and I are happy for you. You can enjoy a little family happiness."
"Listen, Athos!" said Aramis. "Have you never met a woman in your whole life who could..."
- My dear friend! - Athos interrupted him. - I have asked myself this question, but I still cannot answer it. Sometimes it seems to me that... However, no, I am too old for family life.
"And you, Aramis?" asked d'Artagnan. "I believe you were going to become Pope?"
“Not this year,” smiled Aramis. “And our young friend Philippe, it seems, is not at all burdened by his lot?”
"Wait, Aramis, don't think so far ahead," Athos replied. "Times change, and people change too."
“We change too, Athos,” agreed Aramis.
"What the hell is constant in this ever-changing world?" Porthos asked.
“Yes,” replied d’Artagnan. “Our friendship. One for all!”
"And all for one!" cried Athos, Porthos, and Aramis in one voice, after which all four laughed merrily, mounted their horses, and galloped away.
But before joining his friends, Aramis rode up to the place where he had seen de Trabu;on's face. Seeing the torn-up anthill and the bloody tracks leading into the forest, he said: "The devil! He's gone again!" and, spurring his horse, he easily caught up with his friends.

Chapter I. Treason

- My friends! - d'Artagnan addressed his companions. - Two years have passed since we took upon ourselves a difficult decision that will affect the fate of all of France, and perhaps of all of Europe. Do you think about the extent to which we had the right to interfere in history? Could we make this decision? And was it the right decision?
"D'Artagnan, my friend, the decision was made by us two alone," Aramis objected. "Our dear Athos and Porthos were not with us in the room where everything was decided."
"You are mistaken, Aramis," replied d'Artagnan. "This decision was made by all of us, although only we two voiced it."
- How so? - Aramis was surprised. - After all, if you remember, there were only four of us in the room - you, me, Louis and Philippe! After talking with both of them, you and I, without consulting each other, simultaneously chose to take Philippe away and leave Louis!
"We did not speak only to them," replied d'Artagnan. "At least I conversed with them all. In my heart, you, Athos, and you, Porthos, have given me your answers, and I have heard them."
"My friend, do you have spiritual powers?" asked Aramis.
“Let’s do it this way,” d’Artagnan smiled. “I will now tell you what was discussed between us and Their Majesties, Philippe and Louis, after that, Aramis, our friends, Athos and Porthos, will whisper in your ear their opinion in favor of our choice or against it, and then I will tell you what they whispered to you.”
“Coming!” Aramis replied.
- So, my friends, listen! - said d'Artagnan. - First Philippe and Louis tried to bribe me with higher and higher positions. Then Philippe said that he had dismissed Colbert and would bring Fouquet back from the Bastille. So, friends, vote as if your opinion were to decide the fate of France, here and now! Good day, gentlemen, your opinion! Communicate it to Aramis!
Athos rode up to Aramis and whispered something in his ear, after which Porthos did the same. Aramis smiled and looked at d'Artagnan, waiting for his reply.
"Athos told you something like this," replied d'Artagnan. "I am very angry with Louis for what he did to Raoul, but I must admit that Colbert is actively restoring and strengthening the military and financial power of France, while Fouquet was only busy with the splendor of palace life, throwing lavish celebrations, building palaces full of luxury, erecting fortresses whose guns are aimed not beyond the borders of France, but at its territory, feeding flatterers and spending millions on his mistresses. For France, I choose Colbert!" Am I right?
“Tell him yourself, Athos,” answered Aramis with a smile.
"My friend, I did not mention Raoul, palaces and mistresses," replied Athos. "I only said that Fouquet armed himself against France, while Colbert is arming France, Fouquet ruined the treasury, while Colbert is restoring it, so I would choose Louis."
- Excellent! - continued d'Artagnan. - I will tell you what Porthos said. He said this: "Damn it, I pity Philippe! And I am ashamed that I am guilty of humiliating Louis, and he, whatever one may say, is our rightful King! We swore allegiance to him. I choose Louis!"
“I said it a little wrong, d’Artagnan,” said Porthos, “but you expressed my feelings and my opinion very accurately.”
“What did you say, Porthos?” asked d’Artagnan.
"I will repeat to you word for word what he said," replied Aramis. "He said to me: 'I swore allegiance to Louis, and I am damned sorry I quarrelled with him! If it were possible to have two Kings, I would vote for it, but since only one is necessary, let Louis remain. Although it is a damned pity about Philippe!' If we had made a bet, d'Artagnan, I would have admitted defeat.
- Since you know us so well, my dear d'Artagnan, tell us how we should decide the fate of the unfortunate prince? - asked Athos. - For two years now he has lived with us as an honored guest, or, to be more precise, under our protection and as a high-ranking prisoner. Surely you do not think that this can continue forever? Besides, he is younger than us. Sooner or later he will escape our watchful eye.
“Oh, we will have to decide that very soon!” replied d’Artagnan.
“You call our cohabitation a vigilant guard,” said Porthos, “yet you and I went on this picnic without taking him with us, and entrusted his protection to only the servants.”
"Oh, don't worry!" replied Aramis. "Bazin knows his business, and would rather be killed than let someone who was left under his protection escape."
“ I have no doubts about Bazin’s intelligence and agility, but we don’t know the assistants we hired to help him well enough,” Porthos continued.
"Only two years?" said Athos. "These men have served us faithfully for two years, and we have had no reason to doubt their integrity or loyalty. John Small and Ben Brown are trustworthy enough. So we were always to be the Prince's jailers?"
"Perhaps it would be safer to confine him in a locked room with strong doors and reliable locks?" Aramis asked himself rather than his friends.
- Lock the Prince in prison? - Athos was indignant. - Even if I were told that Philippe would escape and kill me, I would not agree to such barbarity! I would rather die at the hands of Philippe than become a real jailer for the Prince, the legitimate son of our King Louis XIII and twin brother of our King Louis XIV!
"It is done, friends," said d'Artagnan. "I share your fears! Perhaps we should not have trusted hired servants. But we cannot forever separate ourselves from Philippe's company! We had much to discuss among the four of us, and I am glad that this picnic took place.
"We shouldn't have started this conversation," said Porthos. "But my heart is not at peace. I don't trust these Scots!"
" John Small and Ben Brown are English, Porthos!" d'Artagnan clarified.
“Even more so!” Porthos replied and frowned.
- We are like little children, telling each other scary stories! - Athos smiled. - However, it is already getting dark! Let's quicken our pace!
Indeed, the sun had already touched the horizon, painting the western part of the sky orange and red, the sky above had turned grey, and dusk was approaching. The friends broke into a fast trot.
As they approached Monkville, the friends saw a glow in the east. It seemed as if the sun had split in two, creating two sunsets. Soon they could smell smoke. The friends spurred their horses and galloped toward Monkville.
Having turned the corner, from where Monkville was visible as if on the palm of the hand, the friends saw that d'Artagnan's house, outbuildings and stables were engulfed in flames.
"Suzanne!" cried d'Artagnan, spurring his horse. "Suzanne! Miss Campredon!"
"Agnes!" cried Porthos, and spurred his heavy horse.
“Philippe!” whispered Aramis, and he also thrust his spurs into his horse.
“My poor friends!” said Athos, not lagging behind his friends even a step.

The whole of Monkville was in flames. The roof of the stable had collapsed. At least three of the seven horses that remained in it had somehow managed to escape and, galloping to the very edge of the forest, were grazing, looking fearfully towards the terrible glow.
Miss Grefton's aunt, Agnes Campbell, came out to meet the friends. Her clothes were torn and covered in soot.
"Angessa, you are alive!" cried Porthos, jumping off his horse.
"Suzanne!" cried d'Artagnan. "Where is Suzanne?"
"She is alive," answered Agnes. "She was taken away by force by those two, John and Ben. They killed Bazin, captured Philippe and Suzanne, and rode away, taking four horses from the stable."
"I will find them!" cried d'Artagnan. "I will get them from under the ground!"
“We will find them, my friend,” answered Athos.
"Tell me, Agnes, did Philippe go with them voluntarily?" asked Aramis.
"I don't know," Agnes answered. "I hid behind the stable. They thought I was in the stable, so they bolted the doors, propped them up with pitchforks, and set them on fire. When they saw the stable was in flames, they left, and then I opened the stable and let the remaining horses out.
" Where is Bazin?" asked Aramis.
"He's lying by the well," Agnes answered. "They shot him twice."
"Bazin!" cried Aramis. "Bazin, my dear fellow!"
“He’s still alive,” said Grimaud, who had long since found him and was trying to help his comrade by bandaging him.
"Tell me, Grimaud, will he live?" asked Aramis, and his friends heard his voice tremble.
“I don’t know, Monseigneur,” answered Grimaud.
“Forgive me, Monsignor, I didn’t save…” whispered Bazin.
- Be silent! Bazin, be silent! You must not speak! - cried Aramis. - Where is he wounded, Grimaud?
“One bullet in the arm, that’s nothing, the other in the chest, I’m afraid it hit the lung,” answered Grimaud.
"Grimaud! Do everything you can for him!" cried Aramis.
"That need not have been said," said Athos. "Grimaud knows his business."
“Monseigneur, forgive me my sins,” whispered Bazin.
"Be silent, Bazin, be silent!" said Aramis. "What sins can you have? I absolve you of all your sins, whatever they may be, Bazin, my friend, my dear Bazin."
"The bullet went right through the chest," said Grimaud. "There's no blood coming out of the mouth. The wound in the arm is also through and through, maybe the bone was hit."
"We need a doctor!" cried Aramis.
“Grimaud is an excellent surgeon, don’t worry,” Athos replied.
"Bazin, my friend, do not leave me!" said Aramis, and the friends saw tears on the prelate's cheeks.

 Chapter I I. A month before

King Louis XIV of France remembered two Bastille prisoners placed under the supervision of the faithful de Saint-Mars.
The first prisoner, listed under the name of Marchiali, was the lieutenant of the guards d'Elsorte. He carried out the orders of Colbert, trying to kill d'Artagnan and the prisoner he was accompanying, that is, Louis himself. Having in his hands the order to imprison the prisoner he was accompanying in the fortress of the island of Saint-Marguerite, d'Artagnan did not dare to carry it out, and decided at his own risk to imprison his enemy d'Elsorte there. He left Louis himself in the abbey, assuring him that the marks on his forehead received in one of the attacks forever closed the possibility of returning to the throne. However, the marks soon disappeared, since they were not as deep as they seemed. D'Artagnan's scrupulousness allowed Louis to later escape and regain the French throne, so Louis could not in any way blame d'Artagnan for his decision. However, he understood that d'Elsorte was essentially a victim of circumstances, since he was only following Colbert's orders, not suspecting who the prisoner was, accompanied by the captain of the king's musketeers. The King knew nothing of d'Elsorte's meanness, who, having given his word as a nobleman not to raise arms against the captain and his companions, had, as soon as he had received his arms back, hastened to use them against his liberator. For some time after his return to the throne, the King was occupied with the idea that Colbert believed that the mysterious prisoner, listed under the name of Marchiali, was of some state importance. The King was amused by the thought that he had a way of leading his almost all-powerful minister by the nose. But in time it seemed to him that it was excessive cruelty to keep a man in the Bastille merely for following orders, and that it was also excessively extravagant to keep an insignificant lieutenant at the expense of the treasury, as only a Prince of the Blood should be kept. The first consideration was not so important for a man like Louis, and both of these considerations together provided both a reason and an excuse for leniency. Besides, there was a new prisoner in the Bastille, named Eustache Dauger. The King, who had invented this name, believed that his twin brother Philippe was kept under this name, but d'Artagnan showed the same leniency this time for the same reasons, and so instead of the prince, a certain Jacques Long-C;tu, that is, Jacques the Long Knife, was placed in the Bastille. Athos and Porthos captured this robber, rapist and murderer near the Pont Neuf, thus saving two young girls from robbery, death and even, probably, from rape, which, of course, would have been an even greater misfortune for these girls. True, our friends did not inquire what these two girls were doing on a dark night in such a sinister place, as a result of which Porthos even for a moment doubted their decency, however, a small investigation undertaken by Aramis's informants convinced the friends that detention in the Bastille for such a scoundrel as Jacques Longue-C;tu was a very weak punishment for what he deserved by his crimes. As we have already said, the King knew nothing about this, so he was convinced that it was Philippe who was placed in the Bastille under the name of Eustache Dauger.
The first six months Louis was busy only with strengthening the state and his own position in it, since the few months he spent in the abbey convinced him that nothing lasts forever in this troubled world, and that even the King of France could one day lose his throne and everything, absolutely everything. The next six months Louis devoted all his efforts exclusively to strengthening the military power of France and its financial system with the help of the same Colbert. For another year the King was busy with the war.
After two years, Louis remembered the two prisoners and began to think. Both were in the Bastille, because de Saint-Mars, transferred from the post of governor of the island of Saint-Marguerite to the post of governor of the Bastille, took with him to the Bastille both prisoners, known to him as Marchiali, who was d'Elsorte, and as Eustache Dauger, who was Jacques Long-C;tu.
After these two years, Louis no longer found it amusing or pleasant to irritate Colbert and make small jokes about him: Colbert had shown himself to be a loyal servant of the state and the King. There was no point in keeping d'Elsorte in the Bastille any longer. But before releasing him, it would be necessary to make sure that he knew nothing that could disturb Louis's peace. He might accidentally learn some information that could serve as a clue to the King's great secret, which no one was supposed to know. The simplest thing would be for d'Elsorte to die quietly in the Bastille, but previous orders had ordered de Cinq-Mars to carefully guard the prisoner's health and to care for him as a Prince, so at least these instructions would have to be adjusted. Louis, meanwhile, understood that any correction of such orders could serve as a clue for Colbert to unravel the great mystery, since prisoners are not transferred from the royal allowance to the beggarly one for no apparent reason. Another option was to free d'Elsorte and assign him some difficult task that would lead to his death. The release of a prisoner could only mean that, having served his time, this prisoner had atoned for his guilt. Louis saw another positive side to this option. D'Elsorte could become a "trap for fools", a living bait, Pierre the Simple. Colbert would undoubtedly assign his best spies to the freed Marchiali, which would give Louis, for his part, the opportunity to assign more experienced spies to expose these spies. No matter how deeply Louis trusted Colbert, he wanted to keep him on a short leash, so Louis was very keen to find out who Colbert's spies were. As the saying goes, "Tell me who your friends' friends are, and I will tell you who your enemies are." This saying was taught to young Louis by Mazarin, who learned it from Richelieu.
In addition, Louis was interested in visiting Philip, to find out how he was doing, whether he had retained his amazing resemblance to him, Louis, what his mood was, whether he was making plans to escape to freedom or, even worse, to escape with the aim of seizing the throne again.
“Why does everyone praise the intelligence and foresight of Cardinal Richelieu so much?” Louis thought with irritation. “If he had been a little wiser, he would not have left me with this problem! Philippe should have died in infancy! Should I, the King of France, really have to solve this problem, so ambiguous from an ethical point of view? Why does everyone always dump everything on my shoulders? I do not want to take Cain’s sin upon myself! Do I really have to? Is there really no one in all of France who would take this sin upon himself? I must not think about it! I must not want it! It must happen of its own accord, against my will! Because I do not want it, I am not only a good King, I am also a good brother. Yes, that’s right! He must die not of my will.”
The King remembered, however, that d'Elsorte, who was known as Marciali, could only be seen, much less released, in accordance with an earlier order, by the personal order of the King. The same applied to Eustache Dauger, that is, Philippe. This seemed to protect him from Philippe's escape. A trip to the Bastille to see Philippe, however, seemed extremely dangerous to Louis. He risked being left there as a result of a minor betrayal or a major conspiracy, while Philippe could very well be extracted from the Bastille and return to the throne of France in Louis's stead.
“Ah, if d’Artagnan were still alive, I would know with whom I should go to the Bastille for this matter!” thought Louis. “He alone could I trust completely in this matter!.. Trust? And why, in fact, should I trust him? True, he hid the great secret of the King, and there is not a single soul who could boast of having learned this secret from him! But, on the other hand, it was he who carried out the substitution, the vile betrayal, the second kidnapping! In his favor is the fact that he placed me not in the fortress of the island of Saint-Marguerite, but in the abbey, but this is another example of disobedience! The last time my fate depended on the actions of this man, he again chose me, and decided to arrest Philippe himself. This certainly speaks in his favor! Did he have a choice? Of course he did. Was it more advantageous for him to eliminate me and not Philippe? Of course so!” He might have feared my revenge, and he might have counted on Philippe's gratitude! Was Philippe simply so stupid as not to thank d'Artagnan as he should have, and for that reason alone did d'Artagnan prefer my revenge to Philippe's gratitude? Impossible! Why did these two choose me? After all, this choice is forever! Or not? Or was I wrong? But no, de Saint-Mars will never let Philippe out of the Bastille! De Saint-Mars knows his duty! And if d'Artagnan had locked me up in the fortress of the island of Saint-Marguerite under de Saint-Mars's supervision, I would still be there! But he did not. The devil take me! I am a fool! After all, what d'Artagnan did once, he can do twice! He could have put someone else in the Bastille, just as he put that fool d'Elsorte there! Why did I only think of this now? Because I was too happy about my victory, which I had almost no chance of winning! Because I was worried about my position on the throne of France, and not about Philippe's position in the Bastille! Fool! To make such a mistake! What if Philippe is also placed in some abbey, or some monastery, of which there are thousands in France? What if he is just waiting for me to make a mistake? Philippe is the ace in the sleeve of that card sharper d'Artagnan! He can replace me with him at any moment! However, he is dead. But is he dead? After all, I have not seen his corpse!? In war, they say, corpses are sometimes so badly mutilated that there is no way to identify them! I should have immediately investigated the circumstances of d'Artagnan's death! And I should have personally ensured that it was Philippe who was placed in the Bastille. Why didn't I do it? I know why! "I was afraid that on the way to the Bastille, d'Artagnan and d'Herblay would change their minds and put me there instead of Philippe! I was afraid of a trap! I have been constantly afraid of a trap for the last two years. D'Artagnan is dead, and I am still afraid of him! D'Herblay is now my ally, the Spanish ambassador, and I am afraid of him too! However, everything has gone wrong with Spain, despite the fact that my wife is a Spanish princess. Wasn't it d'Herblay who set this up?"
Louis broke out in a cold sweat. For the first time in two years, he listened to his feelings and understood with all clarity that fear never left him for a second, at any moment he expected his brother to appear, an assassination attempt, every night, falling asleep, he was afraid of waking up in prison, every morning, waking up, he was glad that he woke up in his own bed, and he never gave himself an account of it. Now he realized that as long as d'Herblay lived, as long as he had not made sure that d'Artagnan was really dead, and, most importantly, as long as Philippe lived, he would never have peace. The King's great secret was worth nothing if Philippe did not exist, therefore the greatest concern of those who knew it was Philippe. And the King's greatest problem was himself, Philippe. But he, Louis, should not visit the Bastille with Colbert, because it was impossible to allow such a powerful man as Colbert to get hold of such a terrible secret! It was necessary to give the appearance of an insignificant inspection trip, and it was necessary to do so that Colbert would never know about it. Even if Colbert could be sent away, this would not mean that Colbert's spies would not be watching all the movements of the King. Therefore, to begin with, d'Elsorte had to be released, with those spies assigned to him who would be able to identify Colbert's spies. Then, these spies had to be isolated, and only in the third stage could he himself go to the Bastille in order to verify that it was Philippe who was imprisoned in the Bastille under the name of Etache Dauger. After that, he could calmly think about his fate, think about how he could help Providence to quickly end Philippe's life, that is, simply suggest to some assistants of the Lord's will that Philippe had already lived long enough in this world.
"It's true that it's not safe to let d'Elsorte out, if he knows something!" thought Philippe. "It wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to him first. But to go to the Bastille voluntarily, knowing that Philippe exists somewhere, and not having a full guarantee that Philippe is in the Bastille, would be imprudent!"
Louis rang the bell, after which his secretary entered his office with a respectful bow.
"Hubert, invite the Duke d'Epernon to me," said the King. "At twelve o'clock. And at twelve-thirty, the Chevalier de Lorraine. And at one o'clock, the captain of the king's musketeers, Monsieur d'Arlencourt."
 
Chapter III. Three Commissions

When d'Epernon entered Louis' presence with a bow, after all the formalities the King said:
- Listen, Duke! I remember you went to the island of Saint-Marguerite to deliver the prisoner Marchiali to Paris.
“I, Your Majesty, do not recall such an episode, however, I do not dare to deny it,” said the puzzled Duke, afraid to say too much, since, as he knew, the King was not initiated into this mission of his, entrusted to him by Colbert.
“It is useless to deny it, Duke,” replied the King. “I know that Colbert sent you on this mission without consulting me, and that is the reason for your failure. You did everything right, and I am not angry with you, nor with Colbert, for that matter. I only hope that such an incident will teach him not to show excessive initiative in matters that are not entrusted to him. Now, Monsieur de Saint-Mars did not hand over the prisoner Marchiali to you for the reason that you did not have a personal order signed by me for you to receive. Well, this time your mission will be much simpler and it will be successful, I congratulate you in advance. You will not have to travel so far and you will not have to return empty-handed. The prisoner Marchiali is still under the care of Monsieur de Saint-Mars, but they are both in the Bastille, which is much closer. You did not have a letter signed by me, this time you will have one.” Here it is. Go tomorrow and bring me this prisoner by one o'clock. Besides, it will allow you to take revenge on de Saint-Mars.
With these words the King handed the Duke a letter of the following content:

"The King's order.
Monsieur de Saint-Mars is to hand over to the Duke d'Epernon, under his full responsibility, the prisoner Marchiali.
The Duke d'Epernon is to deliver him to the Louvre for questioning by the King.
This order remains with Mr. de Saint-Mars as a document justifying the transfer of the prisoner. No entries are to be made in the prisoners' journal.
After the interrogation, the prisoner will be returned to the Bastille in exchange for the present order and placed in the same place under the same conditions.
Signed: King of France Louis XIV."

“And one more thing, Duke,” added the King. “Do not take guards to guard the carriage. I want my musketeers to guard the carriage. Take eight musketeers from d’Arlencourt for this purpose, without informing him of the task for which they are being taken. Simply ask for the most faithful and brave servants. Refer to my orders. I will give you a note. That is my wish.”
The king handed the duke a note which read:

"To d'Arlencourt. Give eight musketeers to the Duke of Epernon for twenty-four hours. Louis"

“It will be done, Your Majesty,” replied the Duke d’Epernon, after which he took the order and the note, bowed and left.

Twenty minutes after his departure, Hubert announced the arrival of the Chevalier de Lorraine.

"My dear Lorraine!" exclaimed the King. "I have thought of a new entertainment for us!"
"Then shall I soon be out of work, Your Majesty?" replied Lorren. "I thought that devising entertainment for the King and dispelling boredom at court was one of my unspoken duties?"
- That's right, dear Lorraine! - agreed Louis. - Although you should be assisted in this work by my other courtiers, whom I call my friends, but who, it seems to me, think only of lining their pockets, you perform these duties much better. But this time I came up with the fun.
“What is it, Your Majesty?” asked Lorren.
“She is connected with Colbert,” the King replied with a sly smile.
- Ugh! - Lorren grimaced. - You know I don't like him! The very sight of him makes me sick!
"So you won't refuse to give him a good talking to?" the King asked.
“I’ll do anything nasty to him with great pleasure!” Lorren confirmed.
"Well then, listen," Louis became inspired. "I have a prisoner in the Bastille, whom Colbert thinks is very important to me, to France, and God knows for what other purposes. This is the hook with which we will catch this fish."
"Very curious!" exclaimed Lorraine. "Who is he really?"
"A worthless thing, not worthy of any attention!" replied the King. "I suppose he could be released, but then the whole game would be broken."
“It would be unwise to let him out if he can serve us to catch Colbert,” Lorrain agreed.
"That's what I think too," nodded the King. "I've ordered d'Epernon to bring this prisoner to me for interrogation by one o'clock tomorrow."
"Curious!" exclaimed Lorraine.
"I don't need him, but I believe that Colbert will certainly arrange for surveillance of d'Epernon's carriage on its way from the Bastille to the Louvre and back," the King continued. "I also do not exclude the possibility that he will try to persuade d'Epernon to talk to the prisoner on the way, to find out his story. Perhaps he himself will even be in this carriage. He will not be able to overhear our conversation, so I am almost certain that on the way to the Bastille he will try to talk to this prisoner, and it is even quite possible that he will try to kidnap him from me.
“ And what does this threaten Your Majesty with?” asked Lorraine.
"Ask better what this threatens Colbert with!" laughed Louis. "This is, if you like, a test of his loyalty to me, and also an excellent way to find out his spies, who serve only him, but about whom I know nothing."
- So, this prisoner is the bait with which we will catch Colbert? - Lorren perked up. - Your Majesty, you are an unrivaled genius in strategies of this kind! I bow before your genius! What is required of me?
"You must take your loyal men and place them along the road to the Bastille, or send them to track down the carriage, or perhaps both. You must find out at all costs whether Colbert will interfere in this matter, in what way, and with what result," said Louis. "Let them disguise themselves as common citizens."
"A fine sport!" exclaimed Lorraine. "Man-hunting is the best of all hunting, and bait-hunting is the most exciting of all man-hunting!"
“So will you do what I suggest?” asked the King.
- Your Majesty! Any request of yours is an order of the King of France! I will fulfill any order of yours! But I will fulfill this order with great pleasure, because we will have great fun, and, I hope, we will really annoy that hated Colbert!
"Be careful that he doesn't notice the trick, my dear Lorren!" said the King. "If he notices that you're following him, the whole game will be spoiled!"
"I will use women, children and old people along with soldiers," Lorren replied. "They will look no different from ordinary passers-by. A merchant's cart will follow the carriage. Another cart will follow in the opposite direction.
- Good day, Lorraine! - said the King. - I'm counting on you. At four o'clock you'll tell me everything!

Ten minutes after Lorrain's departure, Captain d'Arlencourt was summoned to the King, who took the place of d'Artagnan, who was believed to have died in the battle.
"Captain!" said the King to d'Arlencourt, "some men whose duty it is to serve me and carry out my orders, instead poke their noses into my affairs, despite the prohibition I expressly give on this matter.
"Unthinkable, Your Majesty!" replied d'Arlencourt. "Shall we have them arrested?"
"To arrest them, dear Captain d'Arlencourt, that's the simplest thing," Louis replied. "To begin with, I'd just like to know these people. Forewarned is forearmed, isn't it?"
"I am a soldier, Your Majesty, I beg your pardon," said d'Arlencourt. "I am not a detective, and I have no skill for that. Your Majesty has at his disposal a sufficient number of men whose profession and skill are more suited to this task."
"That is true, dear captain," the King replied. "You contradict your King, but your King is not angry with you, because you are right. However, I do not propose that you spy. You are right that there are enough spies in Paris, and there is no need to use the Musketeers for this purpose.
“I am happy, Your Majesty, that you agree with me,” said the captain.
“I agree with you, and I hope you agree with me,” the King continued. “In order to protect the state from conspirators, a police force is needed. In order for the police to have information about the conspirators, agents are needed, call them spies or spies, if you like. However contemptuously you and I may treat their occupations, such occupations are necessary for the state, and someone must perform them. But here is the question: who will watch those who are supposed to watch others? And who will watch those who watch those who watch everyone else?”
“This is a complex philosophical and state task, Your Majesty!” exclaimed d’Arlencourt.
" This is just a one-time action, consider it an order to carry out an inspection," the King clarified. "I am not asking you to find out anything, or to spy on anyone. The task is simpler."
“What is it, Your Majesty?” d’Arlencourt inquired.
- Tomorrow, Monsieur d'Epernon's carriage will set out for the Bastille to fetch a minor prisoner, whom it will take to the Louvre. You will provide an escort of eight musketeers. This carriage will then take this prisoner back to the Bastille. This carriage will be watched, contrary to my prohibition. I believe that this carriage will perhaps carry not only Monsieur d'Epernon and his prisoner, and not only a sufficient escort to ensure the safety of the convoy, but perhaps some important person who pokes his nose into my affairs. Do you think that this is a good thing?
"This is outrageous, Your Majesty!" replied d'Arlencourt.
“For this reason I have ordered that this carriage be watched by those people whose duty it is not, and never has been, to carry out such surveillance,” continued the King.
“They may not be able to handle the task, or they may not handle it well enough,” d’Arlencourt suggested.
“So be it, it doesn’t bother me,” the King waved his hand. “I thought that they could make their task much easier by conspiring with those they were assigned to watch.”
- Really? - d'Arlencourt was surprised. - Forgive me, Your Majesty...
- It's nothing, it's nothing, your reaction is quite natural, - answered Louis. - You see, captain, if there are several groups in the state that don't tolerate each other, it's not terrible. If there are several people in the state who stick their noses into the affairs of the sovereign, it's disgusting. But not fatal. If these groups only pretend that they don't tolerate each other, but in fact enter into a criminal conspiracy against their sovereign, then it will already be a state crime, it will be the greatest danger to the state.
“You are right, Your Majesty!” replied d’Arlencourt.
"Isn't the King's protection the main function of the King's Musketeers?" Louis asked.
“Exactly so, Your Majesty!” the captain confirmed.
“You must therefore help me to find out whether there is a conspiracy between those who are to transport this prisoner to and from the Louvre, those who will monitor his movements on their own initiative without my order or permission, and those who are to monitor the latter, according to my direct order.
"How shall we distinguish one from the other, Your Majesty?" asked d'Arlencourt. "What will be our business?"
“Your job is to form a cortege of eight musketeers loyal to you to guard d’Epernon’s carriage.
“All my musketeers are loyal to me, Your Majesty,” replied d’Arlencourt.
"Then from among your most faithful, most courageous, and most observant men," the King clarified. "Tomorrow morning, d'Epernon will ask you for an escort of eight men. Give it to him. These men must be your ears and your eyes in this matter, and you will be my ears and eyes. Such a mission does not contradict the functions of the musketeers and the code of musketeer honor, sir?"
“The instructions received from you, Your Majesty, are extremely clear, they do not contradict the soldier’s oath, and they will be carried out exactly,” replied d’Arlencourt, straightening up to attention.
“Okay, captain, I’m satisfied,” said Louis. “You’re free. I’ll expect you to report to me tomorrow at five o’clock.”
The captain bowed and left the King's office.

Chapter I V. The Evening Visit

In the evening, the Duke d'Epernon came to Colbert and outlined the essence of the King's instructions for the following day.
"Have you got the order, Monseigneur?" asked Colbert.
“Here he is, Mr. Minister,” replied the Duke.
Colbert read the document twice carefully and returned it to d'Epernon.
"An interesting matter," Colbert said thoughtfully. "First I wanted to see this prisoner, and I couldn't do it. Now that I've almost forgotten about him... Yes, almost forgotten, only almost, since I never forget anything! Now, as you see, we have a chance to sort it all out."
“I will interrogate this mysterious Marchiali on the way to the Louvre, and also, if he is ordered to be taken back, I will interrogate him on the way back!” the Duke exclaimed passionately.
“Excellent!” exclaimed Colbert, but then he caught himself and feigned absentmindedness. “What did you say, Duke?”
"I said I would interrogate Marchiali on the way! Just let him try not to tell me the whole truth about himself!" d'Epernon replied.
"By no means, Duke, by no means!" Colbert hastily replied. "If His Majesty takes such precautions with regard to this prisoner, your attempt to interrogate him will be your condemnation as well as mine."
“But your first words were ‘Excellent!’, weren’t they?” the Duke was surprised.
"I was distracted, I answered my own thoughts, do not pay attention," Colbert was embarrassed. "In no case do I order you to interrogate the prisoner Marchiali. Only carry out the King's order and do not deviate from his order by an iota."
"There will be no other assignments either?" the Duke asked disappointedly. "Perhaps you would be curious to know the details of the trips?"
"What details, excuse me, can there be if, according to my instructions, you will not deviate in any way from the instructions received from the King?" Colbert said with some embarrassment. "You will simply deliver the prisoner to the Louvre and take him back."
"So, no action?" d'Epernon asked, disappointed.
"No, absolutely no action, except to carry out His Majesty's orders!" replied Colbert. "Good day, Duke, I will not detain you any longer."
With these words, Colbert glanced at the wall clock and rose from his chair, which forced the Duke to leave Colbert's office without further questions.
Having escorted the Duke to the threshold of the office, Colbert made a sign with his finger to the secretary to enter the office.
- Lucien, bring me Jeannette de Bachelet, quickly.

Twenty minutes later, a pretty noblewoman entered Colbert's office.
“You called me, sir?” she asked, modestly lowering her eyes.
- Jeannette, my dear, when are you meeting the Duke d'Epernon?
“I think in two or three days, sir,” answered the young beauty.
“That won’t do!” replied Colbert. “You will see him today. Start being capricious, use all your feminine wiles, you know how to do it, every single one of you! But make him tell you about the King’s mission for tomorrow. This mission is to bring a mysterious prisoner from the Bastille to the Louvre and take him back. Remember: you know nothing about it. He must tell you about it himself. After that, make him swear that if he loves you, he will find out the story of this prisoner and tell you. Not a word about me, of course. You are a clever girl!”
“I understand everything, sir,” Jeanette answered with the most modest air. “I must find out from him what the mission is, then get capricious, say that he does not love me, and if he does, let him entertain me with a story about this prisoner, right?”
" He might make up a story to amuse you," Colbert replied disapprovingly, wrinkling his upper lip. "We need to think of something so he doesn't have to lie."
“I’ll say that I know something about this prisoner, and if he decides to deceive me, I’ll find out anyway,” answered Jeanette.
"No, that won't do!" exclaimed Colbert. "You can't know anything about him, and your curiosity shouldn't look interested. Just say that you can easily tell when he's lying and when he's telling the truth, so threaten him so he doesn't try to deceive you."
“But what if he does deceive me?” asked Jeanette, pouting her lips.
"That, my dear, is none of your concern," Colbert replied indulgently. "If he tries to cheat you, that will also give me some information about the case. So, there's only one little thing left to do. You need to have this conversation today."
"Oh, there's nothing complicated about it! I'll write to him that I miss him terribly, and he'll come running like a dear," Jeanette replied.
“Very well, I am satisfied,” replied Colbert. “If things go well, in addition to your regular monthly salary, you will receive a bonus equal to your monthly allowance.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Jeanette, and bowed and left.
In an excellent mood, Colbert walked Jeannette to the exit of the office and again beckoned to the secretary with his finger.
- Lucien, invite Preval to me immediately.
Ten minutes later, a small man entered the office, so small in stature that if it weren’t for his face, he could have been mistaken for a four-year-old child.
"Mr. Minister, did you call me?" asked the dwarf.
"My dear Martin Preval!" exclaimed Colbert. "I have a matter for you."
“I’m listening to you,” Preval answered obediently.
"Stock up on dried fruit and unpeeled nuts. Lucien will give them to you. You will have to spend a night and a day in a secret place," Colbert said.
“This is not the first time for me,” Preval replied.
"Today the Duke of Epernon will visit Jeannette de Bachelet," Colbert continued. "While he is with Jeannette, you must sneak into the carriage, lie down under the seat and hide so that no one can see or hear you. You can sleep tonight, I hope you don't snore."
“I sleep as quietly as a baby,” Preval replied.
- Excellent! - Colbert picked up. - Tomorrow the carriage will go to the Bastille for a prisoner, and after some time it will take him back to the Bastille. All this time, while the prisoner and the Duke d'Epernon escorting him are riding in the carriage, you must listen to what is being talked about and remember everything, if possible, word for word. The content of these conversations interests me very much.
“Everything will be done,” Preval replied with a bow.
"You're not asking about the reward?" Colbert asked, looking at Preval expectantly.
“I am in your service, sir,” Preval replied.
“You can ask for an additional reward for this assignment,” Colbert replied.
“The sire always appoints the reward himself,” Preval replied.
“Yes, you are not mistaken,” Colbert nodded. “And you will not be disappointed.”

Chapter V. Eyes and Ears That Serve Two People

The Duchess de Chevreuse was getting ready for bed. Despite her advanced age, she was still attractive, although she looked at her reflection in the mirror with great sadness.
Although the Duchess almost never locked the doors of her room, she nevertheless trained all visitors to knock.
This time the knock was one of the conventional ones, of which the Duchess had come up with a whole set, so she could easily recognize who exactly was knocking on her door.
- Come in, Jeannette, I’m alone! - the duchess answered the knock.
"Duchess, it is indeed I!" said Jeannette de Bachelet.
“It is so late,” said the Duchess, “that I suppose you have the latest and most interesting news.”
With these words, the Duchess opened her box and took out a pearl bracelet, which she silently handed to the girl.
"Thank you, Duchess," said Jeannette, accepting the bracelet with a bow. "This evening, Monsieur Colbert sent for me and told me to call the Duke d'Epernon to see him this evening."
“Very interesting!” replied the Duchess. “Go on!”
— Tomorrow the Duke will have to deliver a certain secret prisoner from the Bastille to the Louvre, and after interrogating him with the King, take him back to the Bastille.
“Yes, yes,” nodded the duchess.
“I have been ordered to persuade the Duke to question the prisoner about the reasons for his imprisonment, and on the way back to find out everything about the prisoner’s conversation with the King.
"It is certainly he!" cried the Duchess.
“I did what I was told,” Jeanette smiled. “Louis promised to tell me everything about the prisoner.”
- Excellent, my dear! - the Duchess admired. - Excellent work. Here is a bracelet for your other hand, and when you tell me everything you learned from the Duke, you will receive a tiara.
“Thank you, Duchess,” said Jeannette, and, having received an approving nod from her patroness, she left the boudoir of the Duchess de Chevreuse.

Colbert, meanwhile, received a note from the secretary, written in Jeannette's small, cramped handwriting, which said: "The promise is given. Jeannette."
Colbert sniffed the note mechanically. Recognizing the scent of Cologne water, which Jeannette preferred, he rolled the note into a tube and burned it on a candle.

Chapter VI. The Mysterious Prisoner

The next day, the Duke d'Epernon arrived at the Bastille with the King's orders.
- Monsieur de Saint-Mars! Good day. I have come to take revenge! - the Duke said haughtily, entering Saint-Mars's office, which had previously been de Besmo's office.
“Were we rivals or competing in anything?” asked de Saint-Mars.
“I want to remind you how you did not give me your prisoner Marchiali, on the orders of Monsieur Colbert,” said the Duke, taking out the King’s order.
“This prisoner can only be handed over by order signed by the King,” Saint-Mars replied calmly.
“Here is the order!” d’Epernon answered proudly, handing the order to the commandant.
"If you wish to call it revenge, call it what you will," replied Saint-Mars calmly, studying the order. "If you had produced such a document there, on the island of Saint-Marguerite, you would have had this prisoner. If you had produced a document now signed only by Monsieur Colbert, you would not have had him now. I always carry out the King's orders to the letter, and I also carry out the minister's orders to the letter, provided that they do not contradict the King's orders. So, you take Marchiali, and I take this document.
“Yes, bring him,” said d’Epernon proudly, and sat down in Saint-Mars’s chair.
“In a moment, Monsieur le Duc,” replied de Saint-Mars. “I must warn you of the procedure for keeping and transporting this prisoner. According to the order of His Majesty, he must move outside the fortress only with an iron mask on his face. I will bring him to you wearing this mask. Also, according to the order of His Majesty, any conversations with this prisoner are forbidden, except for informing him of the regulations for his stay in the fortress or the regulations for his actions. If he begins to say anything, you must not listen to it. In this case, it is permissible to plug his ears or use a gag to shut his mouth. In all other respects, he must be treated respectfully, calling him monseigneur.”
"Have you read that this prisoner is placed at my complete disposal?" d'Epernon asked haughtily.
"Yes, sir, I can read," replied de Saint-Mars. "I have merely communicated to you the instructions I have received previously. You may disregard them, for which I shall bear no responsibility. You will receive the prisoner this very minute."
Soon de Saint-Mars returned to the study, leading with him the prisoner in the iron mask. The Duke involuntarily stood up and approached the prisoner, torn by curiosity.
“So, monseigneur, from this moment you are at the disposal of the Duke d'Epernon,” said de Saint-Mars, turning to the prisoner.
After this, de Saint-Mars sat down in his chair with the air of a man who had completely fulfilled his duty.
“Follow me, monseigneur,” said the Duke dryly, overcome by many feelings which he was carefully trying to suppress.
After this, d'Epernon descended the steps into the prison courtyard, where his own carriage and eight musketeers, acting as an escort, awaited him. At that moment, one of the musketeers swung lightly from his horse to open the carriage door for the Duke and his prisoner. The prisoner looked at the musketeer and shuddered. He recognized Fran;ois, his old enemy. This man was one of those who had taken him prisoner, one of those responsible for his imprisonment in the fortress of the island of Saint-Marguerite and then in the Bastille. D'Elsorte thought that he was being taken to execution. However, he controlled himself and calmly got into the carriage, determined to say nothing to anyone and to hold on courageously to the end.
Fran;ois, meanwhile, was not privy to all the circumstances of the case; he paid no attention to the prisoner, calmly closed the carriage door, jumped on his horse, and the carriage, accompanied by a cortege of eight musketeers, left the gates of the Bastille and headed for the Louvre.
D'Epernon rode in silence for some time, hoping that the prisoner himself would break the silence, but the masked man was also silent, contemplating through the translucent curtains the streets of Paris, which he believed he was seeing for the last time in his life.
“Do you know, Monseigneur, where I am taking you?” asked d’Epernon at last, remembering the promise he had made to Jeannette.
The prisoner looked away from the window and looked closely at the Duke.
"If I were being led to execution, it would hardly require the Duke d'Epernon," thought d'Elsorte. "Besides, he also calls me monseigneur, so he takes me for someone else, whose fate is perhaps not as unpleasant as I think. I must continue to play the noble person!"
"Why these senseless questions?" said d'Elsorte, in as arrogant a tone as he could muster. "The order was given to you, so you know where and why you are taking me. If you intend to tell me the purpose of your journey, tell me; if you wish to learn something from me, then you understand, I hope, that I cannot answer your question. If you wish to learn something else, be kind enough to formulate your question more clearly."
D'Epernon, who could not have expected such boldness and audacity, stopped short and remained silent for some time, looking for tactics for further conversation.
“Perhaps you have some last wish?” asked the Duke, hoping to both frighten his prisoner and make him change his haughty tone to that of a supplicant, so that the conversation would finally move to a more frank and friendly tone.
“First I would like to hear the accusation and the sentence,” the prisoner said coldly.
“Don’t you know your guilt?” the Duke was surprised.
" Is this an interrogation?" asked d'Elsorte, even more haughtily, continuing to play the part of a noble person, so noble that for her even the Duke d'Epernon was nothing special.
After these words, d'Epernon bit his tongue and fell silent.
"What kind of man is this?" he thought. "This prisoner acts as if he were a Prince of the Blood, at least the bastard son of the King, or something even more important! He talks to me as if I were a simple guard, despite the fact that he apparently knows me! He meets every question I ask with hostility and turns it against me!"
Nevertheless, the Duke decided to make another attempt to get the prisoner to talk.
“Do you have any complaints about your treatment in the fortress?” he asked, trying to combine a patronizing tone with sufficient respect.
“None,” the prisoner answered briefly, after which there was absolutely no way to continue the conversation, especially considering Colbert’s orders and de Saint-Mars’s instructions.
"Damn that Jeannette!" thought d'Epernon. "Women make us do crazy and stupid things! Why did I even talk to him! Stupid feminine whims! Maybe on the way back he'll be more talkative, and if not, I'll tell her some lie about him and that'll be the end of it!"
After this, the prisoner and the guard rode in complete silence all the way to the Louvre.
Since Colbert had not given orders for the carriage to be watched, the Chevalier de Lorraine's men failed to notice any suspicious persons, except a few vagabonds who looked at the carriage out of habit, showing curiosity about everything, in the hope of a chance profit.
The musketeers accompanying the carriage also did not notice anything suspicious, however, Fran;ois's keen eye noticed several of de Lorraine's spies.

When the Duke brought the prisoner into the King's study, Louis ordered that the prisoner's hands be tied behind the back of the chair in which he was seated, after which the King ordered that they be left alone.
 
Chapter VII. Talk

When the doors closed, Louis approached the prisoner and removed the mask that was so familiar to him.
“So, as far as I understand, you are one of the former guards?” asked the King.
“Lieutenant of the d'Elsorte Guards Regiment, Your Majesty,” replied the prisoner.
"I remember you," said the King. "Answer your King frankly. For what offense did the captain of the musketeers, d'Artagnan, imprison you in the fortress?"
“Only because I carried out the orders of Minister Colbert, Your Majesty!” the prisoner replied.
“What was this order?” asked Louis.
"We were commanded by de Trabu;on, whom Colbert had appointed captain of the guards three ranks later," replied d'Elsorte. "I do not know all the details. At first it seemed to me that we should detain Captain d'Artagnan and the prisoner he was taking to the fortress on the island of Sainte-Marguerite. Then it all began to look like a simple manhunt. I realized that we were ordered to kill d'Artagnan and bring the prisoner to Colbert. Then the orders changed. We were to kill both of them.
"Kill them both, aren't you mistaken?" asked the King.
"Exactly," replied d'Elsorte. "We almost succeeded. De Trabu;on's wife shot the prisoner in the head. I believe she killed him. All that remained was to kill d'Artagnan."
"De Trabu;on's wife?" the King was surprised. "Since when do women ride horses and shoot muskets?"
"She fights with a sword no worse than any guardsman!" the prisoner answered. "She's not a woman - she's the devil!"
“ So you killed the prisoner,” the King said sullenly.
He remembered that he himself had been that prisoner, and that only a lucky chance, that very iron mask which lay before him now, had saved him from certain death; on it one could still see the mark of that bullet which had almost proved fatal for Louis.
"Madame Olivia killed the prisoner, and I tried to kill the captain," d'Elsorte replied. "An order is an order! I am not guilty of anything."
“I do not believe you,” replied the King. “I know d’Artagnan very well. In recent years he has become almost a pacifist. While remaining a fine and brave soldier, he avoided any senseless bloodshed, almost avoided duels, especially if the opponent was weaker than him, and pitied any compatriot. He would have let you go after you failed to kill him. He would have let you go on your word of honor, demanding from you a promise not to hinder his mission any longer.
"I dare not lie to you, Your Majesty, that is how it was," admitted d'Elsorte. "He released me on my word of honor as a nobleman, I promised not to take up arms against him."
“Then why were you captured, why did he put you in the Bastille?” the King was surprised.
"I did not keep my word," d'Elsorte replied. "I tried to kill him at the first opportunity."
“You didn’t keep your word as a nobleman?!” the King was surprised.
“I had an order to kill him, and I tried to carry it out,” d’Elsorte replied.
“Then you should not have given your word,” snapped the King. “When a nobleman gives his word as a nobleman, that word is sacred! I, as the head of all the French nobility, confirm Captain d’Artagnan’s order to take you into custody. I deprive you of your nobility. You will be returned to the Bastille. You were treated as a nobleman before, and what’s more, you have taken the place of a very worthy nobleman. You were treated as a duke, almost as a prince. From now on, you will be treated as a common criminal. Do you have any last request of me?”
"Your Majesty!" cried d'Elsorte. "I would fall on my knees before you if I were not tied to a chair! I ask one thing of you. Do not take away the title of nobility from my children."
“Do you have children?” asked the King.
“Two sons,” d’Elsorte replied.
“Very well,” the King agreed. “They are not guilty of your treachery. They will know nothing of it. For them, you will be listed as having died while carrying out the minister’s orders. The allowance that was assigned to you will be transferred to your children as a pension. You will be kept as a common criminal, in solitary confinement. You will put on this mask for the last time on the way to the Bastille. You will not need it anymore. I will give orders for this. But no one will see your face again anyway, for the face of a nobleman who has stained his honor is not the best sight.”
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" cried d'Elsorte. "You are so generous! If you need a man who is ready to give his life for you, know that Lieutenant d'Elsorte is at your disposal!"
“Very well, my dear fellow,” replied the King. “Perhaps I will allow you to fight as a simple soldier, and then perhaps if you regain your noble title by your bravery I will remember you. But now I do not wish to see you again. You will be taken back. I will arrange for a change in the conditions of your confinement later. You will be taken back in the same carriage, with the same escort. These people do not need to know of your disgrace. I give you permission to behave with them as if you were a noble person. But this will be the last time. Do you understand everything well?”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” d’Elsorte said again and bowed his head, since his hands were tied.
After these words, the King personally put the iron mask on the prisoner again, then rang the bell, and said to Hubert, who entered:
- Hubert, tell the Duke d'Epernon that he can take the prisoner and return him back to the Bastille.

Chapter VIII. Colbert's Investigation

Intrigued, d'Epernon went back to the King's, saw the prisoner in the same mask, in the same position. Untying his hands, he led him to the carriage, after which, accompanied by the same convoy, the cortege headed back to the Bastille. It seemed that the prisoner was even less inclined to talk and at the same time maintained an extremely arrogant appearance.
"Is your fate clear to you now?" asked d'Epernon.
“Quite,” answered the prisoner, proudly raising his head and crossing his legs.
"Have you been told of your guilt?" asked d'Epernon.
"By what right, sir, do you ask me this question?" asked d'Elsorte proudly, who took particular pleasure in being insolent to the Duke d'Epernon himself, while remaining under his mask and playing the mysterious and unknown prince.
The Duke became embarrassed and did not dare ask any more questions.
Arriving at the Bastille, the carriage entered the fortress courtyard again, the Duke invited d'Elsorte to get out and escorted him to de Saint-Mars's office.
“I return your prisoner to you, Monsieur de Saint-Mars, and I ask you to return to me the King’s order, as it followed from the order itself,” he said to the commandant.
“Thank you, lord duke,” replied the commandant, looking at the prisoner. “Here is the order.”
“Goodbye,” the Duke replied dryly and left the Bastille.
“Where to now?” asked the coachman.
“To Colbert!” the Duke answered decisively.

"What news, Monsieur le Duc?" asked Colbert d'Epernon, smiling radiantly.
"I have found out nothing, except that this prisoner is a very important person, apparently a Prince, but I do not know him. It seems that he knows me. It cannot be someone I know.
"What led you to this conclusion?" Colbert asked.
"From what I've observed of him," replied d'Epernon. "And it's certainly not the Duke de Beaufort. And other noble persons, it seems, have not disappeared without a trace in the last two years! And I don't know his voice, I've never heard it before."
- Excuse me? What did you say? - Colbert feigned extreme surprise. - You dared to communicate with him, despite my prohibition?
"I didn't really talk to him," the Duke replied, embarrassed. "Just a couple of phrases. I asked him to sit down, and asked him to get out when the carriage arrived."
“And from these phrases you concluded that he was a noble person?” asked Colbert, looking closely at the Duke’s face.
“It was more my intuition that worked here,” the Duke replied. “I can tell a noble person from an ordinary nobleman.”
"Well, thank you, Duke," replied Colbert. "I think I had one of your bills pending, something to do with uniforms for your guards."
“I would ask you to pay it as soon as possible,” said the Duke.
“Of course, Duke, of course,” replied Colbert. “I suppose you have other expenses to consider?”
“It would be desirable to replace ten horses, saddles, muskets, my lieutenant has a list,” replied d’Epernon.
“ Send it to me, I will arrange for payment,” Colbert nodded, but, catching himself, added, “if the requested amount is justified, within the limits of the funds allocated to me.”
“Thank you, Monsieur Minister,” d’Epernon replied with dignity and left Colbert’s office.

In the evening, Jeannette de Bachelet appeared in Colbert's office.
"Jeannette, my girl!" exclaimed Colbert. "What tales did your Louis regale you with?"
"He's been talking nonsense!" Jeanette burst out laughing. "I knew right away that he hadn't found out anything and had made up a story about some unfortunate prince who was taken to prison straight from his wedding!"
- Even so? - Colbert smiled. - I haven't heard of any princely weddings that were interrupted by the arrest of the groom!
- This prince returned from a sea voyage, during which he stopped on some island because of a storm! There he met with some foreign general, made a secret alliance, after which he was arrested right at a wedding the day after his arrival, thrown into a fortress on some island, then transported to the Bastille in a carriage with barred windows, with an iron mask put on him. This prince was wearing an iron mask this time too, so my Louis did not see his face. There were some other details about a mysterious eastern princess, about a treasure hidden on a desert island, and even about some convict and murderer who tried to kill this prince. I am tired of listening to this nonsense.
"Well, the Duke has an imagination no worse than the Abb; Bourdeille!" exclaimed Colbert. "He should write novels!"
- Ugh, I wouldn't read them! - Jeanette objected. - The plot is completely impossible! Everything is somehow chaotic, illogical, inconsistent. Arrest at a wedding, treasure on an island, an oriental beauty! Nonsense! In short, he deceived me.
"You have helped me a great deal, Jeannette, I am very grateful to you," replied Colbert. "You will receive the purse with the promised reward from Lucien."

After Jeannette, Colbert received the dwarf Martin Pr;val.
"Dear Martin, what will you tell me?" asked Colbert.
- Almost no conversation, - answered Preval. - On the way there he asked if the prisoner knew where he was being taken, if he knew his guilt and if he would have any last wishes. The prisoner answered all the questions arrogantly and briefly. The essence of his answers was that, like, by what right was he interrogating him. On the way back the conversation was even shorter.
"Wonderful, Preval, but could you tell me more?" Colbert asked. "You have an excellent memory!"
After this, Preval recounted almost verbatim all the dialogues that he heard from under the carriage seat.
"No one noticed you, are you sure?" Colbert asked.
“Not a soul!” Preval replied.
"Thank you, my friend!" said Colbert with a nod. "Here you go!"
With these words, Colbert handed Preval a purse, which in weight, size and contents exactly corresponded to the rate established between the two for such services.

Chapter IX. The King's Reflections

Louis reflected. The information he had received from Lorrain, from d'Arlencourt and from d'Epernon generally agreed. It turned out that Colbert had stopped spying on the King's envoys, had stopped poking his nose into Louis's affairs and had devoted himself entirely to the tasks entrusted to him, namely, the rearmament of the army and navy, finances, industry.
“Then I must not expect any trickery from Colbert?” Louis asked himself. “Or have they all three entered into a conspiracy? Well, let us suppose that de Lorraine and Colbert could have conspired behind my back; they demonstrate their mutual hostility too zealously before my eyes for me to dare to believe in it. If they were really enemies, they would have hidden this hostility. But d’Arlencourt? Could he have conspired with both? Unthinkable! However, I must also admit the betrayal of my captain of the Musketeers. But is it possible to believe in the disinterestedness of Colbert and the good feelings of Lorraine? Well, let us assume that they are all honest and devoted people. Can I risk going to the Bastille to meet Philippe in that case? What if they have prepared a trap for me, and the carriage from the Bastille will no longer carry me, but Philippe? Horrible!” It is not worth taking such risks! How can I know whether Philippe has really been put in the Bastille under the name of Eustache Dauger? After all, I can trust no one in this kingdom of mine as I would trust d'Artagnan! The devil take me completely! I trusted d'Artagnan, and yet he betrayed me twice, not to mention minor acts of disobedience! First, when he kidnapped me, he substituted my brother Philippe for me! For that alone he should be quartered! Secondly, he deceived... No, he did not deceive me, but Philippe! After all, it was only thanks to this deception that I was able to return to the throne! Besides, when he and the Bishop of Vannes, this d'Herblay, who is now called the Duke of Alameda, decided the fate of France by choosing me between the two of us, didn't this decision restore the throne to me! Besides, his devotion to my mother, his devotion to me during the Fronde, when I was still a little boy and could not resist that terrible danger to which our whole family, the whole monarchy, was exposed! Whatever one may say, d'Artagnan was always faithful to me, provided that I did not demand that he deal with his friends. Such devotion is understandable, it has its clear limits, I should have always been aware of these limits, not violated them and thus have d'Artagnan as my most faithful and reliable officer. I should have kept him with me. I should not have sent him to battle, I needed him here, in the palace, as captain of the king's musketeers! Oh, yes, I promised him a marshal's baton! You can only get it for a won military campaign. I should have given him that damned baton, after all, he fought so much! It was stupid to risk it. Well, that's what war is for, to lose the best warriors. "What am I to do now? How can I find out who is sitting in the Bastille, Philippe or someone else under his name, just as d'Artagnan put that miserable coward d'Elsorte in the fortress on the island of Sainte-Marguerite instead of me? I really have no friends! I am left alone, and I have no one to rely on!"
At that moment the office doors opened, Secretary Hubert entered and said:
- Your Majesty, the Duchess de Chevreuse requests an audience.
"Ask!" cried the King. "Ask immediately!"
"I forgot that there is one more person in the palace whom I can trust! The Duchess! After all, she helped me get my throne back! She hid me in the Louvre, gave me clothes, shaved my beard with her own hands, returning me to my former appearance! She even powdered the remains of the scars on my forehead! This lady will not betray me, if only because it is not in her interests!"
"I am happy to see Your Majesty in good health!" said the Duchess, entering the office with a polite bow. "I am also happy that you have found time to meet me."
"My dear Duchess!" said the King as politely as he could. "I always have time for you! How can I neglect my mother's best friend!"
“Oh, Your Majesty, I have been so often in complete disdain, just because I was your mother’s best friend, that I have become accustomed to not being surprised at anything and to accept the kindness and favor of royal persons with surprise, gratitude, and the greatest respect!” answered the Duchess with the most modest air.
"What brings you to me, dear Duchess?" asked the King.
" My duty as a loyal subject," replied the Duchess. "I realized that you needed me, Your Majesty."
- Really? - Louis was surprised. - I need you? For what purposes, may I ask?
"Your Majesty, no one can hear us now, I hope," the Duchess said in a quiet voice. "You need help with a secret that no one knows about except you, me, and one other person. However, there are still initiates who are in a place where knowledge of this secret will not help them."
“Yes, Duchess, this secret gives me some anxiety,” the King agreed. “But how did you know that this anxiety arose just now?”
“Oh, it’s just my feminine intuition and, if you like, a little observation, as well as taking into account how much time has passed since some events that you and I remember well,” the Duchess replied.
"What did your intuition tell you, madam?" the King asked warily.
"Your Majesty, you have no need to fear me at all, since you have seen that I am your most devoted friend!" replied the Duchess. "You want to make sure that the person who was sent to the Bastille was the one who was supposed to be there, and no one else. Because you do not trust d'Artagnan's actions, especially when they acted in concert with d'Herblay, do you not?"
- Good heavens, madam! - cried the King. - I cannot pretend! Yes, that is precisely what worries me!
— For God's sake, be quiet, Your Majesty! I said that no one could hear us, as I hoped, but there are topics that should be spoken of in a whisper even if you are on the shore of a raging ocean and do not see anyone within musket shot.
"You are right, Duchess," said Louis in a quieter voice. "I would be grateful if you would go to the Bastille and visit the prisoner listed under the name of Eustache Dauger. You will speak to him if possible and find out his intentions, but most importantly, you will be convinced that he is the man who belongs there."
"Eustache Dauger?" the Duchess was surprised. "I thought his name was Marchiali."
"His name was Marchiali," replied the King, "but now he is called Eustache Dauger. By the way, a man named Marchiali is also in the Bastille. There is no need to meet him."
"I think I understand!" said the Duchess. "D'Artagnan deceived Philippe by placing another person under that name in the fortress of the island of Sainte-Marguerite?"
Louis looked at the Duchess of Chevreuse with surprise.
“And therefore you fully admit that he could deceive you in exactly the same way when carrying out exactly the same assignment!” the Duchess finished her thought.
“Yes, Duchess,” Louis replied. “So, will you do it for me?”
- Of course, Your Majesty! - the Duchess agreed. - I am happy to render you not only this simple service, but you can always ask for more! Much more!
“I will reward you, Duchess,” replied the King.
"That is quite unnecessary!" exclaimed the Duchess. "However, my expenses have now increased due to the need to repair my family castle..."
“It will be paid for, Duchess,” Louis nodded. “I will give the orders. And besides, you will need an order, my written order to the Commandant of the Bastille. Wait a minute, I will write it.”
The king sat down and wrote the following document:

"Order for the commandant of the Bastille, Monsieur de Saint-Mars.
The bearer of this, the Duchess de Chevreuse, is ordered to meet alone with the prisoner of the Bastille, Eustache Dauger. She is allowed to talk to him, she has the right to look at him without a mask, in the absence of other witnesses.
The Commandant is responsible for the execution of this order and for maintaining the strictest secrecy regarding this order.
Signed: King of France Louis XIV."

“In connection with this matter, I have to write a lot myself, and manage without a secretary,” said Louis with a smile and handed the order to the Duchess de Chevreuse.

That same evening the Duchess visited the King again.
- Duchess! - exclaimed Louis impatiently. - Have you seen him? How is he? Don't keep me waiting, tell me!
"Your Majesty, there is another man imprisoned in the Bastille under the name of Eustache Dauger," the Duchess said calmly. "He does not resemble you at all, that was evident even before he took off his mask."
- I've been tricked! - cried the King. - I've been deceived! The cunning d'Artagnan! If he were alive, he'd be in trouble! And what a simpleton I am! Only now, after two years, have I decided to check who they've got! The damned d'Artagnan, the damned d'Herblay! Aha! Well, d'Herblay won't escape my wrath! After all, he's apparently still alive, and has the audacity to visit my court from time to time as the Spanish envoy!
“As for d’Herblay, I would advise Your Majesty never to trust his words,” replied the Duchess. “He is a Jesuit. Perhaps you do not know this? As for Captain d’Artagnan, I believe that he simply did not dare to place a man of such rank in prison. This order is contrary to his convictions. It is, if you like, his worldview. And it was to your advantage, sir, in another similar situation.”
“Yes, Duchess, you are right! Perhaps I would have forgiven d’Artagnan for such a joke if he had been alive,” replied the King. “And I think I shall have to forgive the Duke of Alameda for it, since he was no longer my subject at that time, but the Spanish envoy. The one I must not forgive is myself! How could I have trusted these two to carry out such a mission! I should have only instructed them to put a mask on him and hand him over, masked, to others who did not know who was hiding under it. Yes, yes, I should have entrusted someone else with taking him to the Bastille!”
"Your Majesty, you acted wisely, do not blame yourself. After all, if you had involved other people, then in this case you would have risked even more due to the fact that new people would have been initiated into the terrible secret," the Duchess said quietly.
"They shouldn't have known who they were carrying, why, or for how long!" the King objected. "After all, I have a perfectly decent and honest d'Epernon!"
"Your Majesty considers the Duke d'Epernon to be honest and respectable?" the Duchess was surprised. "In that case, I do not know what advice I can give you, sir."
“And you, Duchess, do not seem to share my opinion of the Duke?” the King asked warily.
- Oh, what are you saying, Your Majesty! - the Duchess smiled with barely noticeable irony. - Can I dare to evaluate such a valiant officer?
- Who else can I rely on? - asked the King. - I have plenty of marshals and dukes, but not a single honest officer! Each of them thinks only of his own advantage! Only don’t talk to me about the old guard, about all those musketeers! D’Herblay has turned into a Jesuit, and worse, into a Spanish ambassador! The other three are dead!
“Only two, Your Majesty,” the Duchess replied.
“You mean to say that one of these three is still alive?” cried the King animatedly. “Who is it? Let me guess! Du Valon is crushed by a huge stone in the cave of Locmaria, d’Artagnan is killed by a cannonball! The Count de la F;re? Is he alive? Has the commandant of the fortress of Candia, General Grimaldi, made a false report of his death? Has he deceived me?”
“Grimaldi was convinced that the Count de la F;re was dead, do not scold him,” replied the Duchess.
- But is he really alive? Since you say so, it must be so! - said the King. - However, it is of little use to me. I have offended the Count de la F;re, I am guilty before him. But this feud cannot be calmed. The Count stood up for his son, Raoul de Bragelonne, and I became the unwitting cause of his despair, which led to his death, since my infatuation, no, my love for Louise de La Valli;re, as it turned out, was not to his taste, since he considered her his fianc;e.
“Ah, Your Majesty, that is a thing of the past,” said the Duchess. “Besides, the Viscount…”
"What about the Viscount, Duchess?" asked the King. "He seems to have died?"
“I would say otherwise,” replied the Duchess. “The Vicomte de Bragelonne has consoled himself.”
"Have you taken part in this youth?" the King asked sharply, looking intently at the Duchess.
“I happened to speak to him once or twice,” said the Duchess.
“I was informed that he died heroically during a sortie into the fortress, is that not also true, Duchess?” asked the King.
"I believe you have been told the truth," said the Duchess, without changing her expression. "You are right, the Comte de la F;re will not be a faithful assistant to you. Besides, if he has not appeared at his estate, it follows that he has had reasons for hiding from you, Your Majesty."
“Then he is my enemy?” asked the King.
"I don't know what to say about him, sir," replied the Duchess. "I'm beginning to think that the news that the Comte de la Fer is not dead is not accurate."
"What do you mean by that, Duchess?" asked the King. "You doubt that he was saved? Then your information about his salvation is not reliable enough?"
“Oh, that’s not information, it’s just a guess,” replied the Duchess. “Indeed, I remember that I learned of it from a letter received by a friend of mine. She received it long after the news of his death, from which she concluded that he was alive. Probably the letter was simply delayed too long on the road. God, how stupid I am! And I imagined that he had escaped!”
"Duchess, you are not sincere with me," said the King sadly. "The Count de la F;re could not write letters to any lady, your friend. The Count de la F;re had no ladies, he had no girlfriends. He avoided contact with women. My mother told me this.
"Your Majesty, it was not his friend, but his distant relative," the Duchess replied. "The letter concerned an inheritance."
“Tell me the name of this friend of yours and his distant relative, Duchess,” said the King.
- Name? - the Duchess grinned. - You want to know the name, sir? It will mean nothing to you. Besides, she died already, a year ago.
"Then what was her name?" asked the King, looking into the eyes of the Duchess de Chevreuse.
"Her name was Marie Michon, Your Majesty," replied the Duchess. "And to prove that I am not deceiving you, I will show you her handkerchief with her name monogram, which I wear in memory of her. Here, look."
With these words the Duchess took from her cuff a scented silk handkerchief, on which in the corner were embroidered in gold letters two very beautiful letters, a double "M" with curls. This handkerchief was exactly the same as the one that Aramis had once dropped on the ground, which young d'Artagnan then tried to pick up and return to Aramis, which led to the duel that marked the beginning of the friendship between the Gascon and the three Musketeers.
Louis looked at the handkerchief and his doubts were dispelled.
"Apparently she did not lie," he thought. "Just a minute ago I was ready to swear that Athos was alive, but it seems to me that she is not lying."
"Duchess, I am extremely grateful to you for your assistance," he said. "Describe to me the man who is placed in the Bastille under the name of Eustache Dauger."
“ He seemed to me a common street robber,” said the Duchess. “He is certainly not a gentleman. He is a rough, uncouth boor. He has not become more refined in the two years he has been kept as a Duke. They supply him with books which he has never opened, and it is very doubtful whether he can read. It looks as if they had put a hanged man in the Bastille.”
"Well, let him sit there until I can place in his place the one who should occupy it," said Louis. "Do you think, Duchess, that he has been placed in some abbey?"
"If it were d'Herblay's decision, he would be placed in the most remote Jesuit monastery," said the Duchess. "If it were d'Artagnan's decision, he would suggest that he leave France and, most likely, go to the ends of the earth. But since..."
“But since?” asked Louis.
"I meant to say that the joint decision was most likely that they took him with them to Scotland," the duchess said.
“Why Scotland?” asked the King.
“I believe d’Artagnan had a small house there, given to him by General Monk,” said the Duchess.
"Duchess, tell me, what is the state of your garden on your estate?" asked the King. "It seems to me that your expenses for its maintenance have increased lately?"
"Your Majesty," said the Duchess, affecting extreme modesty and embarrassment, "I am ashamed to say this, but the garden is in such a state that I would not dare invite you to look at it."
"We will easily arrange that, Duchess," said the King. "I will grant you a pension for the maintenance of your garden, at the rate of ten thousand livres a year for life."
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” said the Duchess. “Good heavens! How absent-minded I am! Yes, indeed! I remember, Your Majesty, that the village d’Artagnan owns is called Monkville. A small house under the shade of trees on the banks of the River Clyde.”

 Chapter X. Reflections of Colbert

“Mr. Minister, Monsieur Preval has come to see you,” the secretary informed Colbert.
- Preval? - Colbert was surprised. - Well, go ahead.
- Mr. Colbert! - the dwarf who entered addressed his patron. - I have learned something very interesting and important for you.
“What exactly?” Colbert asked.
"Yesterday morning I learned that the Duchess de Chevreuse had visited the King," Preval reported. "I followed her and realized that she had carried out some mission for His Majesty. From this I concluded that she would certainly arrive with a report, so I hid in the King's study beforehand.
"You dare to spy on the King of France?!" exclaimed Colbert. "Don't you dare say that I gave you such a task!"
“I did it entirely on my own initiative,” Preval replied.
"And if you were caught?" Colbert asked. "What would you say in that case?"
“I would say that I chased a cat belonging to the Queen, but then the cat ran away, and I did not have time to hide, and did not dare to crawl out of my hiding place in full view of the King,” answered Preval.
“I don’t think they would believe you,” Colbert grumbled.
“That depends on luck,” Preval agreed. “I would steadfastly hold to this version, even if they were pulling the veins out of me, one by one.”
"Commendable, my friend!" replied Colbert. "So, what did you want to tell me?"
" The Duchess visited the Bastille at the King's request. She saw a prisoner there named Eustache Dauger," Preval replied. "She had to identify him. The prisoner was kept in a mask, but at the Duchess's command he took it off.
- Well, well, very interesting! - exclaimed Colbert. - Next?
"The Duchess said it was another man, and that he was not at all like His Majesty," replied Preval. "The King was indignant, he cursed d'Artagnan and d'Herblay, he said he had been deceived."
- Further?
— The Duchess said that d'Artagnan simply could not have imprisoned a man of such rank, and said that in another situation it would have been to the King's advantage.
- It's not clear yet. What next?
— The Duchess called d'Herblay a Jesuit and recommended not to trust him.
- There's nothing new in this, what next?
— The king said that this man should have been sent to the Bastille with other people, to which the duchess objected that in that case other people would have learned a terrible secret.
- Further?
— The King said that he could only trust the Duke d'Epernon, the Duchess did not agree with this.
- Further!
— The Duchess said that the Count de La Fer had not died, but had been saved, however, after that she declared that she had been mistaken, and had decided so only because the letter from him had arrived a little later than the news of his death.
- This is possible, we should sort this out. However, it is not important. What next?
— The King demanded that the Duchess describe the prisoner under the name of Eustache Dauger. The Duchess described him as a common criminal, not of noble birth, called him a hanged man.
- Further?
— The Duchess assumed that the man who was to be placed in the Bastille under the name of Eustache Dauger had most likely been taken to Scotland.
“Why Scotland?” Colbert asked.
"The King asked the same question," replied Preval. "The Duchess explained that in Scotland Monsieur d'Artagnan had a small house given to him by General Monk."
- Really? - Colbert was surprised. - Unaccounted property abroad for an officer in the service of the King? Interesting! What next?
— The King promised the Duchess to finance the expenses of maintaining her garden. After that, the Duchess said that the village was called Monkville. She also said that it was a small house on the banks of the River Clyde.
- Further?
“That’s all, Mr. Minister,” replied Preval. “The audience ended there, and the Duchess left the King.”
— Who else visited the King after that?
— For a long time the King sat silently in thought, and also walked around the room. After that, I hid, waiting for an opportunity to hide. I left the office when dusk fell.
"Are you sure no one noticed you?" Colbert asked.
- I was very careful, no one saw me, Mr. Minister.
"Aren't the doors of the royal cabinet locked when the King isn't in them?" asked Colbert.
"They are only locked when everyone leaves, including the secretary," Preval replied. "Sometimes the secretary goes out for a short time without locking the doors. I know about this, I took advantage of his absence to get into the office and to leave it."
" I didn't know you took the initiative in such delicate matters as watching the King's visitors and even the King himself!" Colbert noted.
“I have never done that, Mr. Minister, but I have always explored the possibilities,” Preval replied. “But this time I decided that it was necessary to take the risk.”
- Well, you took a good risk, dear Preval! - Colbert agreed. - Have you told me everything? Have you missed nothing, forgotten nothing?
“I have told you absolutely everything, Mr. Minister,” replied Preval.
“Very well, my friend,” replied Colbert. “Now you must forget everything you have told me. That is an order. Here is your reward.”
With these words, Colbert took one of the purses from the drawer of the table and placed it on the table in front of Preval.
“Thank you, Mr. Minister,” said Preval, taking the purse and weighing its weight in his hand. “Should I continue to take the initiative in a situation like this?”
- My God, Preval, my dear! - exclaimed Colbert. - You seem to want orders from me to keep an eye on His Majesty? I will not give you such orders under any circumstances!
“But you are not angry with me for my initiative, Mr. Minister?” asked Preval.
"I gave you money so that you would forget everything you heard, and, of course, so that you would not tell anyone about this unfortunate episode, didn't you understand?" asked Colbert. "Think for yourself, can I entrust you with repeating such studies? In no case!"
“But you do not condemn me, sir?” asked the dwarf.
“For what, my friend?” asked Colbert. “Because you were looking for the Queen’s favorite cat? That was noble and worthy of all praise. I hope you found the cat and put it back where it belonged! I don’t want to know anything more about this matter. If you have another opportunity to take care of Her Majesty’s cat, you will do well to do so. We are all extremely fond of the Queen and would not wish her cat to be lost or to stray. You understand, I hope, my dear?”
“Thank you, Mr. Minister, I understand everything,” Preval replied with a bow and left Colbert’s office.

Left alone, Colbert took a clean sheet of paper and wrote:

"De Chevreuse knows a lot and is a spy for H.V. Eustache Dauger is a prisoner in the Bastille, a hanged man placed in the place of someone very noble, very similar to His Majesty. Is the Count de la F;re alive? Check. Scotland, Monkville, a little house on the banks of the River Clyde."

Chapter XI. Louis

Meanwhile, the King, who had guessed that Philip was in Scotland, was wondering what he could do to protect himself from Philip's return. The Duchess hinted that the Duke of Epernon was not to be trusted. He himself was afraid of this. There was absolutely no one to send to Scotland. Philip had not been heard from for two years; perhaps he had resigned himself to his fate and was not laying claim to the French throne? In that case, everything he had learned could be forgotten.
However, Philip could have been used by others, drawing him into their politics.
What troubled the King most was that the Duke of Alameda, known as Aramis, had not retired from politics. This active man knew the King's great secret, and he knew where Philippe was, he met him, he saw him regularly. It was this man who had once conceived the idea of replacing the King with Philippe, and it was he who had done so almost successfully. True, in the last case, when he could have influenced the future fate of the two Princes, the fate of France, his fate, Aramis had taken Louis's side, he and his friend d'Artagnan had unanimously decided to arrest Philippe and leave Louis on the throne. But since they had not placed Philippe in the Bastille, they could have been hatching a plan for a coup d';tat. So the danger lay not only and not so much in Philippe as in the Duke of Alameda!
In addition, the King thought that sending someone after Philip was a great additional risk, whereas arresting the Duke was not a risk, but merely a defense of his state power, a defense of the state, a defense of France.
So, fighting against Philip is difficult and pointless, fighting against the Duke d'Alameda is necessary!
The Duke's stay in Scotland was temporary. Sooner or later he would arrive in France, and then he could be arrested and placed in the Bastille, or perhaps even more reliably excluded from the list of persons dangerous to the state, excluded once and for all. The King understood from his own experience that the Bastille was not the final solution to the problem. The final solution to the problem could only be the scaffold. Or the noose in the dungeons of the Bastille.

Chapter XII. The Failed Mission

After considering the situation, Colbert decided to send spies to Scotland to the address he had written down, in Monkville. The two spies were ordered to make sure that some noble person was hiding in this house. Perhaps this was a close relative of the King. All that was to be done was to gather as much information as possible about this person and bring it to Colbert in Paris. It was ordered that nothing should be done about this mysterious person, but only to gather information as completely as possible. Readers will forgive us for not naming these spies, the reasons for this will become clear from the further narrative.
Colbert's envoys were sailing on a ship through the strait and halfway there the ship was attacked by pirates. The foreign pirate ship "Black Fox" was well armed, and the captain of the French ship did not engage in battle. Thus, Colbert's spies also fell into the hands of pirates. Pirates who committed robberies with the consent of the government of a country, paying into the treasury an agreed share of the loot, in those days did not call themselves pirates, but corsairs, only because they did not attack all ships, but only the ships of one of the warring parties. Those corsairs who captured the ship with Colbert's spies on board did not attack Dutch ships or the ships of their allies, but they boldly attacked French and English ships. These were Dutch corsairs, friendly to Holland, which was at war with France and England. Not all of the sailors on this ship were Dutch, but they considered themselves to be so.
Captain Van der Mil of the Black Fox interrogated the prisoners to see what ransom could be obtained for them. Colbert's envoys immediately announced their mission in the hope of rescue. The captain, however, did not believe the statement he heard, so the prisoners told him all the details of their mission to confirm their words. Thus, saving their miserable lives, these people betrayed a state secret to the enemies of France, who thus learned of everything. May the readers forgive me, my pen refuses to write their names! As a true Frenchman, I am filled with anger at the behavior of these people. As a result, the misfortune broke out, which our readers learned about in the first chapter of this book.
The captain of the ship sensed a big score. He decided that in the worst case scenario, it could be a relative of the French King. He also realized that it was a terrible secret. And with secrets it is always like this: the fewer people know about them, the more valuable the knowledge of the secret is for those who are initiated into it. For this reason, the captain of the ship "Black Fox" Van der Mil decided to reduce the number of those in the know by two people and ordered two of Colbert's spies to be thrown overboard, whose names from that moment went down in history, and in that part of it, of which we should not be proud.
Van der Mil decided to figure out what was going on and use the information to help Holland in its fight against France and England. They found the house and made the acquaintance of the servants hired by d'Artagnan and his friends.
Unfortunately, our heroes, Athos, Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan, thought the hired servants were Englishmen loyal to King Charles II, but they were Irish Huguenots, fierce enemies of the King of England.
Van der Mil's men easily convinced John Small and Ben Brown to join their side and kidnap Philippe, seriously wounding Bazaine in the process.
Our friends did not discuss their plan of action for long, for they were all men of action. The most reasonable were Aramis and d'Artagnan, but in this case they were both inclined to immediately overtake the criminals, since Aramis was burning with the desire to avenge Bazin, and d'Artagnan passionately wanted to get back his beloved woman. In addition, they all wanted to get Philippe back as soon as possible.
Perhaps that is why they did not notice that the wounded de Trabu;on had found out something and made his own conclusions about the situation.

Chapter XIII. An Unexpected Visitor

A few days after the events described at the beginning of this book took place, Colbert's secretary Lucien entered his office.
“Mr. Minister, a lady who calls herself Olivia de Trabu;on is asking to see you,” said the secretary.
"She?" exclaimed Colbert. "Ask, Lucien!"
"Yes, it's me!" Olivia exclaimed, entering Colbert's office. "You weren't expecting me?"
— I confess, no! — exclaimed Colbert. — At least not today. However, I am glad to see you, Madame Olivia! Come in! Lucien, bring us some coffee! Or perhaps Madame would like something stronger?
"Madame wishes to receive all that is due to her, Mr. Minister!" replied Olivia. "Madame has suffered in the service of the Minister and hopes that the Minister will thank her."
“Madame will certainly be rewarded,” Colbert agreed. “But first I would like to hear a report on the tasks completed, or…”
“Or?” Olivia asked.
"If the orders were not carried out, as I can judge, then perhaps Madame will inform me of the details which prevented her and her husband from carrying out these orders? In that case, I will consider whether the de Trabu;on family should be rewarded for a service which has led to no good. Or perhaps Madame has other reasons for expecting a reward from me?"
"So my husband's and my own faithful service are not a sufficient reason for you," said Olivia. "Very well, I understand that. He who fails to capture the enemy cannot expect a reward for his wounds. Well, then, I can offer you something else."
"I'm listening, madam," said Colbert. "Lucien! Where's the coffee? And bring the biscuits!"
"Information, Mr. Minister," Olivia replied. "Information that will be useful to you."
"What is this information about, Madame de Trabu;on?" asked Colbert.
"Information that someone lives somewhere," Olivia said.
- Oh, this? - exclaimed Colbert. - Every person lives somewhere! What makes you think that such information could interest me?
- Because two years ago you ordered my husband to follow this man! And even ordered him to kill him! - Olivia answered.
- Times have changed, Madame Olivia! - Colbert chuckled. - The man you speak of was called d'Artagnan. He was on a mission that was very important, and so I asked your husband to keep an eye on him so that no one would interfere with him in the fulfillment of this mission. Your husband did not cope with this assignment very successfully, that's all. Then you and your husband disappeared somewhere! Now you come to me and say that you were carrying out my assignment, and also say that you have some information about a man who has long since died. Why do you think this could interest me?
"You didn't give orders to watch him so that nothing bad would happen to him, Mr. Minister, you gave orders to watch him so that something bad would happen to him! That's a big difference!" Olivia objected.
“You and your husband misinterpreted my order, so I am not surprised that you carried it out so poorly,” Colbert objected. “However, that is a thing of the past.”
"So the information I wanted to tell you doesn't interest you either, and you don't want to pay me for it?" Olivia asked.
"You mean to tell me that Captain d'Artagnan is not dead?" exclaimed Colbert. "What news!"
“So you know about this?” Olivia was surprised.
“Of course!” Colbert replied, and thought to himself: “I didn’t know, but now I know it, and for free!”
“And you mean to say that you also know where he is?” Olivia persisted.
“Of course I know, because I am the Minister of France!” replied Colbert.
- No, you don't know! - Olivia objected. - No one knows about it except me and my husband!
"You are mistaken, madam," Colbert smiled. "If you please, I will prove to you that I know this. He lives in Scotland, in a place called Monkville, a house on the banks of the River Clyde."
“You knew this all along and didn’t do anything?!” Olivia was surprised.
"I have other things to do than to pursue an old soldier for choosing, after recovering from his wounds, to live in the little house General Monk gave him," replied Colbert. "I consider Monsieur d'Artagnan retired. I have nothing to do with him."
“And you’re not interested in who lives with him?” Olivia persisted.
"Why should I care?" Colbert shrugged. "Of course, his friends live with him. The Comte de la F;re, of course. The Duc d'Alameda comes there from time to time."
"You know everything," Olivia said in despair. "And you won't pay me anything for this information."
"Take a biscuit, madame, it is extremely tasty," replied Colbert. "Drink coffee. And don't worry so much. I could perhaps take you and your husband into service. But for that I must be sure that you will follow my instructions exactly."
"What do you need for this?" Olivia asked in despair.
"First, complete frankness," Colbert said. "Tell me how you found out about this."
"My husband escaped from the Ottoman Empire on a ship, taking a job as a common sailor," Olivia said. "When the ship arrived in Scotland, he recognized one of the Bishop of Vannes's agents, the Chevalier d'Herblay. He tracked him down and sent word to me by pigeon post.
“What did he tell you?” Colbert asked.
"He said that d'Herblay had visited the little house you know of, Monqueville. He had three friends there, among whom were Captain d'Artagnan, the Comte de la F;re, the Baron du Valon, and a couple of women and four servants," replied Olivia.
"Baron du Valon! Excellent!" said Colbert.
"It turns out that he is alive too!" Colbert realized. "They did all this very cleverly!"
"I don't think you knew about the Baron, Mr. Minister?" Olivia asked. "You thought he was dead?"
“ No, why not? I’m just noting that the information you’ve provided is entirely consistent with what I have,” Colbert replied.
"Madame supplies me with valuable information unknown even to the King!" Colbert noted. "And absolutely free of charge!"
“Then perhaps the Minister also knows about the person who lives with them?” Olivia asked.
"Certainly!" replied Colbert, pleased to have received a wealth of information free of charge from this chatty woman. "I will inform you of this man. There is a man living with them whom they treat with great respect, and this man resembles His Majesty."
- Amazing! - Olivia exclaimed. - Yes, so similar that you can’t tell the difference! You know absolutely everything!
"Yes, Madame Olivia de Trabu;on, I know absolutely everything," Colbert replied, mentally congratulating himself on the fact that his little deception had brought such huge dividends. "My profession requires me to know absolutely everything."
"So that's it!" Colbert thought. "This man not only looks like him, he also looks so much like the King that it's impossible to tell the difference! I just made a guess, and she confirmed it!"
"And I can't be of any service to you?" Olivia said in despair.
"I will think about it, madam," replied Colbert. "But lest you say that I have taken no interest in you, take this modest purse as an account of your future services, which I hope you will render me with greater success than you have done before."
With these words, Colbert pulled out a rather modest purse of silver coins from the table and handed it to Olivia.
"Well," Olivia replied with a sigh, "it's not what I expected, of course, but then you haven't learned anything new from me."
“Nothing new at all, madam,” Colbert nodded. “Goodbye, madam, I’ll call you if I need you.”
Olivia left Colbert's office in utter disappointment, while Colbert congratulated himself once more on having at last discovered the King's secret, and also on having learned without any trouble that the famous four Musketeers, known in their youth as Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan, were still alive, that they were keeping together, and that they were living exactly where the Duchess de Chevreuse had supposed them to be living - in Scotland, at a place called Monkville on the banks of the River Clyde.
   
Chapter XIV. In pursuit!

My dear readers are, I suppose, already angry with me for leaving them so long in complete ignorance of the further fate of the novel's main characters - d'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis. I hasten to inform you that our heroes immediately set out in pursuit of the criminals. Athos ordered Grimaud to take care of poor wounded Bazin and Madame Agnes Campbell. Madame Agnes agreed to look after Bazin while Grimaud went to the neighboring village, located four miles from Monqueville, for a doctor and a soft carriage with springs, in which Bazin could be transported to a more suitable place for the wounded.
The friends rode along the road leading to the nearest port, Edinburgh, since the attackers were undoubtedly enemies of France, and since England was currently an ally of France, even if an unreliable and temporary ally, therefore the criminals were also enemies of England. For them the most natural solution was to leave the British Isles as quickly as possible, that is, by sea.
The friends were racing so fast that they could only talk to each other on the move with great strain on their vocal cords.
" If they manage to sail away before we catch up with them, we shall have lost them!" cried d'Artagnan.
"No, d'Artagnan!" Aramis cried back. "That would only mean that we would continue our pursuit by sea! You forget that I came to you on a ship that is waiting for me in port!"
"That means we're going to have a naval battle!" Athos shouted.
"My ship is ready for battle!" replied Aramis. "Both captain and crew!"
"You're traveling on a warship?" Athos asked, surprised.
"I have always been a bit of a soldier, even when I was primarily a priest," replied Aramis. "Now that I have become an ambassador and a duke, even more so!"
“Why do you need this?” asked Athos. “After all, the ambassador’s person is inviolable!”
“Every individual is inviolable only as long as he has the means to ensure this inviolability,” replied Aramis. “And military means are preferable to political or economic ones, and it is best to use them all together!”
"Aramis is right," agreed d'Artagnan. "Even in his own country, a man who serves the King directly and is subordinate only to him does not always remain inviolable, as he and I have had occasion to see for ourselves. A warship for a sea voyage, when Europe is engulfed in war, is the best transport for a diplomat. And we will find it very useful!"
- A sea battle! - exclaimed Porthos. - I like the second word better than the first! But I have not eaten seafood, therefore I am ready for a sea voyage and a sea battle!
“And who is your captain, Aramis?” asked d’Artagnan.
"Captain d'Argenson," replied Aramis. "A man extremely devoted to me."
"Aramis," said Athos, "the time has come to ask you a very important question."
“Yes, Aramis,” confirmed d’Artagnan, “the answer to this question is of the utmost importance to us all.”
"Does this mean that you, Athos, and you, d'Artagnan, have discussed something behind my back?" asked Aramis.
“No,” Athos answered briefly.
“But do I understand correctly that you, d’Artagnan, know what question Athos is going to ask me?” continued Aramis.
"Yes, because I wanted to ask you myself, Aramis," replied d'Artagnan. "Athos wants to ask you whose side you are on?"
- Exactly so, my friend, - Athos agreed. - As you know, friends, there is a war going on now. On one side are France, England and Sweden, on the other - Holland, Spain and the Habsburg monarchy. You, Aramis, are a Frenchman, but you are also a Spanish grandee and the Spanish ambassador to the French court. Therefore, the question of whose side are you on is legitimate.
"My friends, you have made several inaccuracies," Aramis replied with a smile. "Besides, your question was bound to offend me. But I am not angry, since I myself gave rise to such a question."
"To hell with inaccuracies, your answer is important, Aramis!" cried d'Artagnan.
"Perhaps if I correct the inaccuracies, that will be the answer?" objected Aramis. "Let's start with the other side. You named Holland, Spain, and the Habsburg monarchy, forgetting about Brandenburg.
“That’s true,” Athos agreed.
“On the other hand, you named France, England and Sweden,” Aramis reminded.
“We forgot to name Cologne and Munster,” said Athos.
"And besides, my friends, you have forgotten to name the Comte de la F;re, the Baron du Valon, the Comte d'Artagnan, and the Duc d'Alameda!" said Aramis.
“An excellent answer!” exclaimed Porthos.
“What about Spanish citizenship?” asked d’Artagnan.
“Being a subject of France, and having received from the King of France the order to arrest or kill your friends, you, d’Artagnan, acted, first of all, as a friend,” Aramis reminded him, “and you tried to force the duty of a loyal subject into the limits that the duty of friendship left for you.”
"Do not go on, Aramis!" cried d'Artagnan. "One for all!"
"And all for one!" Athos, Porthos and Aramis echoed.
"Now that we are all, as it were, dead, except Aramis, it is all the more fitting for us to stick together until the grave!" added Porthos.
“In the name of France, I am ready to rise again if His Majesty orders Colbert to leave me alone!” replied d’Artagnan.

Arriving in Edinburgh, the friends began to make inquiries about the four companions, whom they could describe quite accurately. Aramis used his influence among the Jesuits who were also in Scotland. He found out that in addition to John Small, Ben Brown and Suzanne Capredon, there were two Dutch officers and two sailors among the fugitives. But no one recognized Philippe from the description. Either he was not with them, or he was disguised as a Dutch officer or sailor, perhaps with a false beard.
"Apparently, our enemies sailed away with their captives on the ship Black Fox, the ship's captain Van der Mil, a famous warrior and Dutch corsair," Aramis said. "Our ship is no worse, but we need an additional supply of gunpowder, cannonballs, a couple more long-range cannons, one on each side. We also need explosive cannonballs, grappling hooks, and short-barreled muskets.
"We'll lose time!" cried d'Artagnan.
“In half an hour, everything listed will be delivered to the ship, and in a minute after that we will sail,” Aramis answered.
“Aramis,” Porthos addressed the prelate.
"Yes, Porthos," Aramis replied. "There is already pork, cheese, sausage, wine, rum and biscuits on board. And no seafood."
"On our way!" cried Porthos.
“Let’s go,” Athos and d’Artagnan echoed.

Chapter XV. Porthos Learns Naval Combat

Half an hour later, Aramis's ship, with all four friends on board, with the necessary supply of gunpowder, cannonballs and two long-range cannons, set out into the open sea.
"Captain d'Argenson," Porthos addressed the ship's captain. "Although I am an experienced warrior, I have never had to participate in a battle on the water. Explain to me the basics of cannon fire in a naval battle."
— It is desirable to hit the cannonball at the waterline, that is, the line on the side of the vessel where the water line passes.
"Curious!" exclaimed Porthos. "For what reason?"
"It's very simple," the captain replied. "If the cannonball goes lower, the water will slow it down, and the impact will be weaker, the hole will be smaller, or there won't be one at all."
“I understand that,” agreed Porthos. “But what if the cannonball goes higher?”
"In this case, the hole will not cause the ship to sink," the captain replied. "You will damage the ship, but you will not take it out of the battle."
“I believe there is an even more successful cannon shot,” Porthos replied.
“Which one?” asked the captain.
“You have to hit below the waterline at the moment when the ship, due to the rolling, has exposed this section of its side,” answered Porthos.
The captain looked at Porthos in amazement.
"Do you think such a lucky shot could have been made on purpose?" he asked.
"We are not discussing the possibility or impossibility of a hit, but only the question of what kind of hit is best," Porthos answered simply. "Later, we will probably discuss how to achieve the best hit. In this regard, I believe that we will catch up with the ship, and try to come from the side of the sun, so that it will be easier for us to aim, and more difficult for the enemy."
“If it coincides well with the next tack,” the captain agreed.
"A tack is a turn to go against the wind?" Porthos asked.
“Exactly so,” the captain agreed.
“Then we shouldn’t wait for a lucky coincidence, but rather calculate the tacks so that we get what we need,” Porthos suggested. “After all, we can make two or three tacks a little shorter or a little longer on the approach?”
The captain looked at Porthos with even greater amazement.
"Tell me, please, Baron, how do you propose to make the most accurate cannon shot?" he asked.
“I believe that we should aim not at where we want to hit, but rather take into account the pitching of our ship, the pitching of the enemy ship, and the wind,” answered Porthos.
“Some preliminary calculations or skills are needed for this purpose,” the captain replied.
“That’s true, but you can look closely at how both ships move by observing how the gun’s aiming moves towards the target,” answered Porthos.
"You are right, Baron," the captain agreed. "Usually, two preliminary shots are required for a good shot. If the first cannonball flies too far and the second falls short, then you need to aim it at the middle between the first and second aiming, in which case it will be an accurate hit."
“But the enemy won’t let us fire three shots in a row,” Porthos objected. “Besides, the cannon must be reloaded after each shot, and during this time the relative positions of the ships will change. It seems to me that one shot should be fired in advance, long before meeting the ship, in order to understand the trajectory of the cannonball’s flight. Moreover, it would be better to do this towards the land, then we could very accurately measure the flight distance of the cannonball and correlate it with the angle of the cannon.”
"That won't do much," the captain objected. "One reference point is not enough. Besides, distances are perceived with a large error on the water. Besides, the gunner won't be able to keep the parameters of the cannonball's flight in his mind for so long."
"That's on condition that one gunner serves several guns. But we have a separate gunner for each gun, I hope?" asked Porthos.
"There are fewer gunners than cannons, because during a battle not all cannons participate in the battle. If, for example, the enemy is on the left side, then the starboard cannons are not needed," the captain answered.
"If the guns on the starboard side are not needed, they must be moved to the port side, mustn't they?" asked Porthos.
"The guns are secured to their rollers," the captain replied. "Otherwise, nothing will hold them in place during the rolling, and we'll simply lose them."
"You are probably right," agreed Porthos. "We must think at leisure of how to roll the guns quickly from one side to the other, preserving their property of being mobile and at the same time firmly attached to the deck. But for now we will be satisfied with half the number, since we will presumably have only one ship as a target. Consequently, we will need only the guns of one side."
After this, Porthos carefully examined all the guns and, naturally, he liked the two extra guns with an increased firing range that Aramis had brought most of all. Inside the barrels of these guns there were small slots arranged like a screw, in addition, their barrels were longer, and one charge contained more powder.
"I like these guns!" exclaimed Porthos. "I'm afraid that a small portion of the powder gases will escape through these grooves, but it seems to me that the cannonball will twist. I don't understand how exactly this is better, but it seems to me that the idea is damn right!"
The captain also told Porthos about the incendiary charges. Porthos ordered that the regular cannonballs and incendiary charges be kept ready in separate boxes as close to the cannons as possible.
"This type of cannon is called a 'Unicorn,'" said the captain. "They can be loaded with either regular cannonballs or explosive ones called bombs."
"I said I had no experience of naval combat," said Porthos. "But I did not say I did not understand guns, bombs, cannonballs, and grapeshot."
"Forgive me, Baron," the captain replied. "Before a fight, it's better to repeat what everyone knows than to miss something important."
"You are right, Captain," replied Porthos. "Couldn't the bombs be placed in a box with partitions, so that each bomb would have its own compartment, so that they would lie with the fuses facing upwards, and so that it could be quickly lit and taken? The cannonballs could be piled up in another box, anyhow."
“I will give orders to my assistant to arrange the shells as you suggested,” replied the Captain.
After this, Porthos took some lessons in the use of grappling hooks and found them quite suitable for close combat.
Aramis's ship, called the Griffin, was fast enough that he soon overtook the Black Fox.
Athos, who was watching the horizon through a telescope, reported that the horizon was clear, but since the ship was near the coast of Holland, Dutch ships could appear at any moment.
"My friends, we must win quickly and leave, or perish in battle," Aramis said. "If we sink the ship, our death will not have been in vain, for we will have rid our country of a second pretender to the throne who has gone over to the enemy. Although I mourn the possible death of His Highness, civil war would be too great a price to pay for his life."
"I beg you to approach these bandits from the sunny side!" said Porthos to Captain d'Argenson.
The captain looked at Aramis, who nodded in acknowledgement of Porthos's instructions.
"In five minutes the Black Fox will be within range of the long-range gun," the captain informed Aramis. "Shall we fire a warning shot with a blank charge?"
“We will, but not to the bachelors,” Aramis replied. “There will be no negotiations with these pirates.”
"Let me aim the gun," said Porthos. "I'll fire the first shot with an ordinary cannon."
“Monsieur Baron, if the shot is a warning, we should not hit the ship’s hull,” the scrupulous Captain d’Argenson warned Porthos.
“Then I will aim ten fathoms in front of the ship’s side,” replied Porthos. “How long does the fuse burn?”
“Not more than a second,” the gunner replied.
"I will aim the gun myself and light the fuse myself," replied Porthos, taking the lit fuse from the gunner. "Load the long-range gun on the left side with a cast-iron ball, and the right gun with an incendiary charge. Prepare to reload these guns as quickly as possible."
"Excellent, Porthos!" cried d'Artagnan. "I believe in your accuracy. And we will prepare to board."
The pirates on the Black Fox cursed the pursuing ship, fired muskets, and brandished grappling hooks and cutlasses.
When the ship was within firing range, Porthos aimed the short-barreled cannon, secured it with a stop, and lit the fuse. It seemed as if the cannon was weightless, so easily did the giant handle it. The shot rang out and the cannonball landed on the water twelve fathoms in front of the Black Fox.
"A slight undershoot," Porthos exclaimed and moved to the long-range gun. "We'll adjust the aiming now... We aim on the first wave, we fire on the second wave at the same climb, in the same phase."
The giant adjusted the barrel of the long-range cannon with the same apparent ease and lit the fuse. Almost immediately, a shot rang out.
"Bravo, Porthos!" cried Athos. "You've hit ten inches below the waterline and you've breached the side! The ship's been breached below the waterline!"
"That's what I was counting on," Porthos answered modestly. "I fired at the moment when the enemy's side rose on the wave." "Captain, can you slow down and come from the other side?"
“Do it!” Aramis confirmed.
- Yes, carry out! - the captain answered and gave the corresponding orders to the team.
Ten minutes later, the Griffin approached the Black Fox from the other side.
Porthos aimed the second gun at the foot of the mainmast on the deck and fired. The cannonball, filled with gunpowder with a burning fuse sticking out of it, reached the deck and, falling half a fathom from the intended target, exploded. A fire started on the deck of the Black Fox.
"Slow down!" shouted Porthos.
The Griffin slowed down with a complex maneuver with sails and a turn of the hull, as a result of which the ship again ended up behind the Black Fox. This deprived the pirates of the opportunity to return fire on the Griffin, since there were no cannons on the stern of the Black Fox, they were only on the left and right sides of the pirate ship.
"In order to get close enough to board, we have to get into a zone where we'll be a target, where they can shoot at us," Aramis said. "They can easily sink our ship if they shoot at close range. Their ship is already pretty damaged, because it's been holed."
"If we wait a little while for their ship to take on more water, the attack will be more successful," replied Athos, continuing to watch through the telescope, "but we are near the coast of Holland, the Dutch ships may appear at any moment. I see sails on the horizon. We must act quickly."
"I must save Suzanne!" cried d'Artagnan. "We must attack immediately!"
"Don't get excited, my friend," Aramis replied. "Even if we capture the ship, and the Dutch ships arrive by that time, we will be captured or killed. In that case, our temporary victory will gain us nothing."
“But if we wait until the ship starts to sink, the Dutch might also arrive!” objected d’Artagnan.
Meanwhile, the Dutch pirates pumped out the water that was coming into the hold from the hole and directed the stream not overboard, but at the fire that had flared up from the incendiary ball launched by Porthos. In this way, they put out the fire, after which they began pumping the water overboard.
"Why don't we start firing at the stern?" Porthos asked.
"Captain, act!" Aramis ordered.
The Griffon turned to starboard towards the Black Fox and Porthos aimed the gun again. The shot hit the stern again, a couple of inches below the waterline.
"Porthos, you said you've never fired a ship's cannon before?" Aramis asked in surprise.
“It’s the absolute truth!” Porthos confirmed.
"Captain, fire all guns on the port side at the stern of the Black Fox!" Aramis commanded.
The four guns fired almost simultaneously, but only two of the cannonballs hit their target. This was enough to give the ship two more holes.
"Turn to starboard and fire all guns!" Aramis commanded.
After the second salvo, the Black Fox received two more holes and began to slowly sink.
"Give us back your prisoners, and we will not sink your ship!" cried d'Artagnan.
"The devil take you, not the prisoners!" Van der Mil shouted back. "If you sink the Black Fox, your prisoners will die with us!"
At this time, Porthos had already aimed a cannon loaded with grapeshot at the deck. Having waited for the right phase of the wave, when the deck of the pirate ship was in the palm of his hand, he fired.
"Board the ship!" commanded d'Artagnan.
“To board,” confirmed Aramis.
The Griffin turned and began to approach the Black Fox's port side with its starboard side. The crew prepared grappling hooks, muskets and swords.
The Black Fox was larger than the Griffin, and had a larger crew. Fortunately, the Black Fox had already taken on enough water, so that the sides of both ships were approximately level in height. In addition, as a result of a successful shot from grapeshot, which Porthos made, the enemy crew was considerably thinned out.
"One for all, all for one!" cried d'Artagnan.
The friends took up this slogan and rushed to the attack. An unequal battle ensued. The sailors of the Black Fox abandoned the pump and rushed to the counterattack. Due to their numerical superiority, they hoped to capture the Griffin and save themselves on it, since the Black Fox was doomed.
D'Artagnan's sword seemed to have several blades, so quickly did he wield it. Porthos used instead of a sword a grappling hook on a long shaft, which was twice as long as an ordinary sword and four times as heavy, but it moved just as quickly in the giant's hands as if it were an ordinary sword. Athos fought with a sword in his right hand and a dagger in his left. Aramis took the sword in his left hand, and in his right he held a loaded musket. As soon as he saw John Small, he shot him in the face, after which one of the treacherous traitors was finished. Throwing down the musket, Aramis took the sword in his right hand and attacked the two pirates. Athos, fighting against two pirates, pierced the chest of one of them with his sword. It was Ben Brown, thus the second traitor was finished. Despite the numerical superiority, the crew of the Black Fox suffered a defeat. Having lost two-thirds of the crew in a fierce battle, Van der Mil decided to surrender.
"We need the girl you kidnapped and the nobleman!" cried d'Artagnan.
"We can get the girl back," Van der Mil replied. "But we don't have the nobleman you speak of."
"That's a vile lie!" cried Aramis. "You have kidnapped this man, and he must be on your ship!"
"We have kidnapped this man, but he is not on my ship," Van der Mil replied mockingly. "You can search my ship."
"We have been outwitted!" cried Aramis. "Unless he is lying."
"The hell with them!" replied d'Artagnan. "Let's take Suzanne and the captain of the Black Fox and leave!"
"D'Artagnan!" Suzanne cried as soon as he found her in the captain's cabin and freed her from her bonds. "My hero! I knew you would save me."
"Tenderness later, my dear, let's not crumple the manifestation of the joy of meeting," answered d'Artagnan, kissing Suzanne. "Tell me, is Philippe with you?"
"I didn't meet him on the ship," Susannah replied. "I think he stayed in Scotland or was sent on another ship."
“I think the captain is not lying, Philip is not on the ship,” d’Artagnan said to his friends.
"Can we be sure of that?" asked Aramis.
"We must be sure that we have done the right thing. If he is not here, we have nothing more to do here, but if he is on the ship, but so securely hidden that we cannot find him, then the ship must be sunk," answered d'Artagnan.
"Everyone alive, into the boats, now!" Aramis commanded the crew of the Black Fox in Dutch. "Porthos, transfer all the gunpowder from the enemy ship to their arsenal! Put in six inches of fuse and light it on my command!"
Carefully examining the faces of each member of the crew, Aramis and d'Artagnan were convinced that Philippe was not among those sleeping in the boats.
"Light it up, Porthos!" cried Aramis. "Light it up and get back to the Griffin!"
Porthos lit the fuse and returned to the ship, the Griffin quickly sailed away from the Black Fox. The Dutch pirates in three boats also began to row away from their ship. A minute later, an explosion thundered, and the Black Fox began to quickly sink into the water.
"On the move, friends!" cried Aramis. "The Dutch ships are approaching soon."
The Griffin turned around and sped towards the shores of England, taking with it the freed Suzanne Campredon and the captured Van der Mil.
Athos crossed himself silently.
"I think they did not lie," said Aramis to Athos, noticing his gesture. "Do not despair, Athos. He is alive, we will find him and rescue him from captivity."

Chapter XVI. A Dangerous Retreat

"Captain d'Argenson!" cried Aramis. "Three Dutch ships are already very close. We must leave as quickly as possible. We cannot overcome them in battle."
“Yes sir, General,” replied the captain.
The Griffin turned and headed in the opposite direction to where the Dutch ships had appeared on the horizon. The Dutch noticed the Griffin and gave chase. The Griffin was lighter and a fairly fast ship, but the wind was favorable, the Dutch set all their sails, the waves on which the Griffin, rocking, lost speed were almost imperceptible to the Dutch ships, so they glided through the water faster and the distance between the fugitives and their pursuers steadily decreased.
"Two long-range guns aft!" shouted Porthos.
“Baron, we won’t be able to secure them, and therefore we won’t be able to fire,” the captain objected.
"With the same nails that they are attached with now," answered Porthos. "We will pull them out and hammer them in. We must put at least one cannon on the stern!"
"If we pull out the nails, each of which is two fingers thick, the guns will move, and we will no longer be able to hold them!" exclaimed the captain.
“We will,” answered Porthos. “Give me four of the strongest sailors.”
Indeed, Porthos began to supervise the work. Under his direction and with his active help, the huge nails were pulled out of their places. When the last two nails were pulled out at the opposite ends of the gun carriages, Porthos personally held the cannon in place. Then he almost single-handedly dragged it to the stern, having first laid a piece of felt, installed it in the right place and ordered the nails to be hammered in. In half an hour the work was finished, a long-range cannon was installed on the stern.
- Ho-ho! - exclaimed Porthos. - Now we can continue to escape from our pursuers, and when they begin to overtake us, we will prepare a surprise for them! Now our retreat cannot be called a simple flight, for we have trained a cannon on the enemy, which, I hope, will serve us well!
"Porthos, you are magnificent!" said d'Artagnan, admiring his giant friend, who was in excellent spirits despite the danger of being killed by enemy cannonballs, which might soon begin to fly from three ships at once.
- I think I'll be even more magnificent if we move the second gun aft. We still have time for that.
This time, Captain d'Argenson not only expressed his consent, but even wished to personally participate in moving the second long-range gun to the stern.
In half an hour everything was ready. Two guns were pointed towards the Dutch ships, which were steadily approaching the Griffin.
"Stand aside the conventional cannonballs," ordered Porthos. "First we'll fire explosive shells at the waterlines of the catching ships."
"My Lord Baron," replied the captain, "your successful shots in the fight with the Black Fox have shown us all that you are a fine gunner. I give you full command of these two guns, which are mounted on the stern, solely due to your skill and your strength."
“You will not be disappointed in your decision,” Porthos answered modestly.

Soon the ships approached so close that Athos could read the names of the ships through his telescope.
"These are ships of the fourth rank, friends!" said Athos. "On the left is the Zwanenburg, in the middle is the Sankt Paulus, on the right is the Endracht."
- What names! - Porthos grumbled. - The middle one is okay, but the one on the right is absolutely unthinkable! If he approaches first, I will be happy to give him a hole. A ship with such a disgusting name has no right to sail the world's oceans.
However, the first to approach the Griffin was the medium ship Sant Paulus.
Porthos took aim and lit the fuse exactly two seconds before the Dutch ship raised its bow on the next wave. The shot came at the right moment, the cannonball fired from Porthos's cannon entered the bow of the ship "Saint Paulus" rising above the water. As soon as the bow of the "Saint Paulus" sank down, the ship began to take on water in the hole that had formed, as a result of which the bow of the ship began to sink and the vessel began to rapidly lose speed.
At the same moment, all three Dutch ships opened fire on the Griffin, but the Dutch ships only had light cannons on their bows, and their cannonballs did not reach the Griffin. To fire deadly shots, the ships had to turn sideways to the Griffin, and to do this, they had to completely catch up with the Griffin. As long as they were behind the Griffin, they did not pose much of a threat to it.
As the Sankt Paulus began to fall behind, the Endracht was next to approach the Griffin.
"I was expecting this!" exclaimed Porthos. "I will punish you for such an unpleasant name!"
But the first shot was not so successful, because Porthos was too hasty. The cannonball penetrated the ship's bow well above the waterline, so the resulting hole did not affect the enemy vessel's performance.
The Dutch ships responded with another salvo, this time two cannonballs reached the deck of the Griffin, seriously wounding one of the sailors.
“I must calm down,” Porthos said to himself.
The gunner's assistants had already reloaded the first cannon, Porthos gently stroked it, kissed it and said: "Don't let me down, my dear!" Then he took very careful aim, waited for the right moment and fired. The cannonball penetrated the bow thirty inches below the waterline. It was Porthos's most glorious shot of the day.
"Take that, 'Edrakhmaputra'!" exclaimed Porthos. "Or whatever your name is, 'Endrakrakhktkambma'!"
He immediately ran to the second gun and took aim, then, carefully calculating the moment, fired again. The Dutch ship received a second hole ten inches below the waterline.
"This piece of crap with a disgusting name is out of the race!" Porthos summed up his shooting.
- Bravo, Porthos! - Aramis and Athos exclaimed.
"Porthos, you are as magnificent as the Greek god Hercules!" cried d'Artagnan.

Meanwhile, the captain of the Zwanenburg had correctly assessed the situation. Realizing the danger of a direct pursuit of the Griffin with its two deadly guns on the stern, he decided to go around the Griffin on the right at a sufficient distance, and then fire devastatingly from the guns on the left side. In this case, his ship was out of reach of the Porthos's stern guns, while the guns on the sides of the Griffin were much weaker.
"Well, friends!" cried Aramis. "We must continue to move as fast as possible to get away from the two damaged ships. We probably cannot withstand a fight with the remaining ship, but still, a fight between two ships one on one leaves more hope than a fight between the Griffin and three Dutch ships."
This race could have continued for another half hour if the wind did not change, since from the very beginning of the battle the ships did not change tack, since the wind was favorable for all the ships.
"Get the starboard guns ready for action!" cried Porthos.
All of the Griffin's starboard guns were loaded with explosive shells.
A desperate exchange of fire ensued. Although the Griffin had fired three fairly successful shots at the Zwanenburg, the ship was large enough that the holes were quickly patched up, and the water was pumped out of the holds quickly and efficiently. The Griffin had been hit twice, but they were more severe because the ship was smaller and the holes were larger. Everything was moving towards the fact that the Zwanenburg would be able to sink the Griffin or board it, taking all its crew and passengers prisoner.

Chapter XVII. The King

Meanwhile, at Colbert's next audience with Louis XIV, an unpleasant conversation took place for Colbert.
"Monsieur Colbert," said the King, "I am as pleased with your actions in strengthening the finances and the army of France as I am dissatisfied with your incessant interference in matters which I did not entrust to you, and from which I ordered you to keep away.
"Your Majesty, I believe that military affairs and political affairs are always so closely connected that it is sometimes impossible to separate one from the other," said Colbert with feigned humility. "It seems that I have once again accidentally overstepped the bounds of my authority, which I deeply regret. If you would be so kind as to point out to me exactly where I have stumbled, I will try to correct the consequences of my indelicacy and not allow anything like that to happen in the future."
"There is nothing new in your indelicacy, and therefore there is no need to give you any explanations," the King answered coldly. "You are still interested in prisoners with whom you should have no business, and you are still interested in persons connected with these prisoners, although of the group of four there remains only one miserable old man, whose fate I can decide myself, without your importunate participation.
“My participation is aimed at giving Your Majesty the fullest possible information about this matter,” replied Colbert, pleased that he could tell the King something new that would soften his displeasure.
- Really? - the King was surprised. - So you are better informed about the matter in which I asked you not to interfere than I am?
“I cannot be better informed about anything than Your Majesty,” replied Colbert with all possible politeness. “But I may, perhaps, by pure chance, be able to introduce some clarifications into the information that is communicated to you without my knowledge.”
“Very well, I am listening to you, Monsieur Colbert,” replied Louis. “If you tell me something that will justify your inappropriate curiosity, I may reconsider my assessment of this importunity.”
"Let us begin, if you will allow us, with a little," said Colbert. "The Abb; d'Herblay, known to you as Aramis, who was afterwards a friend of Monsieur Fouquet, and also Bishop of Vannes, after which he became a Spanish grandee and Duke d'Alameda, the Spanish ambassador to the French court. We have needed this man for some time, since he promised to assist in establishing an alliance with Spain.
“You have not told me anything new, Monsieur Colbert,” the King replied impatiently.
“I merely wished to point out that Spain has not become our ally, despite the fact that Your Majesty’s august spouse, Queen Maria Theresa, is a Spanish princess,” replied Colbert. “Consequently, we placed our hopes in vain on this man.”
“To begin with, Mr. Colbert, you should take into account that in the last two years we have been able to conclude very useful agreements with Spain, and not at all thanks to my august wife, the Queen, but thanks to the efforts of the Duke d'Alameda, in which his intelligence, his connections, his influence and his talent as a diplomat were superbly combined. I tell you this with knowledge of the matter, and I believe that your knowledge of this side of French diplomacy is sufficient to agree with me,” Louis objected.
“I entirely agree with Your Majesty,” replied Colbert. “However, I wish to point out that in the future there is no reason to foresee even the slightest benefit from the Duke’s participation in our affairs with Spain, since we have no dealings with her.”
"You are mistaken, Mr. Colbert," Louis objected. "It sometimes happens that even warring countries have some important diplomatic affairs that are recorded in secret agreements and that are carried out unswervingly despite the fact that these countries are formally enemies. Besides, no war is eternal, whereas any policy is continuous, because it is eternal. Diplomatic relations are not as visible as military ones, but their influence is sometimes much stronger."
“I bow before the wisdom of Your Majesty,” Colbert answered modestly.
— You are right, however, that the Duke’s talents will probably not be so useful in the future, since it seems to me that Spain, as a Frenchman by birth, will perhaps exclude him from the number of its diplomats, just as we excluded him from the number of Spanish representatives, since warring countries do not keep each other’s representatives at their courts. However, let us not say never. Who knows what the Duke’s influence in Spain is based on? Until now it has been quite significant and useful for us, although we know nothing about the true reasons for it.
"That is true, Your Majesty, but you do not seem to know that the Duke visits Scotland very often," replied Colbert. "And his visits are connected with communication with a certain person about whom I have been ordered not to make any inquiries."
"What do you know about this person?" the King asked eagerly.
“I know, Your Majesty, that this person is a relative of the French royal house,” said Colbert, realizing that he had gone too far, and that at that moment his fate was being decided: either the King would forgive his involvement in this secret due to the additional information he had, or he would destroy him.
"You are mistaken, Monsieur Colbert," Louis replied calmly. "This person only bears some external resemblance to a certain person, which resemblance, however, does not give him any rights to anything in this world."
“I will take your amendment into account, Your Majesty, and I ask you to forgive me for my inappropriate speculations,” Colbert agreed.
"This person ought to be kept in other places, but you, M. Colbert, have told me nothing new about his stay in Scotland," replied the King. "I therefore expect you to justify your indelicacy and your curiosity against my will, and you have not yet, as far as I can judge, given me any."
"To complete the picture, I must tell you that the three other people connected with this story, contrary to popular belief, are not dead. They are alive, and they have been with the person we are talking about for two years now," said Colbert, realizing that he had pulled a joker from the deck and was now presenting it to Louis: the future fate of the minister depended on the King's reaction to this news.
"Are you talking about those people who were friends of Monsieur d'Herblay?" asked Louis.
"These men are named Baron du Vallon, Comte de la F;re, and Comte d'Artagnan," replied Colbert. "The last of them, a former captain of the king's musketeers, a man who received by your order the rank and baton of Marshal of France, and who was believed by all to have been killed almost at the hour when he received that baton. This man is alive, and is in Scotland, on his estate."
"In a place called Monkville?" asked the King. "In a cottage on the banks of the River Clyde?"
“Exactly so, Your Majesty,” replied Colbert.
Louis stood up abruptly, which made Colbert also jump up and bow. The king began to pace nervously around the office.
"Mr. Colbert, you must tell me in all frankness what you did after you received this information," he said. "Don't try to lie to me. I will find out sooner or later, and if it turns out that you have kept even the slightest thing from me, or lied to me, you will be in trouble."
Colbert's heart went cold. He had to admit that he had arbitrarily sent two spies to find out everything about the person he had been forbidden to inquire about by the King. However, if he concealed this act and the King found out about it later, it would be even worse. The decision had to be made quickly, so Colbert decided to confess everything, trying to soften the wording.
- Your Majesty, I have sent two people to assist...
- You sent two spies to find out what kind of man this was! - Louis interrupted him, calling a spade a spade. - Monsieur Colbert, I am very displeased with you. It is good that you have now confessed your disobedience! What happened to these people?
“I don’t know, Your Majesty,” Colbert stammered.
"When did you send them?" asked the King. "Indeed, I can calculate when you did so myself, since the reason for your action was apparently my interest in the prisoner Marchiali, was it not so?"
“Your Majesty, I bow to your foresight,” Colbert said quietly.
"You didn't consider using pigeon post?" the King asked dryly.
“No, Your Majesty,” Colbert replied.
"Why? Didn't you want to get the information you were looking for as soon as possible?" asked the King.
“I wasn’t sure that pigeons could fly across the strait,” Colbert replied.
"What strait!" the King chuckled. "It's further from the coast to Paris than to cross this strait. And besides, even in that case you could use the pigeon post from Rouen or Caen."
“That thought didn’t occur to me,” Colbert replied.
"Don't lie, Colbert," said the King sternly. "I understand your impatience to learn the secret that interests you, and I also know that you use pigeon post in such cases."
"Your Majesty, I am not lying," replied Colbert. "I suggested that the secret might be too important to be entrusted to a pigeon. After all, a pigeon can be shot!"
“You could resort to cryptography,” the King objected. “Okay, so you are expecting your envoys in person. What is the worst-case scenario for their return?”
“Not later than the next two weeks, Your Majesty,” Colbert replied.
“Now listen to me, Monsieur Jean-Baptiste Colbert,” the King said coldly and clearly. “You have given in to your curiosity and have caused certain information, the dissemination of which I do not wish to see, to become known to you. This is bad, very bad, Colbert, but it is nothing compared to your other miscalculations in this matter. It is unpleasant for you and for me that this information will also become known to two of your envoys, of whose silence I am not convinced. This is a most serious offense, Monsieur Colbert! Further. If these people fall into the hands of the enemy, this information may become available to the open enemies of France, of whom there are now very many because of military operations in Europe. That is even worse. Finally, the secret, which was kept sufficiently well by the four people you named, may now probably become known to those people who not only will not keep it, but, on the contrary, will make efforts to use it to the detriment of France. In these circumstances, the people you have listed as my enemies become the only support for maintaining this secret outside France. As long as the person you were interested in, despite my prohibition, is outside France, the people you have listed are the most reliable and, practically, the only support for France in this matter! For your miscalculations, you should be executed, Monsieur Jean-Baptiste Colbert. I have a good reason for doing this immediately, but there are two reasons for not doing so. The first reason why I do not order your immediate execution is that you have finally honestly confessed to all your actions. The second reason… Perhaps you do not need to know it.
"The reason is that d'Artagnan and d'Herblay preferred me to Philippe only because I preferred Monsieur Colbert to Monsieur Fouquet," thought the King. "It is not worth giving Philippe the trump card that I also decided to remove Colbert."
"Both these reasons are not sufficiently reliable to save you in the next similar case," continued Louis. "Remember this, Monsieur Colbert! And now repeat to me once more the names of the four men whom you told me were in Scotland.
“Count d’Artagnan, Count de la F;re, Baron du Valon and Chevalier d’Herblay,” replied Colbert.
“Forget all the names except the first!” the King chuckled. “Remember four simple names: Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d’Artagnan. They are much shorter. And these are the names by which they should be called. Everything else is unimportant. From now on, Monsieur Colbert, you must consider these four people the object of your highest concern. You must assist these people in everything that concerns the preservation of the secret that you have touched and in everything that concerns preventing this secret from being used to the detriment of France. And this means that the man you mentioned must continue to remain under the control of these four people, and you must know at every second where these people are, and if they are going somewhere, you must know where exactly they are going. I forbid you to interfere with their actions without my consent, even if it seems to you that interference is necessary. I and I alone will decide what is permissible for these people and what is not permissible for them.” Do you understand me well, Mr. Colbert?
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Colbert replied.
"Athos, Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan must act as they see fit, you have no right to interfere with them, but you must know where they are and where they are going, I hope that is clear?" repeated the King. "I will not detain you any longer, Monsieur Colbert."
"If I decide to get rid of these people, I will do it myself and without Colbert's help," thought the King. "At the moment I need these people. The Comte de la F;re will guarantee the nobility of their actions, d'Herblay will not allow unreasonable actions, du Valon will never go against France and its King, and as for d'Artagnan, he loves me and is devoted to me, except in the situation where he must choose between me and his friends. Well, I will not put him before that choice any more."

Chapter XVIII. Salvation

"There are English ships on the port side!" shouted Athos.
Four English ships were also spotted on the Zwanenburg. Now the advantage was clearly on the side of the English ships and their allies. The only question for the Griffin was to hold out until the English ships arrived.
The Griffin turned sharply to port, turning her stern towards the Zwanenburg. This manoeuvre was now possible, since the other two Dutch ships were already far astern and their guns could not reach the Griffin's side.
"Porthos, your art is in demand again!" cried d'Artagnan.
“I like it!” the giant responded.
Most of the sailors were fighting the leak. A few men were plugging the holes from inside the ship, while others took turns working the pump, pumping water out of the hold. But the gunners were still active. Two of the most skilled gunners were helping Porthos handle the two stern guns.
However, Porthos's active firing did not cause damage to the Zwanenburg, since the captain of that ship took into account the effectiveness of the Griffin's stern fire from the damage it had caused to the other two ships. That ship continued the chase without due diligence, with the aim of merely demonstrating its superiority over the enemy, which was temporary due to the rapid approach of the English ships. Apparently, the captain of the Dutch ship did not plan to engage in a naval battle with the approaching English ships. As deplorable as the Griffin's condition was, it remained afloat and dangerous, all three Dutch ships had holes that reduced their maneuverability, while the approaching English ships had not suffered the slightest damage, and they outnumbered the Dutch group. The four fresh English ships were a clear threat to the three damaged Dutch ships, even without taking the Griffin into account.
Soon, Zwanenburg turned around and began to retreat from the approaching group of English ships.
"We are saved," said Aramis, "thanks to Porthos's cannon fire and the arrival of the English ships."
“Thank God, we will still be able to continue our work to save France,” said Athos.
“You are right, Athos, but besides, it would not be at all superfluous to linger a little longer in this world!” exclaimed d’Artagnan.
"You are right, d'Artagnan!" Porthos picked up. "Today's shooting has restored to me the full taste for life and military action!"
- Returned? - d'Artagnan was surprised. - Do you mean to say that before this you had lost your taste for life and for battles?
“It’s not that I’ve lost it,” Porthos chuckled. “But it’s been a long time since I’ve felt such a thrill of fighting.”
- Yes, Porthos, you were in good spirits today! - Athos noted. - Today was your day, my friend! You did a great job for all of us!
- How could it be otherwise? - Porthos was surprised. - After all, we have one for all!
"And all for one!" Athos, Aramis and d'Artagnan answered in chorus.

Meanwhile, the English ships approached the Griffin. Since the Griffin was sailing under the French flag, and England was our ally at that time, the English sailors waved their caps from the English ships, and the Griffin's sailors greeted the English ships in return.
Suddenly, pure French was heard from the ship Saint David.
"Captain Bats here!" a voice amplified by a megaphone reached our friends. "Do you need help? If not, we're going in pursuit of the Dutch ships!"
- Here is Captain d'Argenson! - answered the captain of the Griffin. - Thank you for your military support! We are on the move, we can handle it ourselves. You can go in pursuit of the Dutch! They are all holed.
“Give me the megaphone,” said Athos.
The captain handed the megaphone to the count.
- Captain Bats! - shouted Athos. - Here is the Count de la Fer! I bless you, Raoul, for the pursuit! Thank you for your help!
"Father!" cried Captain Bats, for it was Raoul de Bragelonne, who had assumed a new name in the service of the English navy. "I obey! We will take them prisoners or drown them!"

Needless to say, the ship "Zwanenburg" and the ship "Endracht" were sunk, and the ship "St. Paulus" was captured and taken to the shores of England, where it was subsequently burned, since it had suffered such significant damage that there was no point in repairing it.
Thus, Raoul de Bragelonne, under the name of Captain Bats, led and carried out a successful hunt for three Dutch ships and thus covered the name of Captain Bats with glory. Looking ahead, we will say that this feat was far from the last in the list of the glorious Captain Bats.

The Griffin then returned to the port of Edinburgh without incident, where it was put in for repairs, while our friends made another attempt to find out Philippe's fate. The captured captain of the Black Fox refused to give information, Aramis wanted to use his methods of influence on him, but Athos categorically rejected his methods.
D'Artagnan rejoiced at Suzanne's rescue like a child, since this beauty, apparently, had seriously captured his heart.

Chapter XIX. Trouble with the Pirate

Upon returning to Edinburgh, the friends made another attempt to learn something about Philippe's fate. Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan suggested a more thorough interview with Van der Mil, the captain of the "Black Fox", who was temporarily locked in a closet. However, Athos categorically rejected any violence.
"This man is our prisoner," he said. "Prisoners must be treated with dignity."
"Even if the fate of several European states may depend on the information he knows but does not want to share?" Aramis objected. "Even if his silence may prevent us from preventing a major catastrophe that may end in an even more brutal war than the current one?"
"Let me squeeze him hard!" said Porthos. "I'll just shake his hand, half-heartedly, and he'll tell me everything!"
"This scoundrel persuaded two of our servants to commit treason, he is guilty of the death of Bazin, he kidnapped Philippe, and, damn it, he kidnapped Suzanne!" d'Artagnan was indignant. "And we stand on ceremony with him as if he were a diplomat from a friendly country!"
"My friends!" Athos replied. "This man was captured in battle, he is our prisoner, and prisoners must be treated with respect."
"Remember, Athos, how Mordaunt treated the prisoners!" said d'Artagnan, although he knew perfectly well that this argument would have no effect.
“But we are not Mordaunt,” Athos objected again.
"We once paid Milady her due for her crimes, and no scruples stopped us," said Aramis. "And she was, after all, a woman. And even though she shot at us, even though she tried to poison us, and despite all her other crimes, she did not cease to be a woman. However, we understood that we were dealing with an enemy, and we treated her as she deserved.
“There has not been a day since that I have not regretted that action,” Athos replied sadly. “The question is not whether she was guilty enough to deserve that fate or not. Nor is the question whether it would have been expedient to rid the world of her. The question is about ourselves. Are we prepared to bear the weight of such an action on our shoulders for the rest of our lives? Do we need the reproaches of our own conscience?”
“Then perhaps you should let this scoundrel go free,” grumbled Porthos.
"I would do so if I did not fear that he would carry out his plan to use Philippe against France," Athos replied. "The man knows too much, and his knowledge is too dangerous. He apparently knows where Philippe is, and he intends to use him to create unrest, which threatens civil war in France. Therefore, he cannot be set free.
“And I think that he does not deserve freedom also because he kidnapped Suzanne, intended to kill Agnes, and, apparently, killed Bazin,” d’Artagnan was heated. “He incited two Englishmen to betrayal! These same John Small and Ben Brown are dishonest people, but they did not show it in any way. They would probably have continued to serve us quite well if it were not for him. And as a result of his actions, they both took the path of treason, and although they are killed, it would have been better for them and for us if they had remained honest people and lived for their own pleasure. Many have died from the actions of this pirate, and we stand on ceremony with him! He sows evil around him and will continue to do so. Decent people have set out on the path of treason because of him.”
"Forgive me, my dear friend, for remaining insensitive to your grief," said Athos. "After all, as a result of this betrayal, you are left without your home."
- My house? - muttered d'Artagnan. - By the way, yes! And I forgot about it! And I'm ruined, damn it! However, this does not worry me as much as the rest.
"You are not ruined, d'Artagnan, as long as I am not ruined," replied Porthos. "And my money is in a reliable English bank."
“And all my money is also at your disposal, my friend,” said Athos.
"Let money matters not trouble you, my friends," Aramis answered gently. "You need not take such trivial matters into account. I have a very reliable source of funds which we can draw upon if necessary. But we must find Philippe. If you, Athos, will not allow us to use the harsh methods of heart-to-heart talk with Van der Mil, I shall have to deal with the matter through my own channels."
“And what are we to do with this pirate captain then?” asked Porthos. “It’s a damned pity we can’t simply strangle him! By God, Athos, I don’t understand you! We pierced the Cardinal’s guards with our swords like beetles with a pin, just because they spoke disrespectfully of us or our uniform! And yet they were our compatriots, who were honestly serving, and they were subordinate to the Prime Minister of France, appointed to this position by the King of France. They were within their rights, they were, I repeat, Frenchmen, and honest Frenchmen at that. Remember, during the siege of La Rochelle, and on other occasions, we fought shoulder to shoulder with them, they were our comrades in arms!” And none of us feel bad about the fact that each of us has our own little cemetery, which we have filled with those with whom we disagreed for a moment on some trivial matter. And here we have an enemy, a pirate, a Dutchman, a murderer! Why should we be soft-spoken with them? Ugh!
“Perhaps you are right, my friends,” Athos finally answered. “Perhaps this man is a scoundrel, and he is certainly our enemy. He deserves severe punishment, perhaps even death. But he is our prisoner. If it were possible to hand him over to the French authorities, I would gladly do so. But we have no such opportunity.”
“Why not!” replied Aramis. “We can entrust him to Captain d’Argenson. After his men have repaired the Griffon, they will set sail for France. He can deliver this pirate captain to the French police and leave his fate to the French Themis, or even to His Majesty himself. But do not forget, Athos, that this man knows a secret which he ought not to know. This alone makes him an enemy of France and a state criminal against France, deserving of execution. And, mind you, he possesses the secret of Philippe’s whereabouts, which, if we could extract it from him, we could use to prevent all the harm he has conceived, and which might possibly be done by others according to his plan, even if we never set him free again, and even if we killed him.”
"The devil take it, Athos!" cried d'Artagnan. "If thirty years ago, in my youth and passion, I had run that pirate through with my sword, you would not have thought of condemning me!"
"Even if you had run him through with your sword in the battle yesterday, I would not have thought of condemning you, my friend," replied Athos. "But today he is our prisoner, and he is unarmed."
"That can easily be remedied!" cried d'Artagnan. "I will give him a sword, and we will fight on equal terms."
“And if he refuses?” asked Athos.
“I’ll sort everything out,” said Porthos.
With these words, Porthos went to the closet. Not finding the key to the door, he simply tore off the mortise lock as if he had simply plucked an overripe plum from a tree.
"Listen, Mr. Van der Mil!" he said. "Couldn't I invite you to a conversation?"
“I will not tell you anything about your nobleman whom you wish to find!” the pirate replied.
“If you don’t want to tell me, then don’t,” Porthos answered calmly. “I would like to talk to you about your country.”
"What do you want to know?" asked the Dutch captain.
"Wait a minute, it's simply indecent to have a heart-to-heart talk with a man whose hands are tied," said Porthos. "Let me untie them for you."
With these words he easily broke the bonds that bound Van der Mil's hands.
“I wanted to discuss with you a few subtleties of the Dutch language,” he continued. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all,” replied Van der Mil.
"Please tell me how to say 'Hardy Horse' in Dutch?" asked Porthos.
“ S toer paard,” the Dutchman replied.
“Well, that’s quite understandable,” agreed Porthos, not understanding anything, however. “And how do you say ‘Strong Carriage’ in Dutch?”
“ Sterke koets,” answered Van der Mil.
- Tolerable. And what about "Sharp Sword"? - Porthos did not calm down.
“ Scherp zwaard,” the Dutchman replied, starting to get irritated.
"Thank you, my dear fellow!" Porthos continued, unperturbed. "You are giving me some very useful linguistic information. How do you say in Dutch 'A vile, vile, filthy pirate, the very sight of whom disgusts me'?"
- Dikke, onhandige Franse Brutal, die ik graag met yes zwart zal doorboren! - exclaimed Van der Mil, not hiding his rage and hatred towards Porthos.
"That suits me perfectly!" exclaimed Porthos. "It seemed to me that you wished to back up your words with a few strokes of your sword?"
“With the greatest pleasure!” exclaimed Van der Mil.
“A couple of minutes and we’ll sort everything out!” Porthos answered happily.
After this he turned to Athos, Aramis and d'Artagnan.
- My friends! - he said. - Mr. Van der Mil has given me a little lesson in Dutch, and in return has asked me to give him a little lesson in fencing. I beg you to see that no one disturbs us. Aramis, will you lend Captain Van der Mil your sword? I promise not to break it during our fencing lessons.
Aramis silently handed Porthos his sword, which Porthos handed to the Dutchman.
Van der Mil looked at Porthos with a careful gaze, then looked at his friends.
"I don't think this man is my height or weight," he said gloomily. "And his arms are longer than mine. I can't handle him."
"What, do you order me to shorten my arms for the pleasure of fighting with you?" Porthos got angry.
“I choose this one for myself,” he said, pointing to d’Artagnan.
"In that case, I can already begin to sing the funeral service for you," Aramis grinned. "What do you think, Athos, how long will he last? A minute or a minute and a half?"
“Forty-five seconds,” Athos replied.
“Then I will fight you,” replied Van der Mil, pointing at Aramis.
“Fifty-five seconds,” Athos replied.
“And with you?” Van der Mil asked Athos.
"Who knows? I don't count seconds in battles," Athos replied. "Perhaps a minute and a half or even two."
"You admit that you fight worse than your friends?" Van der Mil rejoiced.
"You don't understand me," Athos objected. "If I fight you, I'll fight with my left hand, to at least reduce the likelihood of your defeat."
- An excellent idea! - exclaimed Porthos. - Van der Mil, we will even the odds! I will fight you without a sword! I will give you a sword, and I will take a dagger. Will that suit you?
“If your friends give their word as noblemen not to help you,” answered Van der Mil.
“I give you my word as a nobleman for myself and for my friends that none of us will interfere in your fight, we will only ensure that the conditions of the duel are not violated,” said Athos.
"My word as a nobleman!" Aramis and d'Artagnan confirmed Athos's words.
Porthos took up a dagger with a blade no more than a dozen inches long and left Van der Mil to use Aramis's sword.
"On the count of three, come together," said Athos. "One, two, three!"
The battle began. It was not easy for Porthos to parry the sword blows, having only a dagger, but he had excellent reactions, titanic strength and amazing composure. Van der Mil did not give Porthos the opportunity to injure himself, since the length of his arm together with the length of the sword, of course, greatly exceeded the length of Porthos's arm together with the length of the dagger blade. Porthos calmly parried the sword, the force of his blow gradually increased, and this began to exhaust Van der Mil. Unexpectedly, Porthos struck the sword especially hard, the Dutchman's hand deviated after the sword, after which Porthos lunged with his hand and the dagger entered the Dutch pirate's chest up to the hilt.
"Sir, after such a blow you have not more than half an hour to live," said Aramis coldly. "I am a priest and I can absolve you of your sins if you are a Catholic and if you tell us where we should look for the nobleman we need."
“I am a Protestant and I will not tell you anything,” answered Van der Mil.
“Amen,” said Aramis.

Chapter XX. Confession

After this, Porthos carefully picked up Van der Mil and laid him on the bed, placing pillows under his head.
"Wait," Van der Mil finally said with difficulty. "I have one important thing to tell you. Promise me that you will call a Protestant priest to me."
- Suzanne! - cried d'Artagnan, and entered the next room, which was occupied by his beloved. - Suzanne, my child, bring the Protestant priest here at once. His services will be paid. Hurry, I beg you.
"We will grant your request without any conditions, sir," replied Athos. "However, if you have anything to say that will ease your soul and lessen the evil of your actions, we will listen to you with all attention."
"Know then that the nobleman you seek has fled from us after learning of our purpose," said Van der Mil. "We have been unable to understand how he managed to escape. He is very clever and cunning."
“What were your goals?” asked Aramis.
"We knew that this man looked very much like the French King or his brother. We decided that he was an illegitimate prince. We ourselves had not seen the King of France, but we trusted those from whom we learned about it," the Dutchman answered. "We wanted to ask for a higher ransom for him. We were counting on a million livres."
"Who told you about this?" asked Aramis.
"You didn't deceive me with the priest?" Van der Mil asked in turn.
“He’s already on his way,” Aramis replied.
Indeed, at that moment Suzanne entered the room, accompanied by a Protestant priest. Aramis made a gesture for them to wait aside.
“We captured two French spies who were sent by the French Minister Colbert to clarify some information about this man,” the pirate replied.
"Where are these people now?" asked Aramis.
"In the stomachs of sharks, I suppose," Van der Mil replied. "The crew decided... Well, why lie now? I decided that they knew too important a secret, so I ordered them thrown overboard."
"Here comes the priest!" cried Athos, beckoning the priest to the bed where the wounded Van der Mil was laid. "We leave you alone to confess and prepare for your journey to the next world."
"I advise you not to discuss this incident with your priest, Mr. Van der Mil," whispered Aramis. "There is no need to name names in order to repent of your actions in connection with these circumstances. Believe me, if you show such modesty, you will be rendering a great service not only to our countrymen, but to yours as well."
Van der Mil nodded.

After this, the friends left the room, leaving the priest who entered to talk with the Dutchman.
Ten minutes later the priest left the room.
"I have absolved him of his sins," he said. "He wishes to speak with a man named Athos."
Athos entered the dying man's room.
"Sir, did you want to talk to me?" he asked. "I'm listening."
"Yes, Mr. Athos," replied Van der Mil, "I heard your discussion as to what to do with me. Based on this, I decided to trust you, since I was convinced of what a noble man you are."
“I respect the last will of a man in your position, sir,” replied Athos, “but I must warn you that I cannot promise to fulfill any will of a dying man, since you were our enemy and would have remained so if you had not been dying.”
“Don’t worry, my request will not conflict with your notions of honor and duty,” replied Van der Mil. “It is my daughter I am talking about. She has no one but me. I admit that I am not the best father, but I am a father, such as I am. My profession may be reprehensible from your point of view, but for citizens of my country privateering against ships sailing under the flags of hostile states that are at war with us is not condemned. On the contrary, my fellow citizens would call you adventurers and, perhaps, robbers or pirates, who knows. Please forgive me for this frankness. Everyone fights for their own ideals, and ideals sometimes do not coincide. So, I ask you to pass on to my daughter what I would like to leave her as an inheritance, that is, my entire fortune.” This cannot be formalized legally, since what I own is in a secret place in the form of gold and silver coins, jewelry, precious stones.
"Sir, wherever you may have buried your treasure, I cannot promise to find it and hand it over to your daughter," Athos replied. "I have several more important matters to attend to at the moment, and I am no longer young, and I cannot guarantee that I have sufficient time to carry out such assignments. The interests of state are my highest priority at the moment."
"I understand all these circumstances and acknowledge them as weighty," replied Van der Mil. "I ask only that you take the document sewn into my jacket and keep it until circumstances permit you to devote a little of your precious time to this matter. From the document you will learn both how to find my daughter and how to get the treasures I have hidden. It would be enough if you only found my daughter and gave her this document, but I would like part of my money to serve as atonement for some of my sins.
“This is a very noble intention, sir,” said Athos.
“I ask that the house and adjoining buildings that we burned be restored to compensate Monsieur d’Artagnan for the damages, since my opinion of him has changed after I got to know him, and I would not like to be the cause of his ruin,” continued Van der Mil.
“Monsieur d’Artagnan will want for nothing as long as his friends live,” replied Athos.
"As far as I have been able to understand his character, Mr. Athos, your friend will never be able to use your money as his own, and I have left him without his own means. This is my wish. I beg you to restore his estate and hand it over in a better state than it was. Take double the price of the damages and compensate him for the damage done by me and my people," said Van der Mil. "If you cannot do it yourself, entrust it to my daughter, although she is still young and lives in Holland, it will be much more difficult for her than for you.
“Sir, I understand your noble impulse and am ready to take on this assignment, although I assure you that d’Artagnan does not need compensation of this kind from you, since everything he had, he always obtained himself,” replied Athos.
“Also promise me that you will give a tenth of the money to the Protestant Church, in remembrance of the souls I have destroyed,” said Van der Mil. “Although I consider my trade to be an ordinary military profession, I confess that your views on the treatment of prisoners have penetrated my soul. I have never met anyone so principled, and I greatly regret that I did not meet you sooner. Perhaps I should have laughed at your principles if it had not been for myself. Circumstances have forced me to listen very attentively to your words, and I have become imbued with your principles. I confess that I did not treat my prisoners as you did. This grieves me greatly now, when I have one foot in the grave. Promise to give a tenth of the money to the remembrance of the souls destroyed by Captain Van der Mil, the Black Fox, I beg of you.”
“I promise to do so, provided that I can fulfill this promise without abandoning the more important mission that fate has decreed for me,” Athos said firmly.
"That is quite enough," the Dutchman agreed. "I know you will do it if you can, and to demand that you do the impossible is pointless. Now one last request, Monsieur Athos. I beg you to pull this dagger out of me."
"If I do that, you will die!" said Athos. "You have not died of loss of blood only because the dagger prevents the flow of blood from the wound it inflicted."
“I know, Mr. Athos,” replied Van der Mil. “Having received from you a promise to fulfill my request if you had the opportunity, I have finished all earthly affairs. I have nothing more to do in this world. I will not hide the fact that I feel unbearable pain. Besides, you know that my hours are numbered. So why prolong this torment? I want to die right now.”
"The method you propose will increase your suffering," replied Athos. "Perhaps my friend Aramis will have some means that will enable you to leave this world with less suffering."
- Wait! - the Dutchman objected. - I am an officer, and I do not want to die from poison. I prefer to die from a stab wound. My decision is firm.
“Okay,” Athos replied.
"I will say one last prayer," Van der Mil said. "When I have finished, I will close my eyes. Then I ask you to do what I ask."
Athos nodded silently. Van der Mil began to move his lips silently, looking at the ceiling. After a few minutes his lips stopped moving, and he closed his eyes tiredly.
Athos approached the dying man's bed and with one jerk pulled Porthos' dagger out of the Dutchman's chest. A death snore erupted from the pirate's throat, a large, rapidly growing blood stain appeared on his chest, after which the pirate fell silent.
Athos ripped the edge of the jacket and the lining of the Dutchman with his dagger, pulled out a leather envelope from the resulting hole, and, without opening it, put it in his pocket, after which he left the room.
"I feel sorry for this man," he said to his friends. "No matter how villainous our enemy may seem to us, he sometimes contains a great deal of simple human kindness and nobility."
 
Chapter XXI. A New Goal

So, friends learned that Philip had fled from Van der Mil. He may still be in Edinburgh, but the more time has passed since his flight, the less certain it is that he may be. He may have already left not only Scotland, but the British Isles as a whole, he may be on the mainland in any of the European countries, either in France or in Holland, or in Spain, Italy, Portugal, or who knows where!
Aramis, of course, had his own channels for obtaining information, but he could not declare a search for a man whose appearance exactly matched the King of France. Such a search could do more harm than good. Besides, Philippe could officially appear at any moment. Warning informants to watch for the French King's twin brother to appear somewhere in Europe would also be pointless. If this happened, it would become known; if it did not, then any rumors about such a possibility were unnecessary and harmful, if not extremely dangerous. If the world expected such an event, a simple impostor, even bearing no resemblance to Louis XIV, could declare himself the French King.
First of all, d'Artagnan decided to send Suzanne to a place of safety. He imagined such a place to be the village next to Monqueville, where Agnes Campbell, Miss Grefton's aunt, and Bazin, if he was still alive, were currently located. Aramis found reliable people to accompany Suzanne Campredon to her destination.
"D'Artagnan, why should we part?" asked Suzanne. "Am I interfering with your affairs?"
- Suzanne, we have an important matter ahead of us, I will not hide it, it is a matter of national importance, - answered d'Artagnan. - Besides, it is a dangerous matter, and I cannot risk you! I have already almost lost you. I will not survive this.
“But perhaps I can be of use to you?” asked Suzanne.
“My dear, you will be of great use to me if you remain in complete safety, as far as possible from those scoundrels with whom we are likely to cross swords,” d’Artagnan replied hotly.
“I’m afraid we’re parting forever, my dear captain,” Suzanne said sadly.
- Nonsense, a thousand devils! - cried d'Artagnan. - I do not intend to die, at least not for the next few years. Since I seemed to perish, and at the very moment when I found you, I have especially loved life! The devil take it, I love you, and I intend to marry you, my dear Suzanne! Do you agree that it would be impolite of me to perish after, as you see, I have made you an offer, which I hope you will accept with favor?
“I agree, Charles, and if my agreement can somehow protect you, know that I agree a thousand times!” answered Suzanne.
- Yes, it will, wow! I swear by my sword, your consent will give me strength, and, consequently, I will be invulnerable to the swords and bullets of the enemy! - answered d'Artagnan. - Still, in case I am killed, know that I was killed happy, knowing that you love me and will shed a tear or two for me. It's just a pity that all the inheritance that I could have left you burned to hell. But my friends will not leave the widow of Charles d'Artagnan in poverty!
"I do not intend to become a widow without becoming a wife, dear Charles!" cried Suzanne. "Come back alive and well, my knight, you will not regret it!"
"I'll be damned if I don't do exactly as you advise!" replied d'Artagnan. "If ten minutes ago I was still in doubt, now I am completely convinced that I must live a little longer, so that I can return to you and spend a few happy years with you, my dear Suzanne."
“Better than a few decades of happy years!” exclaimed Suzanne.
- Oh, my dear! - smiled d'Artagnan. - No soldier makes such far-reaching plans, and I am a soldier to the marrow of my bones!
At that moment, Aramis entered the room, returning from a meeting with his agents.
“My friends, I have some news to tell you, and how useful it will be, judge for yourselves,” he said. “Van der Mil decided to hide Philip in St. Giles, in one of the locked cells. He has a brother-in-law who serves in this cathedral. He was convinced that Philip would not escape the care of this relative. Apparently, Van der Mil valued his prisoner very much and trusted his brother-in-law very much, and also believed in the reliability of the locks. Indeed, there was a bolt on the door, locked from the outside. There are bars on the windows. In the evening, Philip was fed dinner, the next morning the room was empty. The bolt was still locked, but if Philip had somehow managed to open it from the inside, it is not surprising that he locked it so that his disappearance would not be immediately discovered. The brother-in-law told Van der Mil that he did not understand how Philip had managed to escape. They had a heated argument, but eventually Van der Mil believed his brother-in-law and left him alone.
“This is extremely interesting information, Aramis, but not very useful to us yet,” said Athos.
“The further information is not encouraging,” continued Aramis. “There is very good reason to believe that he has sailed for the continent. Several men matching Philip’s description have sailed on different ships bound for different destinations. The two most likely destinations for Philip are France and Holland. Considering that the King himself will most likely soon go to Holland to wage war, Philip may also be going there. But at present the King of France is marching with his troops to the Rhine to establish French authority over Alsace and Lorraine. That is where the main drama is being played out. That is where the troops of Holland and her allies will probably end up. That is where we belong, therefore.”
- The devil take it, war again? - cried d'Artagnan. - Well, you can't escape fate! I continue to follow the instructions of my father, although he has long been dead. Once you choose the military craft as a profession, it is difficult to become anything other than a soldier!
- Well, thank God! - responded Porthos. - I must admit, I am already bored without a real battle in this quiet Monkville. We warmed up well in a sea battle, but this is not what a real musketeer needs!
"In recent years I have not sought out battles," said Athos sadly, "but I do not intend to avoid them either. If we must fight, then we will fight."
“I confess, my friends, that with words, spoken and written, one can sometimes do much more than with a sword,” continued Aramis. “But it also happens that words, backed up by a good blow of the sword, act more quickly and convincingly. However, our main goal is not to promote the success of France’s military operations, but to prevent the collapse of the monarchy due to the appearance and active actions of a second pretender to the throne. It is impossible to say in advance what exactly we will have to do, fight, or engage in diplomacy. However, we must be prepared for everything. Therefore, let us arm ourselves properly and set off on another ship, which is essentially an exact copy of the Griffin, to our homeland.”
 
Chapter XXII. A Few Words about Lorraine

The author must remind our dear readers that Lorraine was an eternal stumbling block for the French throne, and Louis XIV decided to finally remove this stone from his path. Even during the Valois dynasty, beginning with Henry II, the House of Lorraine laid claim to a place that no one was going to give up. The heads of the House of Lorraine, as a rule, received the name Charles, but there were also Henrys among them, and their family name was Guise. As a result of the marriage of the young Dauphin Francis to Mary Stuart, this house came very close to the throne, since Mary's mother was Mary of Guise, and that says it all. Queen Marie de Medici, widowed as a result of an accident with her husband King Henry II at a tournament, where a piece of his opponent Montgomery's spear entered his eye, hastened to remove from power all the favorites of her husband who oppressed her. She immediately took away all the jewels from Diane de Poitiers, which Henry II had given her, and banished her from the court, and after her, she expelled from Paris the constable Anne de Montmorency, King Antoine of Navarre, and all the other friends of the late King, who had pushed her into the background during his life. To oppose them, she brought the Duke of Guise closer to her, as well as the Cardinal of Lorraine and other relatives, who now became relatives of the reigning Queen, the wife of the young King. Catherine de Medici mistakenly believed that, for a start, the most important thing for her was to get rid of her other enemies with the help and support of the Guises, and she would be able to rein in the Guises if necessary. But she was wrong about them: the Guises began to rapidly increase their importance and concentrate their power in the hands of their family so much that they soon considered themselves entitled to claim the French throne, considering the Lorraine clan more significant than the Bourbon clan, but reluctantly recognized the primacy of the House of Valois. Since Catherine de Medici had four sons, no one expected a change in the dynasty. However, all four died without leaving legitimate male heirs. Young Francis II, married to Mary Stuart, who was directly related to the Guises on her mother's side, died at an early age, which was expected due to his illness from early childhood, so it is not surprising that he did not leave an heir. Catherine de Medici's next son, Charles IX, who had illegitimate children, still did not have time to leave a legitimate heir, which was already a bad omen. Henry III, who succeeded his brother to the throne, did not like women, preferring his minions, which undermined the dynasty, since he also left no heir. To top it all off, the youngest son, Fran;ois, died young, never having had his turn to the throne, although many, including him, already thought that the initially dubious possibility of becoming King with three older brothers had already become not so unrealistic for him. During all these transitions, the Guise authorities sought to seize the throne of France for themselves, which was the cause of many civil wars and riots. Using religious strife as a lever and relying in their struggle on the support of other Catholic states, as well as the Pope and cardinals, both in their own country and in neighboring countries, the Guises were a constant threat to the throne. However, fate decreed otherwise, and after the murder of Henry III, the last son of the Queen, the throne of France passed to Henry of Navarre, the husband of Catherine de Medici's daughter Margaret, who, under the name of Henry IV, founded a new dynasty, the Bourbon dynasty. It is easy to imagine the anger of the Guises and their hatred for the entire dynasty that had overtaken them in this eternal race. Louis XIV, the grandson of Henry IV, and therefore the third representative of the Bourbon dynasty, inherited not only the crown of France, but also the eternal enemy of this crown in the person of the obstinate dukes, cardinals and abbots of the Guise family, that is, the entire House of Lorraine.
Thus, the Duke of Lorraine had to be shortened, Lorraine forever deprived of the independence it had received from Charles V, who had divided his empire between his sons. Alsace, a territory adjacent to Lorraine, was also inclined to separatism, which gave rise to endless contradictions both in this land itself and in the neighboring lands.
After Louis XIV had deprived Monsieur Fouquet of his independence by acquiring the island fortress of Belle-Ile, a campaign against Alsace and Lorraine was inevitable. If under Henry IV and Louis XIII the royal power in France had not yet been strengthened enough to be able to regulate and permanently secure these rebellious lands as an integral part of France, then under Louis XIV, largely thanks to the efforts of Colbert and de Turenne, the King of France already possessed sufficient military force and political power to finally resolve this issue definitively.
The Dutch War broke out in 1672-1678. Our allies were England, Sweden, Cologne and Munster, and our enemies were Holland, Spain, the Habsburg Monarchy and Brandenburg. By this time, Alsace and Lorraine were formally already under the control of the King of France, but the rebellious Guises continued their intrigues, both diplomatically and militarily, with the aim of using the border location of their lands to balance between France and the Habsburg Monarchy, and also to involve Spain and Holland in these games. Since these lands were too attractive due to their strategic position, none of the countries that received the offer of a military and economic alliance remained indifferent to such an offer, although in the end none of these adventures were crowned with the expected success.
The obvious danger was Philip's presence in this territory. If the Duke of Lorraine captured it, he could either announce the capture of the King of France, which would encourage more military aid from our enemies, or he could try to place Philip on the French throne in order to make him an obedient agent of his own interests. Perhaps another intrigue could arise, but in any case, such a situation did not bode well for France.
Meanwhile, the Dutch government openly made fun of Louis XIV, publishing and distributing all sorts of libels about him. After Louis declared himself the Sun King, the Dutch issued a coin with Jesus Navin, who, as is known, according to the Old Testament, stopped the movement of the Sun by his command. In this way, Holland seemed to hint that it was stronger than France and could stop Louis in his territorial plans.
The reasons for the ideological confrontation between Holland and France were, of course, rooted in the difference in religion. While France had largely gotten rid of the Huguenots and had become a fully Catholic state, Holland retained Protestantism as its main religion. This was probably one of the reasons why it issued numerous libels against the King of France. Another reason was, of course, conflicting territorial interests. A third reason was competition for supremacy at sea.
England, as is well known, was also a basically Protestant country, but Charles II himself, brought up at the French court during his exile, which began when he was still a young prince, at the time when Cromwell overthrew and executed his father, Charles I, gravitated towards Catholicism. Moreover, Charles II's own sister, Princess Henrietta, was married to our King's brother, Philippe, Duke of Orleans, called by tradition, Monsieur. This marriage gave her the title of Madame, that is, the second most important lady in France, after the Queen. Such a close relationship between the two royal houses contributed to the establishment of understanding and cooperation. Charles II hoped to transform England into a Catholic country, supported the alliance with France and also believed that Holland's activity on the oceans should be curtailed, since for England, an island state, hegemony on the water was vital. Unfortunately, Princess Henrietta died, the alliance between France and England gradually weakened, but at the time of which we write, England was still on our side, the valiant Vicomte de Bragelonne fought on the side of England under the name of Captain Bats, and the English fleet supported our fleet in the water in its confrontation with the Dutch and Spanish ships.

Chapter XXIII. The Innkeeper

Before the friends set off for France on a ship whose performance was an exact copy of the Griffin, called the Pegasus, an amusing episode occurred. An innkeeper entered the room where d'Artagnan and his friends were conferring.
“Gentlemen, forgive me for disturbing you from important matters,” he said. “This morning a man came who offered me ten doubloons for treating you to the wine he had brought. At the same time he handed over four bottles of wine, apparently good and sealed according to all the rules. They were in this very basket. I, gentlemen, am an old soldier myself, and I like you deeply. Therefore, I suspected something was wrong and decided to pretend to agree, since if I had not agreed, I am afraid he would have carried out his plans in another tavern.
"Do you suspect that this wine is poisoned?" asked Aramis.
"I think so," the innkeeper replied. "Otherwise, why would this man not have offered you this wine himself? But I have my own rules in the inn; I do not treat my guests to wine that I am not sure of."
"An excellent rule!" cried Aramis. "To maintain this tradition, I offer you another ten doubloons!"
“What should I do with the ten that I took for the sake of appearances?” asked the innkeeper.
“They are yours by right, you have earned them by your honesty,” said Athos.
"Can you describe this man?" asked d'Artagnan.
"By pronunciation, a Frenchman, like you," the innkeeper replied. "A little shorter than me, bulging eyes, a low forehead, wide brow ridges, a thin, long nose, but even and straight, a slightly protruding upper lip, a mustache and beard in your fashion, like yours."
"Is there a wart on your right cheek?" asked d'Artagnan. "Are two teeth missing on the top left?"
“Exactly so, gentlemen,” replied the innkeeper.
"Thank you, sir," said Aramis, "here are ten more doubloons for the information. Destroy these bottles, but leave the basket. Could you not get us four such bottles, which would be as like these as two peas in a pod, but would contain quite good wine?"
“I will do it, gentlemen,” said the innkeeper, taking the basket with four bottles.
“Then bring them to us in this same basket,” replied Aramis, and put five more doubloons into the innkeeper’s hand.
When the innkeeper left, Aramis and d'Artagnan exchanged glances.
"De Trabu;on!" said d'Artagnan.
“Without a doubt,” agreed Aramis. “As certainly as this wine is poisoned.”
“What is this Trabu;on?” asked Porthos.
"A mutual acquaintance, whom we will treat to wine, which a worthy innkeeper will bring," answered Aramis. "We will offer it to him to drink and see his reaction."
"Where will you get him?" asked Porthos. "He's apparently gone without a trace. And we must hurry on our way."
" Don't worry, they'll find him," Aramis replied. "And the ship won't be able to set sail until tomorrow morning."
After this, Aramis left the inn, apparently to give some orders to his agents.

Chapter XXIV. The Evening Guest

In the evening, a Scottish nobleman, apparently an officer, the head of the guard, knocked on the door of the friends’ room.
“Have you found him?” Aramis asked him.
“Yes, my lord,” replied the Scotsman.
"Did you play the comedy with him that I ordered?" asked Aramis.
"Exactly so, my lord," the Scotsman confirmed. "They will be here in a few minutes."
“Thank you!” said Aramis, placing payment for his services into the Scotsman’s hand.
“Always at your service, Monsignor, and that is not necessary,” replied the Scotsman, trying to return the money.
“I know you don’t work for money, but this is just a small bonus for you and your people,” said Aramis.
The Scotsman bowed and left.
“Now, gentlemen, this scoundrel will come here, considering himself a hunter, and not suspecting that in this hunt he is the prey!” said Aramis to his friends.
A few minutes later the doors of the tavern opened and a very pretty young girl entered, leading with her a man whose eyes were covered with a black bandage.
- Here, here, my dear! - the girl said playfully. - Soon you and I will find ourselves in my bedroom, where the surprise you have been so persistently seeking awaits you!
"Oh, I'm all burning with impatience!" the man exclaimed.
- Be careful, there's a door threshold here, lift your leg and step over it, handsome, we're almost there.
The man obeyed and stepped over the small threshold as if it were an obstacle the height of a good log.
Finally, both guests found themselves in the room occupied by our friends.
- We've arrived, dear, count to ten, I need to change my clothes a little, after that you can take off the bandage! - said the girl.
Aramis nodded to her, put a couple of louis d'or into her hand, patted her cheek affectionately and waved his hand for her to leave the room.
The man meanwhile began to count loudly: "One! Two! Three! Enough, I'm burning with impatience!"
Here he tore off his mask and found himself surrounded by Athos, Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan.
“Where is mademoiselle?” the man asked in fear, looking around.
"My friends, allow me to introduce you to the former captain of the guards, Monsieur de Trabu;on," said Aramis. "But it seems he is not pleased with our company?"
"What do you want from me?" asked the frightened Trabuson, looking in surprise at the four people, two of whom were very familiar to him, and this did not please him at all.
"We have arranged this little joke to thank you for the wine you have treated us to, dear Monsieur de Trabu;on," replied Aramis. "We would also like to invite you to join us at table and taste this excellent wine with us. Allow me to introduce you to our friends, the Comte de la F;re and the Baron du Valon. I hope your acquaintance with them will be pleasant, but short-lived."
“I don’t drink red wine,” said de Trabu;on, his voice trembling.
"Every rule has its exceptions!" cried d'Artagnan. "Will you really refuse to taste with us the wine you have chosen for us?"
“I took a vow not to drink,” replied de Trabu;on.
"We don't believe you, Monsieur du Trepelson," Porthos objected. "No one in their right mind would make such vows. And not to drink to our acquaintance, you know, is not very polite!"
“My name is de Trabu;on,” the unfortunate man corrected.
"Let us be acquainted, Monsieur du Trubanzon," replied Porthos. "And I am Baron du Valon, as you have heard, and that is quite enough for a first acquaintance."
“Now that we have become acquainted, let me go,” de Trabu;on pleaded.
"Where are you rushing to?" asked Athos. "Let's taste this wonderful wine together, celebrate our acquaintance and seal it with a toast."
He decisively broke the necks of the first two bottles and poured the wine into the five goblets that were already waiting for them, according to Aramis's instructions.
“Thank you, you drink, and I’ll do it sometime after you,” de Trabu;on categorically refused.
“It seems to me, Monsieur du Trepanson, that you are determined to insult us,” said Porthos. “What? To treat people you hardly know and at the same time refuse to drink with them yourself? Is this wine poisoned? If so, I will impale you on this sword like a chicken! Answer me, is the wine poisoned or not?”
- Oh, what are you saying! How can you? - stammered de Trabu;on. - This wine is offered to you from the bottom of my heart, as to my fellow countrymen.
"Then drink with us!" cried d'Artagnan, handing de Trabu;on a goblet full of wine.
“I can’t, I don’t drink, I made a vow!” protested de Trabu;on.
"Monsieur de Tripalzon," said Porthos firmly, "either you drink this cup or you will have to fight a duel with one of us, and we, by right of the offended party, choose the sword as our weapon."
Knowing for sure that the bottles contained poisoned wine, de Trabu;on chose to duel with Aramis. The place of the supposed duel was half an hour away.
In three quarters of an hour the affair was over. In an hour and a quarter the friends returned to the inn, where wine awaited them in bottles that were as like as two peas in a pod as the bottles sent by de Trabu;on.
"For the repose of the miserable eunuch Didier de Trabuson!" proclaimed d'Artagnan.
"May God rest his soul, amen," said Aramis.
"And why didn't he like the wine?" asked Porthos. "It was an excellent wine! It would have been better if he had drunk it with us and gone in peace."
"His soul has found its final resting place," Athos sighed. "I regret this forced measure, but it seems we had no other choice."
“To console your conscience, I inform you, Athos, that this man killed Lieutenant d'Aunay with a vile blow in the back, when he least expected it,” said Aramis, and related in detail the story of this crime.
“Then let us drink to the repose of Lieutenant d'Aunay, who has remained unavenged for so long,” said Athos.
- Athos, don't be so gloomy! - said d'Artagnan. - Would you like me to tell you a funny story that happened to me with Colbert?
"I am always glad to listen to you, my dear friend," replied Athos. "Especially if your story promises to be amusing."
— One day the King ordered me to obtain a substantial sum from Monsieur Colbert for the execution of a delicate commission. I came to Monsieur the Intendant of Finance with an order for the sum written out, signed by the King. Colbert received me very kindly and invited me to dine with him while his clerks prepared and brought the required sum. What do you think, the dinner was quite tolerable, although I would not call it luxurious! I was almost filled with great sympathy for Monsieur the Minister, but imagine my surprise when I found that I was short ten pistoles in the amount given to me. I told Colbert that there had been some mistake, but he replied that everything was correct. He had simply deducted the cost of the dinner I had attended from the amount given to me. Then I took another twenty pistoles from the sum given to me and returned them to Mr. Colbert with the words: "Mr. Minister, you are obviously a remarkable financial figure, for which I congratulate you! In that case, I leave you another twenty pistoles to pay for your dinner with my friend Baron du Valon. I will notify you in advance of the time of the dinner to which we will come!" What do you think happened after that?
"Did he really take those twenty pistoles?" asked Athos with a smile.
“I think that if he knew our dear Porthos, he would ask for twenty more pistoles!” added Aramis, laughing.
“In that case, I would try to eat fifty pistoles’ worth!” Porthos burst out laughing.
"You have guessed wrong," replied d'Artagnan. "Colbert is not so stupid. He understood that it was dangerous to quarrel with me, but he could not accept this money, which would have been humiliating for him. He returned my money and the ten pistoles he had withheld, saying: "Please forgive my little joke. I only wanted to test your ability to count and remind you that money from the royal treasury must be counted with particular care, and can only be spent on the needs for which it is intended."
"A disgusting miser!" muttered Porthos. "In all decent houses, nobles treat other nobles for free! Monsieur Fouquet would have returned twice or even ten times as much in such a situation!"
"Monsieur Fouquet would never have found himself in such a situation," replied Aramis. "He would have inquired in what coins d'Artagnan wished to receive the entire sum, and would have offered it in new gold pieces, and would have put it all in a pearl-embroidered purse worth at least ten pistoles."
"It's a good thing it didn't come to the point where you and I, d'Artagnan, went to dine with that miser!" exclaimed Porthos. "I feel like his food would give me heartburn!"
"Porthos, my dear fellow!" cried d'Artagnan. "It is inconceivable that your wonderful stomach should be unable to digest some food! It seemed to me that in this respect you were like some Scandinavian god, able to eat and digest any decent food, and all of it would be for your own good."
- That's true! - Porthos answered proudly. - But lately I've noticed that my Scandinavian divinity has subsided a little. In any case, my body doesn't accept seafood.

Chapter XXV. Memories of Richelieu

“Since we were already reminiscing yesterday,” said d’Artagnan the next morning, when the ship had sailed for the shores of France, “and since we have a little free time, allow me, my friends, to tell you about the lecture I heard from the lips of the great Cardinal Richelieu himself, a little after we had parted for twenty years.”
“That’s very curious!” Aramis perked up.
“Your story will be an extremely pleasant addition to our breakfast,” agreed Porthos.
"This meeting so shocked me that I remembered the cardinal's words almost word for word," continued d'Artagnan. "The cardinal invited me because, by our mutual consent, I had entered my name in the open patent for the position of lieutenant of the king's musketeers. I stood timidly on the threshold of his office when he, with a gentle smile, invited me to enter and make myself comfortable in one of his armchairs. You know, the cardinal was very fond of cats, so almost every armchair had one or two cats sitting in it, there were no free armchairs, so I remained standing.
The Cardinal was then a tall, slender, handsome man with a sharp gray moustache. He condescendingly extended his hand to me to kiss, and I kissed his dry palm, covered with rings that, it seemed to me, could have bought a whole street in Paris. After that, the Cardinal sat down in a comfortable armchair next to the chess table, not paying attention to the cat that was sitting in it. This cat immediately sat down on his lap. Then the Cardinal pointed to another armchair opposite me. I tried to pick up the cat, but it turned away from me with disdain and lazily moved to another armchair, which caused the Cardinal to smile condescendingly.
“Well, Monsieur d’Artagnan,” said the Cardinal, “I have followed your unconventional career. I noticed you when you killed my best swordsman. You killed him, and not even in a duel! It was most reprehensible. You simply refused to surrender your sword, and yet my guards had every right to arrest you as a violator of the edict prohibiting duels! Do you know that one nobleman was recently executed by order of the King for a similar offense? No? You should know this before you grab your hilt! If I have decided to forgive you, it is not because youth serves as an excuse for crimes, but because sometimes one wants to make an exception even to the most just law. The death penalty is, you see, a measure that has always seemed disgusting to me, especially when applied to a nobleman. And I still hope to re-educate you, and therefore I want to talk to you.
- Oh! - exclaimed Porthos. - It turns out that our cardinal was a great humanist? And I, in my simplicity of soul, thought he was an inquisitor.
"He was both," Aramis replied. "His elder brother died in a duel, that's why he hates duels so much."
— The cardinal then explained his indulgence towards me by saying that he saw in me such traits of character that, as he said, would ensure me an unusual destiny, — continued d'Artagnan. — Well, I suppose his prediction has come true!
“In full measure, my friend!” Athos agreed.
“I remember the cardinal’s further words almost word for word,” said d’Artagnan. “The most surprising thing is that I did not understand everything he said, but now, recalling this speech, I find it very instructive and prophetic.”
“What prophetic thing did he tell you?” Aramis asked with interest.
“Very well,” replied d’Artagnan. “I will speak in the first person, as the Cardinal told me. ‘We, the clergy, sometimes manage to lift the curtain of the future and look into tomorrow,’ he said. ‘And what can I see there? History, my friend, is made not only on the throne and not only by those who sit on it, it is also made by those who surround it. And so I, as a man who has stood all my life near the greatest European throne, and who has put all my strength into strengthening it, am now, on the threshold of old age, simply obliged to look around and seek those who will replace me, or at least, let’s say, us, the few who care about the fate of France, about the fate of the Monarchy, and, of course, about the fate of His Majesty the King and the entire royal family. Whom do I see? Near the throne are many worthy and noble persons. Some consider aristocrats to be an extremely unreliable support for the monarchy. They are called careerists, sycophants, voluptuaries and hangers-on surrounding the throne. Of course, such an opinion is not fair! They are very worthy people, all of them are the most loyal subjects of the King, and if there are careerists among them, then is the desire to make a career such a bad quality for a courtier? Perhaps, in most of them, careerism suppresses common sense, makes them commit sometimes even vile actions, which can only be called treason. But do we dare to condemn the aristocracy? We must only resist the pernicious consequences that their careless actions can have. Precisely - careless, for I am far from thinking that any of the nobles could have the intention of causing harm to the King and France. Of course, sometimes they may prefer their own good to the good of the state, and this can be directly characterized as treason. But we will not use this term, although some deserve to be classified as traitors, since we are not moved by enmity or a desire to crush the aristocracy, but by feelings of the deepest respect and esteem for the aristocracy, which is only partly restrained due to the fact that the interests of the state are dearer to us than the interests of any private person, however close he may stand to the throne, and in whatever family relations he may be to His Majesty."
“It seems to me that the Cardinal was being disingenuous when he expressed confidence that all the careerists around the King had no intention of harming him,” Aramis objected. “The whole history of conspiracies around the French throne is that the most noble and closest persons to the throne were only busy trying to harm the King as much as possible in the hope of gaining something for themselves. First of all, these were the King’s closest relatives or his favorites. Take that same de Cinq-Mars with his plot against the Cardinal. By the way, d’Artagnan, do you know if he is related to our current commandant of the Bastille?”
"A distant relative," replied d'Artagnan. "Our de Cinq-Mars, if you remember, served in the Musketeers at the same time as we did, but he never stood so close to the throne as de Cinq-Mars, who attempted the life of Cardinal Richelieu."
“I’ll tell you some details about this story that you don’t even suspect,” Aramis grinned. “After all, they called him the Chief, and he was in fact the chief in almost all matters in the state. And his rise was greatly facilitated by Richelieu himself. So he suffered so much from getting rid of his dependence on his benefactor that he was extremely hasty with his plot. If he had waited another month and a half, he would have safely awaited the natural death of the great cardinal, and would have been what he wanted to be. Instead, he lost his head, and even dragged the unfortunate de Thou with him to the next world.”
“Aramis, this story of yours would be extremely interesting to hear, especially if you tell us about your role in these events,” Athos said with a smile. “But, as far as I know, you do not like to talk about your role in the most important events taking place in France, and perhaps in all of Europe.”
"If you want me to tell you about my role, then you'll have to wait a few years," Aramis replied. "While some of the people involved in these events are still alive, it's better to hold off on candid recollections."
“In that case, let us continue listening to d’Artagnan’s memories,” said Athos.
“I will continue,” replied d’Artagnan. “His Eminence then said the following. ‘So, as you see, His Majesty has absolutely no one to rely on – potential enemies are all around, egoists who demand a reward for the services they only intend to render to the King, and having received the reward, immediately forget their intentions, for they can no longer count on the King’s repeated generosity, which, no matter how great, cannot be unlimited. Numerous dukes and princes, wishing to cut off a fatter piece for themselves, to tear France apart into small appanage principalities, constantly recounting and weighing the favors that have gone to others, and therefore dissatisfied with those that have gone to themselves! "Princes and dukes, hoping to aggravate the King's position in the turmoil so much as to force His Majesty to buy the loyalty of these nobles with more and more positions, land grants, giving them cities and fortresses, appointing them governors and marshals! And add to this our eternal ally Spain, with whom we are bound by a double dynastic marriage. There is no doubt about the friendship and loyalty of the King of Spain, whose sister has the honor of being His Majesty's wife and our Queen, and the King of Spain himself has honored His Majesty's sister with marriage, thus making her Queen of Spain. Can there be a more reliable ally than such a one - bound by double ties of kinship? And yet, it was not for nothing that the late King, the father of the present one, the Great Henry IV, warned against such a marriage, saying that the rivalry of Spain with France is such that no marriages will make her our ally!"
- And he was damn right, the glorious King Henry IV! - exclaimed Aramis. - If you knew how much force, how much resourcefulness I used, what connections I used to make Spain turn its face to France! And all this almost to no avail!
"As far as I can judge, not at all without result!" replied d'Artagnan. "It seems to me that you have achieved the impossible, Aramis!"
“That is true, but I intended to achieve the unthinkable, and I failed,” replied Aramis, gathering the folds on his aristocratic forehead.
"And yet, d'Artagnan, I beg you to continue," said Athos. "You have a magnificent memory, and, besides, it seems to me that you even use the intonations of the great cardinal. I see him as if he were alive in your retelling, your story is magnificent."
— So, the cardinal said that Henry IV already claimed that Spain would never become our ally, no matter what dynastic marriages we tried to achieve this. Then he said: “Add also England, which is our rival everywhere and in everything, wanting to tear away the lands adjacent to the coast, the German principalities, the Muslim states in the east, and who knows what else? Against all this, it is necessary to defend the throne and France. Who will do this? The King? There is no doubt that only His Majesty can bring order to these tangled affairs. But let us not rely too much on his omnipotence in these matters. Of course, His Majesty is happily married to the august Queen Anne of Austria. Worthy in all respects, certainly faithful and devoted in everything to His Majesty, she, nevertheless, repeatedly committed such offenses that are not befitting even a married woman, much less the Queen of France. "Do you know how many times Gaston d'Orl;ans, the younger brother of the King, Monsieur, gave his consent to a coup d'etat, which was to consist in the physical elimination of the King and the occupation of the throne by Gaston d'Orl;ans through marriage with the supposed widow of the King, Anne of Austria? Of course, we must not suspect either Monsieur or the Queen of actually intending to carry out such a monstrous coup! But we know very well that they were more than once the ideological inspirers of the preparation of such a coup, kept this preparation secret, whereas, of course, their duty would have been to not allow even the thought of such a coup, and if suddenly someone had conceived such a plan, they should have prevented it and informed the King and his first minister of such sad events."
"There were eight such conspiracies," said Aramis. "And each time the inspirer was the Duchess de Chevreuse."
After these words, Athos looked very attentively at Aramis, but said nothing.
"Yes, Aramis, you are probably better informed than anyone about the exact number of such conspiracies and their ideological inspirers," agreed d'Artagnan. "Especially since we all had to participate once in order to prevent such a conspiracy from being revealed."
"Oh, d'Artagnan!" cried Aramis. "The enterprise in which we took part was only a little love affair of the Queen, who first committed a rash act, then repented of it, and finally wished that her rashness had no consequences for her personally. A dozen of the Cardinal's guards killed do not count."
- Exactly so, my friend! - agreed d'Artagnan. - Looking back, I evaluate our exploits and our failures, our victories and defeats differently, but I don't regret anything, damn it.
"We did what we had to do, and we did it damn well!" Porthos continued. "And if anyone got in our way, so much the worse for them."
D'Artagnan thought for a moment. He remembered Athos asking, "Do you need this, or does the Queen need this?" to which he, d'Artagnan, replied, "I need this," after which the friends agreed to this trip.
“The devil take me! We killed a lot of people just to make Constance more favorable to me, and in the end our love did not take place, I could not save her from death!” thought d’Artagnan. “All in vain. Just so that the Queen would remain unpunished for her pranks. And what about the Queen! After all, the keeper of her jewels was the Duchess de Chevreuse! The Queen could blame her for everything and send the Duchess into retirement. But the Duchess is rich, what does this retirement matter to her? We risked our lives to save Aramis’s mistress from a little trouble and so that I could win the favor of a married lady! But I was just an inexperienced youth, and did not know that women should be won in a completely different way! And at the same time we covered ourselves with the high goal of protecting the honor of the Queen. As a result, I didn’t become Constance’s lover, the Queen still fell out with the Duchess, Aramis also broke up with her, so who the hell did we save, and from what exactly?”
“Continue, d’Artagnan, with your extremely interesting story,” asked Athos.
— Forgive me, friends, I have digressed. So, having stated what I have said, the Cardinal added the following, — d'Artagnan continued his story. — He said: “Therefore, we can hardly hope for decisive action from the King in the area of foreign policy. He should restore order in his own family! I am tired. I do not know how much more time the Lord will grant me - five years or five months. We must also think about successors. By the grace of God, there is a successor on the throne. But he is young, and Monsieur, the King's brother, Gaston of Orleans, is too ambitious. You cannot imagine how much evil he has caused the King with his endless conspiracies. Each conspiracy, as I have already said, had as its goal nothing more or less than to eliminate the King, marry his widow, Anne of Austria, and take the throne. But its initial stage was always directed against me personally, since I always served as an obstacle to both Monsieur and the Queen in such a matter. If some of the conspirators sometimes believed that the only goal of the plot was my physical elimination, and that it would be limited to my removal or elimination, and that would be the end of it, then Her Majesty Queen Anne always knew the true purpose of these conspiracies, and in spite of this, she supported them. How many were there? I am already tired of counting. Those nobles - aristocrats who joined these conspiracies sometimes had to pay with their heads, but members of the Royal Family, of course, did not suffer. Remember this, my friend! Justice should not touch members of the Royal Family, their fate should be in the hands of the King, and in his hands alone. If God ever allows a civil court to decide the fate of a Prince, it will mean the end of the monarchy. The King may be next. I hope that no monarch of France will ever make such a mistake!
"He hoped in vain," replied Aramis. "But I beg you, go on!"
— He went on to say: “Neither Anne of Austria nor Gaston d’Orl;ans should under any circumstances be condemned. However, the King may banish the Queen, which he has thought of doing several times, but I have always dissuaded him. As a woman, she is not worthy of pardon, but as a Spanish Princess, if she were in exile, she could do more harm to the monarchy than if she were here, under the King’s care. And her exile could finally cause a quarrel between the King and Spain, as well as with the Pope. And the King does not want a quarrel with the Pope. Do you know what he answered not more than a year ago, when his favorites proposed my murder to him? Yes, yes, imagine, Monsieur de Treville should have arrested me and killed me "for attempting to resist", and although they know perfectly well that I carry no arms and cannot make any attempt to resist, the explanations on this score were so clear that you may be sure that such an order would have meant my death. Well, the King, in response to the proposal to kill me, replied: "He is a priest and a cardinal. I will be excommunicated." So they did not kill me only because I am a priest and a cardinal, and many years of service to His Majesty mean nothing. You understand now, I hope, that it is dangerous to keep the Queen at a distance, therefore she must be forgiven and left close to the throne under the tireless eye of the King. And simple respect for a woman obliges us to show tolerance for her little sins, which, were she a man, should be punished by death, because they are directed against the life of the King. "I do not take my life into account - except that if it were to be cut short by another coup, there would be no one to guard the interests of the monarchy and protect the life of the King, which could end up hanging by a thread. It is precisely fear for the fate of the King that makes me worry about my own safety."
"He was certainly a great man and a great statesman," said Athos. "Your story lifts the veil on this mystery. Continue, I beg you."
— I continue, speaking in the name of the cardinal. He went on to say: “How many enemies I have! No one understands my plans, even the King, recognizing them as great, does not take the trouble to delve into them, let alone appreciate them. Alsace and Lorraine have finally become French.”
“The struggle for these lands between us and our neighbors will not cease for a long time!” Aramis objected.
“That is so,” agreed d’Artagnan. “Then he said: ‘La Rochelle has been taken, the rebels have been forgiven and have become the King’s best servants. Including Cardinal de Rohan. Do you know that in the fight against the Spaniards, when they sent a French nobleman as a parliamentarian, he ordered the traitor to be hanged, for traitors have no titles? Yes, that is exactly it. But de Rohan himself was on the side of the rebellious La Rochelle, and therefore he too was a traitor – a traitor who was forgiven at my urgent request. We would never have taken La Rochelle, because the English were helping her from the sea, if I had not suggested building a dam and cutting the fortress off from the sea. And do you know who suggested it to me? Alexander the Great! Yes, my friend, reading can be very useful.”
"Speaking of dykes," said Aramis, "do you know that Holland is mostly below sea level, and that its high and strong dykes are what save it? If the French army occupies these territories, and the Dutch break the integrity of their dykes, the entire French army risks being under water, and that will be the end of the great power!"
"This consideration is very important," agreed d'Artagnan. "It must certainly be conveyed to Monsieur de Turenne, as well as to His Majesty."
"You see, friends, how useful it is sometimes to recall the words of the wise rulers of the past?" asked Athos. "Now, d'Artagnan, we will not allow you not to finish your most curious story."
“But let me at least have something to eat,” objected d’Artagnan. “While I was talking, you continued eating, now I want to eat, and you tell me something.”
“We’d all better just think about what you’ve said while you have a bite to eat,” Athos replied.

Chapter XXVI. Continuation of the Memories of Richelieu

Having refreshed himself, d'Artagnan continued his story.
"Well, friends, I am now full and ready to continue my reminiscences, if I have not tired you," he said. "After the above maxims, his eminence said: "Most nobles neglect history and philosophy, and therefore they are not fit for politics. However, the cruelty of Alexander should serve as a lesson to us, which in no case should be followed. If Alexander treated the inhabitants of the cities and fortresses that resisted him very cruelly, then we must remember that we live in the enlightened seventeenth century, and must not shed the blood of Christians, if only it can be avoided. Even in the case when our enemies are the Huguenots, professing their own alleged religion, but in fact heretics, we must remember that they are citizens of great France, and instead of physically exterminating them, as King Charles IX practiced, strive to bring them into the bosom of the true Church, as the spirit and letter of Holy Scripture requires. Thus, one must be able to draw from books not only what they call for or recommend, but sometimes to see the mistakes of their author and be able to do the opposite. History is rich not only in positive examples, but also in negative ones, and I do not undertake to say which of them is more useful for us. You, young man, are first of all a military man. Do you think that you should read books? Even if so, you should still be very attentive to the political processes in the state, otherwise your sword may accidentally serve not for the greater glory of the throne, but for its shame. Beware of serving the wrong side! How difficult it was for me at times to choose between the Queen Mother, to whom I owe both my rise and all my misfortunes, and the King, who sometimes gave in to his mother in everything. The last time he said that he owed more to France than to his mother. And this was salvation for me, for the Queen demanded my exile, which would of course have been followed by physical destruction. But I was not thinking about myself. I was thinking about the greatness of France. And what then? Even the creation of the French Academy is blamed on me! And by whom? First of all – the writers themselves! Oh, fate! Who else, if not I, cared about the prosperity of literature? And isn’t art and culture alone capable of raising France to unattainable heights? I appointed pensions for writers, it was I who spotted Corneille! Will the King pay these pensions after my death? I doubt it! Why would he? Does he understand that all that remains of us is our image, created by writers?
- Fouquet also fed literary men, - Aramis put in his word. - First of all, La Fontaine. Did La Fontaine remember this in at least one of his works?
“You are right, Aramis,” agreed d’Artagnan. “But I continue. ‘What remains of Alexander the Great?’ asked the Cardinal, and then answered himself. ‘The books written about him, and the books he wrote about himself. And of Julius Caesar? The same! Kings do not write memoirs nowadays. They do not even lead armies. What do they do? Intrigue. Instead of looking at the map of the country every day and wondering where troubles are threatening, they lay out playing cards with their favorites. Favoritism is the greatest disaster, my young friend! My father served Henry III. It was he who first informed His Majesty the King of Poland, who he then was, that the French throne was vacant, for King Charles IX had died suddenly. If the Polish nobility had learned of this earlier, they would not have let the King out of Poland, and if he had been late, the throne would have already been occupied by one of the Guises, or worse. But he, warned in time, simply fled from his Polish kingdom, abandoned the Polish throne in order to have time to occupy the French throne. If he had not been warned in time, he might not have had time. What was the service rendered by my father? Is the bishopric such a great reward for this and many other services? Of course not! And so I had to become a bishop after the death of my father, for my elder brother preferred a military career, and if I had decided to do the same as he, the family could have remained in poverty, for we would have simply lost this bishopric. It was difficult at my age to convince the Pope to approve me. And do you know how old I am? That's it. I added the missing years to myself. No one will find a single birth certificate for anyone born in Poitou during the years of my birth. Birth certificates for twenty years have been confiscated. If you confiscate one page, you can still figure out what year it belongs to. The same with a whole book. No, if you cover your tracks, then do it properly. This is a lesson for you, young man. And now I myself am distributing bishoprics, and cardinal's hats also depend very much on my favor."
Here d'Artagnan interrupted himself.
"In this, the Cardinal and I are alike," he said. "Do you know, friends, that I myself also handed out titles of nobility? Of course, the King signed the charters, but my influence on these decisions was quite high. And if you scratch me, my nobility may seem dubious to some. The name of d'Artagnan passed to my father on my mother's side!"
“My dear friend, you have given this name such brilliance that it is superior to many noble names with a pedigree of twenty generations!” replied Athos.
— Who knows, who knows? — said d'Artagnan doubtfully. — At any rate, it suited me as I inherited it from my father. So I continue. "Poor Father Joseph!" cried the Cardinal. "He never consented to accept the rank of cardinal, no matter how much I urged him. And yet if anyone was worthy of that rank, it was he. But he preferred the gray robe of a Capuchin. He did not wish to burden himself with a title that involved duties that he could not fulfill. How many would hesitate before such a prospect for such reasons? Who thinks of duties nowadays? Everyone thinks only of privileges. They snatch for themselves the posts of minister, judge, treasurer, without wanting to work in these positions, but only dreaming of the income and the position that are connected with these posts! Will this situation ever change? I doubt it. And do you know what is sad? Many posts are given out not for merits at all. Or rather, for those merits that are embarrassing to even mention. Did you know that Henry III was surrounded by men who played the role of women in every sense in relation to him? These mistresses, or lovers, of his, bullied the entire country. As a result, he died without an heir, the Valois dynasty was interrupted. Well, and what about the current kings? His Majesty the King of England Charles I had Buckingham as a mistress, who became a duke for these same services. He bullied the King as no woman bullied a man. He took England into his hands, and I believe that God himself directed the hand of a certain Puritan Felton against this godless man."
"You and I know who directed Felton's hand!" replied Aramis. "My lady, may she burn in hell for her crimes!"
“I have no doubt that she is there,” agreed Porthos.
“I suppose hell is overcrowded, while heaven contains scarcely more than four people,” replied Aramis.
"Jesus, Mary, Joan of Arc, who is the fourth?" asked Athos.
"I must think!" replied Aramis. "Perhaps Joseph?"
- Wait a minute! - exclaimed Porthos. - And the Popes? Those who are already dead?
"I don't think so," Aramis objected. "If earthly paperwork has no more than a recommendatory value there, then I don't think so. D'Artagnan, continue your story, I beg you!"
“I continue,” replied d’Artagnan. “Then the Cardinal said: ‘How do you suppose the notorious Cinq-Mars became Oberstalmeister? For the very same services he rendered to His Highness. And this same Cinq-Mars owes his entire rise to me, who presented him to the King without the least thought of such a development. He urged the King to kill me, and when the King refused, citing the Pope’s excommunication, Cinq-Mars drew into his plot the same Anne of Austria and Gaston of Orleans, who again intended to eliminate the King after my elimination, in order to marry and occupy the French throne together. Needless to say, it is not for nothing that the Lord condemns this sodomite sin! For if the lust aroused by a woman in a man gives her some power over him, then this evil must inevitably be reconciled, since there is no other way of producing heirs. "Besides, the possibilities and ambitions of a woman in politics are limited, and often do not extend beyond the desire for a career for her own husband. The vanity and possibilities of a man in a skirt are unlimited, and the harm done by sodomites under the King is excessive! And I would like to say a few more words about duels."
“That’s interesting to hear,” Porthos perked up.
“My dear young man!” said the Cardinal to me. “You are an ardent man, and probably a good swordsman, as I have been told. You violate my edict without even considering the reasons for its imposition. In the first place, it is dictated by the commandments of the Lord. Thou shalt not kill – that is one of the fundamental commandments. Whatever the insult, it does not justify murder. Moreover, the guilty are not always killed, and he who seeks justice escapes unharmed. You claim that in this way you cast lots for fate, and that it is in the power of the Lord to punish the guilty and protect the innocent? Then why do you practice day after day? Do you not trust, then, to the Lord’s decision? Would it not be equally absurd for both to throw themselves into the water, and leave it to the Lord to decide who should drown and who should swim? What absurd traditions are these?” Secondly, simple humanity also requires us to condemn these murders decisively. Thirdly, we are, as you know, constantly forced to defend ourselves against an external enemy and also to suppress rebellions within the country as they arise. For this the King needs loyal nobles who wield the sword. Is it not sad that many thousands of them die every year in completely absurd duels? If they must lay down their lives for the sake of honor, then is there a higher honor than to serve the King, and is there a more beautiful death than on the battlefield in defense of the Fatherland? Fourthly, what is a duel if not an attempt to independently carry out justice? Therefore, a duel is an encroachment on the prerogatives of royal power. If an offense has been done, you must seek justice from the King, if you are an aristocrat, or from the courts of law, if your position does not allow you to appeal to the King. "Every nobleman, every citizen knows where he should turn for justice. And of course, neither a sword nor a musket will help in this matter. Why am I telling you this?"
"D'Artagnan, with your recollections you wanted to distract us from the sad thoughts connected with the fact that we had to organize two duels in two days with the most tragic outcome for our enemies," said Athos sadly. "Meanwhile, you brought weighty arguments from Cardinal Richelieu against duels. In light of what has been said, our actions seem to me like two murders."
“Murders committed according to all the rules of noble honor are duels,” replied d’Artagnan. “The only difference is that in this case both combatants have a certain chance of becoming both the victim and the murderer. Consequently, one murderer kills another, and in this, you will agree, there is already a little less evil than in the case when one murderer kills another person who could not become a murderer under any circumstances. Besides, Athos, we are soldiers, damn it! In battles we killed enemies who were enemies only because they were citizens of another country, and defended the interests of their state or their religion as zealously as we did on our side. I believe that among the soldiers who fell in battle from my sword there are many more honest, noble and in all respects decent people than among those whom I killed in duels.” As for the last two cases, they are obvious scoundrels who fully deserved a shameful execution, whereas we gave them the opportunity to die with honor as true nobles.
“And I thought that in recent years you had become almost a pacifist!” Aramis said with surprise.
"That is true, Aramis, but there is much in this 'almost'!" replied d'Artagnan. "When it comes to the enemies of France or to those who attempt the lives of those dear to me, this 'almost' becomes a complete denial."
“But finish your wonderful story!” said Aramis.
“I have almost finished it,” replied d’Artagnan. “Then followed some insignificant phrases that are of no interest to you. His Eminence said: ‘It seems to me that our destinies are interconnected. I am the first minister under the present King. And the future King may need your loyalty, your sword and your intelligence. I, the younger son, once received the bishopric with great difficulty, due to problems concerning my insufficient age. Nowadays I myself distribute cardinal’s hats. You, the younger son, inherited the nobility and the name of d’Artagnan through your mother, and your mother too. Perhaps you yourself will someday distribute charters of nobility - everything depends on you, young man! Your fate is at the tip of your sword, only think carefully where to direct it! ’” Here his monologue ended. I thanked the cardinal for his valuable instructions and hastened to retreat. As I approached the door, I almost stepped on the tail of one of the cardinal's cats. Fortunately, I noticed it in time, otherwise I would have angered His Eminence, and then I would have been in trouble.
"The fate of the first sword of France depended on a cat's tail!" exclaimed Porthos.
“It happens, my dear Porthos, that the fate of an entire state, even larger than France, depends on an even smaller trifle,” replied Aramis.
"Damn it, your story is as interesting as it is long," said Porthos. "Listening to you, I even forgot to have a snack, and now I feel a little hungry!"
"Perhaps, Porthos, you feel thirsty rather than hungry?" asked Aramis with a smile. "You did not forget to eat while d'Artagnan was telling his story, but you completely ignored the goblet of magnificent Anjou wine."
"You are damned right, Aramis!" cried Porthos, and emptied his capacious goblet in three gulps, after which he refilled it. "Let us drink to the great cardinal who built a great country! And although he certainly did not get to heaven, let him not be too much roasted in hell!"
The friends silently supported the toast of their beloved friend, emptying their goblets in memory of the great and terrible Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu.
With these and other conversations, the friends passed the time on the road unnoticed and soon arrived at the shores of their native France, which three of them had not seen for two years.

Chapter XXVII. The Royal Council

The Dutch War was, in a sense, initiated by Louis XIV. Shortly before the outbreak of hostilities in the north-west, Louis summoned his military leaders to a council of war. Present were Philippe I of Orleans, Louis II de Bourbon-Cond;, Henri de Turenne, S;bastien de Vauban, Fran;ois de Cr;quy, Fran;ois Henri de Luxembourg, Friedrich von Schomberg, Jean d'Estr;es, Louis Victor de Vivonne, Abraham Duquesne, Colbert, and the King's secretary, Hubert.
— Gentlemen! — the King began. — I have been told many times about the importance of maintaining balance in Europe. What balance are we talking about? I have been told about some kind of diplomatic balance. That is nonsense. There is only one balance — military. Everything else depends on this main balance. But have you ever thought about what this balance is? Let's take this globe.
With these words, the King approached the large globe.
— Scientists say that if you put a small ball, like this pearl, on the very top of this globe, it will be in equilibrium, and, therefore, can lie in this place for as long as you like.
With these words, Louis placed a round pearl on the top point of the sphere, which represented a model of the Earth.
"Is that so?" asked Louis, looking around at those present. "How reliable is this balance?"
With these words, Louis lightly tapped the globe with his finger, after which the pearl rolled off the globe onto the floor.
Hubert immediately jumped up, picked up the pearl and bowed as he placed it on a small table.
"So we see that equilibrium is a very unstable state of affairs," Louis concluded solemnly. "So why strive to preserve something that cannot be preserved for long, that threatens sudden disaster and trouble? After all, one can never predict where exactly such a pearl will roll, that is, to which side the scales will tip after the equilibrium is upset?"
Philippe d'Orl;ans bowed to the King with delight, after which all those present were forced to repeat this gesture.
“I cannot leave anything to chance!” said the King clearly. “France is the stronghold of Catholic Europe, the Pope supports us, while countries infested with heretics are plotting against us in every possible way. But look at what is happening! The Duke of Lorraine is seeking an alliance with Holland! Is that conceivable? The House of Lorraine has always boasted of its ardent devotion to Catholicism. It is quite obvious that the Guises are devoted only to their insatiable thirst for power, and therefore to unrest. I will destroy the very concept of the Duchy of Lorraine. Lorraine is an integral part of France, as is Alsace. These upstarts of the Guises imagine themselves equal to the princes of the royal house, and they may well claim something more. I have tolerated their insolent antics long enough.” When they hid behind the struggle for the true religion, I mean, of course, loyalty to the Catholic Church, it looked almost decent, at least outwardly. Now that they have sided with the heretics, it goes beyond all bounds of decency. And these gentlemen European politicians want me to respect a mythical balance of power? A balance of diplomatic power between the supporters of the true faith of God and the heretics? I should be glad that Europe is flooded with heretical countries, and that their diplomatic influence roughly coincides with that of the Catholic world?
All those present, following Philippe d'Orl;ans, expressed their indignation towards the heretical countries of Europe on their faces.
- And then there's Spain! - Louis said angrily. - A country that is simply obliged to be a stronghold of Catholicism! And suddenly this state enters into a shameful alliance with a state of heretics, with Holland! Why? Because weakening France is more important to them than strengthening Catholicism in Europe!
The military leaders present tried to portray even more anger on their faces, this time towards Spain.
— While our cousin Charles II helps us contain Holland at sea, we must finally deal with Lorraine and the Lorraine upstarts, after which we will jointly shorten Holland. Yes, gentlemen, Amsterdam must bow to Paris!
Louis's determination was determined by two factors. First, by paying his cousin, Charles II, two million livres for a secret treaty between France and England, Louis secured his military support. Second, Louis succeeded in concluding a Franco-Swedish treaty. In addition, he succeeded in concluding alliances with Cologne and M;nster , as well as signing a neutrality treaty with the Holy Roman Empire .
“What we have, gentlemen, Monsieur Colbert will report to you,” Louis said finally. “Please, Monsieur Minister.”
- Your Majesty! - Colbert addressed the King. - Gentlemen! At present we have one hundred and seventeen thousand infantry and twenty-five thousand cavalry units. At sea we have thirty ships of the first rank, in addition, England has promised to support us with seventy ships. The English regiments that will be provided to us will also help us in Holland. In addition, we have twenty thousand Swiss, five Savoyard regiments, twenty thousand warriors from Cologne and Munster.
“Excellent!” exclaimed Philippe d’Orleans.
Henri de Turenne confirmed his approval with a bow of his head. The others present also expressed their approval.
"We are facing a confrontation with a coalition led by William of Orange," Colbert continued. "In addition to Spain, Holland will probably be supported by Denmark, as well as the German princes and the House of Lorraine. We are counting on the neutrality of the Holy Roman Empire, but this neutrality is quite fragile, so we must be prepared for the fact that this unreliable state in all respects will join our enemy."
“Unreliable states join the winner,” Louis said sharply.
“In that case, Your Majesty, fate itself commands us to become the winner,” Colbert replied with a bow.
"This is the balance I want in Europe!" said Louis, grabbing the pearl from the table and clutching it tightly in his fist. "Such a balance does not threaten us with any surprises! No unpredictable changes in the balance of power!" With these words, the King raised his hand above his head with the pearl clutched in his fist.

Chapter XXVIII. Europe in the Fire of War

By the time the friends arrived in France on the ship Pegasus, the situation in Europe was as follows. The main opponents in this confrontation were Louis XIV and William of Orange. Our army had already captured Lorraine, and the King had declared Duke Charles of Lorraine an outlaw. Austria, despite William's attempts to attract it to his side, remained on the sidelines of this conflict, being more concerned with solving its problems with the Ottoman Empire, which, with Louis's encouragement, had undertaken a campaign against it. And although William managed to involve some small German principalities in his alliance, as a result of which the entire German Empire declared war on us, our success on the Rhine and beyond was still so noticeable that panic gripped Holland. The genius of the commander Viscount de Turenne was extremely evident in this war. The armies under his command occupied the Brandenburg cities. The Duchy of Cleves was thus practically conquered, the approaches to the United Provinces were exposed, Emmerich, Wesel, and Rheinberg capitulated.
The millions Louis had spent to secure an alliance with Charles II were not wasted, as a joint Anglo-French fleet attacked Admiral Ruyter's squadron, shaking Dutch naval supremacy. Louis offered William peace, which was rejected. Inspired by his successes on the Rhine, the Prince of Cond; proposed an immediate attack on Holland, but the other commanders did not support this plan. The cautious Louvois suggested holding off on an active occupation of Holland, knowing the ardor and determination with which the Dutch continued their fierce resistance even in a completely hopeless situation. France was soon forced to strengthen its army on the Rhine, as the Elector of Brandenburg decided to support Holland by active operations in the west with his twenty-thousand-strong detachment, which he sent to Westphalia. Thus, France could not send all its troops to Amsterdam, nor could it send its best commander, Turenne, there. The Viscount had to hold back the Elector and his allies on the Rhine. Louis returned to Paris, and the war in Holland was carried on mainly by Marshal de Luxembourg.
Aramis, through his sources of information, learned of the general situation, and of Louis's whereabouts, from which it followed that the friends should go to Paris. Indeed, if Philippe moved of his own free will, and not under the compulsion of any third party, all his interests must be concentrated in Paris.
While our heroes are galloping to Paris, let's tell you what actually happened to Philip.

Chapter XXIX. Philip away from France

During the two years that Philippe spent away from France as an honored guest, or rather an honored captive, of the hospitable d'Artagnan, who provided everyone with spacious rooms in his house in Monkville, Philippe read a lot and thought a lot. The house had an excellent library, partly left by its former owner, General Monk, and partly replenished by the efforts of the new owner, d'Artagnan. In addition, at Philippe's request, new books were ordered, mainly on diplomacy, military art, philosophy, economics, and politics. D'Artagnan and his friends decided that Philippe could rightfully claim the royal throne of France, and although fate had deprived him of this share, he had the right to receive an appropriate education, or, more precisely, self-education. The friends did not rule out the possibility that, with the next turn of Fortune's wheel, Philippe could again take his brother's place, although, of course, they did not plan to participate in the operation to replace the King. They were convinced that fate had its own laws, and since they had neither the right to decide this question nor sufficient arguments for the choice, except those that had played a decisive role two years ago, they preferred to trust fate, but to be prepared for any turn. The only thing they, of course, could not allow was an open confrontation between the two brothers, which would inevitably lead to a civil war, and, consequently, to a huge number of victims among their compatriots.
Philippe's thoughts wandered among the various possibilities that fate might bring. What he feared most was to become a prisoner in an iron mask again. He had often thought that he would prefer death to such a situation. On the other hand, he was grateful to fate for the opportunity to experience life as King of France, even if only for a short time. And although he now knew exactly what he had been deprived of by the whim of fate, or rather by the capricious political will of the great Cardinal Richelieu, he did not regret this experience, but, on the contrary, considered it much better than not knowing his origin, not knowing his rights, and languishing in prison all his life, not even guessing what his guilt was, and why such an evil fate had befallen him alone. Now he understood that considerations of higher expediency could matter more than the rights and wishes of one man, even if that man had a right to the greatest crown in Europe.
The Musketeers had often told Philippe of the possibility of intrigues on the part of those who accidentally penetrated the Great Secret, and he had decided for himself that he would rather die or agree to eternal imprisonment than become a plaything in the hands of political intriguers of any stripe. However, imprisonment now seemed to him a distant and almost unreal memory, so accustomed was he to that relatively small freedom, which, nevertheless, was in no way comparable to imprisonment in the fortress of Pignerol.
As a rule, Philippe quietly enjoyed reading, talking with his guards, who tried to be as discreet as possible, breaking away from these activities only to eat, sleep and other needs, and also to look at the wonderful natural landscape that opened up before him on all sides. Contemplation of nature distracted him from all life's problems and calmed him. One could say that Philippe was almost happy and almost did not strive for anything, if it were not for the loneliness that he experienced even in the company of such noble nobles as d'Artagnan, the Comte de La F;re, the Baron du Valon and the Duke d'Alameda, who occasionally came to them. Watching the developing relationship between the captain and Suzanne Campredon, and between the Baron and Agnes Campbell, Miss Grafton's aunt, who had already become Madame de Bragelonne or Miss Butts, he thought of himself as a man whom fate had allowed only a brief moment to touch true love.
Although, in his role as King of France, he could have almost any beauty at court, and sometimes did, there remained only one woman in his heart, the sister of the Count de Guiche, the daughter of Marshal Antoine III de Gramont, Catherine Charlotte de Gramont, Princess of Monaco. She was married, she was a stranger, but Philippe felt that her soul belonged to him. During the eight months that he occupied the French throne, he constantly remembered her, and he devoted almost all this time to getting as close to her as possible. The Duke of Monaco was forced to retreat under the onslaught of such extraordinary attention from the King to his wife and prudently retired to his duchy. Between Philippe and Charlotte there was never a conversation about this man, as if he did not exist at all. Philippe had grown accustomed to consider Charlotte his own, for which we ask, however, not to blame him, since in order to judge him, one must first be in his place, that is, in the place of a man who could never consider anything his own except his own memories and dreams. Even the objects that surrounded him in his confinement could be taken from him at any time forever and without explanation of the reasons for such actions, so life itself had taught him to value today, today's moment, and to consider everything that you can reach today as yours, regardless of whether it will be yours tomorrow, and regardless of who the object belongs to by right of ownership. Thus, if Charlotte reciprocated him today, even in the most restrained and modest way, then today she belonged to him, and what will happen tomorrow, let tomorrow figure it out.
On the day of the attack, Philippe was also sitting on a bench, dividing his time between reading and contemplating nature. The bandits appeared so unexpectedly that he, without having time to offer any resistance, found himself tied up and carried like a bundle onto one of the horses. Obviously, the pirates had conspired in advance with two English servants hired for different needs. Philippe heard two shots and saw how Bazin fell, he tried to protest, but he had a disgusting gag in his mouth, so he could not utter any sounds except for a muffled moan. He also saw that the criminals had set fire to the captain's beautiful house and stables. He regretted the magnificent library, which was destined to perish in the fire, but, remembering Bazin, he was even more upset.
Then the attackers further humiliated him by putting a rag bag over his head, through which, however, one could breathe, but which did not allow one to see anything, and to top it all off, it was made of coarse canvas, so it caused unpleasant sensations of irritation and tingling to the prince’s delicate aristocratic skin.
Unable to resist, Philippe gave in to his fate for a time, promising himself to escape at the first opportunity, or to allow himself to be killed, so as not to become a plaything in the hands of political adventurers, whoever they might be.
On arrival at Edinburgh the prince was placed in some sort of cell or prison, where the sack was removed from his head.
“Whoever you are, sir, your life is safe,” said a man with an evil face, apparently a Dutchman. “Our plans are only to receive a ransom for you, but I will not hide that the ransom will be large, so we will give you to those who pay the most. If no one gives the ransom, then we will think of how to use you. I am sure we will find an excellent use for you! And now you can relax and rest, dinner will be served to you soon. Here is a bed and some bed linen, I can offer you no better, since we are few in number, and we must guard you as best we can. This cell will suit our purposes quite well. Do not try to escape from here, since it is impossible.”
Philip was so indignant that he did not respond to these impudent speeches, which, however, did not touch the hard heart of his new jailer.
Philip threw himself onto the bed in despair and closed his eyes, losing himself in his own thoughts.
"As I feared, they want to make me a bargaining chip in someone else's game!" Philip thought sadly. "This is unacceptable to me. It has been decided that I will seek death at the first opportunity. The best thing would be if I were shot while trying to escape!"
As a true Catholic, Philip rejected suicide. He promised himself to act as arrogantly as possible, to try to avoid contact with his jailers and to appear indifferent to whatever was happening around him.
"Whoever opens these doors, I will not move," he thought. "If they want me to end up somewhere else, that is their problem, not mine. If they start torturing me, I will try to be steadfast, and if they kill me, I will accept my fate with dignity!"
Dusk came, followed by deep night, Philip did not sleep and did not make any movements, trying to detach himself from earthly existence.
After night had set in, Philip suddenly heard the bolt on his door being carefully opened.
Despite Philippe's intention to remain silent, he suddenly thought that only the enemies of his captors could open the bolt so carefully, and therefore the situation deserved his attention. He wondered if perhaps d'Artagnan and his friends had come to his rescue?
The door opened, and Philip saw in the light of the flickering candle the face he least expected to see here and now.

Chapter XXX. Awakening of Dormant Feelings

The Princess of Monaco reread the letter from her friend again.
 
“Dear Catherine! Forgive me for calling you by this name, for Catherine Charlotte is too long, and Princess is too formal. We were so friendly when we both held the positions of ladies-in-waiting to Madame, and you were always so kind to me, asking me to address you informally, so I hope that two years of separation have not erected a wall of estrangement between us? I still love you as my best friend, and I hope that you treat me no worse. I am writing to you because I cannot contain my overwhelming feelings. I remember how brilliant and brief your affair with H.V. was, and I also remember the blessings with which you showered me during that happy time. I also remember how H.V. changed towards you so suddenly, and I remember how hastily you left the court, retiring to your Duchy of Monaco. You cannot imagine how many tears I shed, mourning our separation. Of course, the attitude towards me at court changed dramatically, because from a friend of the favorite of E.V. (I hope you will forgive me these impudent words?) I turned again into a simple maid of honor, and even a former one, because Madame died so suddenly that we were essentially left without work, our positions themselves ceased to exist. I will not tell you what efforts I had to make to gain a foothold at court. I will only say that Monsieur K. helped me with this, although I also regularly had to help Monsieur K. in some things. And yet his attention to me was rare and insufficient for me to consider my life settled. I was noticed by the Duke d'E*, this handsome man in every respect. I will say without false modesty, this handsome man has now become tame to me, and I twist him as I please. As a result, both the help from K. and his attention to me increased, but your Jeanette still could not consider herself settled. Fortunately, the Duchess de Sh* has also favored me with her attention. This venerable woman of God knows how old manages to be at the very center of the most important political events, or, to put it simply, the most desperate intrigues, that I am both glad of her disposition towards me and afraid of it at the same time, since she has an inexplicable influence on H.V., however, everyone around is saying that friendship with her is as dangerous as juggling a lit firebrand in a powder magazine. I don’t know, I haven’t tried juggling, let the street actors do that! I want to tell you that a new intrigue is brewing around H.V. H.V. has become interested in the prisoners he placed in B* just at the time when he suddenly cooled towards you without any reason. This alerted me, but I would have ignored it if it weren’t for two other events that prove the full importance of what is happening. Firstly, Mr K. has become extremely interested in what H.V. is interested in. Secondly, the Duchess has also become interested in H.V.'s interests and those of the Minister. Everything is intertwined into some kind of tangled mess that I can't unravel. If only I had your brain! I would certainly sort it all out and probably get some use out of it. As it is, I have only a heap of jumbled information. If you were here, I would tell you more, but it is difficult to trust the post office with something that only you and I should know. Taking advantage of the opportunity, I am sending you a young man who will deliver this letter. I trust him, although perhaps in vain. Oh, I am so trusting! I would like to see you again and embrace you at all costs. Perhaps that is the only reason I am writing you this frantic letter.
I hope you still love your friend Jeannette de Bachelet as much as she loves you. Hugs a thousand times.
P.S. I hope, my dear, that you will take measures to ensure that your husband does not read this letter? He is a wonderful person, but our affairs do not concern him! Hugs."
 
The Princess of Monaco, of course, understood that H.M. meant His Majesty, K. meant Colbert, Ch* meant de Chevreuse, d'E* meant d'Epernon, B* meant Bastille. She reread the letter several times and forgotten feelings stirred in her chest. Eight months of reckless love with the King of France had not passed without a trace for her. Any maid of honor would have been delighted with such a position and would have been proud of it for life. But the Princess firmly believed that these happy months had not passed with Louis XIV, she had seen her mysterious Philippe, whom she had met in childhood, this mysterious prisoner, whose fate had deeply shaken her soul, and whose large eyes and delicate curls had enchanted her soul at first sight. This young man was so similar in appearance to the King, and at the same time so different internally! He did not demand anything from Charlotte, and gave himself entirely to her. One not so fine day, the King showed complete disdain for Charlotte, he changed radically and immediately. Charlotte realized that he was a different person. She saw Louis XIV again, she realized that her Philippe had disappeared. She learned from her father, Marshal de Gramont, that a certain Eustache Dauger had been imprisoned in the Bastille. Her heart told her that these events were somehow connected. All these two years she tried to solve the riddle of Louis's transformation into Philippe and Philippe's transformation back into Louis, but this riddle was too difficult for her. Every day, a dozen handkerchiefs soaked up her tears, she gradually resigned herself to the inevitable, but she still had a glimmer of hope that someday she would find out what had happened to Philippe, would be able to see him and talk to him.
Charlotte's relationship with the prince, her legal husband, remained smooth, calm, and did not foretell anything bad, nor anything good. In fact, the marital relationship turned into a purely economic union. Obviously, the prince would have considered himself insulted if his rival had not been the King of France, but many nobles would have considered such an insult from the King an honor for themselves, and some would have tried to extract as many benefits from this situation as possible. The prince was not like that. He bore his cross with dignity, not showing that he had changed towards his wife, but in fact they had become strangers, connected only by common children and common possessions, a common name and a common title.
"I must find out!" Charlotte said to herself. "There is only one man in France who knows everything, even what no one else knows. And luckily, this man will share his secrets for money."
Charlotte took out her box of jewels, which were part of her dowry. These jewels were part of her capital, received from her father, the prince would never ask her to account for these trinkets.
“Tomorrow I’m going to Paris,” Charlotte briefly informed her husband, who did not react to this message in any way.
The next day Charlotte left for Paris.
Upon arrival, she immediately went to the Louvre and knocked on the door that was so familiar to her.
 
"Duchess," said Charlotte, "I am interested in a certain man. I hope you will help me find out something about him."
“I can guess who you are interested in,” replied the Duchess de Chevreuse, looking closely at the box in the princess’s hands. “I think I could tell you something.”
“I’m listening to you,” said the princess, placing the box on the duchess’s table.
"The person you are interested in is now in Scotland, in a place called Monkville," said the Duchess, moving the box towards her. "On the banks of the River Clyde. With Monsieur d'Artagnan."
 
Meanwhile, the man who wrote the letter and signed it with two letters "A.D." read a short note: "I accept your offer, I will arrive later. d'A."
 

Chapter XXXI. Miraculous Rescue

The princess set out for Scotland accompanied by only one servant named Josepha. Dressed in men's clothes, the two ladies made their journey with the speed and tirelessness of men eager to make their fortune. Having sufficient personal funds, the princess hired a fast vessel, and on arrival in Scotland she bought two of the best horses, inquired about the road, and rode to Monkville on horseback.
All the way she thought about what she would say to Philippe. At times she thought that her actions were pure madness, at other times she believed that she was acting completely naturally, and any other behavior in this situation would be a mistake. But at no time did it occur to the princess to turn her horses and go back home to Monaco. As for how she would behave when they met, she thought only by looking at herself as if from the outside, with the eyes of a stranger. She knew that no matter what plans she made, in reality she would act as her heart told her, and, in fact, it was completely unimportant how she would act and what she would say. The main thing now was to see him.
As she approached Monkville, the princess saw a house from afar, which was apparently the house where Philip lived. The princess's heart began to beat joyfully. She spurred her horse, but at that moment she heard two shots. She realized that this could be connected with danger to her Philip. At first, the princess spurred her horse even harder, but then she came to her senses and slowed down, deciding that if Philip had been attacked by robbers, then their forces were great, and it would not cost them anything to deal with the princess and her companion as well, whereas if the princess carefully found out what had happened and remained unnoticed by the attackers, then perhaps she could save Philip. Despite her great concern for Philip's fate, the princess understood that he was of much greater value to the robbers alive than dead, so she convinced herself that there was no need to fear for Philip's life.
Having dismounted, the princess left her horse in the care of Josepha, and she herself went on reconnaissance on foot, extremely carefully, hiding behind the trees.
Having crept through the forest almost to the house itself, the princess saw a terrible picture. The house, which, apparently, had been Philip's home for the past two years, was ablaze, set on fire at four corners. Nearby, a stable was also burning. The princess also saw a small detachment that had captured a man and a young woman. The princess recognized Philip in the man, and immediately saw that he was being tied up, after which a sack was placed over his head.
A plan for further action immediately formed in her head. She would indeed secretly follow these bandits, following them at a safe distance. If she was spotted, she would say that she was lost and looking for the road to the nearest city.
This she did, and having reached the place where Josepha was waiting for her, both ladies mounted their horses and continued their journey. Following the robbers, the princess and Josepha found themselves in Edinburgh.
It must be said that Josepha was quick-witted and had a lively mind; she understood the purpose of her patroness's trip very well and took all her worries and concerns to heart. Acting cleverly and flexibly, she learned that the pirates had decided to lock Philip in St. Giles, in one of the cells. That same night, Josepha managed to bribe the servants and put a sleeping pill in the wine of Philip's guards, after which the princess and she managed to get to the door of the locked room. Fortunately, there was no lock on the door, since it was closed from the outside with a strong iron bolt. At first, the bolt did not give in, since, apparently, it was rarely used and it was slightly rusty. In addition, the princess was afraid of waking the guards with loud sounds, so they acted very carefully.
When the ladies finally managed to unbolt the door, the princess opened it and saw Philip's unshaven face. It was undoubtedly him. Despite the fact that he looked remarkably like the King, Charlotte recognized him immediately.
- Princess! You? - Philip exclaimed.
“Quiet, Monsignor!” the princess answered quickly, putting her finger to her lips.
Luckily, the sleeping pill was good, so Philip's cry did not wake the sleeping guards.
“We must flee immediately, Monsignor,” said the princess.
Philippe followed Charlotte with joy. In captivity, he had almost promised himself that he would rather die than follow his captors voluntarily, but he had not imagined such a possibility as meeting the Princess of Monaco. Philippe would have followed Charlotte with joy even if he had known for sure that this road would lead him straight to hell. Even if he had been told that the next ten steps would be the last in his life, he would have taken them holding the hand of the one who had been in his thoughts during the last two years of separation, as well as during the previous eight months of illegitimate reign, and throughout all the years of cruel imprisonment - from the moment he first saw her as a little girl.
Philip's heart was beating so hard that he thought that those around him could hear the rhythmic beat. It seemed to him that this beat could wake up the sleeping guards. Feeling the warmth of the princess's hand, Philip calmed down and followed her.
Josepha, however, did not lose her head. She calmly closed the doors and bolted them, not at all afraid of the noise, since she was convinced that the guards were fast asleep, and that the open doors would attract the guards' attention too quickly and force them to rush in pursuit, when perhaps even five minutes might prove decisive for the success of the escape.
Two hours later, a fast ship carried Philippe, Charlotte and Josepha to the shores of France.
"You want me to come to France again, Charlotte?" asked Philippe. "I will obey any of your wishes, but do I not risk being recognized there?"
"Dear Philippe!" Charlotte replied. "We are not going to Paris, but to Monaco, and that is not quite France. There you will be safe from all but my love."
“You have convinced me!” Philip exclaimed, pressing Charlotte to his heart.
— And as for your resemblance to the King, let me tell you a story that the Marquise de Savigny once told me.
“I would be delighted to hear any story from your lips, Charlotte,” Philip replied.
- So listen. One day, the Marquis de Wardes was hunting in his forests and met a forester. He was struck by the amazing resemblance to himself. "Tell me, my dear sir," the Duke addressed this man. "Was your mother by any chance a servant in the house of the Marquis de Wardes?" The Marquis meant his father's house. "No, sir," the forester answered. "My mother was never in the house of the Marquis de Wardes or even nearby. But my father, in his youth, was a groom for the Marquise de Wardes."
“Are you hinting, Princess, that not every resemblance indicates kinship?” asked Philip.
“I think that the story of the Marquise de Savigny has no bearing on your situation, but it occurred to me that the first reason that comes to mind when finding an extraordinary resemblance between two people is not always the true one,” Charlotte replied.
“It reminds me of a story I read in a book,” Philip replied.
"Well, tell me!" Charlotte exclaimed.
— One sultan of one Muslim state learned that a rumor had spread among his subjects that he was not the son of his father, the sultan, but the son of a simple pastry chef. Then he invited a famous astrologer and demanded that he find out who his father was. The astrologer looked at the stars for a long time and checked the star charts, laid out some figures and whispered some spells, after which he firmly said: "Your father is the sultan of our state, whose throne you have inherited!" The sultan was so happy with this answer and so proud that he ordered that the astrologer be rewarded. He ordered that he be given three huge cakes.
"Very funny!" Charlotte laughed. "What did you learn from this story?"
"A king should not behave like a baker's son, and then no one will dare to suspect him of not being the son of a king! Since I now know for sure who my father is, I have promised myself to be worthy of this fate and to act as my father's son should act," Philippe replied. "I must always think of the good of France and put this good above my own happiness. Therefore, I have decided that if my kidnappers offer me any deal directed against France or against my brother, King Louis XIV, I will rather let myself be killed than agree. And if this does not help, I am ready to kill myself, but not to serve as the cause of civil war in France.
"You are a great man, Philippe, and I am grateful to fate for bringing me together with you!" Charlotte exclaimed. "Fortunately, your stay in Monaco will not harm France in any way."
After these words, Philip tenderly hugged Charlotte and kissed her.

Chapter XXXII. An Unexpected Meeting

May our dear readers forgive us for not following the chronology of events. The events we tell are so often intertwined in a complex way that it is not possible to tell everything at once.
We will tell you about what happened when our friends were still pursuing the ship "Black Fox" in the hope of saving Philip.
Upon arrival in France, Philippe, Charlotte and Josepha headed to Monaco, where the prince received them as if nothing had happened. Charlotte was in no hurry to introduce her guest to her spouse, but the prince was in no hurry to get to know him. Such a calm estrangement had set in in their family life that the prince allowed the princess to do as she pleased, provided that she did not meddle in his affairs.
Prince Louis I of Monaco, Duke of Valentinois, was not outwardly jealous, which was a consequence of the fact that inwardly he was extremely jealous. Having learned that his wife was unfaithful to him, he burned out so much that for him she simply ceased to exist.
Life had dealt him many blows, but this one was the hardest.
By the time we write, the princely couple had already had six children, the first of whom, Antoine, was to inherit the title of Prince of Monaco, the daughters Marie-Th;r;se-Charlotte, Jeanne-Marie, Teresa-Marie-Aurelia and Anne-Hippolyte inherited the beauty of their mother and the noble features of their father, but in relation to the youngest son, Fran;ois-Honor;, the prince was not sure of his paternity. Therefore, he concentrated his love on the first five children, treated the youngest son coolly, but with sufficient care, while completely forbidding himself to show even the slightest concern regarding his wife, who, having once failed to justify his trust, lost his love, which is why his jealousy died out, like a fireplace that has burned up all the wood that was in it. Outwardly, the prince maintained the appearance of a happy family and expected the same from his wife, but he did not demand anything from her.
To maintain appearances, Charlotte placed Philippe in a small hunting lodge, and Josepha spread a rumor among the courtiers that he was a ruined distant relative. Since Philippe had changed his hairstyle, grown a moustache and beard in the style of Henry IV, his grandfather, his resemblance to the King could only be noticed by someone who knew Louis XIV well by sight, and only in very close contact with Philippe, which the cautious prince carefully avoided. We cannot describe how the courtiers and simple servants took this rumor, because we do not know it, and we would never dare to invent anything about what we do not know for sure, for such is not the principle of our creativity. Charlotte and Philip spent their time walking together along the seashore and through the coastal forests, without thinking about anything bad, and taking pleasure in simply contemplating each other, although, however, their relationship was not only platonic.
This idyll was broken by one event, which we cannot remain silent about due to the consequences it had.
IV, Duke of Lorraine, arrived in the Principality of Monaco on a visit.
The prince, of course, received the duke with all due honors.
“I am happy to receive the Grand Duke of Lorraine,” said the prince after the usual ceremonies. “Allow me to ask what brings you to our wilderness?”
- Dear Prince, I have always dreamed of visiting your beautiful principality and paying my respects to the Prince of Monaco, Duke of Valentinois! - replied the Duke. - In our difficult times there are so few joys left that the joy of visiting a worthy ruler and admiring the wonderful nature, the wonderful view of the sea, as well as the magnificent buildings, cannot but be a sufficient reason for my visit.
“Thank you, Duke, for such a flattering assessment of my modest principality,” replied the prince. “It seems to me that Lorraine is also an example of a worthy duchy, and your ducal palace, which I unfortunately did not have the honor of visiting, I believe is no worse than mine.”
"Every palace has its advantages and its disadvantages, just as every duchy and principality has its strong and weak points," the Duke answered modestly. "We, the minor rulers, should stick together in order to avoid being offended when the opportunity arises and, if necessary, to give a decisive rebuff to attempts to commit injustice against us."
“If I understand you correctly, Duke, you are proposing me an alliance against our King Louis XIV?” asked the prince.
"I wouldn't jump to such conclusions," the Duke objected. "Does any alliance have to be against someone? Is it really not enough for our alliance to serve only as mutual support for us?"
"Every alliance in support is invariably an alliance against someone or something," the prince objected. "Since the Principality of Monaco and the Duchy of Lorraine are now part of France, the only alliance possible for you and me is an alliance with our sovereign, the King of France. Any alliance that does not include the King is an alliance against the King."
"I certainly did not mean anything of the sort!" replied Charles of Lorraine. "Why does everyone always assume that if the Duke of Lorraine seeks friendship with someone, it follows that he is plotting against the King?"
“Probably because it has always been that way,” replied the prince. “However, I am not asserting anything, I merely asked what kind of alliance you are proposing to me.”
“As I said, I would propose a mutual assistance treaty,” Karl replied.
"My principality and your duchy have no common borders, but only borders with the rest of France," the prince objected. "Therefore, any help that could be given to you must come, first of all, from France, unless it is a question of help against France, that is, of an alliance against the King."
“As I have already said, there was no talk of an alliance against the King,” replied Charles. “However, since you have spoken of it, why should we not help each other even if the King is not with us on some issue, but against us?”
“So, we have begun to call things by their proper names,” the prince nodded. “I was right in assuming that you were offering me an alliance against the King, and I have already given you my answer.”
“I have heard and appreciated your devotion to the King, but perhaps in some circumstances it is excessive?” asked Charles.
“What are you talking about, Duke?” the prince asked dryly.
“I am saying that the King of France does not always act fairly towards his best subjects, and that in this case it would be a good idea to show the King his place,” the Duke finally said.
“I refuse to understand your words, Duke,” replied the prince. “Could you formulate your theses more specifically?”
“Should the King be forgiven for the insult he dared to inflict on such a noble person as Your Highness?” asked Charles.
“Before you continue your explanations, I should like to make some clarifications of my own on certain points,” replied the Prince. “You probably believe that the Prince of Monaco does not see insults when they are offered to him, or is ready to forgive any insult to anyone? I hasten to inform you that there are certain kinds of actions that must be regarded as insults when such actions proceed from equal or approximately equal persons. I speak, for example, of the actions of a Duke, Prince or Marquis, Count or Baron towards a person of the same status, or even simply of the actions of one nobleman towards another. If these actions are insulting, it is clear how a man of honor should react to them, no matter what edicts this man may be bound by. The ban on duels, introduced by Cardinal Richelieu and ratified by Louis XIII, is still in force, it was confirmed by the Minister-Cardinal Mazarin and King Louis XIV. But no King can forbid a nobleman to defend his honor. This is all I wanted to say about the insult of a nobleman by another nobleman. However, there is a certain kind of action which, if the King deigns to perform it, is not an insult to a nobleman. Everything that comes from the King comes from his divine authority, and therefore cannot be an insult. Just as one cannot be offended by Divine Providence, so one cannot be offended by the decisions of the King. Not seeing any insult in the King's actions, a decent nobleman sees no reason to be offended, and, therefore, there is no need to defend his honor with sword in hand.
“You are probably quite right, Prince,” replied the Duke with a smile that meant “Nothing like that could happen to me, so I don’t need such a conciliatory morality.”
“I have not finished, Duke,” said the Prince. “I said that a man like myself sees no offence in the actions of the King. But such a man is not obliged to forgive offences from any other man who stands even one step below the King. Even to a Prince, a Prince like myself will not forgive any offence. Therefore, having made this warning, I would like to return to the statement which you, Duke, seemed to me to be about to make. It seemed to me that in this statement, which you did not make, but are about to make, there might be a hint of some circumstances which must either be decisively brushed aside, or else discussed elsewhere and in a manner befitting nobles who are concerned about their honour.
"Prince, I did not intend to say anything of the sort," said the Duke, trying to make his tone as gentle as possible. "If I meant to say that time and fate sometimes provide opportunities to teach the King a lesson for some ignoble actions, I meant a purely hypothetical situation, without hinting at anything concrete. I did not in any way intend to pronounce my opinions on any matter, I came to seek friendship and support, and if for any reason I have been misunderstood, I offer my humble apologies and would like to take my leave."
“Thank you, Duke, for your explanation and for your answer,” replied the prince. “Would you like to stay with me for dinner?”
"I am grateful to you for your hospitality," said the Duke. "I am in a great hurry at present. Travelling to places where I should hope to find friends in the coming undertaking, I have no opportunity of staying anywhere."
After this, the prince and the duke exchanged pleasantries very respectfully and coolly and parted.
As he was leaving the prince's palace, the duke saw the princess walking arm in arm with a nobleman. By pure chance, Philippe was too close to the duke and did not have time to avert his face. Looking at Philippe's face, the duke turned cold. He recognized the King of France. Since he had heard that the King had had a short affair with the princess two years ago, he had decided that the King had secretly arrived in the principality of Monaco to continue this affair. But he was firmly convinced that the King was now in Paris.
Charles immediately sent a messenger to Paris to find out where the King was and where exactly he was today, what he was doing. He also specifically said that very reliable evidence was needed, one should not be satisfied with unverified rumors about where he really was. At the same time, the Duke left a clever spy named Armand to find out everything about this man if possible. He would have been impatient to find out everything in detail himself, but affairs in the west of the country, in Lorraine, called him. Therefore, he was forced to leave.
However, Charles had already guessed that he had not met the King, but a man who looked very much like him, since he knew that Louis could not have grown a beard and moustache a la Henry IV so quickly. Therefore, a certain plan, so far only in general outline, began to gradually mature in the Duke’s head. Charles realized that this man, who was so amazingly similar to the King, but was not the King of France Louis XIV, had not appeared in Monaco by chance. This unknown nobleman could not be a random person, he had arrived here secretly, and only those people who treated him as a nobleman knew everything about his origin. Charles decided that he too should find out everything about this man, and then he would know how to act further. But in any case, the existence of a man so like the King opened up unprecedented opportunities for a man as powerful as Charles of Lorraine and a ruler as unscrupulous as any Duke of Lorraine was.

Chapter XXXIII. Charles of Lorraine

Charles of Lorraine was not so simple as to believe in the accidental resemblance of a certain nobleman to the King. The discrepancy between the hairstyle and the style of the moustache and beard only increased his suspicions. Indeed, if someone had sought to resemble the King, that person would most likely, on the contrary, have tried to achieve the greatest possible resemblance in hairstyle, moustache and beard, whereas this person sought to disguise his resemblance as much as possible. Therefore, either it was the King himself, who used extremely skillful means to deceive chance people who might meet and recognize him, or this person by nature possessed a resemblance that at the moment hindered him. Charles did not lose sight of the fact that, although he was very well acquainted with the King, the nobleman whom he met seemed not to be acquainted with the Duke of Lorraine at all. Therefore, he was not the King.
We obviously need to tell our readers a little about Karl to make the rest of the story more understandable.
Charles IV, now Duke of Lorraine, was a frequent guest at the French court due to his nobility, and it can be said that he received his education there. For this reason, he was a childhood companion of Louis XIII, the father of the current King. They lived in the Saint-Germain Palace, where the illegitimate children of Henry IV were also raised. Charles shared with Louis a passion for music, drawing, and military art. The friends loved weapons, and often shot birds with a bow and arrow and an arquebus for fun. After the Catholic fanatic Fran;ois Ravaillac killed King Henry IV of France on 14 May 1610 on the Rue de la Ferronrie, the eight-year-old Dauphin became King Louis XIII only nominally, and his mother's favourite, Concino Concini, Marshal d'Ancre, began to rule the country. Charles shared Louis's indignation at this and approved of his decision to get rid of the hated Italian. So when fifteen-year-old Louis XIII ordered the murder of his mother's favorite Concino Concini and the execution of his wife Galigai in 1617, Charles was one of those who first congratulated Louis on this event.
From his parents, Karl received as a supplement to his upbringing at court an eternal dissatisfaction with the actual position he occupied and constantly hidden claims to something more. Unfortunately, this often happens: people standing half a step below the monarch experience the strongest envy and are tormented by eternal dissatisfaction with fate, while people standing at the foot of the hierarchical ladder are quite happy if they manage to at least not go down, and even a small rise makes them happy for the rest of their lives.
However, the title of Duke of Lorraine did not come easy to Charles. Despite the fact that after his arrival in Lorraine after the death of Duke Ren; II, Charles declared himself heir to this title in accordance with the Duke's will, his uncle Henry II tried to bypass his nephew in favor of his daughter Nicole. Of course, this was unfair, since, according to the will, only the order of succession was assumed in the male line, however, Nicole was a closer relative of Ren; II, which made it possible to assert Charles's disputed right. The feud with his own uncle Henry II did not promise an easy victory and led to Charles being forced to leave France and enter the military service of Emperor Ferdinand II, for whom he fought in the Battle of White Mountain near Prague (November 8, 1620).
However, the desire to obtain the Duchy of Lorraine for himself did not leave Charles. The unwillingness to lose what Charles considered his rightful right forced him to make concessions for the sake of his main goal. After lengthy negotiations, he finally married his cousin Nicole in 1621, precisely with the intention of obtaining the desired power over Lorraine only thanks to his wife. Fortunately for Charles, his uncle Henry II died three years later. Charles, who all this time had to be content with the humiliating position of duke-husband, that is, in fact, co-ruler of his own wife, finally decided to assert his right. To this end, in November 1625, Charles's father, Fran;ois de Vaud;mont, referring to the will of Ren; II, demanded this duchy for himself in the States General of Lorraine. The States General of Lorraine accepted his right, so that Fran;ois de Vaud;mont formally became Duke of Lorraine on November 21, 1625, under the name of Fran;ois II, and five days later he abdicated this title in favor of his son, who finally received the ducal throne for himself, establishing himself on it under the name of Charles IV, thus finally pushing his wife out of power.
Since Louis XIII had no heir for a long time due to several miscarriages of the Queen, and also, as they said, due to the considerable coldness of the royal couple's relations, this created the illusion of the accessibility of the royal throne for many of the King's relatives who stood close to this throne in their position. The King's poor health also contributed to the excessive growth of ambitions, first of all, on the part of the King's brother, the Duke of Anjou (later the Duke of Orleans), as well as the Count of Soissons, the Count de Moret and many others.
The plots aimed at the physical elimination of the first minister, Cardinal Richelieu, almost always aimed at eliminating the King as well. Although various individuals, such as de Cinq-Mars, de Chalais and others, were named as the main actors in the exposure of such plots, in fact the true inspirers of all these plots were the King's closest relatives, first of all his brother, the Duke of Orleans, also his wife, Queen Anne of Austria, as well as representatives of the House of Lorraine and the House of Rohan. To both of these houses belonged the Duchess of Chevreuse, n;e de Rohan, by her second marriage the husband of Claude of Lorraine, the Duke of Chevreuse. In addition, by her first marriage she was the widow of the Duke of Luynes, a favorite of Louis XIII, as a result of which she herself was a close friend of Queen Anne. Thus, it did not take a great analytical mind to understand that all these conspirators were always united by one thing: the Duchess de Chevreuse herself, who, strangely enough, after the failure of all these conspiracies and the execution of their secondary participants, emerged unscathed from any such situation. The fact is that the King was extremely lenient towards his relatives, and even the all-powerful Cardinal Richelieu did not risk making an attempt on the main culprits and ideological inspirers of these conspiracies, such as the King's brother and his wife. With regard to the Duchess de Chevreuse, the Cardinal sometimes hoped that he would still be able to get even with her, but the clever Maria found levers of influence on the subtle politician, showing him in practice that friendship with her was more profitable than enmity, although just as dangerous. Charles of Lorraine, a relative of the Duchess by her second husband, of course, also knew how to remain in the shadows, not missing out on his own benefit. If these two had united more decisively, the fate of France might have been different, but experience shows that the husband's relatives are not always close in spirit to his widow. In any case, the Duchess of Chevreuse, cleverly taking advantage of the discord and disagreements in the royal family, never dared to get closer to Charles of Lorraine, just as Charles, trying to fish in the troubled waters of intrigue, did not share his plans and information with the Duchess of Chevreuse. It can be said that fate itself protected France from the union of these two intriguers.
As far as possible, Charles preserved what independence Lorraine had from France that he could maintain by making temporary and shaky alliances with neighboring states. Louis XIII was angry at this, since he was not prepared to accept the way of acting and thinking of his cousin Charles, wishing to completely subordinate Lorraine to the French throne. For this reason, Charles secretly supported any opponents of Cardinal Richelieu, supplying them with information, lending them money and giving them refuge.
Under the influence of the all-powerful Cardinal Richelieu, French policy was aimed at strengthening the state and expanding the eastern borders of the kingdom to the Rhine. As a result, France annexed Franche-Comt;, Alsace and Lorraine. Contrary to his wishes, Charles became more dependent on Louis than he would have liked. He continued to look for allies against the King outside and inside France. Despite the fact that the House of Lorraine traditionally supported the most extreme representatives of the Catholic Church, who most resolutely fought against any heresy, taking up arms, first of all, against the Huguenots, now Charles IV, convinced that he would not receive support from Bavaria and Austria, turned his attention to his former opponents, and thus began to seek an alliance with his sworn enemies, the very Huguenots whom his ancestors had persecuted mercilessly and uncompromisingly. Charles began to conclude alliances with England and Savoy.
In September 1629, Gaston d'Orl;ans, the king's brother, fled to Lorraine and, without the consent of Louis XIII, married Margaret, Charles's sister. This was a great victory for Charles.
In the spring of 1631, the King of Sweden, Gustav II Adolf, landed in Germany with his army, after which Charles IV sent an army to support the emperor. This was a mistake, since Charles actually openly declared his enmity with Louis, with whom he had once been friends. As a result of this mistake, Louis XIII occupied Lorraine in June 1632. The defeated Charles had no choice but to sign a humiliating peace treaty for himself. He ignored this treaty with all his might, violating it at every opportunity. As a result, Louis was again forced to use force, after which in September 1633 our troops again captured Lorraine. This forced Charles IV to abdicate the title of Duke of Lorraine in January 1634 in favor of his brother Nicolas II Fran;ois. Charles, deprived of the duchy, joined the imperial troops and fought with little success against Sweden and later against France.
In 1635, Charles unsuccessfully attempted to recapture the duchy, and even won a number of victories in 1638–40. This allowed negotiations with Louis to be resumed. Under the new treaty, France returned the duchy to him under French protectorate, on the condition that he not enter into an alliance with Austria. However, Charles continued to act against Richelieu and Louis, including participating in the conspiracy of Louis de Bourbon-Cond;. When the conspiracy was discovered, Charles escaped from almost certain arrest by order of Richelieu. He then re-entered military service and in November 1643, he fought in the Battle of Tuttlingen against France.
After the death of Richelieu, Charles remained an implacable enemy of Louis XIII, and after the death of Louis himself, which followed soon after, Charles retained his enmity towards the Dauphin, who had now become Louis | IV, as well as towards Cardinal Mazarin, who actually ruled France.
The Peace of Westphalia, concluded without Charles's participation, included as a condition the formal submission of the three Lorraine bishoprics to the French crown: Toul, Metz, Verdun. His attempt to influence the outcome of this peace in negotiations with Cardinal Mazarin failed. Therefore, Charles again took military action against France and in 1652 he seriously threatened Paris. However, due to the precarious position, Charles lost the trust of both warring parties, since he tried to negotiate simultaneously with Mazarin and the Fronde. In this respect, he was the complete opposite of Jean-Fran;ois-Paul de Gondi, who so cleverly flirted with Mazarin, Queen Anne, and the Fronde that he ultimately succeeded greatly, making a career for himself and finally receiving the cardinal's hat from the hands of Pope Innocent X in 1651. It is worth remembering here that the said Gondi, former coadjutor and now Cardinal de Retz, did not lead a cardinal's life, he was a very secular man, what is called a gallant cavalier, and one of his mistresses was the daughter of the Duchess de Chevreuse. This once again confirms our idea that if Charles of Lorraine had become closer to his relative, the Duchess de Chevreuse, the fate of France could have been completely different.
Since Charles acted without such important support, one of his misfortunes was his arrest by the Spanish authorities, since Spain considered him the reason for the failure of the rebellion. Thus, Charles was arrested on January 25, 1654 in Brussels and taken to the Alcazar of Toledo. However, the military successes of his brother Nicolas II Fran;ois restored Charles's freedom on October 15, 1659, and by the Treaty of Vincennes of February 28, 1661, the Duchy of Lorraine was also returned to him. At first, Charles began to engage in quite peaceful affairs, for example, he began to restore the roads in Lorraine and Bar, for which he tightened the taxes in his possessions, already devastated by the Thirty Years' War. He tried to make peace with Louis XIV, transferring to France for a million thalers and the title of prince of the French house the rights to the Lorraine throne with the promise to disband his army. However, as always, Charles refused to actually fulfill the obligations he signed in the treaty. Thus, in 1669, he refused to comply with Louis XIV's proposal to disband the army, as a result of which the King again sent troops to Lorraine, which they occupied in the summer of 1670. Charles IV was again forced to act to protect his rapidly diminishing rights and privileges, so he again entered the imperial service to fight against France. In search of new allies, he secretly arrived in Monaco, where he met Philippe.

Chapter XXXIV. The Fox and the Marten

Having received information from his people that the King was calmly staying in Paris during the strange meeting in Monaco, Charles IV himself decided to secretly arrive in Paris in order to clarify the information with the source that was the most reliable, although not cheap.
The Duchess de Chevreuse came out of her dressing room and calmly sat down in her favorite armchair, intending to read a few pages of Niccolo Machiavelli before going to bed. Suddenly, she realized that something had changed in her luxurious boudoir. She looked with more surprise than fear into the dark end of the room, which, for economy, was not lit by candles, and noticed a shadow there.
A nobleman sat calmly in the guest chair.
“Do not be afraid, Duchess, it is I, Charles of Lorraine,” said the uninvited guest.
"We must get rid of the habit of keeping our doors unlocked," the Duchess said calmly, more to herself than to the mysterious visitor. "What do you want with me, Charles of Lorraine?"
- Why so formal, cousin? - asked Karl. - I dropped in as a relative to the charming widow of our beloved Claude of Lorraine, and you ask me right from the door what I want. Perhaps I want to inquire about the health of my dear relative and wish her long life? Or perhaps I want to have a cup of coffee with the marzipan biscuits that our dear Claude loved so much?
- Tell me fairy tales! - the Duchess smiled. - No one ever comes to Marie de Chevreuse to inquire about her health, much less to wish her long life. But many wish that her life would end as soon as possible. As for coffee and cookies, this is not an inn. I would, of course, treat you to dinner if I was going to have dinner myself, but the doctors have ordered me to abstain from food before bed, so the only thing I can treat you to is old-womanish lamentations about my failing health and rising prices.
“And such a conversation will suit me,” Karl condescendingly agreed. “Tell me about your health, do you need anything? What goods have prices increased, and how have your expenses increased in connection with this, dear cousin?”
- So I believed that you were interested in my health and my needs! - answered the Duchess with a laugh. - You, dear Duke, have so much business in your duchy that you should not even come to Paris without extreme necessity. And to drop in, as you say, to your cousin for a cup of coffee and marzipan biscuits is an excessive luxury for you, so busy and so businesslike in everything and always. You need to find out something from me. But I know nothing about your affairs in Lorraine!
“I know everything there is to know about my affairs in Lorraine,” Charles replied with a laugh. “And all this information can be summed up in one phrase: ‘Everything is bad.’ So I have nothing to ask you, dear Duchess.”
“So you are interested in business in Paris, since you came here and called on me,” concluded the Duchess. “But I have completely retired from business.”
"Of course, Duchess!" agreed Karl. "Politics do not interest me, since I have failed in this field on all sides. The only thing I seek is the peace of a close family circle, a simple private life."
"So you are interested in the King's family affairs," said the Duchess, nodding. "But I can't help you in these matters either. I am not informed about anything and am very glad that I am not being thrown out of the Louvre, where I can live with relative economy, since it has become too expensive for me to maintain the palace."
"My dear cousin, I take your troubles to heart and am ready to assist you in your troubles," said Charles. "Although I am now in straitened circumstances myself, I sincerely seek your friendship and would like to begin by presenting you with this family heirloom of the House of Lorraine in memory of our dear Claude of Lorraine, whose widow you are.
With these words, Karl took a box out of his pocket and placed it on the table in front of the duchess.
He expected the Duchess to open it immediately and find a magnificent diamond ring inside, but the Duchess accepted the gift with her own characteristic combination of arrogance, pride and gratitude, making it clear that, regardless of the value of this gift, she took it for granted and was in no hurry to examine the contents or express gratitude in any form.
“My dear cousin, since you insist on defining our relationship in this way,” she said, “I loved and still love my dear Claude too much to renounce my relationship with the House of Lorraine. Every relic of that house is priceless to me, no matter what its monetary value. I am in no hurry to find out what is in that box. If it contains even a simple dried orange blossom, I value it as highly as if it contained a diamond the size of a walnut.”
“Of course, there’s not a walnut-sized diamond in there, but there’s not a dried flower either,” Karl muttered, embarrassed. “In this box is…”
- No, don't say it! - the Duchess interrupted him. - I have already said that I value your gift beyond all measure! As if you had given me a reliquary with holy relics. After all, such a gift is not measured by the price of the frame and precious stones. I repeat, I accept your gift with gratitude. I am grateful to you beyond all measure, what else do you want from me?
"What a rogue!" thought Karl. "She took a ring worth a hundred thousand livres and didn't blink an eye, and she made it seem like she didn't owe me anything, as if I had given her a dried orange blossom!"
"Duchess!" said Charles at last. "You are quite right! The value of my gift does not lie in its weight or the size of the diamonds, but in the fact that it is a family heirloom of the House of Lorraine. By accepting this gift, you have, I hope, confirmed your belonging to that house, and therefore I hope to have a family conversation with you about certain matters."
“I’m listening to you,” replied the Duchess, and her answer read: “But I don’t promise you anything.”
“I would like to know about the man I met in Monaco,” said Karl, looking closely at the Duchess’s face.
- I've never been to Monaco! - answered the Duchess. - Is it warm there? What is the nature like there? They say there is a wonderful view of the sea?
- The sea? - Karl asked absentmindedly. - What does the sea have to do with it? I didn't pay attention to it. I'm talking about a man, a nobleman.
"Are there any nobles in this wilderness?" asked the Duchess with feigned surprise.
“There are plenty of nobles at the prince’s court,” the duke answered with a smile.
“Oh, yes, there is a prince there,” said the Duchess, shrugging her shoulders. “So what kind of nobleman?”
"He looked a lot like someone," Karl said. "So much so that I would say it was him. But it wasn't him."
"You speak in riddles, Duke," said the Duchess. "Someone resembles someone. What am I to say to that? Who resembles? Who resembles?"
"If he had resembled a face even slightly less significant, I would have named that face," answered Karl. "But I dare not name the face that this nobleman resembled."
- That's it! - answered the Duchess. - Suppose you met such a nobleman. What does that have to do with me?
“I asked myself, ‘Was it my imagination?’” Karl continued. “And I couldn’t answer that question either positively or negatively.”
“And you came to me for an answer, Duke,” the Duchess summed up. “Why?”
"If I have not imagined it, then there must have been some important circumstance in the past which Queen Anne's best friend could not but know," replied Charles. "If she knows nothing of it, then I must have imagined it, and I must put the whole episode out of my mind."
"Queen Anne's best friend!" cried the Duchess sarcastically. "Yes, I have always wished well for our good Queen, and have done all I could for her, but have had nothing in return. If that is what you call being her best friend, then I have been her best friend."
“That’s exactly what I meant,” Charles agreed. “So tell me, Duchess, was it my imagination or not?”
- Of course it was my imagination, Duke! - answered the Duchess. - Could the resemblance you speak of really exist? This nobleman, in that case, must be as old as the one he resembles! After so long a period of time, someone would have noticed it long ago, and it would undoubtedly have been discovered.
"So, Duchess, you absolutely assert that such a person does not exist?" asked Charles.
"As decisively as I can," agreed the Duchess. "If I understand you correctly about what this man resembles. However, in any case, I am not informed about anything."
“Thank you, Duchess,” replied Charles. “It was a pleasure to see you.”
"I am very sorry that I cannot offer you coffee and marzipan biscuits, Duke," replied the Duchess. "Thank you for returning to my home the heirloom of the House of Lorraine," she said and placed her palm on the box with the ring.
“You’re welcome,” Karl replied sullenly. “It’s my duty. Allow me to take my leave.”
"The old rascal certainly knows something about this matter!" thought Karl. "She is hiding something. I have not been able to find an approach to her, since she expects to get more from the other side!"
"So Philippe has arrived in Monaco," thought the Duchess. "And Charles of Lorraine has seen him. The King must be warned immediately."
After this, the Duchess rang the bell to have a cup of coffee and a plate of marzipan cookies brought to her, then she opened the box and began to examine the ring she had been given with the eye of a connoisseur.
“A hundred thousand livres, no less,” she said to herself with pleasure.

Chapter XXXV. The Marten and the King

The Duchess de Chevreuse slowly drank coffee with marzipan cookies, after which she went to see the King.
Despite the rather late hour, the King immediately responded to the report that the Duchess had come to see him and ordered her to be admitted.
“Your Majesty, I have two pieces of unpleasant news!” said the Duchess.
“It is a pity that unpleasant news should come at this time of day, Duchess,” replied the King. “I fear I shall have a sleepless night. But I thank you for your haste to tell me. I think it is worth the haste. Speak then.”
"Philippe is in France! He is in Monaco," the Duchess replied.
"That's very bad news," the King agreed. "I hope the other news isn't so bad?"
"She is much worse, Your Majesty," replied the Duchess. "The second piece of news is that Charles of Lorraine has seen Philip and is convinced that there is something behind it."
“How do you know about this?” asked Louis.
“He was just here trying to find out what kind of person he was,” the Duchess said.
"Then you have given me three pieces of news," said the King. "The third piece of news is that Charles of Lorraine is in Paris.
“Quite right, Your Majesty, but I don’t know how long he will remain here,” the Duchess agreed. “It is quite possible that he has already left Paris.”
“Quite likely,” admitted the King. “Well, if he’s here, it means my police are doing a bad job, worse than they should.”
“It’s not for me to judge,” the Duchess answered modestly. “I think that Charles will try to use Philip for his own purposes.”
“We must prevent him from doing this,” agreed the King. “How I miss d’Artagnan!”
“I believe he will soon arrive in France,” replied the Duchess.
"Duchess, if you hear of his arrival, or of the arrival of any of these four, inform me at once!" said the King. "And if you are fortunate enough to see them, inform them that I am their friend, and that they are in no danger from me."
“I will be glad to serve Your Majesty in such a matter,” replied the Duchess.
"Thank you, Duchess," said the King. "Your service will not go unnoticed, be assured. Tomorrow I will order Colbert to give you the appropriate sum."
"Your Majesty is extremely kind," said the Duchess, bowing. "I dare say that I do this not for money, but in memory of my dear friend, your mother, the Queen."
“Of course,” replied the King. “But you won’t refuse a reward.”
“I will not refuse, Your Majesty,” replied the Duchess. “I think I have tired you. Allow me to digress.”
“Thank you, Duchess, you are free,” Louis replied.

After this, he ordered that Chancellor Michel Le Tellier, Marquis de Barbezieux, and his son, Minister of War Fran;ois-Michel Le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois, should appear before him the following morning.

Chapter XXXVI. Father and Son Le Tellier

Chancellor and Minister of War, Michel Le Tellier had proven his loyalty and competence to Louis XIV many times. His son, Fran;ois-Michel Le Tellier, was appointed Secretary of State for War. Louis realized that he would have to trust his secret to trustworthy people, so he chose Le Tellier, father and son, because he trusted them more than anyone else now that Captain d'Artagnan was no longer with him, and also because d'Artagnan's loyalty had its limits. However, Louis realized that it would have been better not to force the captain to cross these limits, but he had no choice when he had to seek protection from the Bishop of Vannes. Louis was also well aware that, for all the loyalty of the Le Tellier family, they could do nothing to save him from d'Herblay's plot, firstly because they would not have discovered it, and secondly because they could not have acted as decisively and effectively as d'Artagnan had, being virtually alone in the face of several enemies. It should, of course, be added to d'Artagnan's credit that, in defending Louis, he was thwarting the plans of Aramis and Porthos, that is, to a certain extent, taking the side of the King against his friends. But for d'Artagnan, such a position was possible only so long as his actions did not threaten the lives of these friends, and not an inch further. The captain's loyalty began to crack precisely at the moment when Louis entrusted him with the destruction of Aramis and Porthos. If the King had limited himself to using him only to protect himself from the insidious plans of Aramis, d'Artagnan would have remained loyal to Louis to the end. In addition, Louis realized that Colbert had in fact forced him to act so rudely and thereby lose such an invaluable servant, at the same time extremely intelligent, insightful, shrewd, and at the same time a courageous, loyal and skillful warrior. Realizing Colbert's usefulness in financial matters, as well as in matters of supplying the army and even in matters of creating a fleet that was truly strong and effective, the King could not help but see Colbert's excessive curiosity, which, of course, was fueled by his mercantile and ambitious aspirations, while the King did not see such aspirations in d'Artagnan. Or, in any case, if the captain of the musketeers was ambitious or mercantile like any courtier, he never placed his personal ambitions above the duty of loyalty to the King, above the honor of an officer, a nobleman, a courtier, above those ethical principles that were assumed in any nobleman, but, unfortunately, very rarely existed even in the best representatives of the nobility.
Louis would never have confided his secret to Le Tellier if he had had d'Artagnan, and a d'Artagnan who was not offended by mistrust, not insulted by the fact that he was surrounded by Colbert's spies, who had higher tacit powers than those that were publicly given to the captain. If time could have been turned back, Louis would have preferred to forgive Aramis and Porthos rather than lose d'Artagnan. And then, obviously, there would not have been those eight months spent in the abbey, nor the long wanderings on the road to the abbey under d'Artagnan's escort and back without any companions.
Louis had learned a lot during these eight months, he had become different. And this different Louis was forced to call on Chancellor Le Tellier to solve the problem that had arisen. The Chancellor's son, being the Secretary of State, would have learned from his father about the secret entrusted to him one way or another, so it would have been much better for him to learn this secret from the King himself, having previously promised to keep it. However, Louis believed that the best solution would be to solve the problem with the help of father and son Le Tellier, without dedicating them to the essence of the problem. He thought about this all night, without closing his eyes and not even trying to fall asleep. Therefore, he did not go to bed, but remained in his favorite armchair, from time to time making some notes, sketches, drawing diagrams and tables, which he then tore into small shreds.
When father and son Le Tellier appeared in the King's study at the appointed time and bowed to the chairs offered to them, Louis tried to explain their task to them as clearly as possible, without revealing as much as possible about all the details of the problem that had arisen.
“Mr. Minister, Mr. Secretary of State, I have summoned you to clarify some of the features of our struggle for a strong France,” said Louis.
Father and son Le Tellier bowed in response. Secretary of State Fran;ois-Michel Le Tellier took out a pen, inkwell and a folder of papers.
“I beg you, gentlemen, no notes,” Louis replied, whereupon Fran;ois-Michel put away his writing materials and his face assumed the same expression of respectful attention that was already on his father’s face.
“Gentlemen! The eastern provinces, Alsace and Lorraine, have long been the cause of our constant anxiety,” the King continued. “I will say without beating around the bush, the problems these territories sometimes cause exceed those caused by neighboring countries, even when they take an extremely unfriendly stance. And although we have now annexed Alsace and Lorraine as securely as possible, these lands have not ceased to be a powder keg ready to explode at any moment. The rebellious Charles IV has constantly deceived us, and I expect him to do the same in the future. We have tried to solve this problem peacefully, but numerous agreements have been ignored by him. We have given him a million thalers and the title of prince of the royal house only so that he would disband his army and submit, but all in vain. He remains the most dangerous enemy of France. He should be captured and arrested. His place is in the Bastille.” If he resists arrest and is killed while resisting or trying to escape, I will not be angry with those who are forced to do so.
Michel Le Tellier nodded significantly. The Chancellor had a talent for making facial expressions that indicated much more thought than was in his head. This forced one to suspect him of an extraordinary mind, greater than that which the Chancellor actually possessed. Without in any way diminishing his mental abilities, we only note that he was able to create an opinion about these mental abilities that far exceeded that which could be formed by analyzing his actual actions.
Looking at that intelligent face, the King even thought for a moment that Le Tellier knew everything about the current situation, however, since he had known Le Tellier for a long time, he knew about this peculiarity of his chancellor's grimace, so he continued.
"I have information that Charles of Lorraine has conceived a daring intrigue, a vile plot, not disdaining any methods," the King continued. "For these purposes he is preparing to enlist the support of the most unexpected allies. And that is not all. I can expect that this scoundrel has prepared and will try to use an impostor who claims the throne of France.
"This is high treason, Your Majesty!" exclaimed the Chancellor. "For such plans alone he deserves the death penalty."
"Exactly so, gentlemen," the King agreed. "As you know, we must complete our military affairs in Holland, but the situation is such that we cannot relax in relation to Lorraine. Therefore, I need at the present time not only loyal and brave commanders in the north, but also loyal and reliable men in the east.
“Your Majesty, any attempt at rebellion in the East will be suppressed,” replied Le Tellier senior, rising from his chair.
“Very well, but that is not all,” continued Louis. “I must give you additional instructions for the most unforeseen and exceptional case. Remember the password: ‘Happy is the King with such servants.’”
“Happy is the King with such servants,” repeated both Le Telliers.
"I hope you will not need this password," Louis continued. "But in the unlikely event that you should doubt your King's command, you may ask me for it. My answer, 'Happy is the King with such servants,' should dispel any doubts you may have."
“I cannot imagine a situation where we could doubt Your Majesty’s order,” said Le Tellier senior.
"This situation may arise from circumstances of which you should not yet be aware," said Louis. "Charles IV is cunning. He is going to find an impostor who will, as you may think, have the right to give you orders."
"We obey no one but Your Majesty," replied Le Tellier senior. "If Your Majesty orders the arrest of anyone, even your illustrious brother Philippe, we will carry out this order without hesitation."
"I am glad to hear it," replied the King, "but the question is not of arresting my brother. Simply remember that the password given to you will remove any doubts, no matter what the cause for them. I command you to learn this password and remember its importance, even if it seems to you at the moment that it is of no use."
“We understand everything, Your Majesty,” the chancellor replied with such an important air that Louis again felt for a second that he understood more than he should.
"So, my order is that Charles of Lorraine be arrested and brought to the Bastille, dead or alive," Louis concluded. "No one and nothing should hinder you in this matter. Even I myself will not be able to cancel this order of mine unless I pronounce the password. Do you understand that?"
“Even Your Majesty will not cancel the order for the arrest of Charles of Lorraine unless he pronounces the password: ‘Happy is the King with such servants,’” said Fran;ois-Michel.
“Okay, I’m satisfied,” Louis nodded. “You can go and carry out my order.”


Chapter XXXVII. The Queen's Kitty

Colbert, by order of the King, had to establish the whereabouts of d'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis. To this end, he used his network of spies. He already knew that they had arrived in France and were probably heading for Paris. But he knew for sure that there was no person with them who resembled the King's relative, and he also remembered that he was forbidden to think about this person, and for this reason he thought about him more and more. One cannot forbid someone to think about someone or something, since such a prohibition only increases curiosity and encourages one to think about the forbidden topic much more intensely and often than if there were no such prohibition.
The secretary came in and reported on Preval's arrival.
- Ah! My dear Martin! Come in! - said Colbert. - What news?
“Monsignor, the Queen’s cat has again forced me to look into a certain office…” the dwarf replied.
- So, so, you say, the Queen's kitty? - Colbert shook his head. - And where did she take you this time?
- There, monseigneur! - exclaimed Preval. - This cat loved to run into His Majesty's study so much that I was forced to look in there so that Her Majesty would not lose her favorite and worry about her.
“So, kitty,” Colbert replied, nodding his agreement to accept this hypothesis as a working one. “Is that all you wanted to tell me?”
“That’s all, Monsignor, and I ask you to forgive me for once again overhearing a certain conversation,” Preval replied, pretending to be ready to end his visit to the minister.
"In order to intercede for you before the King, I must know what you heard, dear Martin!" replied Colbert, accepting Preval's game. "If you heard some trifles, then perhaps your indelicacy is not a great sin."
"It is not for me to judge whether I have heard trifles," replied Preval. "Allow me, Monseigneur, to tell you what I have heard quite against my will, and allow me to ask you to decide this difficult question by considering how far I am guilty before His Majesty?"
“I’m listening to you, my dear, but don’t hide anything,” Colbert replied and prepared to listen with the utmost attention.
“The situation was that the day before, the Duchess de Chevreuse came to see His Majesty again,” answered Preval.
- And for this reason you decided to keep an eye on the cat as closely as possible, I understand! - said Colbert. - The next day, trying to return the cat to its place, you accidentally found yourself in His Majesty's office. So what did you hear?
"His Majesty gave Mr. Chancellor Le Tellier and his son some unusual orders," Preval replied. "That is to say, the orders were, at first glance, the most ordinary, but the form in which he gave them was somehow strange."
“Let me judge for myself what was unusual and what was common in these assignments, just tell me what you, such a scoundrel, heard through the fault of this disobedient cat,” answered Colbert.
“The king has ordered that Charles of Lorraine be found and arrested,” Preval replied.
"I don't see anything unusual in that," replied Colbert. "Charles IV of Lorraine has long been asking to be arrested."
“The king also hinted that if the duke resisted the arrest or attempted to escape, it would be entirely acceptable to kill him,” added Preval.
"Well, it is quite logical to kill a state criminal while attempting to escape or resisting the King's officers," Colbert noted. "The King's orders must be carried out immediately and with the utmost precision, otherwise those who show disobedience bear full responsibility for any consequences of such disobedience."
“The king also reported that Charles of Lorraine was planning to use for his own purposes the impostor who was claiming the throne of France,” said Preval.
“What else?” Colbert asked quickly.
“The King gave the Chancellor and his son a certain password for emergencies,” added Preval.
"What kind of password is that? For what emergency?" Colbert said ingratiatingly.
“Let me tell you verbatim, as I remember His Majesty’s words?” asked Preval.
“Of course!” exclaimed Colbert.
— The King said the following: "I hope you will not need this password. But in the highly unlikely event that you doubt your King's command, you may ask me for this password. My answer, 'Happy is the King with such servants,' should dispel any doubts you may have."
“Is the King happy with such servants?” Colbert asked again.
“This phrase is a secret password,” Preval confirmed. “The King then said: ‘The password given to you will remove any doubts, no matter what the reasons for them. I order you to learn this password and remember its importance, even if it seems useless to you now. My order is to have Charles of Lorraine arrested and brought to the Bastille, dead or alive. No one and nothing should hinder you in this matter. Even I myself will not be able to cancel this order of mine unless I pronounce the password.’”
“It’s not clear, therefore it’s very important,” Colbert said thoughtfully. “What else did you hear?”
“I would just like to add that at the very beginning of the conversation, the King forbade recording this conversation,” Preval replied.
"Why didn't you tell me about it at once?" exclaimed Colbert with feigned irritation. "After all, as you understand, I only questioned you to decide whether the conversation you accidentally overheard was important or unimportant, to assess the degree of guilt that lies with you! If you had said at once that His Majesty asked not to take notes, I would have told you at once that the conversation was important.
"Please forgive my stupidity, Monseigneur," replied Preval. "It turns out that if I had said so at once, I would not have had to recount the rest of the conversation I overheard."
- Exactly so, dear Martin, exactly so! - Colbert agreed. - Be more careful in the future. However, it is not so bad that you told me this. After all, I am practically the right hand of His Majesty. Telling me what you heard is almost the same as telling the King himself. Therefore, in future, act as your pure soul and open heart tell you. And now, I beg you, forget this whole conversation, and I will help you with this. Take this purse, it will help you forget what you heard.
“I have already forgotten, Monsignor,” replied Preval.
“Go, my dear,” said Colbert. “I still have a lot of things to do.”
After Preval left, Colbert became thoughtful.
“A man resembling the King or his brother could lay claim to the French throne. Who could he be?” Colbert thought. “The King’s elder brother? Unthinkable! A more worthy heir in the collateral line? Even more so! The eldest descendant in the male line of the last King is the most worthy claimant, provided he is alive. Thus, only the King’s younger brother, that is, Monsieur, Duke of Orleans, Philippe de Bourbon, could lay claim to the French throne. But this mysterious man is someone else! Well, we will deal with that later. For now, we know that this man could fall under the influence of Charles of Lorraine, and for this case the King gave his faithful minister Le Tellier and his son the password. But he did not give me this password! Does this mean that he doubts my loyalty? Perhaps I myself am to blame for my interference in this matter! But in any case, I have no way with Charles of Lorraine! So I must prove my loyalty to the King. "The best thing would be to make my own efforts to arrest Charles of Lorraine. I must do it before the officers sent for this purpose by Minister Le Tellier. And I have a good chance of doing so if I involve d'Artagnan and his friends, these, as His Majesty called them, Athos, Porthos and Aramis! They are heading, it seems, for Paris, and I must not let them go."
At that moment, Colbert's secretary Lucien entered his office.
"Monseigneur," he said, "His Majesty requires you to come to him immediately. He has sent a courier."

Chapter XXXVIII. The King

"Monsieur Colbert, is there anything you wish to tell me?" Louis asked Colbert as soon as he appeared before him.
“I have many orders from Your Majesty and many matters in connection with them,” the minister replied. “I would spare Your Majesty from listening to boring information on these routine matters if Your Majesty would hint to me which particular question from this multitude arouses your greatest interest.”
“I have instructed you to know at any moment where Messrs. d’Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis are, and to communicate this information to me at my first request,” the King reminded him. “I am listening to you.”
“These four are currently on their way to Paris,” Colbert replied.
"This information is not precise enough," the King objected. "Where exactly are they now?"
“They have now left Aubergenville and will therefore be in Paris in the next three or four hours,” Colbert answered almost at random, for he knew from experience that a wrong answer was better than no answer.
“Very well, we will check it,” the King agreed. “Make sure that as soon as these four arrive in Paris, they are immediately invited to see me at the Louvre.”
“It will be done, Your Majesty!” replied Colbert.
“Do you understand the meaning of the word ‘invited’, Mr. Minister?” inquired the King. “I did not say ‘brought’ or ‘dragged’. I said ‘invited’. This means that the said four nobles must come to me of their own free will, without any fear of persecution from any official of my kingdom. You must not even offer them a guard of honour, lest they consider it an escort. They must simply receive a verbal invitation to an audience, as if they were foreign ambassadors from a state friendly to us. No violence, no actions or words that could be considered an insult to their honour and dignity. Do you understand me?”
“I understand you, Your Majesty,” replied Colbert.
“After this invitation, no spies or scouts are to follow them within five hundred paces,” the King continued. “It would be better if there were none at all, but I understand very well that this is impossible for you. So, no closer than five hundred paces. And one more thing. When entering the King’s study, nobles usually leave their swords. Now, no one should suggest that they leave their weapons in my antechamber. The only thing you are allowed to do is to lead them casually to the sword stands, which they can use if they deem it necessary. If they decide to come to me without removing their swords, no one is to prevent it.”
“But, Your Majesty, this privilege does not extend even to all persons of royal blood!” Colbert stammered. “Only Monsieur can…”
"To hell with Monsieur," the King said dismissively. "I am speaking of these nobles. You must not attempt to take their swords from them, for they must not for a moment imagine that they are about to be arrested, or even deprived of their weapons. This is important. I hope you understand."
“Your Majesty, everything will be carried out exactly,” Colbert replied. “However…”
- What? - the King was surprised. - You allow yourself this "however" in the presence of your King?
“I wanted to remind you of Your Majesty’s safety,” Colbert said timidly.
"For twenty years My Majesty's safety has been at the point of the sword of one of them, the captain of the king's musketeers. For twenty years he has himself received swords from the hands of the nobles who come to me, including princes, dukes and peers," the King replied. "I will not stoop to distrust this man. If I am destined to die by the sword of d'Artagnan, I will humbly accept this fate, but I assure you that such a death will never threaten me. Under any circumstances."
“But the other three…” Colbert muttered.
“The other three would never do anything of the sort,” replied the King. “Especially the Count de la F;re. Nor would the others. My life is inviolable to them, I have learned that from personal experience. Besides, even if one were to imagine that any one of the three wished to make any attempt upon me, none of them would do so in d’Artagnan’s presence, nor could they, even if they wished. The captain is enough to restrain a dozen conspirators, and his influence over these three guarantees my safety beyond all measure. Monsieur Colbert, your anxiety for my safety is always and everywhere appropriate, except in this case. And while these four are on their way to Paris, tell me, Monsieur Colbert, what do you suppose is the reason for their coming here?”
“I don’t know that, Your Majesty,” replied Colbert.
"And I suppose that they are going to Paris in the hope of meeting here the person about whom you have made inquiries in spite of my prohibition, and in order to protect me from any unpleasantness in connection with this person's stay in Paris," said the King. "Now I would like to ask you, what do you think, Mr. Minister, for what reasons this person found himself outside the sphere of influence of these four noblemen and undertook, independently or on someone else's initiative, a journey to France?"
“I don’t know, Your Majesty,” Colbert said again.
“Don’t you think that the reason could have been the intervention of third parties who learned something they weren’t supposed to know?” asked the King.
“I cannot rule it out, Your Majesty,” said Colbert.
“And how could these people have learned of this, in your opinion, Monsieur Colbert?” asked the King.
“I can’t know,” Colbert said again, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Let us reason together," continued Louis. "You send two spies to Scotland with the mission of learning all that is possible about this person. And exactly in the time it takes for your men to reach Scotland, this man leaves his place of residence, where he was, I believe, under the careful supervision of these four nobles, and undertakes, either by himself or with someone's help, a journey to France. Do you not see the connection between these two facts, Monsieur Colbert?"
“I hope there is no connection between these facts,” Colbert stammered in fear.
- Quite right, you must hope so, because if your hope is not justified, and if I learn that the reason for this man's arrival in France is your irrepressible curiosity and carelessness, or the treachery of the two spies you sent, then we will talk about it a little more in detail.
“I understand you, Your Majesty,” said Colbert.
“Go and bring me these four nobles, Monsieur Colbert,” said Louis, making it clear that the audience was over.

"They must not come to the Louvre!" Colbert said to himself. "These four will certainly make me look guilty. It cannot be ruled out that the reason really is the trip of these two blockheads! These four must never meet the King. Never."

After this, Louis visited the Duchess de Chevreuse.
"Duchess," he said, "in the present situation I consider as my allies this noisy and scandalous foursome of noblemen. I mean your friend, as I understand it, the Comte de la F;re, and also your apparently former friend d'Herblay, as well as my former captain of the Musketeers d'Artagnan and their mutual friend, this corpulent Baron du Valon.
“They have always been friends of Your Majesty,” said the Duchess.
“Believe me, Duchess, not always,” Louis replied. “I had sufficient reasons to execute all four of them, and perhaps if I had done so I would have regretted it, but it is much more likely that my life would have been calmer and safer. And believe me, Duchess, I had sufficient reasons for such a decision to execute each of them not once, but four or five times. But that is all in the past. I think I understand their motives, their way of thinking, and I can accept them. In any case, I need them now.”
“Then call them, Your Majesty!” replied the Duchess.
“That is not necessary, they are heading towards me anyway,” replied the King.
“What’s the problem?” the Duchess asked in surprise.
"It seems to me that there may be obstacles in their way that will prevent them from arriving safely at the Louvre," said the King. "I gave orders that Monsieur Colbert should conduct them to me with the utmost honor and safety for them, but his last look, not even a look, but his figure, the way he drew his head into his shoulders as he walked away from me, made me doubt that my order would be carried out exactly.
"If the King cannot govern his ministers, what can an old widow do?" asked the Duchess, clearly fishing for a compliment.
"You, madam, do not at all correspond to the disparaging title you have invented for yourself!" Louis objected, understanding the Duchess's desire to hear a compliment from the King. "You, Duchess, have always been one of the first beauties at court, and you can still serve as a standard of beauty and style."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, you are extremely kind," replied the Duchess, blushing. "I could perhaps ask my cousin, the Comte de Rochefort, to go out and meet them."
“They are already not far from Paris and are expected in the next two or three hours,” the King clarified.
"The Count de Rochefort, by a happy chance, was going to visit me within the next half hour," replied the Duchess. "I will send him at once to meet our good friends."
- Well, Duchess, I thank you! - exclaimed the King. - I am pleased with your help. I could have asked de Rochefort to carry out this mission myself, but it is so delicate that... In short, I thank you with all my heart.
"Would you like some marzipan biscuits?" asked the Duchess.
"Thank you!" said Louis, taking two cookies from the bowl, covered in marzipan, nuts and candied fruit. "They are as wonderful as always."
 
Chapter XXXIX. Colbert

Colbert did not invite d'Epernon to his place, but hurried to go to him himself.
"Duke!" he said from the doorway. "We have little time, so allow me to skip the usual greetings and small talk.
“I am listening to you, Monsieur Colbert,” said the Duke d’Epernon, nodding.
“The man who has done much to ruin your career at court, Captain d’Artagnan, is on his way to Paris and will be here very soon.”
"Didn't he die in Holland?" asked the Duke, without any surprise or interest.
"No, it was a shameful farce," replied Colbert. "Quite in the spirit of these four rebels. Fake death, flight abroad and high treason - that was the sequence of actions of these former musketeers who imagined themselves to be God knows who."
“Well, it’s amusing, but nothing more,” replied the Duke. “What does all this matter to me?”
“Let me remind you that if it weren’t for this same d’Artagnan, two years ago you would have been the captain of the king’s musketeers, and today you would probably already be a marshal of France,” answered Colbert.
“I inherited from my father the position of commander of the royal guard and I do not at all aspire to be a marshal of France,” d’Epernon answered coldly.
" There is a difference between the Guards and the King's Musketeers," Colbert replied. "The Guards are merely the army's elite, while the King's Musketeers are the King's closest servants. Remember that de Luynes was merely a gentleman of the bedchamber, training birds for the King, he became the head of the royal hunt, and this gave him the title of constable, which is higher than a marshal of France! De Cinq-Mars was merely the head equerry, and became simply the Chief, in fact the chief man in France!"
"Do you want to tempt me with the fate of de Luynes or de Saint-Mars?" d'Epernon burst out laughing. "One of them died of excess at the age of forty-three, the other was executed at the age of twenty-two!"
"They missed their opportunities, but what opportunities they were!" Colbert objected. "However, if my conversation is not interesting to you, I have many other things to do."
"I am not a vindictive man," replied d'Epernon, "and I have nothing to avenge on d'Artagnan for, whether he is alive or only pretending to be alive, whether he is dead or only cleverly playing a trick on everyone. To the devil with that sly fellow. I don't care about him. The past doesn't interest me."
“I understand you, Monsieur le Duc, you are interested in the future,” replied Colbert. “Well, I can promise you my assistance in any matters that may arise for you in the future.”
"Now that's a conversation," the Duke perked up. "So, you want to send d'Artagnan to the next world, and in return you promise anything? Has he really annoyed you so much?"
“He hasn’t done anything to me yet, but he might,” Colbert replied with a sigh.
"How much can I trust your verbal open bill of exchange?" asked the Duke. "The word of a nobleman?"
"As for the open bill, I must discuss the terms," replied Colbert. "With d'Artagnan are also the Comte de la F;re, the Baron du Valon, and the Abbe-Chevalier d'Herblay. None of these four must reach the Louvre."
"The price for your vague promises is quite high," d'Epernon chuckled. "Why don't you order your spies to deal with these four?"
"I won't have time," Colbert replied. "Besides, they won't do it with the necessary care. It's necessary for everything to look like a simple accident. An unexpected quarrel. Careless words, a duel, a sad result."
“Duels, as you remember, were prohibited by the edict of King Louis III, and His Majesty King Louis XIV confirmed and ratified this edict,” the Duke objected. “Are you inciting me to commit a crime punishable by death?”
— A duel? Did I say a duel? — Colbert caught himself. — No, what are you saying! A simple skirmish! Excited people drew their weapons in the heat of the moment… Accidental blows… Such circumstances may serve as grounds for leniency. But a duel is a cold-blooded duel. Besides, we cannot afford a duel, because it is necessary that these four do not reach the King today.
“And how do you know that they will go to the King today?” asked d’Epernon.
"Because I must convey to them an invitation to an audience," replied Colbert. "I must hurry, but I will try to hurry as slowly as possible, so as not to be unfortunately in time for the meeting with them."
"It seems to me that you are in a hopeless situation, Mr. Minister," the Duke chuckled. "In such a situation, I could demand anything from you. I don't know why you can't allow these four to meet the King, but apparently you have quite good reasons!"
"Do you prefer gold?" Colbert asked.
"No, I agree to your promise of support along the career line, I will be satisfied with the word of a nobleman, although this matter is not to my liking," the Duke replied. "This matter is not to my liking, but, to be honest, I would rather choose you as allies than these four former musketeers."
"Well, we have a deal!" Colbert rejoiced. "Don't take too many people, so as not to arouse suspicion, but don't limit yourself to a small number of people, since these four are excellent swordsmen."
"You seem to be trying to teach me how to handle such matters?" asked d'Epernon.
"Not at all!" replied Colbert. "I rely entirely on you, dear Duke."
 
Chapter XL. Rochefort

The Duchess de Chevreuse glanced at her watch. It had been an hour since she had been expecting Count Rochefort, but he had not come. This was a shame, because she had promised the King his help.
An adventurer, like many noblemen of those times, the Count de Rochefort was busy with other matters at that moment. To understand the reason for this, we will tell a little about the history of this remarkable man.
The Comte de Rochefort entered the service of Cardinal de Richelieu at a young age thanks to a successful trick in which he captured an enemy officer, taking advantage of his carelessness. This officer, who was amusing himself with his mistress, was tracked down by the young man and taken by surprise when he was not only unarmed but also unclothed. Having seized the officer's weapon, young Charles-C;sar Rochefort brought this officer and his mistress to Locat to his military commander, Governor de Saint-Aunay. The governor appreciated the youth's feat, especially since the captured officer turned out to be a lieutenant on special assignments and some secret enemy documents were found in his captured belongings. Monsieur de Saint-Aunay reported the youth's feat to the Cardinal, who summoned him. Seeing how young Rochefort was, Richelieu was even more delighted by this feat and decided to take the young man into his service as a page. Rochefort, delighted by such trust, tried to please his benefactor, as a result of which he gradually turned into a trusted man, carrying out the most delicate assignments. Rochefort's fate would have been happy and successful, but to his misfortune, his father acquired four sons and a couple of daughters from his third wife, so the son from his first wife, who died in childbirth, did not interest him. That is why the eldest son, Charles-C;sar, did not receive any capital from his parent, and although the cardinal appreciated Rochefort's services and rewarded him quite generously, to the misfortune of the count, this was not enough for the count to make a decent fortune for himself. And yet, gradually, the count became a noticeable and important dignitary, an indispensable servant of the great cardinal, his right hand. For example, the Count was very willing to help Richelieu stop the plots hatched by Queen Anne, including helping to compromise her in the eyes of the King. His activities would have been successful if not for the opposition of d'Artagnan and his friends. However, after the Musketeers took revenge on his comrade-in-arms Milady Winter for the series of bloody atrocities committed by her, they dispersed to their estates, not wanting to serve the weak and unprincipled Louis XIV, who either set the Musketeers of Treville to fight the Cardinal's guards or punished them for this fight. Only d'Artagnan remained in the royal service. With him, the Count de Rochefort entered into a duel several times on the Cardinal's business, in which they each time found themselves opponents by the will of fate, and each time d'Artagnan wounded Rochefort in battle with him, but the wounds were light, Rochefort was easily cured. However, the great Richelieu soon died, so Rochefort lost his source of income. His father's inheritance was too meager, in addition, the father, offended by the fact that the count was not too willing to share his income with his parent and with his sons from his third wife, deprived his eldest son, Charles-C;sar, of his inheritance, but not by any special order, but simply by transferring all the money and rights to real estate to his younger sons. However, Rochefort still received his title of count, which was perhaps more important than money.
The Count tried to find himself a new sovereign by turning to the Duke of Orleans, but the King's brother knew Rochefort too well as a henchman of the Cardinal, whom he hated, since the Cardinal had always successfully uncovered and stopped all the conspiracies hatched by the Duke together with the Queen, the Duchess de Chevreuse and other nobles involved in their intrigues. Soon King Louis XIII also died, and chaos reigned in the country, since too many princes and dukes considered themselves worthy of raising the young King and, accordingly, occupying the main position in the state, and therefore playing the main role in it.
Rochefort then turned his attention to the Duke of Beaufort, grandson of Henry IV by the illegitimate son of the King and Gabrielle d'Estr;es, who was gaining more and more influence at that time due to the instability of the royal government under the young Louis XIV, when power formally belonged to Queen Anne, but in fact many fought for it. These many included the Duke of Orleans, brother of Louis XIII and uncle of Louis XIV, the Prince of Cond;, Jean-Fran;ois-Paul de Gondi, later known as Cardinal de Retz, the Duke of Rohan, brother of the Duchess de Chevreuse, Chavigny, the Prince of Conti and many others. If it were not for the cunning and extreme resourcefulness of Cardinal Mazarin, appointed first minister by Louis XIII, the chaos that engulfed France could have lasted longer and caused an even longer and bloodier civil war. Mazarin managed to gain Queen Anne's trust so much that he even later entered into a secret marriage with her. He treated his enemies and ill-wishers as they deserved, deceiving some, bribing others, giving in to others for a while, sometimes leaving Paris and even France, sometimes entering it with troops, sometimes taking the Queen and the young King out of Paris, sometimes solemnly returning them, supposedly at the unanimous request of the Parisians. By breaking up enemy alliances and creating his own, Mazarin finally strengthened the power of Queen Anne and King Louis XIV, establishing his own power over the Queen, thereby bringing all of France under his control. After this, Mazarin began to deal with his enemies and ill-wishers, as a result of which the Duke de Beaufort ended up in prison, as a result of which Rochefort again lost his patron. Rochefort himself spent some time in the Bastille, since Mazarin considered him his enemy, but he soon managed to escape, after which Rochefort also assisted the escape of the Duke of Beaufort from the fortress in which he was imprisoned. The freed Duke of Beaufort soon managed to make peace with Mazarin and Queen Anne, he even received command of the French naval forces, but, as we remember, he died during a sortie from the fortress of Candia, which ended his bright, but disorderly life. Rochefort was again left without a patron and this time offered his services to Mazarin, who finally appreciated his dexterity and devotion to each new master. The death of Mazarin again left Rochefort without a sovereign, however, by this time he had already managed to accumulate a relatively good capital for himself, so he no longer looked for a new master. However, over time, the capital almost dried up. The Count did not want to serve the King, because, as he understood, such a service could not bring in enough income, since there were too many nobles willing to serve the King, and the payment for such a service was entrusted to Colbert, who was famous for his extreme stinginess. In addition, the services that Rochefort could provide were services of a special kind, he was a specialist in very delicate assignments, the essence of which consisted in the elimination of inconvenient persons or, less often, in the protection of favorable people, as well as in secretly finding out something or secretly telling something to someone. In other words, Rochefort's profession was espionage and conspiracies, Rochefort did not consider it possible to offer his services of this kind to His Majesty, in which, most likely, he was greatly mistaken, because spies and conspirators are always needed, and people of this profession will never be out of work. One way or another, the Count decided to look for sources of income on the side of the more disadvantaged and, therefore, as he believed, more generous. Thus fate brought together Count Rochefort and Charles of Lorraine.
It was the meeting with Charles of Lorraine that prevented the Count of Rochefort from keeping his appointment with his cousin, the Duchess de Chevreuse. The Duchess was thus deprived of the opportunity to render any assistance to the Count de la F;re and his friends. However, she was more upset by the possibility of disappointing the King. The Duchess was not sentimental enough to be upset by the impossibility of saving her former lover, Aramis, although she was almost upset by the possibility of the Count de la F;re's death. We say "almost," which would be too little for any normal woman, but for a woman like the Duchess de Chevreuse, almost upset was too much.

Chapter XLI. Duke d'Epernon

The Duke quickly entered the guards' barracks.
"Eight of the best swordsmen follow me quickly, with swords, on the best horses and follow me!" he ordered.
The lieutenant pointed his finger at himself, then at seven guardsmen of his choice one by one, the chosen guards silently followed the Duke's order with him.
Five minutes later the cavalcade headed towards the north-western gates of Paris.
"Lieutenant de Folleville, we must protect the King from four state criminals," said the Duke. "But we will not arrest them, since they must be killed, all four of them."
"Just go and kill?" asked the lieutenant.
"We must make it look like a casual altercation," the Duke replied. "Assignment to everyone. Come up with any excuse for a quarrel, including anything. A taunt, an awkward question, a rude tone, inappropriate clothing, anything will do."
“You could shout that you recognized your wife’s ex-lover,” the lieutenant suggested.
- It will do, - agreed the Duke, - only think of some name in advance and shout it out, then passers-by will pay less attention. Even better to start by pretending to meet you in a friendly manner, and only then pretend that there has been a quarrel. In such cases, no one will interfere. If they do not answer, you must say: "Michel, my dear, do you not recognize your friend Jean-Paul?" Or something like that.
"Since there are only four of them, such a skirmish would be a disgrace to us," said the lieutenant. "But if only four of us participate in the battle, then they will not all necessarily die in the skirmish."
“I have provided for that,” replied the Duke. “Four of you will fight, the other four must load their muskets in advance. After your opponents have drawn their swords, each of the second rank must mark a target and fire at the first opportunity. Do not miss, gentlemen of the guard! There will be no second volley, it would draw too much attention to the incident. However, if at least two of your opponents are wounded, all that remains is to finish them all off with swords. I hope this plan does not raise any objections from you? Let me remind you that we must destroy the enemies of His Majesty! An assignment of special importance. You do not hesitate to use numerical superiority on the battlefield, do you? So here we will have an enemy before us. Destroy mercilessly, no negotiations about surrender. But do it carefully, under the guise of an accidental skirmish.
After these words, one young guard in the back row grimaced with disdain, since he did not like the task that had been undertaken. However, he kept silent, since he was on duty.
"Now, Lieutenant de Folleville, you and these three will fight with swords," said the Duke, pointing to those who rode in front. "The other four, load your muskets. You will ride behind, three horse lengths behind."
The young man obeyed and loaded his musket.
"There they are, I see them!" the Duke said at last. "You know what to do, and I will come to you if any trouble arises. For now, proceed without me. March, march!"

Indeed, at that moment d'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis appeared on Temple Street near its intersection with Povliz Street. Unexpectedly for them, a cavalcade of seven guardsmen, led, in addition, by a lieutenant, rode out to meet them.
"It looks like it's Captain D'Artagnan of the Musketeers!" exclaimed the lieutenant.
At these words, the young guardsman in the rearguard shuddered and looked closely into the faces of the oncoming horsemen.
" Lieutenant de Folleville!" cried d'Artagnan. "I am glad to see you!"
"I heard before that you were killed in battle with Holland!" the lieutenant replied. "And you, as I see now, are apparently an ordinary deserter?"
After these words, d'Artagnan's jaw muscles began to twitch, but he restrained himself and looked into Athos's face, whose eyes said: "This is a provocation, control yourself, my friend."
“I have only received leave for a time from the King himself,” replied d’Artagnan in a peaceful tone.
- Only the sick, wounded, and cowards are given leave during battle! - the lieutenant replied. - Moreover, cowards are sent to the nearest aspen tree!
"You are right, Folleville," agreed d'Artagnan. "But there were no cowards in my regiment, and I was so seriously wounded that I was carried off from the battlefield unconscious and without the slightest hope of surviving."
"What are you explaining to him?" asked Porthos, unable to bear such a squabble. "There was one word that was said here that requires an explanation!"
"Porthos, my friend, let old colleagues exchange news in peace," said Athos, taking Porthos by the hand. "Our good friends have a right to a few questions, don't they?"
- Friends? - Porthos asked incredulously, who was about to put his right hand on the hilt of his sword, but restrained himself. - Well, if they are friends, let them chat.
"Maybe they're friends," the lieutenant continued, "or maybe they're not. For that, we'd have to clarify a few things."
"Gentlemen, you will certainly ask us many questions, but a little later," said Athos. "At present we are in a hurry on urgent matters."
“But I consider the most urgent matter to be finding out the circumstances of your disappearance from the battlefield,” the lieutenant persisted.
"We will present them to you in writing," Aramis intervened. "Gentlemen, we are in a hurry on state business, and anyone who delays us risks appearing before the king's tribunal."
"What the hell is this threat?" the lieutenant exclaimed.
“Not at all, gentlemen, this is only a warning,” Aramis answered calmly.
"They are laughing at us!" cried Folville, drawing his sword from its scabbard.
This movement of his served as a signal to the other three guardsmen in the front rank, and three more swords were instantly drawn from their scabbards and directed against d'Artagnan and his friends.
At that moment, Aramis quickly rode forward and stood sideways, shielding his three friends.
"What a pity, gentlemen, that I am bound by a vow!" he exclaimed. "I am very sorry, but I cannot draw my sword against my countrymen without necessity, and it seems to me that there is no such necessity. I propose that we discuss the situation calmly, without unnecessary heat. Gentlemen, you do not wish to violate the royal edict, do you?"
- Mister Saint, if you do not answer for your words with a sword in your hands, so much the worse for you, since we did not take an oath not to draw weapons against traitors! - exclaimed the lieutenant and looked meaningfully at the three guardsmen who had drawn their swords, but were in no hurry to use them.
"I think I recognize that priest!" exclaimed one of the guards. "That scoundrel made indecent proposals to my wife!"
"Judging by your face, my dear fellow, I doubt that your wife is so beautiful that I would be tempted by her," replied Aramis. "However, if it is a question of a lady's honor, I will perhaps break my vow. Then you are mine!"
"Thank God, we're finally fighting!" exclaimed Porthos, drawing his sword. "I thought this would end with the impudent chatter of these presumptuous young punks!"
"I beg you to dismount, gentlemen!" cried Athos. "I invite two of you to speak to me with the tongue of the sword!"
"We will kill you without leaving your saddles!" the lieutenant replied. "Swords to the sword!"
"Well, so much the better, scoundrels!" cried d'Artagnan. "I will now make you swallow your words, and to make sure I will pierce your throat, so that you will never insult an honest officer again!"
At these words the lieutenant and the four guardsmen, as if in unison, rushed each upon his adversary. D'Artagnan instantly parried the lieutenant's sword, and with the same movement plunged his own into Folleville's throat a third of its length. Athos knocked the sword from his adversary and ran it through his right shoulder. Porthos struck his adversary with such force that he was thrown from his saddle, struck his head on the pavement, and lay senseless. Aramis struck his adversary's sword with a spiral motion so deftly that it flew upward, after which he caught it by the hilt and placed both swords upon the breast of the disconcerted guardsman.
At that moment, a musket shot rang out from behind the guard, knocking off Aramis's hat, after which the friends heard a cry: "Beware!"
Then three more shots rang out, almost simultaneously. One of the shots cut off the ear of Porthos's horse, another grazed Athos's temple. It became clear that the four other guardsmen had unloaded their muskets. But the fourth shot was aimed in the wrong direction. Instead of shooting at d'Artagnan, the fourth guard shot one of his comrades in the arm and threw his hat into the face of another, which was the reason for their miss.
"What are you doing, Perrin?" cried the guard, clutching his wounded arm, from which the musket had fallen.
"No one will shoot my father with a treacherous shot from behind his back!" exclaimed Fran;ois Perrin.
"Fran;ois, my son!" cried d'Artagnan. "Embrace me!"
"Gentlemen, surrender," Athos said calmly. "Give us your swords and muskets!"
Indeed, of the four attackers, one was killed, another was seriously wounded, the third lay unconscious on the pavement, and the fourth was disarmed. The four remaining had their muskets unloaded, and Fran;ois had also gone over to the musketeers, so there were now three guards against five. Realizing the futility of the battle, they threw down their swords and muskets. Fran;ois calmly collected them, as well as the lieutenant's sword and the sword of the unconscious guardsman, and handed over the entire arsenal to Porthos.
“And now, gentlemen, I want to know on whose orders you attacked us,” said d’Artagnan.
"It was an accidental skirmish," one of the guardsmen replied. "Lieutenant Folville started it, and he bears all the responsibility. We were simply following his orders, as you saw!"
D'Artagnan looked at Fran;ois, who shook his head.
“Okay, we’ll sort this out later,” said d’Artagnan. “Go to the barracks. Your swords will remain with us.”
At that moment, the Duke d'Epernon came around the corner.
"What does this mean?" he exclaimed. "By what right have you disarmed my guards? Return their swords to them at once!"
"These gentlemen have violated the royal edict," d'Artagnan answered calmly. "Their swords will be returned to them by the Minister of War Le Tellier, by order of the King of France, if His Majesty deems it possible to forgive them."
"How dare you?" cried d'Epernon. "These people obey only me!"
"That simplifies our task and answers the question of who ordered them to attack us," replied d'Artagnan. "I hope, Duke, that you have your sword with you? And if you are so lenient towards violations of the royal edict, can we discuss this matter with other arguments?"
"What are you looking at, you idiots?" d'Epernon turned to his guards. "Seize them and kill them!"
"We are beaten in a fair fight," said one of the guards, "if an attack of eight against four can be called fair. The matter is finished. We will not attack these nobles who could have killed us, but did not do so.
"Traitors!" croaked d'Epernon. "You will go to the guardhouse if you do not obey me and arrest these four!"
- Lord Duke! - exclaimed one of the guards. - I have served the King all my life honestly, and no one has ever had reason to call me a traitor. This whole adventure today smacks more of treason, but I agreed to it, seeing you as my superior. Your insult frees me from the obligation to serve you, and therefore I challenge you to a duel in connection with the insult you have inflicted on me.
"You are mad, de Planche!" cried d'Epernon. "I will have you hanged!"
"Monsieur du Valon, I beg you to return my sword to me!" de Planche addressed Porthos. "On my word as a nobleman, I will not use it against you and your friends."
Porthos looked at Athos and, receiving an approving glance from him, returned the guardsman's sword.
"I beg you to continue on your way, gentlemen," said de Planche. "I have one matter left which I can handle myself."
D'Artagnan nodded and all five, including Fran;ois, galloped towards the Louvre.

Chapter XLII. Rochefort and Charles of Lorraine

The Count of Rochefort met Charles of Lorraine in the palace of Anne Marie Louise d'Orl;ans, Duchess of Montpensier, for we cannot call her sumptuous dwelling a home. This Duchess had been perhaps the most active participant in the Fronde, but she had now retired, or was successfully pretending to have ceased to be interested in politics. She belonged to that class of women who would be easier to kill than to wean off their noses into other people's affairs, much less to stop intriguing. The Duchess of Chevreuse, known to us, belonged to the same class of people.
Charles was received in this palace as any oppositionist, since the Duchess was dissatisfied with her defeat in the Fronde affairs. However, she informed Charles that she was not at all interested in political affairs, therefore she provided a large hall for negotiations, where no one could hear the interlocutors, so they could quite freely discuss any topic. The Duchess herself said that she had planned a trip to her friend, the Chevalier de Lauzun, for that evening, therefore she left the entire palace to Charles to manage in her absence in the palace, as if he were its owner.
“Count, I have heard that you would not mind entering into an alliance with some French nobleman,” began the cautious Karl.
"Duke, you may express yourself more precisely without offending me," replied Rochefort. "I am, as you know, not rich, and have therefore always sought well-paid service with a noble and rich gentleman. I served the great Cardinal Richelieu, I also served the Duke de Beaufort, and I carried out delicate missions for Cardinal Mazarin. My services were paid for the most part relatively generously only by the great Richelieu, since de Beaufort was not rich, and Mazarin was extremely stingy. Therefore, even now I would not refuse to enter into an alliance, as you call it, but I would prefer to call it service, since an alliance is based on political or other interests, whereas service presupposes subordination in exchange for a decent salary.
“Well, thank you for your frankness, Count,” said Karl. “I have both the means and the desire to pay you well for your services.”
“Very well,” replied the Count. “It remains to be seen what they will consist of.”
— I intend to make efforts to regain Lorraine, meaning sufficient sovereignty over these territories, the return of the right to maintain one's own army to ensure personal security and to maintain order and obedience in this territory. Of course, I also plan to return the rights to income from taxes collected in Lorraine and Alsace, as well as other rights that the Dukes of Lorraine traditionally had in these territories.
“Your idea is clear, and your desires are explainable,” Rochefort agreed. “However, I do not fully understand the methods for solving your problem, and I also do not yet see my role in this activity, because to solve these problems, you need influence on His Majesty, which I have never had, and, moreover, do not have now, and do not expect in the future.
"That question, fortunately, has a solution," said the Duke. "But before I lay out my plans to you, I must have your consent, since, as you understand, it is one thing to share plans with an ally, and quite another to reveal your plans to a stranger. If you agree, we will discuss the details of this matter.
"So you have a plan, I admit, but I have not yet heard an answer to the question of what my duties might be?" Rochefort asked.
“The matter is extremely simple,” answered Karl. “To solve my problems, I will need to meet with a nobleman, even if he himself does not wish to participate in this meeting, and convince him to participate in this matter, even if he does not consider it expedient for himself. Then, as a result of my efforts to ensure that this nobleman has sufficient power to solve my problems, he will acquire this power, which may also be sufficient to refuse to fulfill his obligations to me. In this case, I will need a person who could convince him to fulfill the obligations he has undertaken.
"You wish to carry out a coup d';tat, Monseigneur," replied Rochefort. "And you, evidently, understand the impossibility of occupying the French throne yourself, and therefore fear that the person occupying it will not wish to consider himself obliged to you, and therefore your efforts will be in vain?"
“It sounds surprising, but the methods I am counting on do not at all involve any fuss, and even, I would say, there will not be any coup d’;tat, strictly speaking,” the Duke objected.
"That sounds extremely fantastic, Duke," replied Rochefort. "Besides, if you have understood my description of my situation correctly, you should understand that my plans include slightly increasing my fortune, but I do not in any way plan to engage in any adventures that might lead me to the scaffold.
"As I understand, we have not come to an agreement," said Karl sadly. "Perhaps after my plan is crowned with success, I will be able to offer you a safe service in my duchy, which would not violate your principles."
“That is quite possible, Duke, but you are in vain regaling me with unrealistic promises in order to secure my silence,” replied the Count. “In any case, I do not intend to tell anyone about our conversation, you can be completely calm on this score.”
“Very well, Count,” replied the Duke. “Perhaps you could recommend me one of your acquaintances for this delicate matter?”
"France is full of scoundrels, Duke, so you will easily find helpers for yourself," replied the Count. "I am not delighted with our King, but the defeat in the Fronde has taught me that all other pretenders to the French crown yield to the legitimate authority in everything. Therefore, I recommend that you also accept your lot, which is not so bad. And now allow me to take my leave."
"I wish you luck, Count," replied the Duke. "I wish you to find a worthy sovereign and grow rich in his service."
Rochefort bowed and left the Duchess's palace.

Now I invite our dear readers to be transported to one of the small rooms of this palace. Here, among the expensive carpets, on a charming couch sat the Duchess of Montpensier. She listened attentively to the sounds coming from the ear canal, specially arranged in such a clever way that through it one could hear the slightest sound from the conference room. Thus, she heard the entire conversation from the first word to the last.
- How interesting! - she said to herself. - Charles of Lorraine is plotting to replace Louis with someone else, and he hopes to do it effectively and unnoticed! Who else but the Duke of Orleans can now lay claim to the French throne? But it is not vacant! The throne will only become vacant with the death of the King, which is not foreseen! I must solve this puzzle!
After this, the Duchess, as she had promised, went to see her dear friend, the Chevalier de Lauzun.
 
Chapter XLIII. Cousin and Cousin

After leaving the palace of the Duchess of Montpensier, Rochefort went to his cousin, the Duchess de Chevreuse.
“You are late, Count!” exclaimed the Duchess.
“I beg your pardon, Duchess, but, as they say, better late than never,” replied the Count.
"In this case, that proverb may not apply," sighed the Duchess. "I would say that in this case, too late is the same as never."
“You won’t want to talk to me just because I showed up a few hours later than I promised?” the Count was surprised.
“If you had come in time, you could have saved four people from certain death,” the Duchess sighed. “And I still seem to be overly indulgent towards one of them, while the other is extremely attentive to me and I would probably be glad if you managed to save him.”
“I think I could guess what kind of people they were, if I didn’t unfortunately know that three of these four are already, alas, dead,” replied Rochefort.
"No, Count," replied the Duchess, "your guess is quite correct; you were probably thinking of the Chevalier d'Herblay and the Comte de la F;re, and also of their friends, Captain d'Artagnan and the Baron du Valon. And you are right, for I had these four gentlemen in mind."
“Didn’t three of the named persons die?” Rochefort perked up.
“Now, alas, perhaps all four have died, but only today,” the Duchess sighed.
“I don’t understand anything, explain it clearly, I beg you!” the count replied.
"Count, it would take a long time to explain," said the Duchess impatiently. "Know that all three of those whom you thought dead were alive, and all four were on their way to the Louvre to see the King. But today, a vile attempt was probably being prepared on their lives, because there is someone influential who would not want them to reach the Louvre."
“And you wanted me to save them?” Rochefort asked.
"I wished you had at least warned them, they would have saved themselves," the Duchess replied. "These people are not the sort who need protectors. Just timely information, that's what could have saved them."
“You are right, Duchess, but in this case it is not at all necessary to consider that they necessarily perished, knowing what kind of people they are and how much they can stand up for themselves,” answered the Count. “But how could they have incurred the wrath of someone of influence?”
“We’ll talk about that later, Count,” the Duchess replied. “It’s not my secret.”
“Well, I understand,” Rochefort agreed. “I also learned a secret today that I didn’t have the wit to solve, but I can’t share it even with you, because I’m bound by my word.”
“Count, perhaps someday we will have the opportunity to reflect on our secrets, but now I must hurry to the King to tell him that I was unable to warn these four nobles of the danger that threatened them,” said the Duchess.
“I won’t detain you, Duchess,” answered Rochefort, and, bowing, he left her chambers.

Chapter XLIV. The Meeting After Two Years

“Father, I will leave you,” Fran;ois said to the captain when the friends saw the Louvre in the distance.
“Yes, my son, go to the barracks,” answered d’Artagnan and warmly embraced his son.
Soon Athos, Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan arrived at the Louvre.
Minister Colbert personally met them at the entrance.
- Gentlemen, I have been waiting for you! - he said. - His Majesty invites you to his place.
"Good day, Monsieur Colbert," d'Artagnan said coldly. "Were you expecting us? But somehow, in the hustle and bustle, we forgot to warn you of our arrival."
“But I couldn’t help but know about your arrival due to my position,” the minister replied. “After all, you checked in at customs in Le Havre.”
“We are pleased to accept the King’s invitation,” said Athos.
“I hope we’re not late for dinner?” Porthos chuckled.
“In any case, we have something to talk about with His Majesty,” added Aramis.
"I am so glad that the rumors of your death turned out to be false, Monsieur d'Artagnan!" said Colbert. "After all, I was so saddened to think you were dead!"
"Your disappointment is quite understandable, Monsieur Minister," replied d'Artagnan. "After all, you had to entrust the command of my company of musketeers to your brother, Monsieur Colbert-Maulevrier! If I had not been wounded almost mortally, so that my position became vacant, your brother would not have been the commander of the black musketeers.
"What are these black musketeers?" Porthos asked, while Colbert was putting on a sour smile.
"The name comes from the color of the horses," Aramis replied. "All the musketeers in this company have black horses."
— Are there any other musketeers, with horses of a different color? - Porthos asked, grinning.
“There are also gray musketeers,” Athos explained.
“His Majesty has taken upon himself the command of the company of grey musketeers, which proves how important this post is,” explained d’Artagnan.
"That's what I like!" exclaimed Porthos. "If I weren't Baron du Valon, I'd join the Grey Musketeers."
“There are barons, marquises, and counts in this company,” Athos smiled.
“It only means that in such a crowd of marquises and counts it is difficult for a simple baron to distinguish himself in order to become a duke and peer,” answered Porthos.
“I knew a gentleman who acquired a pedigree from which it followed that he could be called Your Highness, however, this seemed not enough to him, and he ordered his servants to call him “Your Royal Highness”, for which he was sentenced to a fine of one hundred thousand pistoles, and he got off easy,” d’Artagnan grinned. “However, talk aside, we are already at the King’s door.”
The secretary reported to Louis about the arrival of the nobles he was expecting, after which he bowed and invited them into the office.
Colbert led the friends delicately to the sword stand. Porthos glanced anxiously at the stand and made a slight gesture indicating his intention to remove his sword, then looked into Athos's face. Athos nodded, removed his sword and carefully placed it on the stand, Porthos did the same. Aramis looked into the eyes of d'Artagnan, who patted him on the shoulder, adjusted Aramis's sword so that it assumed a more formal position and turned his back to the stand, adjusted his own sword as well, then resolutely stepped towards the door of the study. At the threshold of the study, he took off his hat, took it in his hands and put his hand on the door handle, the friends also took off their hats and approached the doors of the study.
Colbert glanced in annoyance at the rack, where only two swords were displayed instead of four, and went to the door, intending to follow the musketeers.
- Monsieur Minister! - said d'Artagnan. - We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for escorting us to His Majesty's study. In my two years of absence I had almost forgotten the way to this door and would probably have gotten lost if it had not been for your help. Thank you again!
After this, d'Artagnan resolutely opened the doors, letting his comrades go first, entered himself and closed the doors right in front of Colbert's nose, after which he turned to face the King and gave him the lowest curtsey.
— Your Majesty! — said d'Artagnan solemnly. — We are happy to present you with our most loyal respect. I beg you to forgive me for not having had the honor of dying from a Dutch cannonball at Maastricht! I also beg you to forgive me on behalf of Monsieur du Valon for not having been crushed by the huge stone in the cave of Locmaria! And on behalf of the Count de la F;re, I offer my most humble apologies for not having been poisoned in the fortress at Candia, and, I beg you to believe, it was not his fault. There was no malice or treachery in the fact that we all happened to be alive by a lucky chance; it all happened by pure chance. It will not happen again! Next time, under similar circumstances, I promise you to die for real, as befits a loyal soldier of Your Majesty.
"Curb your gush, Captain, and let me get a word in," the King replied, laughing. "You did well to stay alive, but I am not pleased that you have missed someone."
"That is so, Your Majesty," Athos answered for everyone. "We are guilty, and we are here to correct our mistake, or to suffer the punishment we deserve if we fail to do so."
“We will find him!” Porthos objected.
“Yes, Your Majesty, we will find him and you will be in no danger,” Aramis replied, clutching the ring on his right hand.
“I see that it is not only Monsieur d’Artagnan who is distinguished by his talkativeness in the presence of his King,” Louis chuckled. “I attribute this to the fact that you have lived for two years in the wilderness, in Scotland, and have lost the habit of behaving at the court of the most brilliant kingdom in Europe.”
“That’s right, Your Majesty, we have turned into boors,” d’Artagnan answered for everyone and bowed low, showing that he was ready to listen.
His three friends also bowed, after which their faces assumed an expression of respectful attention.
“Gentlemen, I intended to talk to you about something,” said Louis, “but I changed my mind.”
At these words the King put his finger to his lips and looked around his office with an expressive glance.
"You have come a long way, and I suppose you are hungry," continued the King. "At the same time, it is just about dinner time. Monsieur de Saint-Aignan is busy preparing for tomorrow's hunt, and the rest of my usual companions have also disappeared. Will you join me?"
The friends bowed to the King, expressing gratitude and consent. Louis rang the bell.
"Eugene," he said to the secretary who had entered. "Have a table laid for five in the very center of the clearing in my summer garden. And warn me that the tablecloth on the table be exactly the size of the table. If it hangs over the edges more than an inch, the butler will be punished."
The secretary bowed and left.
"We have a few minutes, gentlemen," said Louis. "Let me invite you to look at some knick-knacks in the next room."
The King stood up and personally opened the doors to the room next to the study, a room that even d'Artagnan had never been to. They entered a small but magnificent room, decorated like an armory. In the center of the room stood a small table on which lay four swords.
"Count de la Fere," said the King, "I remember that two and a half years ago you broke your sword before my eyes.
“I had my reasons for that, Your Majesty,” replied Athos.
“I believe that these reasons have been removed,” continued the King. “I would like to present you with this sword, and I ask you to remember by whom and under what circumstances it was given to you.”
With these words, the King took one of the swords and handed it to Athos. The hilt of the sword was decorated with diamonds, and on the guard was written: "To the Count de La F;re, Knight of the Order of the Garter and Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece from Louis XIV."
Athos took the sword reverently, kissed its blade and tucked it into his belt, since he had unfastened his sword along with its scabbard.
"Baron du Valon de Pierrefonds de Bracieux!" continued the King. "I see you have left your sword in my anteroom. Take this instead."
The King took the next sword, also decorated with diamonds, on the guard of which was the inscription: "To Baron du Valon de Pierrefonds de Bracieux from Louis XIV."
The giant, overcome with emotion, fell to his knees before the King, wiping a tear from his right cheek.
- Your Majesty! - he said. - I was so upset that I unwittingly offended you! Please forgive me for everything!
With these words he took the sword, kissed it and also tucked it into his belt.
- Lord Duke! - Louis addressed Aramis. - You have come here with weapons that were made in Spain. Despite my marriage to a Spanish princess, I have not succeeded in making Spain our faithful ally. However, we appreciate your contribution to strengthening cooperation with Spain, although not as effective as we would like, but significant enough, as a result of which Spain remained neutral for a long time, despite the aspirations of the King of Spain, and even now continues some trade relations with us. However, it is not proper for you, a subject of France, to carry a Spanish sword.
With these words he handed Aramis a sword, equally exquisitely decorated with diamonds, on the guard of which was written: "To the Duke of Alameda, the Chevalier d'Herblay, from Louis XIV, with full pardon."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" said Aramis, who had noticed the inscription and kissed the sword there. "I beg you to take the Spanish sword from me as soon as possible, since I believe I shall never need it again."
The King nodded his head, took Aramis's sword from his hands and placed it on the table where the swords he had already distributed lay.
"Monsieur d'Artagnan, it is your turn," said Louis. "Before I present you with this sword, I beg you to give me your sword for my museum of arms. This sword will be the pearl of my collection, it will adorn it as the sword of one of the best warriors, the best swordsman in France, the best servant of my mother Queen Anne, and my, I hope, most devoted captain of the Musketeers."
“It is yours, Your Majesty!” replied d’Artagnan, unfastening his sword and handing it to the King.
Louis took d'Artagnan's sword with respect and placed it next to Aramis's sword.
“Allow me to present you with this noble weapon in gratitude for your forty years of service to the royal house of France!” the King said solemnly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" replied d'Artagnan. "Thank you with all my heart!"
D'Artagnan's sword was the same as the other swords and contained a similar inscription.
“This is the best gift I have ever been honored to receive and the best reward for my service, Your Majesty!”
"You have a short memory, Monsieur d'Artagnan," the King objected. "You have forgotten one more thing."
With these words, the King took a small oblong box from the next table.
"You left this near Maastricht, Monsieur d'Artagnan," said the King. "It was an unpardonable oversight; such things are not to be thrown away!"
With these words, the King handed d'Artagnan a box containing the baton of the Marshal of France.
"Your Majesty!" cried d'Artagnan. "A cannonball fired from a Dutch cannon prevented me from holding this thing in my hands. But now that I have received it from your hands, it will only be taken from me with my life!"
“Gentlemen, I have finished the business I had to do before dinner, and now, I believe, the table is set,” replied the King with a benevolent nod.
With these words he left the armory, and his friends followed him. Indeed, the King, by his status, could not say: "Please come to the table." Having once invited them to dine with him, he had already shown his guests a high honor. Etiquette did not allow him to humiliate himself by repeating the invitation, which, of course, all the nobles were aware of.
Soon the King and his four guests were sitting at a table in the middle of the lawn, where no one could overhear their conversation.
The King's secretary, Eug;ne, followed Louis, leaving the reception room for a while in the power of Colbert. When Eug;ne disappeared behind the doors, Colbert opened the doors of the study, from which Preval emerged with an expression of complete helplessness.
"So what did the cat whisper this time?" Colbert asked.
"Nothing of consequence," replied Preval. "The King merely gave each of us a sword, and gave d'Artagnan something extra, which he had lost at Maastricht."
- Nothing significant? - exclaimed Colbert. - What a fool... that cat of yours! Thank you, Preval, your information is very useful. Payment to the secretary, as usual.
After these words, Colbert went to his room with an absent-minded look.

Chapter XLV. Dinner with the King

Louis ordered the table to be covered with a small tablecloth so that no one would think of hiding under the table. The table stood in the center of a large clearing on a raised platform, Louis sent away the footmen who were serving, so no one could hear what the King and his four guests were discussing.
"So, gentlemen, you have broken your promise and my order, you have taken a street vagabond to the Bastille, and my brother Philip was carried off by you to Scotland," said the King. "I have given you the swords as a sign that I do not hold this offense against you, or rather, that I have forgiven it and invite you to serve me. When you accepted the swords, you understood this, of course.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Athos answered for everyone.
“Having every reason to assume that you did not rule out the possibility of once again carrying out an illegal substitution of me with my brother in the future, I will not develop this idea further, so as not to quarrel with us,” the King continued.
“We didn’t plan it, but we didn’t rule it out either, Your Majesty,” d’Artagnan replied.
“Thank you for your frankness,” said Louis with a grin. “If you had denied it, I still would not have believed it.”
"The main consideration for our actions was that we dare not commit violence against your father's son, Your Majesty," said d'Artagnan. "You could see that before."
“Yes, I knew that, and I should have predicted exactly this decision of yours,” Louis agreed. “Let’s not discuss what happened, because that’s a thing of the past. Let’s start with how and for what reasons Philip went to France, and without you.”
"He was kidnapped from us," Aramis replied. "Innocent people suffered in the process. I lost my faithful friend."
- They stole from you? - the King was surprised. - How many were there?
"There were not many of them, but we left for a short time, trusting two hired Scots and three of our friends," answered d'Artagnan. "More precisely, one friend and two women. These two Scots seemed quite honest, they served us faithfully for two years. They had no idea who they were guarding, since they were not well-versed in matters of the appearance of the crowned heads of Europe. But they were seduced by Dutch pirates and went over to their side.
"Dutch pirates?" the King was surprised. "How did these people find out about Philip?"
"They did not know everything," said d'Artagnan. "They only knew that there was a man among us who looked very much like the King of France or his brother. That was how their leader described the situation when we took him prisoner.
- Captured? - the King perked up. - Where is he now? And where are the other pirates?
"You can be completely calm, Your Majesty," Aramis intervened in the conversation. "All the pirates who were initiated into the secret sank along with the ship that Baron du Valon shot through with a cannon, and two Scottish traitors were killed earlier."
"Baron, you are a decidedly magnificent warrior!" exclaimed the King. "I think you wanted to become a duke?"
“That can wait, Your Majesty,” said Porthos, flattered, calmly, for whom such a real opportunity to finally become a duke was itself a reward. However, he had already cooled towards this former dream of his.
"Your dream will certainly come true, you just have to stop wishing for it," thought d'Artagnan. "This applies to both the Duchy of Porthos and my Marshalship!"
“What happened to the pirate captain?” Louis continued his questioning.
“Their leader was killed by the same Baron du Valon in a duel,” said Aramis.
“We disagreed on the euphony of the Dutch language,” Porthos clarified, after which he popped another piece of suckling pig with horseradish into his mouth and washed it down with a good glass of Burgundy.
“We have decided that the edict on duels, ratified by Your Majesty, does not apply to Edinburgh,” d’Artagnan interjected.
"There are cases when the edict is violated even outside Edinburgh," Louis agreed. "I will not hold this duel against you, Lord Baron, since you fought a pirate, and a Dutch one at that. And who gave this information to the pirates?"
"Two envoys from France, Your Majesty, whose ship the pirates captured," said d'Artagnan. "I think I can guess who sent them, though, God forbid, I don't know how that man learned of the secret."
"I know it for a fact, Colbert sent them, and I know what he knows," said Louis. "He knows very little. But enough to initiate this disorder due to his carelessness and excessive curiosity. What about these two?"
"They went to feed the fish," Aramis replied. "But that was without our intervention; the pirates themselves decided to deal with them as soon as they learned their secret."
“Well, the secret has hardly spread,” the King concluded.
“All who are initiated into it, except us, are dead,” said d’Artagnan.
"Alas, not all," replied Louis. "Apart from you, me, and Philippe himself, and even without counting Fouquet, who is in the Bastille, and the Duchess de Chevreuse, who does not trouble me, there are still several people."
"The Duchess is not to be discounted," Aramis corrected the King delicately. "If it suits her, she will share this secret with anyone."
"You are right, Duke, but I believe that it will not be to her advantage," said Louis. "However, she must be watched. But there is another person who represents the greatest danger."
"Colbert?" asked d'Artagnan.
“I’ll take Colbert on myself,” Louis waved his hand. “I’m talking about Charles IV of Lorraine.”
“How did he know about Philippe?” asked Athos.
"Where exactly did he see him?" asked Aramis.
"That must be found out," said the King. "And his plans must be thwarted. That will be your new service, gentlemen."
Athos, Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan stood up and bowed as a sign that they were ready to go and carry out the mission immediately.
"Continue to dine, gentlemen, you have been on your way," replied the King. "Sit down, sit down. I am already full, and I still have other things to do."
"May I involve one or two guards in this matter?" asked d'Artagnan.
- What talk? - answered the King. - After all, you are a marshal! Just act delicately and do not expand the circle of those initiated into the secret.
After this, Louis threw the napkin that had been lying on his lap onto the table and resolutely rose from the table. The four friends also immediately rose.
“So I consider you to be on duty from this moment on,” the King summed up the conversation.
The four former musketeers bowed to the King and, after he had gone away, sat down again at the table. However, it was mainly Porthos who continued the dinner, if you don’t count a few truffles, which d’Artagnan devoured with an air of deep thought. After Porthos had also eaten his fill, the friends rose from the table.
- Not bad for you! - said Porthos, looking at the remaining magnificent dishes, which he could no longer overcome. - What a wonderful King we have! A magnificent table, excellent wine! I am satisfied! And, most importantly, no seafood!
"I believe that Philip is in Monaco, and Charles saw him there," said Aramis. "But at present Charles must be in Lorraine, for he must command the troops in his struggle against France."
"That means we must split up," said d'Artagnan. "Someone must go to Monaco, and someone to Lorraine. Shall we cast lots?"
"We will not cast lots," replied Athos. "You are best placed to deal with the problems in Monaco, d'Artagnan, and if you need help, take Fran;ois with you. And the three of us will go to Lorraine."
“That’s a good decision,” Aramis agreed.
"So we are parting again?" said d'Artagnan. "Remember, when we are apart, fortune turns its back on us."
“We are not all parting and not forever,” Athos answered. “And we are doing a common cause, and that means that we are still one for all.”
"And all for one!" echoed d'Artagnan, Porthos and Aramis.

Chapter XLVI. The General and the King

Athos, Porthos and Aramis stopped at Planchet's and agreed to set out for Lorraine the following morning. Each had his own plans for the evening. Aramis informed his friends that he intended to visit someone. Athos replied that he had similar plans, Porthos, without having any specific plans, nevertheless declared that he also intended to see someone.
Let us not hide from our readers that Porthos eventually met a plump pig with prunes, truffles, apples and horseradish, which was prepared for him in Planchet's kitchen and which he and Planchet finished off together with the support of a couple of bottles of Muscat de Frontignan.
Aramis went to the King, confident that the meeting would take place despite the fact that he had not arranged it. Indeed, after the King was informed of Aramis's arrival, Louis replied that he would receive him in ten minutes.
Nine and a half minutes later the bell rang, and the secretary who had come to see the King came out and announced that His Majesty invited his guest to take a walk in the summer garden.
Aramis respectfully followed Louis into the garden, where they sat down on a bench away from any tall vegetation. Having learned from eavesdropping on Mademoiselle de La Valli;re's conversation, Louis avoided important conversations in the open air near bushes and trees, preferring open spaces where no spy or simply curious idle courtier could hide.
“My dear Duke, I am very sorry that you no longer represent the Spanish court at my court,” said the King.
"Your Majesty, I represent something more," replied Aramis. "Do you know who Giovanni Paolo Oliva is?"
“As far as I know, he is the general of the Jesuit Order,” replied Louis.
“Your information is not exact, Your Majesty,” replied Aramis. “Father Oliva is only my confidant, and I am the general. In order to have greater freedom of action, I asked him to represent me in all matters in which I am not personally interested, but those matters in which I am personally interested, I decide alone, without any representatives or deputies. Therefore, allow me to introduce myself in my new capacity: General of the Jesuit Order, elected after the previous head of the Order passed away to a better world, and I am not talking about the venerable holy father known as Goswin Nickel, but about an almost unknown Franciscan who was, in fact, my predecessor. Who Goswin Nickel really was is indicated by his name. Nickel means “Nobody.” The true head of the Jesuit Order, the man who made decisions and governed everyone, is known to very few initiates. This is what I am like today in this rank. The General of the Order always knows some signs and words, has a certain code, and also has this ring for representation, symbolizing his power.
With these words, Aramis showed Louis his ring, which he had received from the Franciscan.
“Even if someone were to take this ring from me by force, it would give him nothing without the appropriate knowledge, however, the presence of the ring simplifies the procedure for me to introduce myself to those who are not sufficiently initiated into the secrets of the Order, but from whom I require immediate and complete obedience.
“Complete obedience?” the King was surprised.
“Full, Your Majesty,” Aramis confirmed. “Allow me to quote to you from memory some selected paragraphs of the statutes of the Order. ‘The General of the Order, upon his election, receives full power over the Society and over all its members, wherever they may be and whatever their rank and position. His power must extend to the point that he may, if he deems it necessary for the glory of God, recall and give another appointment even to those members who have been sent on a mission from the Pope himself.’”
"I didn't know that!" exclaimed the King.
“Allow me to continue,” said Aramis. “The General or his delegates must have the power to absolve all members of the Society from all sins committed before and after entering the Order, from all spiritual and secular punishments, even from ecclesiastical excommunication.”
“If everything you say is true, Duke, then your power is quite great in Europe!” the King admired, still retaining doubt.
“No ifs, Your Majesty,” replied Aramis. “I am merely quoting to you selectively the bull of Pope Paul III, the effect of which has been ratified by all subsequent Popes. Let us continue. ‘No member of the Order is to make confession to anyone except the general and those authorized by him to do so; and especially under no circumstances is he to make confession to priests or monks of other orders. Likewise, no one who has once entered the Order, no matter what degree he may hold in it, neither professor, nor coadjutor, nor simple disciple, may, without the general’s permission, leave the Order or go over to another order except the Carthusians. Anyone who violates this prohibition may be prosecuted by the general himself or by his authorized representatives as an apostate, seized and imprisoned, and the secular authorities are obliged to assist him in this. All members of the Order, as well as its property, income and possessions, are not subject to the control, supervision and judgment of bishops and archbishops and are under the special protection of the papal throne."
“I did not know about such privileges of your Order!” exclaimed Louis.
— I have told you only individual fragments of this bull. I must also say that there has never been a case of anyone going over from our Order to the Carthusians. Here is another thing. “Neither bishops nor prelates in general can excommunicate Jesuits or even laymen for their devotion to the Society, and if they did so, their excommunication should be considered invalid.”
"With such power you could easily reconcile England with the Vatican!" exclaimed the King. "Or, on the contrary, quarrel!"
"And not only England," agreed Aramis. "Spain and even Portugal may change their attitude towards the Pope as a result of certain influences, either for the better or for the worse. You need me, Your Majesty, and I will not hide the fact that I am counting on your help. If we come to an agreement, this will be the best guarantee that Philippe will never take your place."
- And otherwise? - Louis asked sharply. - You dare to threaten me?
“Not in the least, for I have accepted your gift,” Aramis answered gently. “I have taken the sword you presented me. This means that I have agreed to return to the service of the King of France. But I was obliged to warn you, Your Majesty, that my superior is nominally the Pope, until the Order decides that he should be replaced. In fact, my superior is the Council of the Order, although for each member of our Order the superior is myself. Thus, above me is only God and my personal ideas of what is useful for the Order.
- Really? - exclaimed the King.
- Exactly so, Your Majesty, and this should not upset you, - answered Aramis. - Formally, I am only very slightly subordinate to the Pope, and not even to the Pope himself, but to his official bulls. But a bull that we do not like can be revoked. If the current Pope does not revoke it, then his successor will. Is it so important to you that the current Pope remains on the Holy See as long as possible?
“I don’t understand you!” Louis replied.
"Your Majesty, think about who he is?" asked Aramis. "You yourself were against his election and instructed all the cardinals of France to vote against him, didn't you?"
"The results of the vote are kept secret!" Louis objected.
“There are secrets that remain secrets to everyone except the General of the Jesuit Order,” Aramis objected. “You agreed to his election only after he had made certain promises which he did not keep. In response to the support Your Majesty gave this man through the French clergy, Pope Innocent XI refused to confirm the bishops you appointed. As a result, thirty-five of our dioceses were left without bishops! It is time for you to act more harshly against him. It is time for us to act together, Your Majesty. You along the lines of secular power, I along the lines of the Order.”
Louis looked closely at Aramis.
“It seems to me that either not everything you said is the pure truth, or I am sleeping and seeing an extremely unusual dream,” he said finally.
“This is not a dream, but reality, Your Majesty, and I have told you the purest truth,” Aramis replied. “Simply accept the fact that one man whom you considered your subject has proved so influential that he can compete with the Pope himself, whom you are forced to obey in some matters. France needs greater independence from the Vatican, or it needs the man occupying the Holy See to be more of a friend of France than its present occupant. Let us unite our efforts. In this case, I am extremely interested in helping you in everything.”
"Perhaps the current Pope also has a twin brother, and you intend to replace him if necessary?" Louis asked with a laugh, inwardly shuddering at the blasphemous question he had asked.
“It’s much simpler, Your Majesty,” replied Aramis. “Such a complicated scheme is impossible in this case, but it is not necessary, since the papal throne is not inherited by right of birth. And where elections take place, it is always possible to influence each elector and achieve the desired result. One only needs to have enough levers to influence the cardinals. I have them, Your Majesty. Some levers are in your hands, as you yourself know. This means that our alliance will be stronger than I alone without an ally, or, God forbid, with an enemy in you. If you and I had discussed this matter two and a half years ago, perhaps Philippe would have remained in the place where he was placed by Cardinal Richelieu, and you would never have learned of the secret that you had to learn in such an unpleasant way for you.”
"You should have spoken to me about this, Duke," exclaimed Louis. "Why didn't you?"
"Because, firstly, I was not a duke, but only a bishop, although I was already a general of the Order," replied Aramis. "For such a t;te - ; - t;te audience I would have to reveal myself to people to whom I should not reveal myself. Secondly, the path I had chosen seemed more reliable to me.
“What makes you think that this path is now less reliable?” asked Louis.
"My friend, Monsieur d'Artagnan," Aramis replied. "In six months, with just a few important pieces of advice and a few books planted in his path, he prepared Philippe for the role he later allowed him to play. The Philippe who ascended your throne could no longer be my puppet; he intended to become an independent and self-sufficient King of France. If I had to choose between independent and self-sufficient Kings, I choose you, Your Majesty."
"That reassures me somewhat, but I still hesitate to trust you completely and believe all the fantastic things I have heard from you," said the King. "I want you to be able to understand me and not take my words personally. In such matters the King of France must not be overly trusting."
"I can show you a document that will remove any doubts," Aramis said coldly. "Of course, I will ask you to return this document to me."
After this, Aramis took a leather envelope from his pocket, from which he extracted a parchment document with an intricate seal.
Louis examined the parchment carefully and returned it to Aramis with respect.
"My Lord Duke, I recognize you as the General of the Jesuit Order and I am grateful to you for the offer you have made," he said. "I hope that our alliance will be conducive to the strengthening of France and the spread of true Catholicism in Europe."
"We have agreed, Your Majesty, consider our alliance concluded and sealed by mutual promises," Aramis answered solemnly. "The most important alliances are not written down on paper, but concluded orally. I ask you, in the presence of strangers, to maintain the distance between us that would exist if I were not who I am."
Louis nodded, whereupon Aramis bowed and left the King, who motioned to the servants, who were standing at a respectful distance, to come and bring him refreshments.

Chapter XLVII. The Count and the Duchess

Meanwhile, Athos visited the Countess de Chevreuse. Although the Duchess, while living in the Louvre, did not lock her doors and did not keep servants or footmen except two maids, Athos knocked respectfully.
"Come in, whoever you are!" the Duchess responded.
“It is I, the Comte de la F;re, Duchess,” replied Athos, entering the Duchess’s luxurious reception room.
"And I wonder who it could be!" cried the Duchess. "I think it is too late for a supplicant, too early for a lover, and suddenly I remember that I can no longer have either supplicants or lovers, at my age!"
“Duchess, I am neither one nor the other,” answered Athos with a smile.
- And in vain, Count! - answered the Duchess. - In my opinion, you would be excellent in both these roles, coming to me, however, my doors are always open for you, so you came at the right time, and I will repeat this whenever you come to visit me.
“I am very flattered, Duchess,” replied the Count with a bow. “I am also very pleased to visit you.”
“Wonderful!” replied the Duchess with a charming smile. “What business has brought you to me?”
"Business?" asked Athos, surprised. "Do I look like a man who would come to a brilliant woman like yourself on business? It would offend you and cast a shadow on me. The only business, as you say, on which I could come to you is to pay my respects, inquire after your health, and have the pleasure of seeing you again."
"You are either an extremely skillful flatterer, Count, or a remarkably sincere man," the Duchess noted. "My reason tells me the former, but my feelings command me to believe the latter."
"Trust your feelings, Duchess, and you will never be deceived," replied the Count. "If, by misfortune, you should one day be convinced that you should not have trusted your feelings, you will have nothing to blame yourself for. But if you cease to trust your feelings, and then find that you were mistaken in this decision, you will have no excuse for yourself."
"An interesting philosophy," said the Duchess. "You should meet La Rochefoucauld and exchange your philosophical views, for one philosopher is good, but two philosophers are excellent."
"I'm afraid I'm not in danger of meeting La Rochefoucauld," Athos replied with a smile. "Such a chance meeting would be more likely to happen to our friend d'Herblay than to me."
- Ah, you have pricked me, Count! - laughed the Duchess and lightly slapped his hand with her fan. - Are you hinting that Aramis and La Rochefoucauld visit the same lady?
“I know absolutely nothing about this,” Athos lied carelessly.
“Oh, indeed!” replied the Duchess. “Everyone knows that our mischievous Aramis visits the Duchess de Longueville, which is also the fault of La Rochefoucauld. If they do not meet in the Duchess’s reception room, however, who knows? Well, if they do not meet there, then each of them has spent so much time in her boudoir that the whole world is divided in its opinion as to who gave birth to the charming Charles-Paris. Everyone, except the Duchess’s husband, agrees that his father is not the Duchess’s legitimate husband, Henri II de Longueville, and even he, it seems, does not fall into this error. But the world is divided into two camps: some maintain that his father is Fran;ois VI de La Rochefoucauld, Prince de Marsillac, others that the Bishop of Vannes, the Duke of Alameda, Chevalier d’Herblay, is his father.” As for Anne Genevi;ve de Bourbon-Cond; de Longueville herself, I believe that she herself does not know this, or prefers to assure all three of their paternity, including her own husband.
“Beautiful children are born not only as a result of the fulfillment of the marital duty of the parties in marriage, for which I thank fate,” replied Athos. “However, say what you like, Duchess, for I have come to admire you and listen to your voice.”
"And a minute before that you declared that you had come only to pay your respects!" laughed the Duchess.
“I came to see you, and the difference in terminology is such a small thing that I hope you will forgive me,” Athos justified himself.
"So, Count, you have absolutely no business with me?" asked the Duchess.
“Absolutely none, except those I have mentioned,” replied Athos.
“Then how do you explain your visit now, neither earlier nor later?” asked the Duchess, still doubting Athos’s veracity.
“Only that I have come to Paris for one day and one night, and tomorrow at dawn I leave it, I don’t know for how long,” answered the Count. “It may well be forever.”
“How sad,” sighed the Duchess. “Does it mean that we will never see each other again?”
“Only God knows,” answered Athos.
"So I'm not part of your life plans?" the Duchess asked bluntly.
“A man of my age and habits, Duchess, would not entertain any matrimonial plans, and any other plans in relation to such a brilliant woman as yourself would be folly,” replied Athos.
“Ah, Count, if all the people on earth were as decent as you, the population of the earth would soon end,” sighed the Duchess.
"Fortunately, there are people of a completely different kind who will not allow this to happen," Athos continued the joke. "At least not in France, where there are so many incentives for the continuation of the family line."
"Would you like some marzipan biscuits?" asked the Duchess, somewhat embarrassed.
“A treat from your hands is always welcome to me, even if you sprinkled it with poison before my eyes,” replied the count.
- Oh, do not be afraid, Count! I have never been a poisoner, although I have sometimes met people in my life who should have been poisoned. But I do not intend to acquire this vice, which brings no joy, - exclaimed the Duchess. - And I prefer only such vices that bring pleasure, immediately or later. However, perhaps satisfied revenge can be a source of joy. But do not be afraid, I repeat, Count, only not you! You have given me great pleasure twice. And if I will not say anything about the first time, then the second time is worth remembering forever. Our son, the Count, is magnificent, and his brilliant upbringing is entirely your merit.
"Know, Duchess, that he is now captain of the ship St. David, and bears the name of Captain Butts in the English manner," replied Athos. "By the way, he intends to marry."
"What pleasant news!" cried the Duchess. "Do give him my maternal blessing! I will prepare my wedding present for him, and it is your duty to give me the address to which I can send it."
“I thank you on his behalf, Duchess,” said Athos with a smile.
"And you could tell me that you came just like that, without any special business, when you had such wonderful news for me?" said the Duchess with feigned capriciousness and this time touched Athos's hand not with her fan, but with her own. "Count, remember that, having such news, you are simply obliged to communicate it to me at the first opportunity.
“That was the first opportunity,” Athos replied.
“Very well, I believe you,” agreed the Duchess. “I will now bring the biscuits, and you, Count, think in the meantime whether you have any other news for me, or perhaps you would like to learn some news from me?”
When the Duchess returned with the biscuits, the Count respectfully took the treat from the saucer and looked into the Duchess's face with some tenderness.
"You don't treat all your visitors," he said. "I'm especially flattered that you brought it yourself, without sending for it."
“Not all of them, Count,” the Duchess agreed. “I refused one impudent fellow this even though he asked for it.”
"That is pleasant to hear," said Athos. "However, I am not pleased to know that impudent people come to visit you."
"Oh, don't worry about that, he won't come to me again," replied the Duchess. "The Duchess de Chevreuse knows how to turn down impudent people, so Charles of Lorraine will never come to see me again."
"Charles of Lorraine?" Athos asked. "How strange! It doesn't seem like a coincidence."
"Yes, Count, Charles of Lorraine," said the Duchess. "In life, strange coincidences seldom happen, so if you are also interested in Charles of Lorraine, it is probably in connection with the same matter on which he came to me."
“What business did he come to you for?” asked Athos.
“Count, you make me think that your visit was not an ordinary visit and that you came to me for information,” said the Duchess, feigning offense.
“To prove you wrong, I will now finish this magnificent pastry, kiss your hand and take my leave,” replied Athos.
“Don’t do that,” the Duchess replied. “I believe you that your visit was not intended to learn anything important from me. And in order that you may believe that I am your friend, I will tell you everything I know about this matter, without asking anything from you in return, not even a promise to keep this secret. Use the knowledge you have received from me as you see fit.”
“I don’t want to know anything except that your attitude towards me has not changed because of my interest in the arrival of Charles of Lorraine,” Athos objected.
"That doesn't matter any more," the Duchess said firmly. "What matters is that I intend to tell you everything I know, so please listen to me."
“I’m listening to you,” said the count.
"I suppose you know that our King Louis XIV has a twin brother," said the Duchess, causing Athos to start. "I am aware that you know this secret, since it was you and your three friends who lived with him for the last two years in Scotland, at a place called Monkville."
Athos looked at the Duchess in surprise.
"Ah, do not be surprised, Count, I know more important secrets, but let us continue," smiled the Duchess. "Louis-Philippe, so they christened this brother of the King, although no one knows it, not even he himself, believing that his name is simply Philippe. Recently, the King, who believed that Louis-Philippe was in the Bastille, decided to learn more about his fate, for which he first sent the Duke of Epernon to meet the prisoner known as Marchiali, and then me to meet the prisoner listed under the name of Eustache Dauger. Our King knows that I am privy to the secret, and trusts me. In some way, Monsieur Colbert, with the help of his spies, learned of these two trips. Also, apparently, with the help of spies directly in the Louvre, I believe it was the dwarf Preval, Colbert learned of the whereabouts of Louis-Philippe, without knowing for sure who he was or what his secret was. So Colbert decided to use his envoys to find out what secret was hidden in Monville, in Scotland. These envoys were apparently bought or intimidated by someone, but one way or another it led to the kidnapping of Philippe.
"You are remarkably well informed, Duchess!" exclaimed Athos.
“That is not all, Count,” replied the Duchess de Chevreuse. “Louis-Philippe managed to escape from his captors, as far as I can judge, and I was involved in it. I informed another person of his whereabouts, about whom I know for certain that it was not indifferent. This person helped Louis-Philippe escape. Do you want to know the name of this person, Count?”
“Yes, Duchess,” said Athos.
"The Princess of Monaco, Catherine-Charlotte," the Duchess announced solemnly. "She brought him to Monaco and settled him somewhere, apparently, near her. I suppose that Charles of Lorraine saw him and noticed his extraordinary resemblance to the King. Realizing that it could not be Louis XIV, he planned to use this man to his own advantage. Of course, he wants to get Lorraine back, and if possible, to grab a piece of other lands. Everything is clear with that.
“So he came to you for help?” asked Athos.
“He wanted to know who Philip was,” the Duchess waved her hand. “I didn’t tell him anything, but from his questions I guessed what was going on.”
"How wrong Aramis was!" cried Athos.
"In what way exactly was our dear d'Herblay mistaken?" asked the Duchess.
“He said that the threads of history are in his hands, but I see that part of these threads are in completely different hands, in yours, Duchess,” said Athos.
“Just don’t even think of saying that this makes my hands less pleasing to you,” said the Duchess coquettishly.
“I will not say anything, I will only kiss your hands,” said Athos, and solemnly carried out his threat.
“Oh, Count, why don’t we throw all this politics out of our heads and devote our time to simple human joys?” said the Duchess, trembling.
“If the Lord helps us to save France from the civil war that might be unleashed as a result of the emergence from the shadows of such a solid claimant to her throne as Louis-Philippe, we will return to this conversation, Duchess,” replied Athos.
"Do you promise me this?" asked the Duchess.
"I have already said it once, therefore I have promised," replied Athos. "And now allow me to turn aside and leave you, Duchess."
“Are you leaving already?” the Duchess asked absentmindedly.
“I would not like to compromise you, Duchess,” replied Athos.
“Why?” the Duchess asked in a whisper.

May our readers forgive me, I cannot continue my story, since I do not know myself whether the Count de la F;re took his leave after these words, or whether he remained with the Duchess for some time longer. I can only say that the Count de la F;re arrived promptly for breakfast at Planchet's.
And the King received that same morning a note signed by the Count de la F;re. It contained the following words: "Your Majesty, get rid of the dwarf Preval."
Louis read the note, then tore it into small pieces and threw the pieces into the fireplace.
"It is much better to know who is spying on you than to suspect everyone," he thought. "Thank you, Count, but I remember the Duchess de Chevreuse already hinted at this to me! How is it that you, Count, having arrived in Paris in less than a day, learned such an important secret? Apparently, you are very friendly with the Duchess!"

Chapter XLVIII. Father and Son

That same evening, when Athos visited the Duchess, d'Artagnan went to the barracks, where he met Fran;ois again.
“Fran;ois, my son, we are leaving for Monaco tomorrow morning,” d’Artagnan informed the young man.
"Father, I won't have time to get leave," Fran;ois objected. "Besides, it's wartime now, and I might simply not get it."
"This is not a request and you will not be on leave," replied d'Artagnan. "The Marshal of France is addressing you with an official order."
The marshal's tone was as indifferent and calm as if he were reporting a change in the weather. Fran;ois looked closely at his father's face and saw that he was glowing with pride, which he could not hide despite all his futile efforts.
"Father, I have always been proud of you, but today the occasion has arisen too significant not to celebrate it!" he exclaimed.
"I think so too, Fran;ois, but the situation is complicated by the fact that, firstly, we have an urgent errand from the King, and secondly, all the friends with whom I would like to celebrate this event, with the exception of you, have suddenly discovered that they have urgent business for this evening, " d'Artagnan answered sadly. "However, they have all settled at Planchet's, so whatever business they have, I suppose they will spend the night where they are staying. I have my doubts about Aramis, but I am sure of Athos and Porthos. Come, too."
"May I refer to the order of the Marshal of France to obtain permission to place myself at your disposal, father?" asked Fran;ois. "And for what period of absence must I ask permission?"
- You will simply inform your immediate superior, the Duke of Epernon, that Marshal Charles d'Artagnan is withdrawing you for an indefinite period to carry out an important state task with the sanction of His Majesty, - answered the father. - By the way, take with you another brave guardsman, one of those who are smarter and more agile. Brilliant fencing and shooting skills are a must. This order applies to him. We will not need more people.
"I would be happy to serve under you, father," replied Fran;ois. "Out of pure curiosity, I ask why you do not take the musketeers?"
“I can use the Musketeers without His Majesty’s sanction, but I would not like to advertise my return too much,” the Marshal replied. “Besides, having taken command of the Musketeers, I will not be able to part with them as easily as I would like. Parting with the Musketeers is harder for me than parting with the love of my life. However, it was the love of my life – the Musketeers, brave and noble friends! Is it possible, having once joined this valiant brotherhood, to leave them? But times are changing, I am old, it is time for me to settle down, and perhaps begin to write memoirs, which, however, I will not be able to show to anyone. So I confess to you, my son, I do not intend to remain an active Marshal of France for long, I plan either to die for her or to retire completely.” The second is preferable for me personally, although I could probably name several people who would prefer the first in relation to me, so much do they wish for my death. And believe me, son, when I think of these people, it sometimes seems to me that they are not so wrong in their desires. However, away with lyricism! I reminded myself of the Athos of our youth, who, after a fit of frankness, invariably became ostentatious and reckless. Well, to be like Athos in his youth is not bad. Yes, my son, if I show up in the Musketeers' barracks, I swear by my sword, it will be impossible to drag me out of there! Damn it, I have remained a Musketeer to the tips of my moustache, and I always will be one! It would be better for me not to lead them! As for you, Fran;ois, I do not plan to part with you, and, besides, I see in you an irreplaceable assistant in our work, and since the success of our expedition is important not for me personally, but for our glorious France, I believe that our trip will help you in your future career. And besides, isn't it happiness to serve the Fatherland, which is in danger?
“You are right, father,” Fran;ois agreed. “Tell me, is the Fatherland in danger now?”
"Since you and I have taken up the matter, my son, there is no danger," smiled d'Artagnan. "After all, we will save him. Besides, in another place and by other methods, our friends Athos, Porthos, and Aramis will solve this same problem. If it were not for this, the danger I speak of would be serious.
“By the way, I won’t be able to ask the Duke of Epernon for leave, since he is not currently in command of the royal guards,” Fran;ois replied.
- Really? - the marshal was surprised. - For what reason?
“He suddenly fell ill, father,” answered Fran;ois.
“I understand,” d’Artagnan nodded. “I suppose his illness is called de Planche?”
“The Duke slipped, fell and was seriously injured,” Fran;ois replied.
“Yes, I understand, he fell on the sword of a guard named de Planche, if I remember his name correctly,” d’Artagnan clarified.
“We can assume that everything was exactly like that,” Fran;ois agreed.
"Well, he's a good guardsman, this de Planche," d'Artagnan noted. "By the way, perhaps you'll take him as a partner?"
"That is what I was going to suggest, father!" replied Fran;ois. "He will need some important mission now, away from the Louvre and the Duke d'Epernon, if he recovers, to avoid punishment for turning so carelessly that the Duke fell right on his sword. In the Bois de Boulogne, in the presence of two seconds who can testify that de Blanche acted according to the rules and even tried to be extremely careful so that the Duke's wound would not be fatal, risking his own life in the process. But still, the Duke will need at least a month to recover."
“I understand,” agreed d’Artagnan. “Well, it’s decided, de Planche is coming with us.”

In the evening, d'Artagnan and Fran;ois came to dinner at Planchet's, where, to their surprise, they discovered, in addition to Planchet himself and Porthos, also Aramis, but did not find Athos.
“I hope Athos is all right?” d’Artagnan asked worriedly.
"You need not worry, d'Artagnan," replied Aramis. "If Athos had been attacked, he would have put up such a fight that rumors of the skirmish would surely have reached us by now. I believe he simply visited someone and, presumably, stayed the night."
“As far as I know, Athos has no friends in Paris,” objected d’Artagnan.
"You don't suppose that Athos visited a woman?" asked Aramis with a smile.
- Athos? A woman? - cried d'Artagnan. - You are joking!
“I understand that after Milady, Athos’s attraction to the fair sex has somewhat weakened,” replied Aramis. “But where did the Vicomte de Bragelonne come from?”
"You are right, Aramis," said d'Artagnan. "You have completely reassured me."
- It is a great pity that Athos will not be at the table, but, my friends, why are we standing when we could sit down, and why are we not eating when we could have a snack?! - Porthos finally exclaimed. - Are we finally going to celebrate your new position as Marshal of France, d'Artagnan, or are we going to chatter like this without wetting our throats? My throat is already sore from the dryness!
“I thought, Porthos, that you had already had a good meal at Planchet’s?” asked d’Artagnan, smiling.
“It was a rehearsal,” Porthos replied.

Chapter XLIX. The New Commander of the Guards

That same evening, the King received Chancellor Michel Le Tellier, Marquis de Barbezieux, and his son, Minister of War Fran;ois-Michel Le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois.
“Your Majesty, we believe that Charles of Lorraine is currently in Lorraine in his palace,” the chancellor reported.
"Do you need any further instructions to arrest him?" the King asked dryly.
“Your order is already being carried out, the appropriate escort has already been dispatched,” the Minister of War replied.
- Escort? My God! But I ordered you to carry out my orders personally! - cried Louis. - If I wanted you to send a convoy to arrest Charles of Lorraine, I would not have explained to you in such detail the importance of his arrest and would not have given you the password.
“I am going to catch up with the convoy and go after them right now,” replied the Marquis de Louvois, realizing his mistake.
“What are you doing here, wasting your time?” Louis interrupted the Marquis.
“We just wanted to know who should be appointed to the position of commander of the royal guard?” the Minister of War hastened to justify himself.
"But these functions are performed by d'Epernon, aren't they?" the King was surprised.
"Unfortunately, the Duke fell very badly and was seriously injured," de Louvois explained. "I fear he will not recover soon, if at all."
- What is this? A duel!? - exclaimed the King. - Who dared?
"We still believe that this is an accident," the chancellor intervened. "D'Epernon himself claims that he fell from his horse. However, we will conduct an investigation."
“Okay, investigate this matter,” the King said discontentedly. “And who do you propose for his position?”
“We would like to know if Your Majesty has any wishes?” asked the chancellor.
“You are such an experienced leader, Monsieur Marquis,” Louis objected, “and you still haven’t learned how to resolve personnel and other important issues when visiting the King. Remember that coming to me and asking me to solve a problem that has arisen before you is a sign of your incompetence. After all, I am not the Minister of War, but your son, the Marquis de Louvois. And I am not the Chancellor, but you, the Marquis de Barbezieux! If you have come to me to solve a problem, you must come with a ready-made project for its solution, so that I can approve it if I like it, or reject it if I am not satisfied with it. Go and think about it!”
“We have a proposal for a candidate,” the Minister of War said hastily.
At these words, the chancellor looked at his son in surprise, trying to make sure that the King did not notice this look.
"An offer? Wonderful!" exclaimed Louis, more favourably. "Who is it?"
“Count de Rochefort,” said de Louvois.
- Count de Rochefort? - the King was surprised. - And you also recommend him, Mr. Chancellor?
“Yes, Your Majesty, I highly recommend it!” the chancellor chimed in, having never thought of the idea before.
“Well, if you both recommend him,” Louis answered thoughtfully. “Although it seems to me that for some time he was in opposition to my mother the Queen. And to Cardinal Mazarin. But then, it seems, he made peace with both? I do not know whether your candidacy is a good one. However, since your opinion is unanimous, I confirm your decision. From now on, the Count de Rochefort is the head of the royal guard.”

Chapter L. Trip to Monaco

Arriving at Planchet's in the morning to bid farewell to their friends before setting out for Monaco, d'Artagnan, Fran;ois and de Planchet learned that Athos, Porthos and Aramis had already left, for Athos had told his friends some news, after which they had breakfasted very quickly. Planchet had barely managed to give them some provisions for the journey, which he had prudently packed in saddlebags. The good Planchet had also supplied d'Artagnan and his companions with similar bags.
"In case I do not return, my dear Planchet, I have appointed Fran;ois my heir, bear that in mind," said d'Artagnan. "However, in the fire at Monqueville, almost everything I had was burned, including my will."
"Your account in my establishment has not only been preserved, but has increased," Planchet replied. "However, I firmly believe that you will return. Is your current journey really more dangerous than all those from which you returned alive and unharmed?"
“I don’t think she’s more dangerous,” replied d’Artagnan. “But I’m not getting any younger with age, and someday I’ll have to meet my fate. I’m not eternal!”
"But this is the first time I've heard such predictions from you, Monsieur d'Artagnan!" said Planchet with surprise. "And yet you've been in such difficult situations!"
"My dear fellow, I became sentimental after all of France wrote me off as a dead man," d'Artagnan replied with a sad smile. "I can't go against the opinion of an entire country."
After embracing the old servant, who had become almost a friend, d'Artagnan jumped cheerfully into the saddle, Fran;ois and de Planche followed his example, after which all three headed for Monaco.
"Mr. Marshal," Fran;ois turned to his father, "how dangerous is our mission?"
"Why do you ask, Fran;ois?" d'Artagnan asked in response, looking into his son's face. "I have never asked that question."
“I asked only to know what weapon to keep at hand first,” answered Fran;ois.
“That’s another matter,” said d’Artagnan, calming down. “But I can’t say in advance what weapons we’ll need first. Be prepared to use everything, including your fists, and if necessary, anything that comes to hand. As I recall from past fights, Porthos is very indiscriminate in this case. If his sword breaks, he can fight with a shaft, a cobblestone, a candelabrum, a tavern bench, or even a table. He can fence with a blacksmith’s sledgehammer as if it were a simple sword!”
“I will try to follow his example, although I can hardly fence with a sledgehammer,” Fran;ois answered with a laugh.
- Excellent, my son! - cried d'Artagnan. - But try not to be killed. You are not eternal, of course, but not now. Not under my command! And not before my eyes, damn it! Wait until I die, at least. But remember that trying to save your life does not mean running away from danger. To do this, you just have to act instantly, and at the same time contrive to think for at least a moment before acting, if you have one. The trouble is that I often did not even have this moment; I always had to act too quickly. Therefore, learn to assess the situation and make a decision in a tenth of a second. That is the whole secret of both successful fencing and accurate shooting. So, let us serve France, and if we have to die, we will die, but on condition that I get ahead of you by at least a moment. However, no, damn it, we will not die, Fran;ois, brave men are spared by both bullets and swords.
"When will I know what our mission is?" asked Fran;ois.
“Right now,” replied d’Artagnan. “Listen to me, too, de Planches. There is a gentleman with the Princess of Monaco, whom they will most likely try to carry off by cunning or force. You will recognize him, Fran;ois, for it is almost the same gentleman whom we took to Pignerol, Fran;ois. Let us say that it is he in appearance. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Fran;ois.
"This man must be safe and under our control," the marshal continued. "If that is impossible, then in the worst case scenario, we must not let him go, we must not leave him in the hands of the conspirators, if we cannot save him, we must kill him... Although if that happens, after that I will put a bullet in my forehead. So it will be better if we do not allow him to be kidnapped.
“We will do it, father!” exclaimed Fran;ois.
“You can trust us,” said de Planche.
"Why didn't we take a larger detachment?" Fran;ois asked. "Is the mission secret?"
"Yes, it is," d'Artagnan confirmed. "If success required an entire army, I would take it. However, our success depends on how carefully we act. A large group of people will only attract unnecessary attention, and we will not solve our problem. On the contrary, in this case we will provoke exactly what I will try with all my might to avoid.
Fran;ois and de Planche nodded and for some time the riders rode in silence.

We will spare the reader the recounting of all the conversations that the travellers had, and the description of the road, the inns and all the minor incidents on the way to Monaco. However, we will dwell on one visit.

Approaching a familiar village, d'Artagnan said that he would stop by to see a friend. The house that the marshal decided to visit was the same house that our readers had already seen. An Indian named Gotan Kumar lived there.
When d'Artagnan visited the Indian, he was meditating as usual. However, our Gascon already knew that he could ask the Indian questions, which he could answer with gestures, and if he asked nicely, with words.
“Peace be with you, Gotan Kumar,” said d’Artagnan, entering the house.
The Indian lowered his eyelashes, which meant, "And peace to you, d'Artagnan, wherever you go."
"Listen, teacher," said d'Artagnan, who was not the Hindu's disciple, but knew that such an address was used when speaking with Indian yogis. "I need to know something, without an explanation of this strange phenomenon I sometimes cannot sleep."
The Hindu looked into the eyes of his interlocutor, which meant: “If you want to ask a question, ask it, and spare me the prefaces and apologies, my time is precious.”
"I asked you for permanent tattoo powder, and you gave it to me," said d'Artagnan. "Why did it come off so quickly? Did you deceive me?"
"I did not deceive the captain," replied the Hindu. "I saved him from himself."
“Explain!” demanded d’Artagnan.
— The captain's tongue said one thing, but his eyes said another, — said the Indian. — The captain asked for a permanent tattoo, but his eyes told me that the captain was not sure about it. I realized that the question was very important, and for an important question, important decisions are needed, that is, ones that are not taken rashly. A permanent tattoo is too serious, since it is forever. Therefore, before making a permanent tattoo, a temporary one should be made, and only if after wearing this tattoo the person does not change his mind, then after two weeks a fixing substance is applied over it, which makes this tattoo permanent. If the fixing substance is not applied, then the tattoo will disappear by itself in three or four weeks without a trace.
- You have deceived me, Gotan Kumar! - cried d'Artagnan. - But I am not angry. What is done is done, and perhaps your decision saved France. Or perhaps it doomed her. In any case, nothing can be changed now. You should change your name; "Destiny" would suit you better.
- I have given you a name that indicates my origin. Gotan Kumar means son of the Gotan area. But in that area I was called Daiva Pusha-Kara. - the Hindu replied. - It cannot be translated into French, but approximately it is something like destiny.
"Well," said d'Artagnan, "then I will thank my fate with these twenty pistoles. At other times I would have given more, but at present I am in temporary difficulties. Farewell, Gotan Kumar, Daiva Pusha-Kara."
With these words, d'Artagnan placed twenty pistoles on the table, bowed and left the hut.

After some time, d'Artagnan and his companions arrived at the capital of the Principality of Monaco. Two roads led to the city.
“We cannot afford to lose the man we have come to fetch, if he is still here,” said d’Artagnan. “So let us do this. I will take the left road, and you, Fran;ois, and de Planches will take the right. If you see any suspicious people, horsemen or a carriage capable of carrying a prisoner, one of you must follow it, the other must find me at the entrance to the city and report it, after which we will set out in pursuit. If I see anything of the sort, then I will not come to the meeting. In that case, you must return by the road I have taken and overtake me. I will leave signs for you, and the one of you who follows the carriage or the escort should do the same, if you meet them on your way.”

After this, our heroes split up, and d'Artagnan rode alone along the left road. It was getting dark, but the capital was already close. It seemed that the trip to Monaco would end without incident. The road forked again, but d'Artagnan knew these places. While the wide road made a large detour, the narrow road cut it off, but was too inconvenient for a carriage or a group of horsemen, although one horseman could ride along it. D'Artagnan decided that a carriage would hardly be able to move along the narrow road, so if he wanted to not miss Philippe's possible kidnappers, he should move along the wide road, even though it was longer and the trip would take longer. The Marshal spurred his horse and raised him to a gallop.
When the bypass road almost ended and met a narrow short road, d'Artagnan mechanically glanced at it, and at the same moment he saw a painfully familiar object in the bushes. It was the barrel of a musket. D'Artagnan immediately reared his horse, shielding himself from the musket ball with his body. A shot rang out, and the horse fell onto the road.
D'Artagnan fell and hit his head hard. He looked with difficulty in the direction from which the bullet had come and it seemed to him that Milady had come out from behind the bushes, the same Lady Winter who had poisoned Constance!
"My lady?" whispered d'Artagnan, his head spinning from the blow. "It's fate!"
However, it was not Milady who emerged from the bushes, but Olivia de Trabu;on. She approached with a second musket aimed at the prostrate Marshal. D'Artagnan tried to get up, but he could not, because the horse was crushing his leg. He could not reach the musket either.
"At last I will take revenge on you for all the misfortunes!" Olivia exclaimed.
- Well, my lady! - answered d'Artagnan, blood streaming down his face from the wound caused by the fall. - It seems that the Lord has decided to punish me, and take my life in payment for yours. He has resurrected you and sent you to carry out the sentence. I assure you, I am ready to die. I ask you to punish me alone, my friends are innocent. Let your vengeance be fulfilled.
"He's delirious!" Olivia exclaimed, shrugging her shoulders. "Hey, d'Artagnan! Wake up! I'd like you to realize the approach of your imminent death!" she said, turning to d'Artagnan. "Revenge is especially sweet when its victim realizes its imminent arrival and begs for mercy."
"I will not beg for mercy, my lady," replied d'Artagnan, who continued his vain attempts to remain conscious and free himself from under the horse. "Since the Lord has deprived me of the opportunity to defend myself, let his will be done."
- What other milady! - Olivia was indignant. - However, perhaps you are not delirious, but are cunning with me? Be that as it may, in a minute you will die.
With these words, Olivia approached d'Artagnan at a distance of one and a half steps, which was enough to completely eliminate the possibility of a miss, but also did not allow d'Artagnan to try to resist. She aimed at the face of her opponent.
"It's curious to look into the eyes of death," said d'Artagnan, looking into the center of the musket barrel. "I didn't know it would end like this."
A second later a shot rang out.

Chapter LI. The Order to Arrest

A convoy of sixty men led by the Colonel of the Guard, the Marquis d'Arcy, arrived in Nancy, the capital of Lorraine. The Marquis felt uneasy, since if the Duke decided to show disobedience, the forces would be unequal. However, a significant contingent of the royal army under the command of the Prince de Cond; was nearby. Naturally, the Marquis sent a messenger with a warning that if he did not make himself known within twenty-four hours, His Majesty should be informed of the disobedience of Charles of Lorraine, which, apparently, would lead to a new stage of civil war. Feeling the support of France and its troops behind him, the Marquis nevertheless understood that in Lorraine his military force seemed insignificant. However, the Marquis hoped for obedience on the part of the Duke, since otherwise it threatened war, as a result of which the troubles could spread not only to Charles himself, but also to all members of his family.
"I am pleased to welcome such an illustrious guest as the Marquis d'Arcy!" said Charles solemnly, with a beaming expression. "However, to what do I owe your presence with such a representative cavalcade?"
"I fear my visit will not please you, Duke," said the Marquis. "I have come to you on a matter of the utmost importance."
"Won't you dine before we talk business, Marquis?" asked the Duke with a smile.
“I would not have refused your hospitality under other circumstances, Duke, but I fear that under the present circumstances I must not abuse your kindness,” the Marquis declined the Duke’s offer. “The business on which I have come is not conducive to table talk, since I have come to arrest you by order of His Majesty King Louis XIV of France.”
“Tell me, Marquis, when was the last time you saw His Majesty?” asked the Duke.
“I believe that the answer to this question is of no importance, Duke, since I am obliged to carry out an order, please forgive me,” replied the Marquis.
“I ask because I believe you did not receive this order personally from His Majesty’s hands, but through some intermediary, did you not?” asked Karl with a smile.
“I have in my hands an order from the Minister of War, Fran;ois-Michel Le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois,” replied the Marquis. “The Minister said that the order was given personally by His Majesty.”
“That may be so,” answered Karl. “But perhaps it would be better if we ourselves asked whether His Majesty’s order was still in effect?”
“Who are you going to ask, Duke?” the Marquis asked in bewilderment.
At that moment the doors in the back of the hall swung open and the King of France himself emerged from them.
"Marquis, I thank you for your service, but I rescind my order for the arrest of Duke Charles II of Lorraine," said the King. "Therefore, if you do not accept the Duke's invitation to dinner, I will not detain you."
“Will Your Majesty require an escort or anything else?” the Marquis asked in surprise.
“Thank you, Marquis, I told you that you are free,” replied the King.
The Marquis bowed to the King in bewilderment and backed away towards the exit.

"I have done as you wished, Duke," said Philippe, when the Marquis had left the palace of the Duke of Lorraine. "I hope you will now grant freedom to me and Catherine Charlotte?"
"I will certainly grant you complete freedom, Monseigneur," replied the Duke. "I am even prepared to submit to you as my sovereign. But I need guarantees that you will not do anything extremely undesirable to me or my family."
“I will give you any guarantees in exchange for our freedom,” said Philip.
“Not so, monseigneur,” replied Charles. “The only guarantee is Princess Catherine Charlotte de Gramont, Princess of Monaco. Therefore, she will remain for some time in a place that I cannot tell you about. Surely you are concerned about her well-being? And me too. Therefore, our goals coincide. Incidentally, I asked you not only to send the Marquis away, but also to do everything possible to ensure that he returns to Paris as late as possible.”
“What could I do about it?” Philip asked.
“We should have thought up some business for him in Dijon, or even better, in Lyon,” grumbled Karl.
“ You should have thought of this assignment in advance and warned me about it,” Philip said proudly.
“Monseigneur, I ask you to be my ally if you are truly concerned about the fate of the Princess of Monaco!” Charles replied, barely concealing his irritation, but trying to appear moderately respectful.
Philip silently turned away from Karl and went to the window.
“Perhaps I should have ordered him to arrest the Duke of Lorraine?” thought Philippe. “No, that was dangerous. After all, he warned me that his servants already had orders to deal with Catherine Charlotte if I did not obey. Apparently, he is a determined man and he will stop at nothing. Well, let’s hope that I can come to an agreement with him. After that, Catherine Charlotte and I will leave France forever. I will ask d’Artagnan and his friends to find me another place to live, where no one will find us.”

Meanwhile, the Marquis d'Arcy left the palace of the Duke of Lorraine and ordered the convoy to return to Paris. He was so upset by the failure of his mission that he did not even think to feed the soldiers before the march, deciding that he would dine with the soldiers at the nearest tavern outside the city.

Chapter LII. The Failure of the Mission to Monaco

Let us return to the shot that rang out at the moment when Olivia de Trabu;on aimed her second musket at d'Artagnan's face. May the readers forgive me for interrupting the story of what happened to our hero. Now I must tell you what happened after the fatal shot was fired.
So Olivia pointed the musket at d'Artagnan's face, after which a shot rang out, Olivia dropped the musket and fell to the ground.
"Charles, I knew you shouldn't be let go alone!" d'Artagnan heard a familiar voice.
- Suzanne! - exclaimed the Gascon. - Thunder strike me! Suzanne! You couldn't have come at a better time!
“Yes, it is I, your Suzanne,” replied the lady, who had discharged her musket at Olivia, for it was Mademoiselle Suzanne Campredon.
"Is this bandit alive?" asked d'Artagnan.
"I hope not!" replied Suzanne. "Do you regret it? You, Charles, became such a desperate pacifist after you were nearly killed by a cannonball at Maastricht that I don't understand how you managed to get the marshal's baton! And it's no wonder you couldn't keep it for more than five minutes!"
- You are mistaken, my dear! - cried d'Artagnan. - The King of France himself has kept the staff for me. But help me to pull my leg out from under the horse!
Mademoiselle Suzanne asked to help her dear Charles, but first she decided to make sure that the scoundrel who wanted to kill him was no longer dangerous. So she cautiously, holding her second musket at the ready, approached Olivia de Trabu;on. Although Suzanne did not understand where exactly to aim, since she had no time to think, she hit Olivia in the chest, so the wound was extremely dangerous.
"Madam, do you need help?" asked Susannah of Olivia. "If you will throw away your musket, I may perhaps be able to save your life, or at least ease your suffering."
"Go to hell with your dear Charles!" Olivia croaked. "See you in hell! We'll talk there..."
She probably wanted to say something else, but from the fury with which she tried to shout her curses, her wound opened even more, blood gushed onto the ground, and Olivia gave up her spirit.
After this, Suzanne picked up a thick stick on the side of the road to push it under the horse's carcass and help d'Artagnan pull his leg out. If it weren't for the spur, he would have managed on his own, but the spur dug into the ground so badly and the horse crushed his leg that the Marshal of France simply needed help. Soon he was already standing on his feet and hugging his savior.
"Suzanne, you have saved my life for the second time!" he said. "My whole life belonged to you without a trace, but now every hour of my life on this sinful earth is your merit. All the feats that I will accomplish, I will accomplish thanks to you and in your honor, and if after the fulfillment of our mission the Lord leaves me a few years, or months, or days, or even hours..."
"I will take all that is left!" said Suzanne. "D'Artagnan, you are mine, and remember that! I do not say that you are only mine, for d'Artagnan's sword will always belong to France and the King, but your heart..."
We do not know what Suzanne wanted to say, because d'Artagnan closed her mouth with his lips, sealing it with his tender and long kiss.
D'Artagnan arrived at the meeting place with Fran;ois and de Planches with a slight delay, which we explain by the fact that his horse was killed, so that they had to ride together on Suzanne's horse. Perhaps a picky reader, armed with a chronometer, would ask us where the other half hour went, and also ask why there was a patch of trampled grass on the roadside, to which we cannot give an answer, since, as we have said, it was already dark, and we cannot describe exactly what happened that evening near the deserted road at the entrance to Monaco. To those readers who will think to blame our hero for losing his agility while carrying out an urgent mission on behalf of the King, we will object that d'Artagnan was simply obliged to show signs of attention to his beautiful Mademoiselle Suzanne, who left peaceful Scotland, crossed the channel on the next passing ship and undertook a very successful search for her lover, finding him at the right time and arriving with such necessary help, which we already told about at the beginning of this chapter.
Fran;ois and de Planche, in accordance with the Marshal's instructions, after the waiting time had expired, took the road by which he was to arrive in Monaco, so that they met him and Suzanne on the approaches to the city.
Arriving in Monaco, d'Artagnan and his companions learned that the Princess of Monaco had been missing for several days. No sophisticated espionage techniques were needed to find this out, since the Princess was the most famous person in the Principality, if you don't count her husband, and at the same time the most adored ruler in the entire history of the Principality, and although her husband did not consider it necessary to interfere in her affairs, she still considered it her duty to inform him of upcoming absences, as was the case during her trip to Scotland, just as the Prince behaved very correctly in public and showed concern for his wife. A few days ago, a frightened Josepha ran to him and reported that the Princess had been kidnapped by some criminals. Clever Josepha kept silent about the fact that Philippe had also been kidnapped along with her, assuming that the Prince did not care about him and would not do anything to find him.
Since the princess was the mother of their children, the prince continued to love her, if not with the love of a beloved man, then with the love of a relative, a family member. He felt the need to find her with particular acuteness and announced a search, so any visitor to any tavern in Monaco knew about the disappearance of the princess. That same evening, d'Artagnan found Josepha and, together with Suzanne, spoke with her. The savvy Josepha, who recognized Suzanne as a captive of Dutch pirates, was imbued with trust in her and told her everything she knew about Philippe and Catherine Charlotte. On this basis, d'Artagnan realized that he and his companions should also go to Nancy as soon as possible.

Perhaps our readers will say that this chapter is too short, but believe me, if we could describe all the words that Suzanne whispered to her Charles on the side of the road, and the words that he whispered in her ear in response, this chapter could compete with the longest chapter of our novel.

Chapter LIII. Conversation on the Road to Nancy

Since d'Artagnan was a good Christian, he could not help but take care of Olivia's burial. At the inn where they had stopped for the night, he hired two workers, bought a piece of cloth for a shroud at a nearby shop, asked a carpenter to make him a kind of cross at a nearby carpenter's, and rode on Suzanne's horse to the place where he had left Olivia the day before, having covered her with branches to prevent scavengers from desecrating the corpse.
While the gravediggers were digging the pit, d'Artagnan explored the nearby woods and was pleased to find Olivia's horse tied up near the spot where she had set up her ambush. Deciding that the horse was his trophy of war, he took it instead of his own horse. Since Olivia's saddle was a lady's saddle, he gave it to the gravediggers as a gift, also allowing them to skin his dead horse.
"It's not just skin!" one of the workers exclaimed. "We'll use horse meat here too."
- For God's sake, I beg you, without me! - answered d'Artagnan. - After all, he was my comrade in arms, although not for long. Musketeers do not eat dead horses.
“It seems that you have never participated in the defense of a fortress without sufficient food,” said one of the older workers.
"In the last forty years you will not name a single campaign involving the capture or defense of a fortress by the French army in which I did not take part!" objected d'Artagnan. "And I pray to God that the French army will never find itself in a situation where its soldiers would have to eat their horses."
“I’m afraid the Lord won’t hear you, sir officer,” the elderly worker said sadly.
“You are obviously a veteran,” said d’Artagnan. “Where did you serve?”
"I have fought under many commanders," the veteran replied. "I began under Monsieur de Jussac and ended under the Prince of Cond;, until a bullet shattered three fingers on my right hand. Have we met before? I think I know your face."
“We hardly met,” replied d’Artagnan, turning away and glad that it was already quite dark.
Indeed, he reasoned that whoever this veteran might be, enemy or friend, it would be better if he did not recognize him.

Returning to the inn, d'Artagnan placed Olivia's horse under his own saddle in the stable and reported that there was no longer any need to buy a new horse to replace the one that had died.
"Is this Olivia's horse?" asked Fran;ois. "Why didn't you take it away right away?"
- The devil take it! - cried d'Artagnan. - Because it did not occur to me! I am definitely getting old! Suzanne and I rode on the same horse, when we could have found Olivia's horse! We should have taken it at once. After all, by attempting to take my life, she practically declared war on me, and therefore her horse would have been my trophy, compensating me for the loss of my horse!
“Charles, that was my trophy,” Suzanne smiled.
“Your trophy is my heart, my dear, but I really don’t understand why I didn’t think of a horse right away?” d’Artagnan persisted.
“I suppose it was because you found it more pleasant to ride with me on the same horse?” Suzanne asked with a smile.
- Exactly! - exclaimed the Gascon. - It is for this reason that I forgot about this trophy.

The next morning, all four set off for Nancy.
On the way, d'Artagnan decided to talk to de Planche to get to know him better.
“I still don’t know your name, Monsieur de Planche,” he said.
"Sergeant Gaspard de Planche is at your service, Monsieur Marshal," replied de Planche.
“It’s funny that your name sounds like the name of a friend of mine, Planchet,” said d’Artagnan.
"Is he also a nobleman?" asked de Planche. "Where does he come from?"
“Oh, no, he is not a gentleman, but do not judge men by their pedigree,” replied d’Artagnan. “I could name many commoners who were nobler in heart than some nobles, and many nobles, even princes, whose souls are lower than the meanest of commoners. Human destiny is like a river. The headwaters of a river may be the purest and clearest, while the lower reaches are a foul, stinking sludge. The same may be said of certain pedigrees. Some men had illustrious, noble, and kind-hearted ancestors, while their descendants may turn out to be miserable nonentities.”
“It happens that way,” agreed de Planche. “And it also happens the other way around.”
- That's exactly what I'm saying! - d'Artagnan picked up. - Why have you been so silent and thoughtful all this time, if it's not a secret?
"I have cause for sorrow in regard to a distant relative of mine," replied de Planche. "But if we go to Nancy, perhaps I shall meet him and be able to help him."
"Tell me about this relative of yours," said d'Artagnan. "Perhaps if you cannot help him, we can solve his problem together? Especially if he deserves help."
“Oh, he certainly deserves sympathy and help,” replied de Planches. “If you like, I will tell you his story. My relative is called Jules de Brion. He is not rich. One day a villain named Monbas gained his confidence. Although he introduced himself as de Monbas, I doubt that he was a gentleman. However, it does not matter. He met Jules by chance, or perhaps his acquaintance was arranged, it is difficult to find out now. Little by little, he asked the young man where he came from, and when he learned that he was from near Lengon, he also called himself his fellow countryman. Having won Jules over, he casually proposed to introduce themselves, and when he heard the name de Brion, he asked about the name of his father. When he heard the name and surname, he exclaimed that it was simply a lucky chance. He said that he had been looking for his father for many years, and was glad that now, at last, he would be able to see him. The young man sadly replied that it was impossible, since his father had died long ago. The scoundrel feigned sincere grief and said that he had never been able to repay his debt to his father. After all, once in his childhood, his father had allegedly saved his life when he had fallen from the bank into a deep stream, almost a river, and had almost drowned, but Jules' father had run up and pulled down a small tree, whose branches the swindler had allegedly managed to grab. Having gained Jules' trust, the villain said that he saw the young man as almost his son, and that he simply had to help him somehow. He allegedly remembered that, by the way, he had been entrusted with a delicate matter, a widower had asked him to help sell a house and magnificent land, and the price in this case was quite attractive. The fact is that he simply wants to get rid of the house and this land, since everything in it reminds him of his precious wife. He has decided to go to his son at the other end of France, and does not want to wait a single day, since he sees that he is wasting away here alone. The swindler Monba told Jules that the house and land could be bought for the price of the house alone, and then for almost half the price of the house. And the land would be a free addition. The trusting Jules replied that he had no money. Then the matter developed as follows. The swindler laments, since it is allegedly only necessary to get ten thousand pistoles, whereas this house and land could easily go for forty thousand pistoles, and if you wait and find a good buyer, then for fifty thousand. He advises borrowing from someone. Jules says that he has no friends from whom he could borrow ten thousand pistoles. He says that this amount would hardly be collected if his mother decided to sell her personal annuity. The swindler says that this is the ideal solution. The mother will sell the rent, with this money they will buy land and a house, in two or three months he will easily sell this property for fifty thousand, then he will be able to buy his mother a rent twice as much for twenty thousand, and he himself will still have thirty thousand left. The young man hesitates, then the swindler says that it is a pity, because the Lord himself arranged this meeting so that he could finally repay the son of his benefactor with kindness, but, apparently, nothing can be done. He parts with a sigh and says that he will wait until tomorrow, tells where he can be found, but if he does not wait, then this profitable business will go to another person. He says that it is a pity, he found one buyer who, without bargaining, lays out this amount, and also a commission for this swindler himself of five percent, but he knows about him that he is an unworthy person, and does not deserve such luck at all. The young man decided to see his mother and ask for advice, the mother certainly believed him and sold her annuity, handed over all the money to the young man and the next day the deal was completed. The swindler promised that the documents of ownership of the land and the house would come later, but for now he only gave a receipt for the money. He also said that the documents would indicate that the land and the house were worth forty thousand pistoles, which would help him sell this property for that price more easily, and the seller himself needed this, since his wife was very attached to this house and indicated in her will that she forbade selling the house and land for less than forty thousand pistoles. The deed, which the swindler shows to the young man, states that the price of the transaction is forty thousand pistoles. He also shows a preliminary purchase and sale agreement from other buyers who are allegedly ready to buy this property for fifty thousand, but later, in a month and on the condition that they will be allowed to pay this money in installments over two months. The young man is happy that he is almost guaranteed to be rich. Later, the swindler Monba tells Jules that in order to receive the money, the land and the house must be transferred to the buyers. He asks him to write a receipt as if he had received the entire amount and had no claims, and in exchange he will receive a receipt stating that the missing forty thousand will be paid to him in the manner they had agreed upon. The young man writes such a receipt. After this, the buyers disappear. But another man appears who says that he has bought the young man's debt and demands that it be returned. He says that the deal is canceled because the deed was not drawn up according to the rules, and demands that the fifty thousand pistoles received by the young man be returned to him, according to the receipt. Otherwise, the young man will be put in prison. In horror, he turns to his benefactor, who feigns suffering and reproaches himself for letting down his benefactor's son. But he says that he has that kind of money, but it is with a friend of his who lives in Nancy. He only needs to urgently go there and return with the money. The granted deferment is quite sufficient for the trip. The young man says that he does not have the money for such a trip, to which the swindler replies that there is an option. He tells him: "You and I will approach a major we know, he will draw up a fictitious contract that we have allegedly enlisted in the army of Charles of Lorraine, then we will receive money for travel to the location of the army. There we will receive the required amount from my friend, as well as money to return the travel expenses and terminate the contract, and money for the return trip. After that, we will return to Paris, pay off the debt and return your mother 10 thousand pistoles, and also add another two thousand so that she does not feel deceived." Jules agreed, as a result, he was recruited into the army of Charles of Lorraine, and his supposed benefactor, having handed him over to the major, disappears, apparently having received a commission for the recruited soldier. As for the land and the house, it turned out that all of this belonged to another owner, and the documents for their ownership were forged.
- The devil take it, how many scoundrels still trample the soil of France! - cried d'Artagnan. - My dear Gaspard, we will certainly help this relative of yours, Jules de Brion, but teach him not to be so trusting of strangers anymore! After all, he was deceived twice! First, they fished out all his mother's money, and then they recruited him into the army of Charles of Lorraine by deception! And besides, it turns out that he owes someone fifty thousand pistoles! But in future he must be more careful, because swindlers only exist because there are simpletons who trust them!

Chapter LIV. The Meeting at Metz

While passing through Metz, Athos, Porthos and Aramis met a convoy of sixty guards with the Marquis d'Arcy at their head.
Athos raised his sword in salute to the convoy, but Colonel d'Arcy seemed to pay no attention to it.
"We salute you, Colonel d'Arcy!" cried Aramis, who was acquainted with the Marquis. "May I speak to you on a matter connected with your journey?"
“My journey was undertaken on behalf of His Majesty, and I intend to report on it only to him and to the Minister of War,” the Marquis answered in an even voice, since he had no intention of starting a duel out of thin air, but he considered it beneath his dignity to stop for a conversation with three horsemen while leading sixty warriors.
“We have an order from His Majesty, which probably concerns you as well,” Aramis objected.
Hearing this, the Marquis gave the command to stop and rode up to Aramis.
“What is this order, and how does it concern me?” he asked.
"It is simple," replied Aramis. "Athos, will you show the order to the Marquis?"
“With pleasure,” replied Athos, and took out the document he had received from Louis before leaving.

The document read:
 
"By this document, the Marshal of France, Count d'Artagnan, and any of the three persons accompanying him, the Count de La F;re, the Duke d'Alameda d'Herblay and the Baron du Valon de Pierrefonds de Bracieux, are authorized to act by order of the King and in his interests. They are given the right to arrest in the name of the King any person on the territory of France. They are obliged to give an account of their actions only to the King of France.

Signed: King of France Louis XIV »

"Your powers are quite weighty, although we do not see among you the Marshal of France, Monsieur Count d'Artagnan," the Marquis agreed. "Besides, I do not understand what this paper has to do with me? I hope you are not going to arrest me?"
I said the last words of the Marquis with a smile.
“Of course not, Marquis,” replied Aramis. “But I see that you have not carried out the orders of the King of France.”
Hearing these words, the Marquis abruptly placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Explain yourself, Duke!" he exclaimed, not hiding his irritation. "Such accusations should not be thrown in one's face without sufficient grounds!"
The Marquis's guards also tensed up and prepared to come to the aid of their colonel if necessary and arrest the three troublemakers.
"As far as I can judge, Marquis, you were ordered to arrest Charles of Lorraine," said Aramis calmly. "From the direction of your movements, you have already been to Nancy, and yet you have not arrested the Duke, have you?"
“The order was cancelled,” the Marquis grumbled discontentedly, removing his hand from the hilt of his sword.
“This order could not be cancelled,” Athos objected.
“At least by no one except the King of France,” added Aramis.
“It was the King of France who abolished it,” replied the Marquis.
“Do you have in your hands a written order rescinding the order for the arrest of Charles of Lorraine?” asked Aramis.
"His Majesty has personally countermanded his order," the Marquis said, beginning to lose patience. "I hope that satisfies your curiosity? I intend to continue on my way."
Athos and Aramis exchanged glances, and Porthos grinned and twirled his mustache.
"So you claim to have seen His Majesty in Nancy," said Aramis. "In that case, you have two options for what to do next. The first option is that you return to Paris, report everything that has happened to the one who sent you, and then be punished for disobeying the King's orders, or..."
“I cannot carry out the King’s order, which has been cancelled by the King himself!” the Marquis exploded.
"Allow me to proceed," Aramis continued coolly. "Or, I say, you have another course of action. We propose that you return with us to Nancy and carry out the King's orders, after which His Majesty, I believe, will reward you handsomely for your faithful service."
“I don’t understand anything!” the Marquis objected.
“Then you don’t have to understand, just trust us and the document we showed you,” said Athos.
- Excuse me, gentlemen, - the Marquis replied. - I believe that your document was written before I received His Majesty's express order. The latest order may cancel all previous ones. His Majesty ordered me to leave for Paris with my escort, which I intend to do exactly. I have the honor to bow!
After these words, the Marquis gave the order to continue moving, mentally scolding himself for having wasted time talking to the three horsemen, regardless of the rights the King had given them, and convincing himself that these rights were in no way connected with his mission, which had been completed by order of Louis.
"Idiot!" said Porthos, after the cavalcade, led by the Marquis, had gone far enough to avoid hearing this assessment. The friends had no intention of wasting time on unnecessary duels with their compatriots.
“You have given an extremely accurate characterization of the Marquis d'Arcy, Porthos,” Aramis noted.
“Perhaps a bit rough, but fundamentally sound,” Athos agreed.
"We were going to act as a trio," Porthos replied. "Nothing has changed our intentions. Help from this stubborn fellow would hardly help us much."
"You are right, Porthos," said Aramis. "Sixty men against Charles of Lorraine are nothing, and when moving through Lorraine, it is too large a convoy to hope to move without attracting attention. Still, having a fifth of a company with you is not so bad!"
"We could have taken a whole company, or more, if we had wanted to!" said Porthos. "But for some reason we didn't do it?"
“Precisely because it is unnecessary for our mission,” Athos answered for Aramis.
"It's a pity that d'Artagnan's trip to Monaco was of no use," said Aramis sadly. "If he had been with us, it would not have been superfluous."
“He will soon catch up with us and join us,” said Porthos without a shadow of a doubt.

After this, the friends continued their journey to Nancy.

Chapter LV. Nobility, Power and Strength

When the friends arrived in Nancy, the Duke of Lorraine, having learned the names of the visitors, ordered that they be invited to the reception hall.
"To what do I owe the arrival of such a noble delegation to me?" asked the Duke after exchanging formal greetings.
"Duke, we have come on a matter of the utmost importance," Athos answered for all. "We are informed that you have a guest, or perhaps a prisoner, whom we ask you to release, so that she may leave the borders of France, where it is extremely undesirable for her to remain, both for this person and for France."
"You speak in riddles, Count!" replied the Duke. "A person? What person?"
"You understand perfectly well of whom we are speaking," replied Athos. "A man who bears an extraordinary resemblance to the King of France, is nevertheless not him. It is therefore in the interests of the tranquillity of the state that he be removed from this country, where his presence may be misconstrued by those who may take him for something other than what he really is."
“It’s a little clearer now, but you continue to speak in riddles,” Karl chuckled. “Wouldn’t it be better to speak directly, without hints and equivocations?”
"Very well," replied Athos. "I will tell you plainly. The resemblance of the man you are holding to the King is so great that there may be a danger of an attempt to undermine the throne of France with his help. We intend to take this man."
“Let us assume that such a person is my guest,” said Karl. “I am only saying ‘let us assume’ for now! I have neither admitted nor disputed this assertion. Even if it were so. By what right do you demand that he be handed over to you? By what right do you consider it possible for you to dispose of the fate of this man? Finally, why do you think that he, if such a one is among my guests, will himself wish to follow you, and will not prefer to continue to remain my guest? Finally, as far as I can judge, you know too much about this matter and tell me too little. This will not do!”
“I will begin in order,” replied Athos. “Your ‘suppose’ is left to your conscience. We know for certain that this man is in your custody, and we believe that he is forced to carry out at least some of your orders. This is not only our concern, but we have the highest authority on this matter. In this document you will find the answer to the question by what right we demand his extradition, and to the question of why we can dispose of his fate, and to the question of what we should do, regardless of whether he wants to follow us or refuses to do so.”
After these words, Athos handed Karl a document, which he had already shown to the Marquis d'Arcy, whom he had met on the road.
Let us remind our readers that the said document, written in his own hand and signed by the King of France, and sealed with his seal, contained the following text:

"By this document, the Marshal of France, Count d'Artagnan, and any of the three persons accompanying him, the Count de La F;re, the Duke d'Alameda d'Herblay and the Baron du Valon de Pierrefonds de Bracieux, are authorized to act by order of the King and in his interests. They are given the right to arrest in the name of the King any person on the territory of France. They are obliged to give an account of their actions only to the King of France."

Karl took the document in surprise and began to read it, grunting from time to time and walking around the room as if mechanically. Having reached the last lines, he approached the fireplace, after which he looked up at Athos and as if by accident dropped the document from his hands, while he tried to make it fall into the very center of the blazing woodpile.
- Oh, what a pity! - exclaimed Karl. - It seems that I carelessly dropped one of the papers that I was just reading! However, it probably wasn’t a very important document! In any case, any paper can be rewritten if necessary. So what were you talking about, Count?
"Duke, you dared to destroy the King's order," Athos replied evenly. "For this reason, we arrest you."
"To arrest me, gentlemen, you must have a corresponding order, which you do not have at the moment," Charles answered coolly. "Or you must have superior force, which you also do not have. At the very least, any other power over me would do, but you do not have that either. Therefore, I suggest that you go back to where you came from, before I use against you the order, force and authority that I have in sufficient quantity against you here and now, when you are in Lorraine, in the house of Charles of Lorraine, Duke and therefore the sole owner of this duchy.
“You have evidently forgotten, Duke, that Lorraine is part of France?” asked Athos, taking hold of his sword.
“I’ll wring his neck now,” said Porthos, causing Karl to shudder and instinctively grab his neck, after which his hand reached for the bell used to call the servants.
"Wait a little!" cried Aramis. "Do not hurry, Porthos, and you, Duke, do not hurry to call your servants. Look here first."
After these words, Aramis showed Charles his ring of the General of the Order of the Jesuits.
“I know that you are not only a zealous Catholic, but also a member of the valiant Order of the Jesuits, Duke of Lorraine,” continued Aramis. “I am the general of this Order. I remind you that, according to the charter, the authority of the general of the Order is above the secular authority, and any member of the Order is obliged to obey the general unquestioningly and in everything, even if his orders contradict the orders of representatives of the secular authority. This charter is sanctified by the Pope. So, submit. If you rebel against your King, submit to the authority of God.
"Will you allow me to look at your symbol of general's power more closely, Your Eminence?" asked Karl in a submissive voice, taking a large magnifying glass from the mantelpiece to examine the small details.
“You can take a look,” Aramis replied, taking the ring off his finger and handing it to Karl.
"Yes, it is certainly the ring which I have seen twice before," answered Charles. "The owner of this ring is indeed a general of the Order of the Jesuits, unless it is stolen or taken away by force or cunning. Do you seriously suppose that I will believe you to be a general of the Order simply because you have this little thing?"
“I also possess certain secret knowledge and know certain secret signs that can remove any doubt in the minds of any person high enough in the Order’s hierarchy,” Aramis replied. “Now return the ring and obey the general’s demand.”
"By no means!" exclaimed Karl. "The stakes in this game are too high for me to give everything to anyone just because he has a ring! This ring is now mine, so if you believe that the possession of the ring is proof of the power of a general, then I am from this moment the general of the Jesuit Order, and by virtue of this power I command you to leave."
“I’ll wring his neck anyway,” said Porthos.
“Wait, Porthos, don’t take the sin on your soul, there’s time for that,” Aramis stopped him. “Charles II of Lorraine!” he continued, turning to the Duke. “You have committed an extremely audacious crime. By deception you have temporarily taken possession of a ring that cannot belong to you. The punishment for this is death. It only remains for me to pray for the repose of your soul. I warn you that the Order does not forgive such a great sacrilege as you have allowed yourself. Know then that death has already begun its hunt for you. I am ready to accept from your hands the ring that belongs to me by right of election, and I will try to beg for your forgiveness for your greatest sin on condition that you immediately return this ring to me, immediately release Philippe, remove any obstacle that keeps him here, and obey all my orders.” Perhaps I can even secure your release from custody and your retention of the title of Duke of Lorraine, although I assure you it will not be easy.
"Are you laughing at me?" exclaimed Karl. "God, how insignificant and ridiculous you are!"
With these words, Karl grabbed a bell from the table and rang it with all his might. Twelve guards immediately entered the hall.
"Take them!" Karl ordered, pointing at his guests. "And don't even think of resisting," he added, looking at Athos, Porthos and Aramis. "If you resist, you won't win anyway, but then, I promise you, many people whose fate you care about will suffer. I hope you understand who I'm talking about."
"I can easily take out six," said Porthos. "That leaves three for each of you. That's a mere trifle!"
"I don't know, really, if it's worth it?" Aramis asked Athos.
"Don't even try!" Karl exclaimed. "My castle is full of my people, you won't be able to escape from here anyway."
"I wouldn't mind looking at the inside of Charles of Lorraine's casemates," said Athos. "It's purely historical. After admiring their interior, we'll certainly leave."
Charles's guards had already approached and pointed their swords at Athos, Porthos and Aramis.
"We leave our swords here," said Athos, taking off his sword and placing it on the table by the fireplace, "and ask you to take care of them. We shall need them again, and besides, they are very important swords to us. We intend to take them back within four, no, three days."
“We will pick them up in three days, Monsieur Duke, but by that time you will no longer be alive,” Aramis clarified.
- Go away! - exclaimed the Duke. - To the dungeons! Each one to a separate cell!
After the guards had taken Athos, Porthos and Aramis away, Karl looked with pleasure at the three swords that had appeared on his table by the fireplace, then took a magnifying glass and very carefully examined Aramis's ring, which he had already managed to put on his right hand.
"General of the Jesuit Order!" exclaimed Karl, imitating Aramis's voice. "What do you mean, what a guy! Now I am the General of the Jesuit Order!"
After that, Karl stretched out his hand and admired the ring on the middle finger of his right hand. The ring was magnificent, its diamonds sparkling in the sun.

Chapter LVI. Cunning versus Brute Force

Aramis set himself the task of getting a good night's sleep in the cell in which he was confined. He ordered himself to throw all problems out of his head and give his brilliant head a rest. As for Athos, he was convinced that Raoul had chosen the right path in life and was internally prepared for any turn in his own fate. Porthos was somewhat upset that he had not been fed before going to bed, but he reasoned sensibly that sleep was the best cure for hunger, although not very effective, so within five minutes of his horizontal position, his cell began to resound with loud snoring.
At five o'clock in the morning the doors of Aramis's cell opened and two armed men entered, one of whom could easily be recognized as a nobleman and an officer, and the other as an ordinary guard.
"The monsignor wants you!" said the officer. "Come on, quickly!"
Aramis smiled and followed the guards with a light heart.
"You scoundrel! You have cast a spell on me!" exclaimed Charles, as soon as Aramis entered the luxurious bedroom where the Duke lay in bed.
Around Charles stood various bottles, mainly wine. Bloody sweat was running down his face, his breathing was intermittent, his whole body was trembling, and his eyes were twitching nervously. Everything indicated that the Duke was overcome by a serious illness.
"I hope you haven't drunk too much of this wine?" Aramis asked coldly.
- To hell with wine! It won't even go down my throat! - growled the Duke. - Tell me, immediately, what kind of curse you've cast on me, how you managed to do it, and how I can be cured of it!
"I told you that you had committed a crime, and that the Order would punish you for it," Aramis replied calmly. "By tomorrow morning you will most likely be dead, unless... However, that is unlikely! No, you will certainly be dead by tomorrow morning."
- What do you mean "if only"?! - Karl boiled over. - Tell me everything you know about my illness! Or I'll have your skin torn off and roasted over a slow fire!
"I do not fear death, I have the means to avoid pain, but even if I do not use them, I am ready to endure any pain, since I am a true Jesuit, with all the consequences that this entails," replied Aramis. "Try to make peace with me, and then perhaps I will spare you a painful death, or at least give you relief and respite, as far as possible. If you concentrate on taking revenge on me, your fate will be such a pitiable one that I would not wish such torments as await you on any enemy."
“Okay!” Karl croaked. “I’m ready to make peace. I’m ready to admit that I’ve lost and accept your rules of the game if you give me a cure for the illness that’s been tormenting me all night, but first tell me how you managed to send it to me.”
“Let everyone come out,” said Aramis.
Karl made a sign for the guards and the doctor to leave the room.
"Your blood is infected with a deadly poison, for which, however, there is an antidote," said Aramis. "In order that you may believe me that this is not a coincidence, I am prepared to tell you how the infection occurred, since knowledge of the method will no longer help you to save yourself without concluding an agreement with me and fully fulfilling the conditions that I will set for you. To begin with, return to me what does not belong to you. I am not talking about a person yet, but about a thing. Return to me the ring of the General of the Order.
Charles took the general's ring off his finger with great regret and gave it to Aramis. The prelate examined the ring carefully, then performed some manipulations with his dexterous fingers and put the ring on the middle finger of his right hand.
“I will tell you the reason for your illness,” said Aramis. “You did not listen to me carefully. But I said that it is not only the ring that gives me my power, but also important secret knowledge. There is much of it, and you will not succeed in tearing it out of me by force. Now I will share with you only one of the most insignificant secrets, so that you will understand that the Order of the Jesuits does not make such primitive mistakes as you hoped for. The ring, which you temporarily took possession of dishonestly, has an important feature. Outwardly, it remained the same as I received it from my predecessor, but I remade it, filling it with a special filling. The best Swiss craftsmen made a special mechanism for it, using the inventions of the brilliant Dutch mechanic Christiaan Huygens, at my special request. Inside the ring is a very precise clockwork mechanism. There are no other such mechanisms anywhere else in the world. What is inside is much more complex than any clockwork mechanism you have ever seen, and the parts for this mechanism were simultaneously made by the best jewelers from all over the world according to Huygens's drawings, without knowing the purposes for which they were making them. The mechanism was assembled by the inventor himself using the best magnifying glasses. This mechanism continuously counts the exact time. Once a day it must be wound up so that it does not stop, turning the toothed wheel, which looks like an ordinary ornament around the stone. Without knowing how to handle this ring, you will never be able to wind this mechanism.
- To hell with this ring! - exclaimed Karl. - Tell me about my illness!
- That's what I do, - continued Aramis. - So, the mechanism inside the ring must be wound regularly, once a day. - If this is not done, then it is absolutely forbidden to wear it on your finger. The thing is that if the watch is not wound, then a day after the last winding, a miniature needle with a deadly poison is released from inside the ring, which, scratching the skin of the finger, will inject a microscopic dose of poison, after which the needle will move to the opposite microscopic depression on the ring. The scratch it makes, scratching your finger, is so insignificant that you will almost not feel it. But the poison is so strong that you will not be saved from an excruciating death unless you take the antidote.
- Yes, yes, the antidote! - exclaimed Karl. - Give it to me quickly!
“And so I have taken measures to ensure that any person who comes into possession of this ring and does not know its secret, and dares to wear it on his finger, is condemned to death,” continued Aramis as if nothing had happened.
“To hell with explanations, give me the antidote!” the Duke continued.
"You will have to listen to my words and try to convince me that it is advisable to give you an antidote," replied Aramis. "Otherwise we will not come to an agreement. Now, I have provided the ring with such a cunning mechanism that if someone were to remove it after it has worked, he would not be able to find anything suspicious in it. But if the mechanism in the ring is not restored to its original state, then after a while the main stone on it will turn in such a way that no one initiated into the secrets of the Order of Jesuits will recognize the owner of the ring as the general of the Order. Therefore, from the very beginning, you should have believed me that you will not be able by force, even if you take this ring from me, to appropriate my power and use it against me and my friends.
“You treacherous Jesuit!” Karl exclaimed with hatred.
"A Jesuit, clever and prudent," Aramis corrected Karl, raising his left eyebrow and bowing with an ironic smile. "And what did you expect? For the Jesuits to simply carry around some trinkets and obey the first scoundrel who, by cunning or force, took possession of some trinkets? This is ridiculous, honestly!"
"Medicine!" Karl croaked. "Give me the medicine quickly."
“Very well,” said Aramis, nodding his head. “You have invited me rather late, and we have not much time to argue with you. Therefore, I will meet you halfway. I will give you a medicine that will delay your death for at least a day, but no more. If you behave decently, you will receive the rest of the dose. If not, you will die within a day.”
After these words, Aramis performed some more secret manipulations with his ring, using his strong and sharp nails, after which a microscopic tablet, smaller than a grain of rice, rolled out onto his palm.
"Swallow this now, without water," Aramis ordered. "You will soon feel relief, but remember that this dose will only delay your death for a day."
Karl carefully took the medicine offered to him and swallowed it.
“Now you have enough time to listen calmly to my conditions,” continued Aramis. “Know that you must take the antidote in sufficient doses every month. If you stop taking it, you will die. Do not try to find it or find out its composition, it is known only to me, as is the composition of the poison that you received as punishment for attempting to take over the power of the General of the Order. Therefore, from now on and forever, your life is in my hands.”
Karl sighed sadly.
“Can we agree that you will give me a dose for, say, five or ten years in advance?” he asked.
“That’s out of the question,” Aramis replied. “However, even if I wanted to, I can’t give you such a large dose, and besides, the medicine will spoil after three months of storage,” he lied.
“Very well,” the Duke answered meekly. “I will let you and your friends go, and return your swords to you, on condition that you promise to supply me with this medicine in due time.”
"I dictate the terms here," replied Aramis. "Of course, you must restore freedom and swords to me and my friends, and you must also let go with us the man about whom we had a very interesting conversation yesterday. In addition, you and I will try to forget your disobedience to the general of the Order, and in future you will completely obey your general as you should have done if you were a member of the Order. In this case, I will regularly supply you with the necessary medicine, and then you will be able to live as many years as the Lord allows you.
Karl chewed his lips in displeasure. At that moment he hated Aramis not so much for the inconvenience he had caused, but for the necessity of admitting his defeat.
“So that you have no doubt that we can come to an agreement, Duke, I offer you another ring,” said Aramis, taking a small ring with a blue stone from his left hand and placing it on Karl’s palm. “Under this stone is a medicine that will last you a month. Try to extract it without my help. But I warn you, if you use brute force, the granule will be crushed and mixed with a deadly poison of a different nature. In this case, the antidote will turn into poison. In this case, I will not be able to obtain the necessary dose for you before you die. So it is not only completely senseless, but also dangerous to your life to try to take this ring from me and turn to jewelers for help or try to tear off the stone yourself with any tools. You will not get the medicine, but destroy it. Only I can save you and only voluntarily. The medicine is in your hands, in your palm, but you will not be able to use it without my help. After you fulfill the conditions I set, I will extract this antidote and give it to you, so that you can forget about the problem that has arisen for a whole month.
After this, Aramis took the ring back and put it on the finger of his left hand.
"What will happen to me after this?" asked Karl. "Will you give me this medicine tomorrow?"
“My consent depends on your behavior,” Aramis replied.
“If I accept your conditions in full, will you promise to regularly supply me with the necessary medicines?” asked the Duke.
"I myself, of course, will not visit you unless there is an urgent need," replied Aramis. "But rest assured on this score. I will find a means of supplying you with medicine promptly and in the necessary quantities. In exchange for your good will and obedience."
"One more word," said Karl, who had already felt the effect of the medicine and had ceased to choke and tremble. "You have come to arrest me. Do you insist on carrying out this intention?"
"We have come to take the man you are holding, and in case of your disobedience to arrest you and take him away," replied Aramis. "Your complete obedience makes your arrest inadvisable. Your destruction of His Majesty's order seems to have been accidental, so we will try to persuade His Majesty to forgive you for this oversight."
“Okay,” Karl sighed. “But won’t you demand something from me tomorrow beyond what has been agreed upon now? Do you give me your word that the conditions you have voiced will not be supplemented by other conditions, and that your promise will be fulfilled regularly and without fail?”
"I give it," said Aramis rashly. "On my word of honor that I will add nothing to these conditions either tomorrow or later. Your obedience to the General of the Order will not extend to your property or the rights you now possess. But disobedience in newly arising extraordinary cases will be considered as a rescission of the oral agreement concluded between us."
“Remember that you gave your word of honor!” said Karl.
After this, the Duke took the bell and rang it. A doctor, a security officer, and a guard entered the room and brought Aramis to the sick man.
“Mr. Doctor, thank you, I don’t need you anymore, you will receive your payment from the secretary,” said the Duke, after which the doctor bowed and left the room.
"This man is free," said Karl to the remaining guards, pointing to Aramis. "Also bring here the two other nobles arrested yesterday. They are also free and can take their swords. Also, Lieutenant, invite here the gentleman who lives in the apartments on the left wing.
The officer and the guard bowed and left.

Five minutes later, Athos and Porthos appeared before Aramis and Karl.
“We are all free, friends,” said Aramis.
"Aramis, I hope the price of our freedom was not excessive?" asked Athos.
“I gave the Duke some arguments in favor of cooperating with us, which he found convincing,” Aramis replied.
"By whatever means you came to an agreement, I trust that you did not have to sacrifice your honor," said Athos. "We are therefore extremely grateful to you."
“What are you talking about, my dear Athos?” Aramis waved his hand. “Have you forgotten our motto?”
“I never forget him,” Athos replied. “But that doesn’t change my sincere desire to thank you and embrace you.”
- Damn it, I can't speak so beautifully, so write these words down on my account too! - exclaimed Porthos. - Let's hug!
The friends embraced, showing a certain caution towards Porthos, remembering his remarkable strength.
"Philippe?" Athos asked quietly.
“He’ll be with us now,” Aramis answered just as quietly.
Athos nodded and bowed to Charles of Lorraine.
"I cannot say that we were pleased with your hospitality, but perhaps you simply did not have more comfortable bedrooms for us, Duke?" he said. "We leave you with a light heart and are so full of your hospitality that, apparently, we will never take advantage of it again, please excuse me."
Soon an officer appeared at the door, followed by Louis-Philippe, who entered the room silently. He was delighted to see Athos, Porthos and Aramis, but did not say a word.

A few minutes later, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and Philippe mounted their horses and rode out of the gates of the ducal palace. Before leaving for good, Aramis steered his horse toward Charles, who stood next to him. He fiddled with the ring on his left hand, after which a pellet twice the size of a grain of rice appeared in his right hand. He handed the pellet to Charles, who immediately swallowed it.

"Where are we going?" asked Philip, who had remained silent until now.
“First of all, away from here,” replied Aramis. “Then we’ll decide where it’s best for us all to go.”
“Wait, but I can’t just leave the Duke of Lorraine!” Philip exclaimed.
“For what reason, monseigneur?” asked Athos.
“The Duke is holding Catherine Charlotte, Princess of Monaco, by force!” Philip replied, blushing.
“Perhaps, to solve the problem that has arisen, we can use the same arguments with which you, Aramis, managed to persuade the Duke to let us and Philippe go?” asked Porthos.
“Having discussed all the terms of our deal, I gave my word of honor that no additional demands would be added to them,” Aramis said sadly.
“In that case, it’s not up for discussion,” Athos agreed.
"I obeyed Charles of Lorraine's demands only in the hope that it would help me to rescue Catherine Charlotte!" Philip cried. "I require nothing more! Was it all in vain? I must return to the Duke!"
“You must remain free, and we will try to solve this problem in another way,” Aramis replied. “We will have to dodge, since I did not take such a possibility into account in my plan for our common liberation, which seemed to me brilliant.”
“Your plan was probably brilliant, Aramis, and it is not your fault that this plan, unfortunately, did not take into account the very circumstance that none of us, except d'Artagnan, ever takes into account,” said Athos.
“ What have I forgotten?” asked Aramis.
"You have forgotten love," replied Athos. "In all our plans, my friends, love has perhaps often been a means, sometimes an end, but I believe it has never been an obstacle. Well, let us go to meet d'Artagnan, so that we may return here and finish what we have begun!"

Chapter LVII. Punishment of the Innocent and Reward of the Innocent

The Minister of War, Fran;ois-Michel Le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois, is known to have set out after the Marquis d'Arcy in order to better ensure the execution of the King's order. However, the Minister was in a hurry only when he was in His Majesty's antechamber. When he left the Louvre, he decided first of all to get ready for the long journey. After he had got ready, and his personal guard had also gathered, he decided to add to it a sufficient army with which it would be possible not only to arrest Charles of Lorraine, but also to reconquer all of Lorraine. We will not blame him, since everyone knows that the life of the Minister of War is especially invaluable during a war, so no human resources directed towards protecting this person are superfluous. Thus, having lost much time, but, we remind you, not in vain, Le Tellier junior, alias the Marquis de Louvois, left, in his opinion, with not too much delay after the departure of the Marquis d'Arcy on his behalf. Therefore, perhaps our readers will be surprised that he met the Marquis d'Arcy almost at the entrance to Paris. In other words, while de Louvois was preparing to leave for Nancy, d'Arcy had already returned from there. Although we do not find an explanation for this fact, we only inform the reader of what happened, and in those few cases where we cannot give an explanation for the events described, we simply describe them without any explanation. So, be that as it may, while the Minister of War was preparing to leave for Nancy, Colonel the Marquis d'Arcy had already managed to visit Nancy and return to Paris.
Having met the army led by the Minister of War, the colonel greeted its commander and approached him to give a report on the failed mission.
"Colonel, I do not see the Duke of Lorraine with you, whom you were supposed to arrest!" exclaimed the minister. "Did you really allow him to escape?"
"I arrived in Nancy and paid a visit to the Duke of Lorraine with the aim of arresting him," replied the colonel. "The Duke replied that the order had been cancelled. Indeed, the King himself had cancelled the order, so I was forced to return."
- It can't be! - the minister was surprised. - Did the Duke really show you a written order canceling the arrest order? It must have been a forged document. Such a document simply cannot exist!
"The Duke did not present me with the order to cancel it," the Colonel replied. "The Duke received His Majesty, who deigned to come out to me and confirm the Duke's words that the order for his arrest had been cancelled. After that, His Majesty ordered me to return to Paris."
"Tell me, Colonel, did any of your men see the King in the Duke's house?" asked the Minister, looking anxiously into the Colonel's face and looking for signs of some kind of mental illness.
“I was alone, since the Duke had no intention of offering resistance,” replied the Colonel.
“So none of your people can confirm your words?” asked the minister.
"Sir, I am capable of answering for my own words!" the colonel replied, straightening up in the saddle and trying to give his posture a proud look. "If my words cause doubt in you, I ask you to accept my resignation!"
“Colonel, I cannot doubt your word, since you say that you saw the King at Nancy, but allow me to say that this simply cannot be true,” replied the Minister. “At the very time when you were at Nancy, I was at the Louvre and saw His Majesty and had the good fortune to listen to his instructions, and also had a conversation on other topics close to this. I would be glad to believe your word, but in this case I must cease to believe my own eyes. Besides, hundreds of people can confirm that the King is in the Louvre and has been there all these days, whereas you, with sixty guards, cannot produce a single person who would confirm your words. I will have to ask you for your sword, Colonel.”
D'Arcy silently drew his sword from its scabbard and handed it to the adjutant who had ridden up at the minister's signal.
"Am I under arrest, sir?" he asked coldly.
“You are being detained until all the circumstances are clarified,” the minister responded just as coldly.
After this, the minister ordered the cavalcade he was leading to turn around and return to Paris.
An hour later, the minister and the colonel arrived for an appointment with the King.
Louis was very surprised at the minister's quick return and wished to receive him immediately.
"Have you arrested the Duke of Lorraine yet?" he asked. "Where is he? In the Bastille?"
“Your Majesty, he is not arrested,” the minister replied.
"Then what are you doing here?" Louis asked, irritated. "Don't you understand my order? Are you trying to convince me that you're not in the right position? Well, I'll find someone else to fill that position."
"Your Majesty, allow me to justify myself!" cried the minister in despair. "I beg you, listen to the Marquis d'Arcy!"
“Marquis, I’m listening to you,” the King answered and looked at the colonel with attention.
"Your Majesty, I am innocent," said the Colonel. "I merely carried out your instructions to the letter. Since Your Majesty informed me that you had cancelled the order for the arrest of the Duke of Lorraine and ordered me to return to Paris, that is what I did."
"So you say that I countermanded my own order for the arrest of the Duke of Lorraine," said the King more calmly, beginning to understand what had really happened. "How did I countermand it, in writing or verbally?"
“You were visiting the Duke, came out and informed me of the cancellation of the order and of your order that I return to Paris immediately,” replied the colonel.
- Do you hear, Louvois? - said Louis. - I warned you that this was not an easy matter! And so I gave you additional instructions that had to be followed!
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the minister confirmed, not understanding what was being discussed.
“Tell me, Colonel,” the King turned to the Marquis d’Arcy, “you, of course, asked him, that is, asked me to give the password that would confirm my order to cancel the order for the arrest of Charles IV of Lorraine?”
"Password?" d'Arcy muttered. "I was supposed to ask you for the password?"
- Exactly so! - answered Louis. - Or did the minister not tell you about it?
With these words, the King looked intently into the minister's eyes.
- Tell me, de Louvois, you did not forget to give the password to Colonel d'Arcy, did you? - he asked sternly. - After all, I clearly told you that even if I myself tried to cancel the order for the arrest of the Duke of Lorraine, this order would be invalid if I did not give the password! Do you remember this? Did you communicate this condition to your envoy?
After these words, Louis also looked intently at the colonel, after which he again looked into the minister’s face.
"I am lost!" thought Louvois. "But I did not tell d'Arcy about this! What should I do? And, besides me and d'Arcy, who knows that I did not tell him this? And who will the King believe more, me or him? Ah, I cannot die!"
- Yes, Colonel! - exclaimed the Minister at the same moment. - How could you not ask His Majesty the password that I told you?
“The password you gave me, Mr. Minister?” the colonel asked again, not understanding anything.
- Well, yes, of course! - exclaimed the Minister without the slightest shadow of a doubt. - Remember! After all, I told you that the order of His Majesty must be carried out in any case, and no written or even oral order of His Majesty can cancel this order for the arrest of the Duke! I told you that in the unlikely event that His Majesty suddenly decides to cancel this order, then this decision should be considered invalid if His Majesty does not pronounce the password!
"What password are you talking about, Mr. Minister?" asked d'Arcy in surprise.
- Remember! - the minister exclaimed with feigned irritation. - After all, I told you that His Majesty would say: "Happy is the King with such servants"! If this phrase is not uttered, then, consequently, His Majesty cancels this order for appearance's sake, but in reality this order must be carried out!
"You told him that, de Louvois, did you really?" asked Louis. "You instructed him well enough, and he did not follow your instructions? Is that so, Colonel?"
“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, I do not recall such instructions,” d’Arcy said, embarrassed.
- Ha! So that's it! - exclaimed the minister. - I remember a month or so ago, a colonel told me that you, d'Arcy, were beginning to have memory lapses. I didn't believe him, but it turns out he was right! Your memory really is beginning to fail!
"Who is this Colonel?" asked D'Arcy, inwardly filled with rage, but knowing that in the presence of the King all emotion must be restrained. "Could you tell me his name?"
- That you would challenge him to a duel? - exclaimed the minister. - Never! It doesn't matter who told me this, because now I can see for myself that you have lapses in memory! I was right to order you to hand over your sword!
"You told the colonel to give up his sword?" the King asked. "So you arrested him? Or removed him from his post? Before he even spoke to me?"
"I suspected that the colonel was guilty of not carrying out your order, Your Majesty," the minister replied. "I could not have imagined that he had forgotten to ask for the password, but now everything has become clear, and the colonel's guilt has been confirmed."
"Well, Colonel, you must go under house arrest," the King said dryly. "I advise you to call the physician and ask him for some potions to restore your memory. If your memory is restored, perhaps you will still serve your King, say, with the rank of captain. As for you, Minister, I have nothing to reproach you for, however, the matter is not completed, and you must personally bring it to an end. I hope you have understood the importance of confirming the cancellation of the order for the Duke's arrest with a password."
"I can't tell him to arrest Philip, that would sound absurd!" thought Louis. "I can't tell him to arrest me if I don't give him the password! He'll think his King has gone mad!"
“I order you not only to arrest Charles of Lorraine, but also to send me a messenger immediately with the news that this matter is concluded, and to blockade the Duke’s palace until my arrival, not letting anyone out or letting anyone in,” he said. “At the same time, I forbid any communication with anyone you find in the palace. Whoever is there, he must not leave the palace without a password until my arrival. Even if it is the Pope himself, if he does not give the password, he must remain in the palace. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” answered de Louvois. “I must arrest Charles of Lorraine and deliver him under escort to the Bastille, and in the meantime the Duke’s palace must be blockaded; no one has the right to leave it unless he gives the password you have given him.”
"Tell me, what do you think is more important - to deliver Charles of Lorraine to the Bastille, or not to let anyone else out of the Duke's palace?" asked the King.
“Both are important, Your Majesty!” the minister replied.
"I agree," replied the King. "But with what group of troops will you remain until my arrival in Nantes? Will you accompany Charles to the Bastille, or will you lead the army that blockades the Duke's palace?"
"I believe I must remain with the most considerable contingent of troops," replied the minister. "I must lead the army that is blockading the palace of the Duke of Lorraine."
“That’s right,” the King agreed. “You understood me correctly, Mr. Minister, I am satisfied.”
“I am glad to serve Your Majesty!” the minister exclaimed joyfully.
"It's a strange thing, Mr. Minister," Louis said thoughtfully. "When you receive a commission from me and tell me how well you understood it, you seem to me to be a very intelligent man."
At these words, de Louvois bowed to the King.
“I wish I had the same feeling when you report on how you have carried out my assignment,” the King said with a sigh.
“I will try to carry out your order, Your Majesty, as accurately as possible!” de Louvois replied.
The king nodded and indicated with a sign that the audience was over.

Chapter LVIII. On the Road to Nantes

Meanwhile, d'Artagnan, Fran;ois, Suzanne and de Planche were moving towards Nantes. Fran;ois was glad of the instructive conversations with his father and asked him about the political situation in France. While Suzanne was asking de Planche about his unfortunate relative, d'Artagnan decided to share some of his views with Fran;ois, experiencing a hitherto unfamiliar feeling of fatherly responsibility for his son's fate, and gradually becoming carried away by the role of senior mentor.
“The international situation is always complicated, and there is no point in discussing it,” the marshal replied. “We are among our own people, so of course we can discuss some things, but it is better not to do so. Let’s say there is a military clash. In order to understand how it will end, it is enough to imagine for a moment that the ultimate dream of each of the warring parties will come true. It is necessary to understand whether the loser and his allies will accept such an end to the war. If they do not accept it, then what will this lead to, and how might it end? Almost no one has ever succeeded in destroying all enemies. The last such completely destroyed enemies were the Neanderthals. It should also be understood that a dream is a dream precisely because it is not destined to come true. Let’s suppose we completely occupy Holland. Will it become French? Never! And now let’s suppose that the Dutch completely expel us from their territory. Will they persecute us on our territory? Very doubtful.” Therefore, this war will end with the complete expulsion of our troops from the territory of Holland. Now let us look at the conflict in Alsace and Lorraine. Let us assume that these provinces have become ours once and for all. Will the Dukes of Lorraine calm down after this? I am sure that they will not. Will the King have the courage to exterminate this family root and branch? After all, they are relatives of the royal family, so I rule out such a thing. Therefore, Lorraine and Alsace will continue to be a source of conflicts and rebellions. And they will constantly turn to the neighboring small German states for support. The population of these places is mixed, there are both French and Germans. Therefore, this problem can only be solved if there are more French than Germans living there. Until then, this area will give rise to constant military conflicts, and the Dukes of Lorraine will never stop intriguing. However, I am inclined to believe that the German states will sooner renounce their claims to this fertile land than France will agree to let it slip out of her hands. So, whatever you say, Lorraine and Alsace will eventually be ours. When this will happen, I do not know. Perhaps a hundred years from now, or perhaps two hundred or even three hundred. However, Fran;ois, I will give you one piece of advice. You can listen to any opinion on any political issue, but you should not contradict it. Remain calm, my son, and to do this, maintain the appearance of neutrality. And this is possible only if you manage to demonstrate ignorance of the issues that are discussed in your presence. I have always tried to adhere to this line of conduct, although, God knows, I have not always succeeded. The fact is that, unfortunately, I already have my own opinion on almost any issue of our time, and since I consider it my own, I do not intend to share it with anyone. Do you know what they call an exchange of opinions? You approach a noble dignitary who is above you with your opinion, and you leave him with his opinion. But since there are many dignitaries above you and me, we cannot change our opinions like gloves just because from time to time we meet one or another superior dignitary! Therefore, accept my rule and you will stay alive. Listen to everyone, but do not express your opinion to anyone on such a delicate topic. And, besides, keep in mind that the more attentively the interlocutor listens to you, the more dangerous he is, since he does not object, but is busy remembering your words. But in such subtle matters there are almost never two completely coinciding opinions. Therefore, if you are not objected to, it means that they are not sincere with you. It means that the interlocutor remembers your words in order to use them against you. Our weapon is not words, but a sword, my son! Let us remain faithful to her and leave the intrigues to men like Richelieu, Mazarin, Colbert and, of course, our dear Aramis. For we are not going to share the fate of Concino Concini, Nicolas Fouquet, Henri de Talleyrand-P;rigord de Chalais, Henri Coyffier de Ruzet de Saint-Mars and other politicians who rose to extraordinary heights only to be cast down from that height.
"So, father, we must be prepared to go into battle, whether we agree with the purpose of the battle or not?" asked Fran;ois.
"That is the only thing that remains for a military man, from the lowest rank to the Minister of War," replied d'Artagnan. "As soon as you begin to think about the expediency of battle, you cease to be a military man. It is for this reason that I allowed myself not to return to the military craft after my recovery, although a marshal's baton awaited me at home.
“But you came back, father, and took up this marshal’s baton, didn’t you?” asked Fran;ois.
“I simply had no choice,” d’Artagnan replied with a sigh. “I have stirred up such a mess that even the King and all his ministers combined would have had a hard time sorting it out without my help. I did not come here to make a career, but to atone for my sins, my son. As soon as I finish this matter, I intend to disappear not only from the political scene, but also from the military and social ones. I will leave France in every sense of the word.”
“We must hope that it will take you a long time to complete your mission, father, because only then will we not have to part too quickly,” said Fran;ois.
"I would like to make amends as soon as possible, because until then my soul is not in place," d'Artagnan objected. "I am beginning to fear that I will be killed before I have completed my mission, and a soldier who fears death is a bad soldier. You do not want me to lose my self-respect, do you? Therefore, a speedy conclusion to this matter is the best thing that can happen to us, and this is precisely what I wish with all my soul."
"What should be the outcome of your mission, father?" asked Fran;ois.
"A man who is now a danger to France must be far enough from its borders, and he must be happy enough not to think of returning," replied the marshal. "There must be circumstances in which the very idea of returning must seem absurd to him."
“What are these circumstances?” Fran;ois asked.
"I have thought about it a great deal," replied d'Artagnan. "At first it seemed to me that it was a prosperous and happy life surrounded by friends. Now I am not so sure of it. It seems to me that there is only one way to make a man renounce all ambitions, renounce power, glory and wealth.
“Is this love, father?” Fran;ois guessed.
"Perhaps, perhaps, my son," replied d'Artagnan. "In any case, this means seems to me strong enough, although I do not know of a single example where love has kept a man from striving for power or wealth. Moreover, I do not know of a single example where love has retained its strength throughout a man's entire life. At least, if we are talking about mutual love."
“Do you think that mutual love is weaker than unrequited love, father?” Fran;ois was surprised.
“I’m not the only one who thinks so,” said d’Artagnan with a sigh. “So did a very clever Englishman named William Shakespeare. And I think, damn him, that he was right. Just don’t tell Suzanne about it!”
“You don’t love her?” asked Fran;ois.
“I love her more than life itself, and I would give my life for hers without hesitation,” replied d’Artagnan. “And I pray to heaven that it may always be so, as long as my heart beats, and as long as the blood flows in my veins. But…”
- But?
“But I cannot forget one lady whom I loved in the days of my youth,” sighed the Gascon.
“Was your love unrequited?” Fran;ois suggested.
"Not at all," replied d'Artagnan. "It was quite happy, but very short-lived. My Constance is lost, poor thing. We had time to enjoy only the desire for each other, but we had not had time to satisfy our feelings, and for this reason we did not come a jot closer to disappointment and, what is worse, to indifference, that terrible rust that corrodes every strong feeling."
"Are you afraid that indifference will arise between you and Suzanne?" asked Fran;ois.
"I am mortally afraid," d'Artagnan confessed. "I wish our love were an exception, and different in this sense from all the examples I know. But I left Suzanne without any hesitation in order to fulfill my duty. This characterizes my sense of duty very flatteringly, and if it were otherwise, I would put a bullet in my forehead, but I must confess that my love is not such as to bind me to the place where my beloved resides.
"So you never left your beloved, whom you remember, for a moment?" asked Fran;ois.
- The hell of it! - objected d'Artagnan. - We almost never saw each other. Our meetings can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and three fingers are not even needed! And these meetings were limited to words and glances, nothing more, believe me!
“Then the love of your youth was not all-consuming either, father,” said Fran;ois.
“You’re probably right, but my heart doesn’t know this and tells me something completely different,” the Gascon sighed.
"I think that in your heart the image of the beloved of your youth has united with the image of Suzanne, and you love her no less than that lady," said Fran;ois. "And I would also like to think that in this all-consuming love there is a particle of feeling towards my mother."
After these words, d'Artagnan looked at Fran;ois's face and wanted to embrace him and press him to his chest. Fran;ois also looked at his father's face and saw that tears were shining in the corners of his eyes.
"You are right, Fran;ois, that is so," said d'Artagnan, "I am becoming sentimental! I suppose it is old age."
"Why don't you attribute your sentimentality to maturity?" asked Fran;ois. "I've tired you with my questions, father, and Mademoiselle Suzanne, it seems to me, is tired of talking to de Planche. While we were talking, she looked at you four times.
D'Artagnan patted Fran;ois on the shoulder and spurred his horse to catch up with Suzanne and have an insignificant but very important conversation with her, as are all conversations between people in love, no matter what age they are.

Chapter LIX. Fellow Travelers
 
After some time, d'Artagnan and his companions caught up with Minister de Louvois and his army. Among them was also the new commander of the guards, the Duke de Rochefort. Since de Louvois was informed of d'Artagnan's new appointment as Marshal of France, and he had also been given the highest royal commission, he greeted the Marshal kindly. When the Minister learned that the Marshal and his companions were also heading to Nantes, he offered to join the army and spend the journey in joint conversation. Something told the Minister that their missions were somehow connected, and he expected to receive useful information from the Marshal.
“My dear lord minister,” said d’Artagnan, “you are undoubtedly going to Nantes to arrest the Duke of Lorraine.
This sounded not like a question, but like a statement, so de Louvois was once again convinced of d'Artagnan's knowledge of the King's affairs.
“Yes, as you know, Count, the matter is very delicate,” said de Louvois at random, hoping to get the marshal to talk and learn something new and important.
“Very much, Monsieur Marquis, very much!” responded d’Artagnan.
“But I intend to carry it out strictly and with the utmost precision!” exclaimed de Louvois just in case and looked meaningfully at d’Artagnan.
- Oh, I have no doubt of your efficiency! - answered d'Artagnan, wishing to pay the minister a compliment. - His Majesty is simply lucky to have servants like you, Marquis!
- Oh, Count! You also received this password from the King? - exclaimed de Louvois, who did not notice the imprecise coincidence of the phrase spoken by d'Artagnan with the password invented by Louis.
“Of course,” replied the cunning Gascon, who did not understand what was being discussed, but decided to play along with the minister just in case. “Actually, I know at least three of the most important passwords and five passwords of ordinary importance, just in case,” he added casually.
“You have probably carried out the King’s most secret assignments more than once or twice!” the minister exclaimed respectfully.
"Not without that," agreed d'Artagnan. "As you know, for the last two years everyone thought I was dead. It was necessary to carry out a top secret mission on a special assignment from His Majesty."
The minister looked at d'Artagnan with respect once again.
"And this mission earned you the title of Marshal of France?" he asked.
"Not exactly, Marquis," d'Artagnan replied. "I received the Marshal's baton earlier, exactly two years ago, but the celebration on that occasion had to be postponed for two years precisely because of this mission. By the way, why didn't you give me a response to the password I gave? After all, it was a test!"
“A test?” de Louvois asked again.
- Well, yes, a test! - said d'Artagnan, without batting an eyelid. - After all, it is necessary, upon hearing the password, to pronounce a secret response to it!
“But His Majesty gave no response,” de Louvois said, confused.
"Of course," agreed d'Artagnan. "In some cases, the response is not called. These are precisely the cases when the response to the password is its exact repetition, word for word. You had to repeat word for word the very password that His Majesty gave you.
- Ah, I see! - de Louvois guessed. - So I should have told you in response: "Happy is the King with such servants", shouldn't I?
“Yes, it is very important to repeat the password in response exactly as you did just now, without changing a single word, without adding or subtracting a single syllable,” said d’Artagnan.
"But that's exactly what I said!" exclaimed de Louvois. "I said, 'Happy is the King with such servants!'"
"But the first time you added 'Didn't you?'" d'Artagnan clarified. "You shouldn't have added 'Didn't you' after the password if the password didn't include 'Didn't you', and if the password included 'Didn't you', you should have added it the second time. But the password doesn't include 'Didn't you', does it?"
“Yes, that’s exactly it!” agreed de Louvois, who was completely confused.
“So, I beg you, Marquis, tell me the password in reply exactly as you were supposed to say it, without adding or subtracting a single word, for it is not difficult,” asked d’Artagnan, beaming with such a benevolent smile that de Louvois simply could not be angry with him and did not dare refuse him.
“The King is happy with such servants,” said de Louvois very slowly, separating each word with long pauses.
- Excellent, Mr. Minister! - exclaimed the Gascon. - You are a master of the art of using passwords assigned by His Majesty himself! I will certainly report to him the precision with which you carry out his special mission.
“Really?” de Louvois perked up.
- Most certainly! - confirmed d'Artagnan. - And now I ask you not to use this password unless absolutely necessary, because it is a password from the King of France himself!
“Yes, you are right,” de Louvois agreed.
"Tell me, sir, now that we have exchanged the password and the response and are finally convinced that we are carrying out the same commission from His Majesty, your mission does not consist only of the arrest of the Duke of Lorraine?" asked d'Artagnan. "After all, you must have been entrusted with certain actions in relation to other persons in the Duke's palace?"
 - It is the truth! - de Louvois perked up. - I must create a cordon around the palace and not let anyone out until His Majesty arrives!
"Yes, that's right," agreed d'Artagnan. "And, of course, His Majesty will tell you his password upon his arrival. If he does not tell you this password, you are ordered not to obey even His Majesty."
- It turns out that you know my mission exactly! - de Louvois rejoiced. - Explain to me what its secret meaning is? Why does the King order me not to obey the King, provided that he does not tell me the password that he himself told me?
“I can, of course, explain to you the reason for this order,” said d’Artagnan thoughtfully.
“Well, well, I’m listening!” exclaimed de Louvois.
“But in that case I will have to arrest you and imprison you in the Bastille,” said d’Artagnan and smiled. “Forever.”
“Forever?” de Louvois asked.
"Yes, for the rest of your life," d'Artagnan confirmed. "Or stab you with my sword. In any case, this is the only condition under which I can reveal to you the details of this secret."
"And you would dare to do this in front of my army?" de Louvois asked incredulously. "After that, my soldiers would tear you to pieces."
"I readily believe it," agreed d'Artagnan. "But this consideration would not have kept me from doing my duty, and that would have been precisely it, believe me."
"I see that it is in our interests that each of us should keep his secrets," said de Louvois after some reflection. "At any rate, you keep your secrets, and I will keep mine."
“Exactly so,” agreed d’Artagnan. “I assure you, your secrets do not interest me.”
“You’ve already told me everything you knew,” he thought. “You can hardly tell me anything important beyond that.”

Chapter LX. Nancy

In Nancy, d'Artagnan met Athos, Porthos and Aramis, who could not help but notice the arrival of such a brilliant army, and guessed to look for their friend among the officers.
Aramis informed d'Artagnan of the results of their actions. It was obvious that the arrest of Charles of Lorraine was no longer urgently necessary, since Philippe had been released; however, since Philippe considered his fate to be linked with that of Catherine Charlotte, Princess of Monaco, and would not agree to leave Nancy without rescuing her from the captivity of the treacherous Duke, the situation seemed less clear to d'Artagnan.
"I tried to explain to Philippe that the more interest he shows in the princess, the more difficult it is to save her," Aramis said in bewilderment. "After all, if he showed indifference to her, Charles would consider her captivity useless, not to mention dangerous for him, since he is acquiring an additional influential enemy in the person of the Prince of Monaco. But Philippe does not agree to leave Nancy under any circumstances; he believes that our duty is to free her.
"And he is quite right, Aramis!" replied d'Artagnan. "I would have done exactly the same! Remember how all three of you went with me on a long journey in order to rescue Constance from Milady's hands!"
“I personally set out on this journey in the hope of catching Milady and tearing the poisonous sting from the mouth of this snake,” replied Aramis, shrugging his shoulders.
"You slander yourself, my friend," replied d'Artagnan. "You have shared with me the dangers of this adventure, as well as the dangers of previous journeys, out of a sense of friendship. Do you remember how, before the journey to England, Athos asked who needed it - me or the Queen? When I said that the Queen needed it, all three of you remained indifferent to my request, but when I added that I needed it, you all decided to go with me.
“Yes, those were very merry times!” exclaimed Porthos.
“And we were so young and desperate,” Athos agreed.
"Are we really so old that we cannot understand the love of a young man?" asked d'Artagnan.
“Every love is a delusion, since the lover does not see the shortcomings of the object of his love, or, more precisely, perceives everything, even its shortcomings, as advantages,” Athos noted philosophically.
"Maybe so, damn it, but this delusion is the best thing that can happen to a man in his life, isn't it?!" d'Artagnan replied with fervor.
“I see, my friend, that you have not yet lost the ability to feel something like this, so that with you, d’Artagnan, this best thing, apparently, can still happen in the future, or rather, one must think that it has already happened to you in the present,” said Athos.
"Don't act like an old man, Athos, it suited you when you were thirty-seven, but it doesn't suit you now, since God forbid we should believe that you have become an old man," d'Artagnan objected. "I am convinced that not all is lost with you either. And perhaps someday you will meet your new love."
“It’s not about me, because we are now deciding what to do with Philippe,” Athos waved his hand, although the observant d’Artagnan noticed that his words probably hit the mark.
"Let's assume that our tasks include the immediate release of the Princess of Monaco from the hands of the Duke of Lorraine," said Aramis. "If the Marquis de Louvois arrests the Duke, and then the army that arrives with him blocks all the entrances and exits from his palace, does that make our task easier or more difficult?"
"That, I believe, is already being done, or will be done in the near future," replied d'Artagnan. "While we are discussing the situation, de Louvois is hastening to make amends for his oversight, since the Marquis d'Arcy he sent did not fulfill his task."
“He was interrupted by Philippe, whom he mistook for the King,” said Athos.
"The King gave de Louvois a password for this occasion, which had to be pronounced whenever any of the King's orders were changed," replied d'Artagnan. "As far as I understand, even in order to cancel the order for the arrest of the Duke of Lorraine, he had to pronounce this password."
"Do you know him?" Aramis asked quickly.
"Yes, I learned it by chance," said d'Artagnan. "It goes like this: 'Happy is the King with such servants.'"
"I think that de Louvois forgot to give the password to the Marquis d'Arcy, and that is why Philippe and the Duke managed to fool the Marquis," Aramis guessed. "It turns out that d'Arcy is not such a blockhead as we took him for. That epithet should be applied to another person."
"So, having the password, we must enter the Duke's palace and find out where he is keeping the Princess of Monaco," said d'Artagnan. "If she is there, then with the password we will take her out of the palace and the matter will be resolved."
"And if she's not there?" Porthos asked. "We'll turn the palace upside down and wreak havoc?"
“No, in that case we will look for another way to solve our problem,” said d’Artagnan.
“It’s a shame,” Porthos sighed. “We could have had some fun.”
"But we have not yet decided whether we will prevent the arrest of the Duke, or whether we will rescue him?" asked Athos.
"Strictly speaking, it is none of our business," said Aramis. "Until now I thought I had come to an agreement with the Duke, but two facts have come to light. First, the detention of the Princess of Monaco. Second, the probable arrest of the Duke himself. New circumstances may lead to new solutions."

Chapter LXI. The Duchess of Lorraine

As might be expected, Charles of Lorraine was arrested by the Marquis de Louvois, and a patrol was posted around the castle with orders to let no one in or let anyone out.
Charles of Lorraine, at the age of sixty-one, married for the fourth time to the young Marie-Louise d'Aspremont, who was only fourteen years old at the time of the wedding. The Duke's new wife was twelve years younger than her stepdaughter. Now she was twenty-three, and her husband Charles was seventy years old. And despite this, the Duke remained cheerful and vain, active and sometimes reckless, as our readers have already seen. Charles's cheerfulness was such that Marie-Louise had good reason to be jealous. Another in her place, apparently, herself made the aged husband worry about the preservation of his wife's honor in the face of so many temptations, which were a sufficient number of young courtiers in the Duke's entourage, but Marie-Louise did not know any other men than the Duke, she saw in him a noble lord, her husband given by God, and since the Lord did not send them children in this fourth marriage for the Duke, all her thoughts and worries were concentrated on him. She was afraid of losing him, knowing the customs of this gallant century, so she watched with jealous attention any woman who appeared in Charles's field of vision. For this reason, of course, she learned that a young woman had appeared in the palace, who was treated like a princess, but at the same time whose freedom was clearly taken away, and this greatly agitated her. In the times we are writing about, even noblemen sometimes entered into marriages they could not claim for one reason or another, committing kidnapping and violence, after which the poor captive was left with either death, or disgrace, or marriage with her captors, and it is not surprising that they most often chose the latter option. Many marriages were concluded in this way, which would have been impossible if someone had asked the opinion and desire of the bride. They took mistresses in much the same way.
So Marie-Louise was very jealous of her husband, Charles of Lorraine. She did not pay attention to the captive Philippe, whose face was hidden from everyone, but she was extremely hurt by the appearance of the captive Catherine Charlotte, whom she did not know, but whose slender figure she had already managed to discern. Of course, she concluded that Charles had decided to take a mistress, so she began to spy on everyone who maintained contact with the captive, that is, the servants who brought her food and performed other duties.
When her husband was arrested, Marie-Louise believed that this woman was to blame for the event, and would have hated her even more if it had been possible. The Marquis de Louvois did not search the Duke's palace, since he had not been instructed to do so. Therefore, the Princess of Monaco remained a prisoner, since none of the servants involved in her detention received orders canceling the established regime of treatment. The Princess herself did not even suspect that such a serious change had occurred in the fate of her jailer.
Louise realized that while her husband was away, no matter how sad it was, since she was unable to free him, she could at least try to get rid of her rival, for which she decided to first find out everything about this woman, and if she turned out to be beautiful, then she would perhaps even be ready to take the most extreme measures to get rid of such a rival. She thought about disfiguring the face of her rival, inflicting an ugly wound on her face, or splashing vinegar in her face, or perhaps even killing her, or, in extreme cases, throwing her out of the palace. Choosing a moment when no one would notice her, Marie-Louise went to the door, holding a sharp dagger in her hands, and pulled back the bolt on the door where the captive languished.
At first, the princess did not pay attention to Marie-Louise who entered, deciding that she was just another servant, but turning to her, she recognized her as a noble lady and at that very moment noticed a dagger in her hand.
"Have you come to kill me, madam?" she said. "Well, I am prepared for it. It is very merciful of you now that I have been torn from my home, from my husband and my children, and, in addition, from my lover. Kill me, then; I will not oppose your decision."
"Who are you?" asked Marie-Louise. "Why does my husband keep you imprisoned here?"
- Your husband? - Catherine Charlotte was surprised in her turn. - If your husband kidnapped me, ask him yourself why he did it! I do not know who kidnapped me, I did not even see the faces of my kidnappers, for they were wearing masks. At the same time, I am convinced that they acted on the instructions of some nobleman, since the place where I am being held indicates this. Now I am convinced of this. So, it is your husband! Well, madam, I congratulate you on the fact that your husband is the kidnapper of the Princess of Monaco!
"The Princess of Monaco?" Marie-Louise exclaimed, not believing her ears. "You are the same Catherine Charlotte de Gramont who turned the head of the King of France two years ago? And now you have seduced my husband as well?"
"As for the King of France, it is not quite so, however, think what you will about me. But I did not seduce your husband, I do not even know who he is, and I have never seen him," answered Catherine Charlotte.
“My husband is Charles II, Duke of Lorraine,” Marie-Louise said proudly. “I can’t believe you don’t know him!”
- Charles II of Lorraine? - Catherine Charlotte exclaimed in horror. - Of course, I know him, but not in the sense you mean. This old man came to my husband and asked for his support in the fight for his duchy not long ago, but my husband refused to get involved in this adventure. Is this why he kidnapped me? What treachery, what baseness! I had a better opinion of this man.
- You say he came to your husband asking for support and was refused? - Marie-Louise asked again. - He probably saw you then and fell in love, although I don't understand why he chose you over me. Men's tastes can be simply amazing! They are drawn to variety even if their object on the side is ten years older than his legal spouse! What bad taste!
"Charles of Lorraine has seen me countless times," replied the princess. "And he has never shown any interest in me. Believe me, madam, this trip could not have been the reason for his falling in love. Besides, I did not see him during this trip.
“How do you know that he came to your husband and asked him for support?” Marie-Louise doubted.
“My husband does not hide such news from me,” answered Ekaterina Charlotte. “In recent years, we rarely coo like lovers, but we have remained friends, and everything that can somehow interest or entertain me, he tells me, just as I tell him.”
“Then why did he kidnap you?” Marie-Louise insisted.
"I wish I knew! After all, I have already advised you, madam, to ask him this question yourself," answered the princess. "However, I have one guess. I believe that he kidnapped me in order to dictate terms to my great friend."
"Your great friend?" mimicked the Duchess. "Who is he, this great friend of yours, that the Duke of Lorraine should be interested in dictating his terms to him? Are you hinting at His Majesty King Louis XIV?"
“Almost so,” the princess answered simply. “My greatest friend is not quite the King of France, but believe me, he is not inferior to him in anything, and in my opinion, even surpasses him in everything.”
“How dare you speak of the King of France in such impudence, that some nobleman can surpass him in everything?” the Duchess was more surprised than indignant.
“Believe me, in this case it is not impudence at all,” the princess objected. “This is precisely the case when such a comparison is permissible, one cannot be condemned for it, since the person I am talking about is not lower than the King of France in his origin, so my comparison does not humiliate anyone.”
“So you are talking about Philippe d’Orleans?” the Duchess guessed.
“You have almost guessed, Duchess, but you are still far from the truth,” answered the princess. “Since your husband has probably penetrated the secret of this man, you could ask him about everything, and in this case your jealousy of me would dissipate like smoke, since you would agree with me that manipulating this man is much more important for your husband than adding me to another of his male conquests.”
“I can’t ask him because he was arrested by order of the King,” Marie-Louise replied in despair.
“In that case, you can only learn the truth from me,” said the princess. “But I’m not sure that I have the right to tell you this terrible secret.”
"I suspect that this man has some power," said the Duchess. "Not long ago an army of sixty men came to arrest Charles, but they left empty-handed after he showed them his guest, or perhaps prisoner."
"You may be sure that this was the reason why they left empty-handed," the princess confirmed. "Your husband keeps my friend captive not only as a guarantee of his own safety, but also as a source of future advancement, provided he submits. Unfortunately, this man loves me too much to remain intractable. He succumbed to your husband's blackmail, and so did what was required of him. That is the whole secret of my stay here."
"I would believe you, but two days ago Charles released this man, despite the fact that only three nobles came for him," the Duchess objected. "These nobles spent the night in the rooms that serve as casemates for disobedient servants and vassals, after which they were released the next morning and, in addition, took this prisoner with them."
“This is very strange,” said the princess. “Has he really gone away, leaving me to my fate?”
"If, as you say, he loves you, he will come back for you," said the Duchess. "And in that case, if he has sufficient power to countermand the King's orders, he will be able to facilitate my husband's release. So, your freedom in exchange for Charles's, that is a very good deal for us all."
“What do you propose, madam?” asked the princess.
“To begin with, I don’t intend to let you go until I get my husband in return,” the Duchess answered, and left the room, locking the doors behind her with a bolt.
The princess did not have time, and would not have been able to stop her, since the duchess was still armed with a dagger, and besides, she was in her palace, so as soon as she shouted to the servants, the princess would have been seized and locked up, ignoring her resistance and protests.

Chapter LXII. The Duke's Palace

Duchess Marie-Louise of Lorraine decided to try to find the people who had taken away the mysterious prisoner who was Philip, realizing that this man could help in the release of her husband Charles of Lorraine. To this end, she dressed and, accompanied by two servants, was about to leave the palace to go in a carriage to search.
At each door, as it turned out, there were guards, not letting anyone out. This greatly indignantly outraged the Duchess, but she was informed that this was the King's order, and she must remain calm until His Majesty arrived. In impotent indignation, the Duchess returned to her chambers.
At the same time, d'Artagnan, leaving Suzanne in the care of her friends, and releasing Fran;ois and de Planches to their own regiment of guards, which had arrived in Nancy under the command of the Count of Rochefort, set out to reconnoitre the Duke's palace. There he met the Marquis de Louvois, who had settled down comfortably in one of the small houses adjoining the palace, which enabled him to command the troops that surrounded the palace without burdening himself with the hospitality of the house whose owner he had arrested and intended to send to Paris, to the Bastille.
“Good morning, Mr. Minister!” d’Artagnan greeted the Marquis.
“Good morning, Mr. Marshal!” replied the Marquis.
“Which gate is the most convenient for entering the palace?” d’Artagnan inquired.
“It makes no difference, since at the present moment no one can enter or leave it, according to the order of His Majesty,” replied the Marquis.
“And how long will this situation continue?” asked d’Artagnan.
“Until His Majesty arrives,” the Marquis replied with a proud smile. “I will ensure that His Majesty’s orders are carried out to the letter.”
“Happy is the King with such servants!” said d’Artagnan.
“You are right, Count, I am the most worthy servant of His Majesty, which I have proven more than once,” the Marquis answered with pride.
“That is certainly true, but in this case I gave the password,” the marshal clarified.
- The password? - the Marquis was surprised. - What password? Oh yes, the password! Well, we both know that you know it, and I know it. What was the purpose of saying it?
"In order, of course, to confirm that I have the right to do what I intend, namely, to visit the Duke's palace in order to carry out His Majesty's special instructions," explained d'Artagnan. "You may not answer my password with your response, since, as you rightly noted, we both know that we both know the password."
“Do I understand correctly that by pronouncing the password you are hinting that you have some special powers from His Majesty?” the Marquis inquired with some doubt.
“Quite right, Monsieur Minister,” agreed d’Artagnan. “And I also believe that the fact that you have also been given this password proves that you, like me, are endowed with the highest confidence of His Majesty to carry out a special secret mission to save France.”
"Special trust in a special mission?" the Marquis asked again. "Of course, I enjoy His Majesty's special trust, you can be sure of that!"
- Therefore, you and I, Monsieur the Marquis, have an extremely important duty, - d'Artagnan said in a conspiratorial tone. - First of all, and this is the most important, it is necessary to examine all the papers of the Duke of Lorraine in order to reveal all his secret connections and to uncover his plot against the King. I will not hide the fact that this is the most responsible and the most important assignment. The second task is to make a list of all the people present in the palace at the time of the Duke's arrest. This is a routine task and not so responsible and important, but it must be done as well. So, we have two important matters and there are two of us. What shall we do, Monsieur Minister?
“Of course, I have to carry out the most important and most responsible task, because I am the Minister of War!” the Marquis replied.
- You are right! How could I not have guessed it myself! Everything is exactly like that! - exclaimed d'Artagnan and looked at the minister with a face expressing sincere delight. - Besides, who else but you can sort out all sorts of confusing papers! As for me, I am far from a love of reading. I am used to communicating with living people.
“Well, that’s what we’ll do,” the minister replied graciously.
"I advise you to take with you at least four soldiers, so that there will be someone to carry the papers out of the palace and load them into the carriage, which should be sent to the Louvre personally by the King," added d'Artagnan. "Better take eight people, because suddenly someone will decide to attack you in order to avenge the arrest of their sovereign."
After these words, the minister decided to take twelve armed guards with him and moved to the Duke's palace.
“Do you need protection, Mr. Marshal?” asked the Marquis.
"My personal guard is always with me," replied d'Artagnan, patting his sword. "I won't need more."
After this, the minister, accompanied by his personal guard, and the marshal, accompanied by his personal sword, entered the Duke's palace and began their duties, which d'Artagnan had devised for this occasion.
- My dear sir! - d'Artagnan addressed the butler. - The Minister of War is going to the Duke's study to carry out His Majesty's orders. Show him the way and send me a servant with whom I can inspect the rest of the palace and take a census of those present. The King's most strict orders.
The butler nodded silently and went to carry out d'Artagnan's orders, realizing that it was useless to argue, since the escort around the entire palace spoke for itself most eloquently and convincingly that the arriving officers should be obeyed.
A minute later, one of the servants approached d'Artagnan.
"I am interested in a noble lady who is being held here by force," he said. "If you take me to her immediately, I may perhaps arrange that you are not hanged along with all the other servants of the state criminal."
- Sir! - the servant pleaded. - I have nothing to do with this! I am only the servant of the Monsignor, doing the most simple work. I am a delivery boy.
"A food delivery boy?" asked d'Artagnan.
"In a sense, quite the opposite," the servant answered quietly. "My duty is to empty and wash the chamber pots and clean the dirtiest places."
"If so, I can persuade the king's prosecutor not to hang you as a malicious conspirator, but merely to shoot you," d'Artagnan reassured the servant. "But if you cooperate with the investigation, you will be left alive and even, probably, allowed to receive the salary you have earned, which, I believe, your master owes you for a month, but only on condition of complete obedience. So you know what must be done."
“If you are talking about the lady who was brought in a week ago and is being held in the right wing of the palace, then I will, of course, take you to her door!” said the stunned servant.
“Come on, and don’t you dare play tricks on me!” d’Artagnan ordered, patting his sword with his hand and cocking one of the pistols he had grabbed.

Approaching the doors behind which the Princess of Monaco was locked, d'Artagnan discovered that in addition to the bolt, there was a large padlock hanging on them.
“Open up,” the marshal ordered.
- But I have no keys! - answered the servant. - The keys to this castle are probably with the duchess!
"What are you lying about, you idiot?" d'Artagnan was indignant. "How do you take out the chamber pots if you don't have the keys to this room?"
"This room was never locked," the servant replied. "It was only bolted, and one of the Duke's soldiers was always on duty at the door. They let me in for the purpose I was performing. This lock appeared after yesterday, that is, either in the evening, or at night, or this morning."
"Then bring here your mistress, the Duchess of Lorraine, or I will break down this door," said d'Artagnan. "If you bring anyone else instead of the Duchess, I will personally see to it that you are not simply hanged, but first quartered, then burned, and then what remains is hanged. Do you understand me?"
“But the Duchess will not listen to me and will not come here at my request,” the frightened servant timidly objected.
“Well then, take me to her,” agreed d’Artagnan. “I will find arguments to convince her to obey the orders of the King of France, transmitted by the secret executor of his will in my person.”
On trembling legs, the servant led d'Artagnan to the Duchess's apartments.

Chapter LXIII. The Duchess

"Duchess, allow me to introduce myself, Marshal of France Charles Ogier de Batz de Castelmore, Count d'Artagnan," said our Gascon. "I come from the Montesquiou-Fezensac family, but this relationship does them more honor than me. If I seem immodest to you, it is only so that you know with whom you are talking, and our conversation would be as productive and brief as possible.
“I have certainly heard of you, Count,” replied the Duchess. “However, I did not expect from such a gallant knight, Count and Marshal, such tactlessness as you allowed yourself – to appear before me without an invitation.”
“Allow me to remind you, madam, that we are all at present on the soil of France, where His Majesty the King of France, Louis XIV, is at home everywhere,” replied d’Artagnan. “For this reason, the master of this land has sent me here to decide delicate matters on which the fate of France may depend. Thus, I am here at the invitation of the master of this land, and consequently of this palace, while you, madam, may, under certain conditions, cease to have any connection with this palace forever. Your husband, by his actions, as you probably know, has angered His Majesty, since he has committed a crime against the state. If he is not executed, as some more distinguished men were once executed by your husband for a crime perhaps less than that imputed to him, then, I dare say, he will, in all probability, spend the rest of his days in the Bastille, or some other prison. However, this will not be for long.”
“And I have to listen to all this?!” Marie-Louise was indignant.
"Not necessarily, madam," replied d'Artagnan. "You must listen to me only if you wish to alleviate the lot of your husband, since I am the only person in all France who can intercede for him before His Majesty in this matter, and perhaps I can even do something more substantial for this purpose."
“I understand what you mean,” the Duchess said thoughtfully. “You have come to blackmail me in order to obtain something important that you could not take from my husband by brute force.”
"Quite the contrary, Duchess," d'Artagnan replied. "I have come to persuade your family, that is, you and your husband, to stop cherishing the hope of building your well-being by blackmailing His Majesty, and for this I would ask you to facilitate the speedy release of the Princess of Monaco, who is undoubtedly being held in your palace, and I even know in which room."
"If you know where she is kept, and if you have the strength on your side, take her!" the Duchess exclaimed with ferocity. "What do you want from me?"
"I can take her with the help of an armed group of guards, breaking down the doors, and I will certainly do so if we do not come to an agreement," replied d'Artagnan. "However, before declaring war, it is advisable to make sure that all diplomatic methods have already been exhausted. It seems to me highly undesirable to act by brute force, which will undoubtedly lead to the publicity of the fact that your husband forcibly kidnapped and held captive such a noble lady as the Princess of Monaco, the eldest daughter of the famous Antoine III de Gramont and his no less noble wife, Fran;oise-Marguerite du Plessis-Chivray, niece of Cardinal de Richelieu. Out of respect for her elder brother, Armand de Gramont, Count de Guiche, whom I considered my friend until he died tragically in one of the battles, and also out of respect for the memory of Princess Henrietta Stuart, daughter of King Charles I of England and sister of the present King Charles II of England, who was a very good friend of the said Count de Guiche, and to whom the said Princess of Monaco was a lady-in-waiting, I beg you to do everything possible not to cast any shadow on this magnificent noble lady. I am sure that we will come to an agreement. You will give me the key to the door behind which the said princess is locked, I will invite her to lean on my arm and leave your insufficiently hospitable palace, after which we, perhaps, will preserve the most cordial memories of this acquaintance, and in this case I will try to use all my influence to soften the fate of your unreasonable husband, who is so thoroughly entangled in a conspiracy aimed at overthrowing the legitimate King that he, I believe, will very, very much need my intercession.
“I will let you take the Princess of Monaco if you give me back my husband,” the Duchess said firmly.
- Really? - d'Artagnan was surprised. - You seem to have decided that there is a bargaining going on here?
"I have stated my conditions," Marie-Louise snapped. "If they do not suit you, use force."
"To act by force is my profession, Duchess," said d'Artagnan. "So I see that diplomatic methods have exhausted themselves, so I turn to military methods."
After these words, the marshal bowed politely to the duchess and left her room, closing the door behind him.
“They won’t hang me?” asked the servant, who had been standing at the door the whole time and probably eavesdropping on the conversation.
"No, my dear fellow," replied d'Artagnan. "You personally will only be shot, and all the others who have taken up residence in this palace will, of course, be hanged. I will put in a good word for you, since you have helped me in some way."
- Mr. Marshal! - exclaimed the servant. - Allow me to try to persuade the Duchess!
“You yourself said that she wouldn’t listen to you,” d’Artagnan was surprised.
“I am ready to take the risk, since I have no other choice,” said the servant.
“You are a fine fellow, what is your name?” asked the marshal.
“My name is Daniel Galliano,” the servant replied.
"Well, Daniel," said d'Artagnan, "just start banging your foot on whichever door you like the least. Do it for five to ten minutes."
“As you command,” Daniel agreed. “And what happens next?”
"Your Duchess will come to her senses," replied d'Artagnan. "She will come out of her room and offer me what I asked of her."
Daniel went up to one of the doors and began to kick it furiously. Almost immediately, the doors of the Duchess's office opened and Marie-Louise came out.
"Count, wait!" she said. "I think diplomatic methods have not yet exhausted themselves."
“I am listening to you, Duchess,” replied d’Artagnan.
“I will release your princess immediately, but in return I ask for your word as a count that you will do everything possible to ease the fate of my husband,” she said.
"To do everything possible for your husband's fate is too much," replied d'Artagnan. "For for me there is almost nothing impossible. Will you insist that I provide him with the best fate I can? Will you then ask me to separate Lorraine from France, to annex to it Alsace and a quarter of the German lands?"
"You mean to say that it is in your power?" asked the Duchess, and could not help smiling.
“I don’t know myself whether it’s in my power or not, but I don’t intend to promise anything like that, because it’s very likely that it’s within my power,” d’Artagnan waved his hand. “‘Everything in my power’ is too much for me to give such promises to anyone. I’m not some Colbert. Let’s agree on something simpler. For example, I can secure his release, but only this once and only until he gets into some kind of trouble again.”
“But that is far less than I would like to ask of you!” cried the Duchess.
- You see! - answered d'Artagnan. - And the promise in question is much less than what you actually asked for! I cannot give out such promises left and right. To do everything in my power for your husband is an enormous amount!
“Well, I believe you entirely in that case,” said the Duchess.
After these words, she took a key from her belt and placed it on d'Artagnan's palm.
“Be easy, Duchess,” said d’Artagnan, pressing Marie-Louise’s hand lightly. “I can appreciate voluntary cooperation. The request of a pretty young woman can get much more out of me than blackmail and threats. I meant that blackmail and threats have no effect on me at all, they only provoke me. All those who have threatened me, with very few exceptions, at least all those whom I could challenge to a duel, have not even had time to regret their obstinacy. I am speaking here of men. As for women, after an old story, I have become insensitive to their pretense and false tears. I am ready to yield only to an open request, if it does not conflict with my duty and my honor.”
“Then do the little you agreed to promise me, Count!” said the Duchess and retired to her room.
- Look here, my friend, - d'Artagnan addressed Daniel. - There are only two things that keep me here. The first and most important thing is that I must take your prisoner. The second thing is that I need a list of everyone who is currently in the palace, without excluding anyone. The lady I am about to take away must not be on this list. Can you provide me with such a list?
"Yes, your lordship!" cried Daniel. "I will ask the scribe to prepare this list as soon as possible. And what will become of me? And of all of us?"
“If in half an hour the list is handed to me through the guard standing at the front entrance, then you will all be forgiven,” replied d’Artagnan.
“They won’t execute us?!” Daniel exclaimed, not believing his ears.
- And why do you think I need a list? - answered d'Artagnan. - Use your brain, blockhead! I ask you for a list of those for whom I will seek a full pardon. If you miss even one person who is in the palace, that person will be executed through your fault, since he will not be included in the list of those pardoned. Do you understand the full importance of your assignment?
- Don't doubt it, I will write down everyone who is in the palace, I won't miss anyone! - Daniel exclaimed.
- Well done, - answered d'Artagnan. - Hand over the list, say that it is intended for the Marshal of France. Be careful not to mix it up.
“I will run to the clerk at once to prepare this list!” Daniel exclaimed, and with the permission of the Marshal of France, he went to where he had promised to go.
The Marshal himself solemnly freed the Princess of Monaco, after which, using the password, he left the Duke's palace and brought the Princess to the tavern where his friends were staying, and where Philip had been staying all this time, hiding from those who could identify him as the King of France.
"My friends," said d'Artagnan, "I have tried to avoid making a fuss about the release of the princess, but I have bound myself by the promise to assist in the release of Charles of Lorraine.
“How can we do this?” Aramis asked in surprise.
“We only need Philippe to give the password to the Minister, the Marquis of Louvois, after which he says that he is canceling his order to arrest Charles of Lorraine and is letting him go home.
“What will happen to Louvois after this?” asked Athos.
“To tell the truth, I don’t know,” replied d’Artagnan. “But if His Majesty gets rid of one blockhead in his ministry, I don’t mind.”
“Life has taught me, my dear friend, that blockheads are not so often expelled from ministries as they should be,” said Aramis thoughtfully.

Chapter LXIV. Aramis's Objections
 
"My friends," said Athos, "if we take advantage of the resemblance of Monseigneur Louis Philippe to Louis XIV, and of the fact that we have learned the password, to free Charles of Lorraine, we shall be showing ourselves most ingratitude to the King. In that case, we must at least send back to His Majesty the swords he has given us, and thus renounce the honor of being in his service."
"To quarrel with the King of France again!" sighed Porthos. "And yet we had only just made peace with him."
"But we only returned to France to protect Louis!" cried Aramis. "It is unwise to quarrel with someone we have decided to help."
"I agree with you, and I also find your objections well founded," replied d'Artagnan. "But what are we to do? It is senseless to deprive a seventy-year-old man of his liberty, from whom we have already torn out the sting, since we have taken away the means of his intrigues. Besides, I have promised the Duchess to assist in the liberation of her husband."
“You will certainly think of something, d’Artagnan,” said Porthos.
“One should always keep one’s promises,” said Athos.
"That is true," agreed Aramis. "For this reason one should never make any promises to anyone. Especially to women, since they always hear four times what you promise."
"I thought that Athos was the most misogynistic person in our company, and now I see, Aramis, that you have surpassed him?" d'Artagnan was surprised. "I thought that you loved women."
"I don't love women, but communication with women, and only as long as it doesn't go beyond certain boundaries that I've already determined," Aramis clarified. "As soon as a woman begins to consider you her property, that is, ten minutes after the closest communication that can occur between a man and a woman, you should immediately run away from her as far as possible."
"Aramis, but your friendship with the seamstress Marie Michon, it seems to me, lasted longer than you say, didn't it?" said d'Artagnan with a smile.
- Oh, Marie Michon! - Aramis smiled indulgently. - I was young and carried away. It lasted a long time, I admit. But in the end we parted. I don’t like standing in line. Marie Aim;e de Rohan-Montbazon, Duchess of Chevreuse, in this sense, was good only for short meetings.
"Do you mean to say that she had two gentlemen at the same time?" asked Athos.
“Two gentlemen is not a queue,” Aramis waved his hand. “Along with her husband, the Duke de Chevreuse, this lady managed to flirt with so many men at the same time that I find it difficult to remember them all. This circle also included La Porte, a distant relative of Cardinal de Richelieu, who was assigned by him as a valet-spy to the Queen, but thanks to Marie he completely defected to the camp of the conspirators, led, most often, by her…”
"La Porte is a distant relative of Richelieu?" Athos was surprised.
“The mother of the Duke de Richelieu is Suzanne de La Porte, the daughter of a lawyer of the Parisian parliament who received nobility,” answered Aramis.
"So you say that Chevreuse had an affair with him?" asked Porthos.
"If only he were there!" replied Aramis with a sigh. "La Rochefoucauld is also on the list, as is the Count of Holland, the Ambassador Extraordinary of England, or, as he was more commonly called, the Count of Holland."
"Is this the one who came to France with Buckingham?" Athos asked. "He was married, I believe?"
“The Duchess de Chevreuse was also married, as was Buckingham himself,” Aramis replied. “Who did that bother and when?”
"But Buckingham did not seem to love his wife enough, since he turned his attention to our Queen?" asked Athos.
- I beg you, Athos! - Aramis grinned. - Buckingham has paid attention to the Queen? Who told you that? The matter was quite different. Marie de Chevreuse, together with Count Holland, decided to bring Anne of Austria and Buckingham together, they planned it and did it. The Duchess de Chevreuse, or Chevrette, as the Queen called her, considering her her closest friend, described to the Queen as best she could all the virtues of Buckingham, and at the same time her friend Count Holland, who was also Buckingham's closest friend, described to the Duke the virtues of Anne of Austria. This couple conceived and fueled the mutual interest of the Duke and the Queen. It was a great plan. It should be taken into account that our Queen could, if she wished, twist as she pleased both her weak-willed husband King Louis XIII and her prime minister, Cardinal Richelieu, and Buckingham, for his part, was the favorite and prime minister of two English Kings, first James I, then Charles I, and I would even call him a member of this family in such senses that it is not customary to talk about, that is, he was the ruler of England to a greater extent than these two Kings taken together. So it turns out that Chevrette and Count Holland planned to create such an alliance, which would be the strongest alliance in all of Europe, if it took place. At the same time, of course, they thought of remaining the most important and irreplaceable confidants for both high-ranking persons, that is, to become those without whom this all-powerful couple could not do! Not a bad idea, right? However, this experience was nothing new to Chevrette, since her first husband, first a falconer and later the Constable of France, Charles d'Albert de Luynes, dominated Louis XIII, that is, again, twisted him as he wanted, while she herself, at that time Madame de Luynes, dominated Anne of Austria in the same way. Suffice it to say that all the diamonds left by the executed wife of Concino Concini, Marshal d'Ancre, from the famous Leonora Dori Galigay, Queen Anne gave to her friend Chevrette. She herself did not have such an arsenal of diamonds as Chevrette had accumulated. When, hiding from Richelieu, she sent her jewels to her friend La Rochefoucauld for safekeeping, the cost of these jewels amounted to more than two hundred thousand livres, according to La Rochefoucauld himself, but I am convinced that a competent jeweler would have valued them twice as much. However, de Luynes passed away, and Chevrette remained with Queen Anne, her influence on the Queen was great, but the Queen's influence on French politics and, consequently, on finances, gradually weakened to almost zero. Naturally, Chevrette always dreamed of reviving her influence on the royal family as a whole, and not just on Anne alone, in order to return to the top of power to skim the cream of life! Therefore, I consider the joint project of Chevrette and Holland, aimed at matchmaking Buckingham and Anne, to be entirely Maria's idea.
“Nevertheless, a completely sincere romance arose between the Queen and the Duke, and we ourselves participated in saving the Queen’s honor, by the way, not without your active participation, Aramis,” Athos objected.
"This affair could not fail to take place if the two authors of this adultery had sufficient opportunity to promote its development in every way," replied Aramis. "To remove all witnesses in order to leave Anne and Buckingham alone and without witnesses was their favorite method, and one day it led to a scene that became known to the whole court. Taking advantage of the fact that in the garden arbor, surrounded on all sides by green hedges, no one could see them, and Chevrette and Holland were walking at the nearest turn, thus forming a kind of guard for their privacy. Therefore, Buckingham decided to prove to Anne not only his love, but also his manhood. However, he was awkward and absurd. Anne expected only tenderness and affection, while the frisky Buckingham hastened to try to extract every advantage from this solitude, and went on the attack so decisively that he even scratched our Queen's thighs with the diamonds on the braid of his trousers. However, this is apparently the only physical result, along with the fact that he managed to create some disorder in the Queen's clothes, which she had to quickly eliminate with her own hands. The Queen screamed in surprise, to which Chevrette and Holland tried to ignore, but then she screamed more insistently, calling for help from her Master of the Horse. She even reprimanded him for leaving her alone, thus giving reason to doubt her fidelity to His Majesty.
"Then the Queen did not love Buckingham?" asked Porthos.
"Oh, I didn't say that," replied Aramis. "She once said that if it were possible to love another man besides her own husband, she would undoubtedly choose Buckingham. But she took his overly decisive steps negatively, since she breathed in afterwards: "Oh, if only men were not so rude!"
“It follows that if he had acted less decisively, but gradually, he would have succeeded in his desires?” asked Athos.
"Buckingham knew he would have no other chance," replied Aramis. "If he had been more patient and tender, he would have won the Queen's heart completely, but he needed not only her affection but also physical proofs of his complete victory over her as a woman. However, he had already won her heart, so there was a platonic love between them, you may be sure. I even believe that if Buckingham had had a second chance under similar circumstances, the Queen would not have made a fuss, but we cannot know. She was a true Catholic, and while Louis XIII lived, I believe she was faithful to him physically, but she never had any spiritual intimacy with him, so in her thoughts she could love anyone, which is probably what she did.
"But your story was not about the Queen, but about the Duchess de Chevreuse," said Athos. "You accused her of having too many affairs, although those you mentioned could hardly be called a 'queue.'"
"Athos, you have always been so aloof from this subject, but I see that the story of Marie's life interests you in spite of your traditional views on the subject," Aramis said with a smile. "However, your interest is understandable. I have noticed that Raoul is very similar not only to you, but also to the Duchess. Therefore, perhaps you too can name someone who once laid his pillow next to the head of the beautiful Duchess."

(The translator would have thought that the term “realized his manhood” or something similar would have been more appropriate, but in this case Dumas used an allegory widely used during the time of Louis XIV – translator’s note).

“I did not take a vow of celibacy,” Athos smiled, “and I am glad that the violation of this vow has given me such a magnificent son.”
"I join you in your joy, Athos," replied Aramis. "And believe me, I can no longer feel jealousy in the past, present, or future with regard to the Duchess. It is all because of Buckingham."
"Because of Buckingham?" Athos was surprised. "Is he also one of her heart's secrets?"
“You did not know that, Athos?” asked Aramis. “Well, it is true, nevertheless. The Duchess was in England at Buckingham’s invitation, representing there, as it were, the Queen herself. The Duke took it in that way, so he gave her a truly royal reception. So solemnly and pompously, luxuriously and richly, as the Duchess de Chevreuse and her two ladies were received in England, only the Queen of France should have been received, and no one else. Of course, Chevrette floated. But Buckingham also entered into the role. Apparently, he decided that the Duchess completely represented Anne of Austria in her person in every sense, including as the messenger of her love, so he completed his male attack, and this time did not meet with such a determined resistance as Anne herself offered him in the notorious garden arbor. For this reason, Count Holland, whose rights to Chevrette's attentions in England were infringed, fell out with both Chevrette herself and Buckingham. I believe that the Queen also cooled towards her closest friend for this very reason. However, the cooling occurred much later. Apparently, Cardinal Richelieu presented the Queen with evidence of this adultery only at the right time and in the right circumstances in order to finally quarrel her with Chevrette. This was his small revenge for the network of conspiracies into which Marie involved many more times both the Queen herself and the King's brother, the Duke of Orleans, and other princes and high-ranking nobles, whose names you know very well.
“The Cardinal, who had many spies, even in England, was, of course, aware of such matters,” Athos said thoughtfully.
"It was not only Milady who spied for the Cardinal in England," agreed Aramis. "I have carefully studied the history of this affair, and I can assure you that no less than ten spies were acting in Richelieu's interests in London at that time, the most famous of whom was the Countess of Carlyle. She assisted Milady in all her affairs, including the matter of the pendants.
"And you think that the Cardinal knew about the Duchess de Chevreuse's affair with Buckingham, and told the Queen about it?" asked Athos.
“He not only knew about it, and not only told the Queen about it, he told other people about it, and even made a witty pun on the subject,” Aramis replied.
"What kind of pun is that?" asked Porthos.
“In a letter to Schomberg he wrote: ‘The English are called old goats because some of them frolicked with one of our goats,’” said Aramis.
At these words, Porthos and d'Artagnan burst out laughing, but Athos became sad.

(Buckingham – Bouquinquan – in this case is consonant with the word old goat – bouquin, bouc – and also Chevrette, as the Duchess of Austria was called – Chevrette – means “little goat”. Translator’s note).

"The Bishop of Mandes wrote that it seemed to him that the Duchess and the two ladies who accompanied her had come to England not to settle questions of religious tolerance, but to settle questions concerning brothels," Aramis continued in a harsh voice, from which d'Artagnan understood that Aramis directed this anger at the Duchess, first of all, at himself. "Besides, her adventures in Spain... Even with King Philip of Spain...
- My friends! - cried d'Artagnan. - If you wanted to persuade me not to make promises to women, you have almost convinced me for the future, however, this does not cancel the promises I have already made. Besides, we do not care at all about the adulteries of any ladies who, perhaps, are too tired of their husbands. In any adultery, both spouses are guilty.
"We were not discussing adultery, my friend," Athos objected. "That could still be understood and forgiven. We were talking about women betraying their lovers, which is absolutely disgusting."
"And we men, don't we cheat on our mistresses?" asked d'Artagnan. "Can it be that we won't forgive them for what they are so similar to us in?"
"Men bear the brunt of military campaigns," Porthos grumbled. "And there's nothing wrong with them occasionally saying yes, yes, yes."
“And women bear the entire burden of waiting for a man in the solitude of their home,” objected d’Artagnan.
"Well, that doesn't apply to the Goat we were talking about," smiled Aramis. "However, from your face, d'Artagnan, I can tell that you have already thought of a way out of the situation. Tell us how we can fulfill your promise to the wife of Charles of Lorraine, and at the same time not quarrel with the King of France?"

Chapter LXV. A Performance for the Minister

Some time later, a guard knocked on the door of the house where Minister de Louvois was staying and reported that Marshal d'Artagnan was asking to see him and his four companions. One of the companions was wearing a steel-colored cloth mask that covered his entire face.
- Why such ceremony? - de Louvois was surprised, coming out to meet the marshal and his companions. - We are all our own - service people! Marshal, you can come to me without reporting!
"Mr. Minister, I ask that all people be removed so that I and my companions may be received without witnesses," said d'Artagnan. "This is a matter of state importance."
“Well, Count, this is certainly rather unusual, since my adjutant is always with me, as is my secretary,” replied the Marquis. “But if you insist, I am prepared to remove all my people.”
“I insist, Marquis,” said d’Artagnan.
“He insists,” Porthos agreed and looked meaningfully into the minister’s eyes.
Seeing Porthos's large face on his huge body very close to his own, the minister involuntarily shuddered and doubted the advisability of eliminating his guards, however, knowing that d'Artagnan was the King's most trusted person, he did not dare to show signs of cowardice.
“This conversation is only for the initiated,” said Athos with a gentle smile.
“Porthos, it seems you have frightened the Minister,” said Aramis with a grin, all four of them laughed, after which the Minister also laughed, although in his heart he was not in the mood for laughter.
"If d'Artagnan wanted to kill me, he could easily do it," thought the minister. "And if he wants to arrest me, he won't succeed even with these four companions, since there are people loyal to me everywhere."
After these thoughts, de Louvois really understood that his visitors were joking, laughed sincerely and made a sign to the secretary, adjutant and guards to leave.
As soon as only the minister and his guests remained in the room, the man in the mask removed it and showed his face.
- Your Majesty! - exclaimed de Louvois, recognizing the King. - What a surprise and what an honor! I will immediately give orders...
"Monsieur the Marquis," said Louis-Philippe, for it was he, "I have come incognito, and I shall leave you very soon incognito. I wish to make sure how accurately you have understood my instructions, and how accurately you are carrying them out."
- Your Majesty, I am glad to receive you here, and I ask you to forgive me for the inappropriate situation, I will now order that everything necessary be prepared...
“No need, Louvois, I told you that I am here simply, without rank, incognito,” Louis-Philippe objected. “Listen to me carefully and answer my questions.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” stammered the Marquis.
"Do you confirm that if I order you to release Charles of Lorraine without giving the password, you will refuse to do so?" asked Louis-Philippe.
The Minister broke out in a cold sweat. He remembered that the King had ordered that in such a case such an order should be refused even if it came from the King himself, but he was also afraid to contradict the King.
“I confirm that such an order was issued by you,” he said, not yet knowing what to do if the King nevertheless demanded Charles’s release.
"It's all right, don't worry," said Philip. "I'm not going to cancel my order without telling you the password, and besides, to put your mind at ease on this score, I'll tell you the password. It's this: 'Happy is the King with such servants!'"
"Happy is the King with such servants!" confirmed de Louvois. "Exactly so."
“Well, that’s it,” said Philippe, sitting down in the chair that the minister obligingly pulled up. “Now let’s talk about this. As I understand it, you haven’t yet managed to send Karl under escort to Paris?”
"He will be sent immediately," muttered de Louvois. "There was only a slight delay in preparing the carriage, since the existing carriages did not have bars. I did not risk sending him in a carriage without bars, lest he escape."
“Don’t worry, Marquis, you’re doing everything perfectly,” Louis-Philippe reassured the minister again. “I would only like to take advantage of the delay that has arisen to speak with Charles of Lorraine in your presence and in the presence of these gentlemen, after which you will send him away, but quietly, so that as few people as possible know about the Duke’s arrest.”
“I will have it brought to me at once,” exclaimed de Louvois.
"Not until I put this mask back on," Louis-Philippe replied. "I don't want to be seen by your soldiers. When he's brought in, have the guards leave the room and wait outside the door, and after we've talked it over, they'll take him away."

After Louis Philippe's orders had been carried out to the letter, leaving Charles of Lorraine standing before him, the prince removed his mask.
"Charles of Lorraine," he said, turning to the prisoner, "I am here to soften your fate, and perhaps even to restore your freedom, but it will not be restored to you at this moment. If you will humble yourself and acknowledge my power over you, I recommend that you listen to me attentively. In that case you will soon be released, you will be able to return to your palace, and I have already taken care that rumors of your arrest do not spread beyond your home. If you show disobedience, I cannot promise you even your life."
"You are not who you say you are," said Karl. "I don't think this conversation is making any sense."
“Well, I understand what you mean, but you are mistaken,” said Philippe. “Before I continue my conversation with you, I ask the Minister of War, the Marquis de Louvois, to tell you about the extraordinary order I gave him at the Louvre, as well as about the dialogue we had before your arrival.”
“Do I dare in your presence?” said de Louvois.
“I command you,” Philip replied.
“Before sending me to arrest the Duke of Lorraine, you, Your Majesty, told me a certain password…” said de Louvois.
“There is no need to name it, it is enough that I told you about it,” Philip interrupted the minister. “Tell me why I gave it to you?”
“You said that I would have to arrest the Duke, and this order cannot be cancelled even by you yourself, unless you first tell me this password,” said the minister, who did not understand anything about what was happening.
- Exactly so, Marquis. Even I myself, without knowing the password, could not cancel the order for your arrest, - Philip confirmed. - Do you understand, Duke, the deep essence of this order? - Philip asked and looked at Karl with extreme arrogance.
“I suppose so,” said Karl, bowing his head.
“Tell me, Mr. Minister, did I tell you this password exactly?” Philip asked the Minister.
“Yes, word for word!” confirmed de Louvois.
"I hope, Duke, you understand the significance of this fact," Philip said. "So I suppose you have no doubt as to whom you are speaking, and therefore what power do I have over you? I suppose you will take back your words about me not being who I claim to be."
Instead of answering, the Duke knelt down on one knee.
“Very well, I am satisfied!” replied Philippe. “You may rise from your knees. So you are guilty before me, and you know your guilt, it is beyond doubt. I intended to punish you severely. But I can forgive you. However, remember this well, I do not intend to decide your fate here and now. You will be taken to the Louvre, where I will have another interview with you, if I please. As a reminder to myself of this intention, I will give you a petition for your freedom, written by Marshal d’Artagnan, which I have not yet read, and do not intend to read, being here incognito. However, the Marshal and his friends assure me that, having studied it in detail, I will most likely forgive you completely. Well, I do not object, but Monsieur Marshal has a condition. He wishes to intercede for a friend of his, a guardsman named de Planches, who has been greatly offended by you. The fact is that the young relative of this guardsman, Jules de Brion, was deceived by your soldier recruiter named Monba. You must terminate the illegal recruitment of Jules de Brion and punish the swindler Monba. You must also compensate Jules de Brion for the money that your recruiter Monba tricked him into giving him, as well as moral damages, say, in the amount of a fifth of this amount. After that, deal with your Monba as much as you like.
“I will immediately write an order on this matter, if I retain my power in my duchy,” said the Duke.
"You are only temporarily arrested, consider that you are only detained for a conversation with me in the Louvre, or in the Bastille, I will decide this in Paris," answered Philip. "Thus, all your rights as a duke are preserved, unless you are tried and sentenced. Everything depends on my conversation with you in Paris, remember this. You will have to tell me absolutely everything, and in particular, retell this conversation of ours word for word, for until the very moment of this conversation I intend to forget it and not remember it, since it is not pleasant for me to remember the treason of my vassals.
“I will carry out your orders exactly, Your Majesty,” replied the Duke.
"Also remember the promise you made to the Duke of Alameda," added Philippe. "This man is in my service, as are the three other nobles present here, so everything that comes from them comes from me. Remember that!"
The Duke again knelt down on one knee.
“Very well, I am satisfied,” Philippe replied. “Count de la Fer, did you wish to add anything to what I said?”
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for allowing me to add a few words," said the Count, bowing with dignity. "I wish to console the Duke by informing him that in return for the opportunity to make a personal inspection of his casemates and even to spend the night in them, he is being given the equally educational opportunity of becoming acquainted with the casemates of the Bastille. I beg you, Duke, to consider this merely as a reciprocal courtesy that will allow you to satisfy your curiosity and compare your casemates with those of His Majesty. Do not linger there, Duke, therefore try to convince His Majesty, when we talk in Paris, that you no longer harbor the plans for which you were arrested, I hope temporarily.
“You, Monseigneur, probably also wanted to tell the Duke of Lorraine something?” asked Philippe, turning to Aramis.
"For my part, I wish to remind the Duke of the agreement reached and, as a gesture of goodwill, to give him another dose of the medicine, which he is to take exactly twenty-eight days from now," said Aramis. "I keep my promises, so keep yours."
After these words, Aramis handed the Duke a small box, which the Duke gladly accepted from Aramis.
“Mr. Marshal?” asked Philip.
"Here is a letter with my petition for you," said d'Artagnan. "If the matter with Jules de Brion is settled, I am ready to leave this letter with you so that you can hand it to His Majesty directly in Paris."
The Duke took the letter in his hands and read it carefully.
"Thank you, Count," said the Duke, when he had finished reading. "You are indeed very persuasive in my behalf." "I will write the promised order immediately, as soon as I have paper and pen."
“Barron, would you like to say a word of advice to the Duke of Lorraine?” asked Philippe.
“My lord Duke, I am not angry that the bed I was given for the night was too short and narrow, and that there was no mattress on the bed,” replied Porthos. “What happened, happened. I am also not angry that we had to go to bed hungry, without even a glass of Burgundy before bed. My parting words are simple. Respect and appreciate your King and do not eat seafood. If my friends want your freedom, then that is what I want too. God bless you!”

After this, the Duke wrote an order to eliminate the injustice towards Jules de Brion, they exchanged documents with d'Artagnan, Philippe put on his mask and all five left the house in which the Minister of War de Louvois was temporarily staying.
“Well, it seems we have done all that is necessary for the welfare and peace of France,” said Athos. “Where shall we go now?”
"We have done only what is necessary for the happiness of the King, and for the happiness and tranquility of Monseigneur the Prince," replied d'Artagnan. "But we have not yet done all that is in our power for the happiness and tranquility of France. The fate of the kingdom is now being decided in Holland."
"You speak of continuing the war?" asked Aramis. "What can we do about this problem for the happiness and tranquility of France?"
“We can finish it,” replied d’Artagnan. “After all, I am now a marshal, and we practically have the King of France with us!”
“Do you want to win it?” asked Athos.
“I didn’t say that,” replied d’Artagnan.
"I'm afraid to ask, do you want to lose it?" asked Aramis.
“Not only did I not say that, I didn’t even think it!” replied d’Artagnan.
"Are you going to make peace?" asked Porthos.
“Peace is made by monarchs, not marshals,” d’Artagnan objected.
"So how the hell do you want to end this war?" Aramis asked.
“Your Eminence, Lord Bishop, General of the Jesuit Order, you swear not like a prelate, but like a real musketeer,” said d’Artagnan reproachfully.
"I am a musketeer!" replied Aramis. "To the last drop of blood and to the last breath! So what are we going to do?"
“First we go to Holland,” replied d’Artagnan. “And then we’ll see.”
“With your ladies?” asked Porthos.
“We will ask the Princess of Monaco and Suzanne to wait for us in a more suitable place for ladies,” replied d’Artagnan. “I will try to persuade them.”
"Don't even try, you won't succeed!" said Athos, laughing. "These ladies are not the kind of people you can persuade to do something like that. I think the Princess of Monaco would give the Duchess of Montpensier a hundred points ahead, and as for Suzanne de Campredon, there are no comparisons."
"You are right, Athos, I do not hope to persuade them to remain in safety either," agreed d'Artagnan. "I only said that I would try to do so. If I do not even try to persuade them, I will never forgive myself for this, and if I do not succeed, then we can only rely on our luck, our courage and our friendship.
- And to our swords! - exclaimed Porthos.
“Well, as always, one for all?” asked Aramis.
“And all for one!” Athos, Porthos, and d’Artagnan answered in unison, as did Philippe, who had already learned the value of this musketeers’ motto and had memorized it.

Chapter LXVI. Causes of the War with the Spanish Netherlands, Part 1

So that our dear readers do not puzzle over how our friends could quickly move from Lorraine to Holland, we will explain that in those times, which we are talking about, the Spanish Netherlands, or Spanish Holland, was the name of the territory that, for the most part, since 1830, formed today's Belgium. This territory was controlled by Spain, so France bordered Spain not only in the south, but also in the north. In the northwest was located a fairly large, strong and influential state of Luxembourg. The history of the confrontation in Europe between the strongest and most influential states began with the division of his possessions between his sons by Charlemagne, as a result of which our poor France found itself surrounded by states ruled by the Habsburg dynasty. All attempts to establish peace through marriages linking the ruling houses of these states gave a very short and unstable result, since the peace established with such difficulty was broken due to differences in religious, economic, military, geopolitical and dynastic interests. Despite the close kinship of the ruling houses of the largest European states, Europe was constantly blazing with wars, and one should not think that religious considerations were the main ones in these wars. Thus, Catholic states easily entered into alliances with states where the reformist religion prevailed, in order to more successfully confront their brothers in faith.
Let us recall that the French royal dynasty was closely connected by blood with the houses of Italy, Spain, and England.
King Henry II was married to Catherine de' Medici, who bore him five sons, three of whom were to reign (the second son, Louis, died at the age of one), and daughters Elizabeth, Claude, Margot, who later became queen, Victoria (who lived only a month and a half), and Jeanne (stillborn). The House of Florence was influential because Catherine's father, Lorenzo II, was the nephew of Pope Leo X. The marriage did not bring dynastic benefits, as the influence of the House of Florence quickly faded. At first, the Queen was considered barren for a long time, since she could not produce an heir. For this reason (and perhaps not only for this reason) the King visited other women, so the birth of an illegitimate child to the King in 1537 led many to believe that Catherine was sterile. This could have been sufficient grounds for divorce, many advised the King to annul the marriage. However, Catherine finally managed to get pregnant. The heir, born on January 20, 1544, was named Francis in honor of his ruling grandfather, which pleased the King very much, who even shed tears of happiness when he learned of it. After her first pregnancy, Catherine no longer had problems with conception. The birth of four more boys strengthened the Valois dynasty, and Catherine herself, as a result, seemed to strengthen her position at the French court, no one then imagined that Catherine's sons would be the last French Kings of the Valois dynasty.
In 1556, during another birth, Catherine was supposed to give birth to twins, but due to the weakness of the medicine of that time, after Victoria's birth, the second of the twins died in the womb. In order to extract the dead baby, the obstetricians, saving the life of the mother in labor, were forced to break her legs. Nevertheless, the baby was christened Jeanne and buried with due honors. However, the second girl, Victoria, was destined to live only one and a half months.
After such a difficult birth, the doctors recommended the royal couple to refrain from conceiving new children, as a result of which King Henry II stopped visiting his wife's bedroom, and devoted all his male gallantry to his favorite Diane de Poitiers. The children of this relationship, Fran;oise de Br;z; and Louise de Br;z;, also entered the already vast circle of the royal family. Fran;oise married Robert de la Marck, Duke of Bouillon, and Louise - Claude of Lorraine, Marquis of Mayenne, whom our dear readers probably remember from the book "Forty-five", since the Marquis of Mayenne was burning with a passionate desire to kill the jester of Henry III, Jean-Antoine d'Angleret, better known by the name of Chicot. This same Chicot was the maternal grandfather of the Chevalier d'Herblay, better known to our reader by the name of Aramis.
Thus, since Henry II had turned his attention to Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Medici-Valois, despite having brilliantly fulfilled the main mission of the Queen, having given the King five male children, found herself in the humiliating position of an abandoned woman, she was extremely infringed in her rights while her husband, King Henry II, was alive, openly making his mistress Diane de Poitiers the de facto Queen. This was all the more humiliating because, being the legitimate wife, Queen Catherine de Medici was forced to please even this mistress and hide her resentment and hatred.
The position of the King's favorite and mistress of his heart for Diane de Poitiers ended in 1559, when Henry II was accidentally killed at a tournament by the Count of Montgomery. The King, who had received a fatal wound in the eye from a spear fragment, was still alive when Queen Catherine de Medici had already ordered Diane to leave Paris, having first given her all the jewels that Henry had given her. This was in accordance with an ancient tradition: with the death of the King, all his gifts were returned to the royal treasury, a rule that made no exceptions even for members of the royal family, his wife and children. Diane de Poitiers tried to object, hoping that the King would recover, but was forced to return everything the next day, the day of Henry II's death.
After Henry II, the eldest son of Catherine and Henry, Francis II, was proclaimed King, whom the Guises managed to marry to Mary Stewart, the daughter of the King of England James V and his French wife Mary of Guise. Thus, the wife of Francis II was directly related to the House of Lorraine, and could also formally claim to inherit the English crown. This intricate dynastic marriage promised an incredible rise for the Valois dynasty, was attractive both to the Dukes of Lorraine and to England. However, Francis II died at a young age childless, the crown went to his brother Charles IX, who was also very dependent on the will of his mother, Catherine de Medici. Apparently, God cursed the Valois dynasty, since none of Catherine de Medici's sons left legitimate male heirs, so the crown of France passed to the next of kin, Henry of Bourbon of Navarre, the King's closest male relative, and also his son-in-law, since he was married to Catherine and Henry II's daughter Margaret. It must be said that Henry II was very kind to his young namesake. When Antoine de Bourbon first brought him to court, the King said: "I will be your father," to which the impudent Henry replied: "I already have a father," and pointed to Antoine, King of Navarre. Henry II was not at all offended and said: "Then I will be your father-in-law," to which Henry respectfully agreed, kneeling down. After this, the question of the marriage between Guernich of Navarre and Margaret of Valois was a done deal.
The crown that fell from the hands of the last of the Valois, Henry III, Henry IV received not only by right of closest kinship, and not only as the son-in-law of the Queen Mother, but also in full accordance with the last will of Henry III himself, who called him brother. His mother-in-law, Catherine de Medici, did not oppose this either, because, contrary to common sense and the difference in age, she did not feel maternal feelings for her son-in-law.
Catherine, burning with passion for her young son-in-law, saved him from the Guises, who hated him as the main military commander and formal leader of the Huguenots. Several times she directly hinted at this to Henry. Once at a reception, when Henry was still only the King of small Navarre, she told him that she could satisfy any of his desires, and he could have anything he saw next to him. Her whole look at him at the same time urged him to be insolent. Henry replied: "There is nothing in this room that I would dream of." A similar situation was repeated later and under different circumstances, but instead of hating Henry, Catherine only began to treat her own daughter Margot worse, seeing her as a rival. Truly, the feelings of some women are inscrutable!
However, despite the support of Catherine de Medici, in order to become King of France, Henry had to accept the Catholic faith, publicly renouncing the Huguenot religion. Nevertheless, Henry, who was then called Henry IV, tried his best to introduce religious tolerance and for this purpose even issued the Edict of Nantes, allowing the Huguenots to practice their religion, but not in the capital or in the major cities of France. The de facto capital of the Huguenots became the fortress city of La Rochelle. Since Queen Margot was childless, which was probably facilitated by the extremely stormy and varied personal life of her youth, which included the use of all sorts of methods to get rid of an unwanted fetus, Henry divorced his barren wife and took Marie de Medici as his wife. The new Queen, an Italian, like Catherine de Medici, possessed to some extent the family traits of this house. In turn, Maria de Medici was the sixth child (and sixth daughter) of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Francesco I and his wife Joanna of Austria, Archduchess of Austria.

Chapter LXVII. Causes of the War with the Spanish Netherlands, Part 2

King Henry IV was a truly gallant man. By his lawful wife Marie de Medici he had six children: Louis XIII the Just, King of France; Elizabeth de Bourbon (Isabelle of France), Queen of Spain by her marriage to Philip IV, King of Spain; Christina de Bourbon, Duchess of Savoy by her marriage to Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy; Nicolas de Bourbon, Duke of Orleans, who died at the age of four; Gaston de Bourbon, Duke of Orleans, married firstly to Marie de Bourbon-Montpensier, daughter of Henry de Montpensier (in his second marriage he married Margaret, Princess of Lorraine) and Henrietta Maria de Bourbon, who married Charles I Stuart, King of England and thus became Queen of England.
From this our readers see what kind of family ties intertwined the ruling families of Europe.
Moreover, the gallant King Henry IV left children from his morganatic relationships.
Gabrielle d'Estr;es gave birth to three children for the illustrious King, not counting the stillborn son of 1599: C;sar, Duke of Vend;me, who married Fran;oise of Lorraine; Catherine Henrietta, known as "Mademoiselle de Vend;me", who married Charles II of Lorraine, Duke of Elbeuf, Count of Arlencourt, and who bore six children in this marriage; and Alexandre de Vend;me, known as "Chevalier de Vend;me", Grand Prior of the Order of Malta, who in 1626 took part in a conspiracy against Cardinal Richelieu, for which he was imprisoned in the Ch;teau de Vincennes, where he died.
Henrietta d'Entragues gave birth to two children for Henry: Henri de Bourbon, Duke of Verneuil, Bishop of Metz, and Gabrielle-Ang;lique de Verneuil (21 January 1603-1627), wife of the Duke of Epernon.
The King also had children from other favourites: Antoine de Bourbon (1607-1632), Count de Moret, abbot of the monastery of Saint-Etienne, born of the lovely Jacqueline de Beil de Moret,
Jeanne Battista de Bourbon (1608-1670), Abbess of Fontevrault, given to the King by Charlotte Desessart; Marie Henriette de Bourbon, Abbess of Chelles Abbey, also by Charlotte Desessart; Marthe-Marie de B;arn, who married Daniel Dupuy, Seigneur de Portet, and a son, Gideon, by Esther Imbert, who died at the age of one year. The King's most famous mistresses, who left him no issue: Florette de N;rac, Charlotte de Sauve, Fran;oise de Montmorency-Foss;, Diane d'Andouin ("Beautiful Corisande"), Antoinette de Pont, Marie-Fran;oise de La Bourdaisiere, Marie-Charlotte de Balzac d'Entragues, Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorency. All these ladies tried very hard to make the King happy with offspring, but they either failed to conceive, or their children died in early infancy. The reliably confirmed list of Henry IV's lovers consists of 32 noble ladies, not counting his two legitimate wives. However, the amorous King was destined to die not at the hands of a deceived cuckolded husband, but from the dagger of the Catholic fanatic Fran;ois Ravaillac.
So, as we see, the glorious King left behind quite a few people who could proudly claim that the blood of the great King Henry IV flowed in their veins, but only the eldest of the legitimate sons, Louis, received the crown of France on this basis. The rest of the offspring of the great King only posed a problem for the first minister of France, Cardinal Richelieu, who devoted his entire life to creating a strong kingdom in which everything would be subordinated to the single will of the monarch. Having instead of this ideal a whole camarilla of dukes and princes claiming their share of power, he managed to rein them all in during his not so long reign, building a single and almost indestructible system of monarchy, subordinated to the single will of the King. This activity of his was hampered not only by his enemies, but also by people who called him friends, and more than anyone else, this purposeful activity of the great cardinal was hampered by the one who was most interested in it and should, it would seem, have helped it to the greatest extent. This person, this main obstacle to Richelieu's activity, was Louis XIII himself. The most important hindering factor was his indulgence to the intrigues of his brother, Gaston of Orleans, and his wife, Anne of Austria. However, let us set out everything in order.
After the treacherous murder of Henry IV by Ravaillac, France was ruled for some time by his crowned widow, Queen Marie de Medici, who relied on her lover, the Italian Concino Concini, Marshal d'Ancre. This was all the easier for the Queen because she had raised her son, Louis, to be weak-willed and docile precisely so that he would not interfere with his mother's sole rule, as her relative and predecessor, the Queen Mother Catherine de Medici, had done in her time.
Therefore, immediately after the death of Henry IV, the political direction of the ruling circles of France changed. The line of the so-called sanctimonious people prevailed, who, in contrast to the comrades of Henry IV, relied on an alliance with the House of Habsburg. It was precisely in order to create the closest ties, in particular, with Spain, that Marie de Medici achieved a double marriage between the heirs of the French and Spanish crowns. Dauphin Louis received as his wife the daughter of the King of Spain Philip III, Anne of Austria, who received this prefix to her name as a sign that she was also the heir to the Austrian throne on her mother's side. At the same time, the Dauphin of Spain, the future Philip IV, received as his wife the daughter of Henry IV, Elizabeth (Isabel) de Bourbon. It would seem that France and Spain had now become allies forever. But it only seemed so.
Marie de Medici had no plans to give the young Louis XIII full power. She intended to continue ruling with the help of her favorite Concino Concini, but on April 24, 1617, the captain of the royal guard de Vitry, on the orders of Louis XIII, killed the all-powerful marshal. The fact that he was accompanied by two hundred armed nobles did not save the marshal. De Vitry and his two sons, hiding pistols under their cloaks, let the marshal go ahead, cutting him off from his retinue of bodyguards, and then killed him outright. Contrary to fears, when the marshal fell and cries of "Long live the King!" were proclaimed, the guards offered no resistance and did not try to seize the conspirators. At this point, Louis XIII became the de facto king of France, he arrested the wife of Marshal d'Ancre, and also placed his own mother, Queen Marie de Medici, under house arrest.
After Louis became the de facto King of France, he governed the country for some time with the help of his favorite de Luynes, the first husband of Marie de Rohan, the future Duchess of Chevreuse. However, he devoted more time to entertainment, the most favorite of which was hunting.
De Luynes introduced Louis to the Bishop of Lu;on, the future Cardinal Richelieu. In addition, the bishop also gained the trust of Marie de Medici, who liked him very much. We cannot exclude the possibility that an extremely trusting relationship was established between the future Cardinal Richelieu and the Queen Mother, which in other circumstances we would call family, if we were not talking about the royal person. However, Marie de Medici soon ceased to be a bridge to the top of power for Richelieu, but turned into a burden. For a long time, Louis himself treated him with great distrust precisely because Richelieu was for some time a close friend and assistant of the Queen. Nevertheless, Richelieu's talent and hard work helped him achieve what he wanted and take the highest place in the hierarchy of France that he could only aspire to. If at first the King reluctantly signed the recommendations for the appointment of Richelieu as a cardinal, sent to the Pope, and attached to them secret instructions in which he asked the Pope to refuse this appointment, then seeing that Richelieu did not get along with Marie de Medici and was completely ready to serve only him, Louis, he renewed this petition in a completely different tone, sincerely and without secret additions, which was this time satisfied by the Pope, as a result of which Bishop Richelieu of Lu;on became a Cardinal.
In full accordance with Richelieu's plans, Louis XIII reoriented policy towards rapprochement with England, for which purpose Henrietta Maria, the King's sister, was married to Charles I, King of England.

Chapter LXVIII. Causes of the War with the Spanish Netherlands, Part 3

Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu rose to power with great zeal and great difficulty. His father, Fran;ois du Plessis, the Provost Marshal of France, had served Henry III of Valois and was with him on the day of his assassination. In the service of the new King, Henry IV of Bourbon, Fran;ois du Plessis distinguished himself in several battles and became captain of the king's bodyguard, but on July 19, 1590, at the age of forty-two, he passed away, leaving five-year-old Armand Jean and his siblings in the care of his wife, Suzanne, n;e de La Porte. By this time, Armand Jean had an older brother, twelve-year-old Henri, and nine-year-old twins Alphonse-Louis and Isabelle, as well as younger sisters, four-year-old Fran;oise and three-year-old Nicole. For some time, Armand Jean was educated at the family castle of Richelieu, after which he was sent to the College of Navarre, where he studied rhetoric, philosophy and other sciences. Having graduated from the college in 1600 and received the title of Marquis du Scilloux, he entered the military academy, but two years later, due to the refusal of his elder brother Alphonse to take monastic vows, he was forced to become the Bishop of Lu;on so that the hereditary position, the ownership of which was the property of the family, would not disappear, and the income from this position allowed the entire family to be supported, so it was impossible to allow this position to fall into the wrong hands. Armand received the office of bishop before reaching the required age, however, the Pope, to whom Armand confessed this only after his confirmation in it, when the Pope asked if the new bishop had anything to report, having heard such a revelation, forgave him this sin, noting that since the young man had demonstrated sufficiently deep knowledge, elevating him above his peers, then receiving the title of bishop before his peers would only be fair. May our readers forgive us for this excursion into the youth of the great cardinal, since this will allow us to better understand his character, and, consequently, the struggle that he waged throughout his life.
Without going into further details of the life of this great man, we will only report that he devoted all his efforts to concentrating power in France in a single hand, the hands of the King, who, due to his weakness, did not want and could not use this power properly. Therefore, Richelieu himself, as the first minister, did what a monarch should do. He took care of the strength of the state, its prosperity, its unity and economic and military development, without which it was simply impossible to exist in those days, and, probably, no state will do without it in the future, since all international treaties are observed only as long as both parties are strong enough to demand their observance. During his reign, Richelieu concluded seventy-four international treaties, including four with England, twelve with Holland, fifteen with the German principalities, six with Sweden, twelve with Savoy, six with the Pope, four with Lorraine, one with Switzerland, one with Portugal, two with the rebels of Catalonia and Roussillon, one with Russia, and two with Morocco. All of these treaties were aimed, in one way or another, at strengthening France and weakening the opposing Habsburg coalition.
The main opponent of these treaties and this policy was Queen Anne of Austria, who belonged to the Habsburg court by origin and sought to promote the strengthening of the power of her relatives contrary to the interests of her own kingdom. Despite the fact that Richelieu was Anne's confessor, that is, he should have had the greatest influence on her through the Catholic faith, Anne opposed everything that came from him and sought any means of eliminating him, usually physically. Her main ally in this was the King's brother, Duke Gaston of Orleans. Having learned that the goal of the first of the largest conspiracies, known as the Chalais conspiracy, was not only the elimination of Richelieu, but also the elimination of Louis XIII himself with the subsequent marriage of Anne and Gaston with the aim of this couple's accession to the throne, Louis did not believe Anne's assurances that she was not privy to these details of the plan, after which trust was lost between Louis and Anne forever. Having remained barren for a long time, Anne lived under the threat of divorce with the consent of the Pope, since the highest mission of any Queen is to ensure the continuation of the dynasty, that is, at least she had to give birth to one male child, which did not happen for a long time. For this reason, the numerous relatives of the King believed that the throne could become vacant at any moment due to some misfortune with the King, which prompted them to tirelessly intrigue, dividing this prize that had not yet fallen as if the throne was already empty. Louis XIII himself showed a keen interest in this dangerous game from time to time. It seemed that he was sometimes even on the side of the conspirators, since he dreamed of getting rid of the tyranny of the all-powerful first minister - at least this is how it seemed to everyone around him, including his wife and brother. In fact, Louis could not sympathize with the conspirators, firstly, since the conspiracies, as a rule, were directed not only at Richelieu, but also at Louis himself, and secondly, Richelieu cleverly used the most difficult historical moments, including the moments after the exposure of yet another conspiracy, in order to demonstratively propose to the King that Richelieu relinquish all responsibilities for governing the state. Louis, who at that very moment understood that he owed his salvation only to the cardinal, received huge piles of documents requiring analysis and decision-making, to which Richelieu dropped a comment, the essence of which boiled down to the fact that, sparing His Majesty's precious time, he brought only the most urgent matters that needed to be resolved as soon as possible. As a result, the same thing was repeated: a frightened Louis begged Richelieu not to resign and endowed him with even greater powers than he had possessed before the exposure of the conspiracy.
Another curious fact is that it was always purely by chance that conspiracies, seemingly carefully composed by determined and active people, were exposed. In one case, de Chalais himself carelessly bragged about the upcoming murder of a cardinal and his role in this matter to his uncle, who immediately rushed to inform the cardinal about it. In another case, during the de Saint-Mars conspiracy, the cardinal inexplicably got hold of a copy and even the original of the treaty between the conspirators and Spain, in which Gaston of Orleans promised, upon becoming governor, to return to Spain all the lands conquered by Louis. Historians are breaking lances, putting forward one version after another about how Richelieu received this treaty. The assumption about a wrecked ship, an intercepted courier, etc., etc. were put into play. Historians did not pay attention to several important facts. Firstly, absolutely all the conspiracies against Richelieu were exposed before the moment when the events could have become fatal for the one against whom they were directed. Secondly, the reason for the exposure of these conspiracies was always an extremely fortunate coincidence of circumstances (or an unfortunate one for those who sympathized with these conspiracies). Thirdly, in all cases the most active initiators (but never the executors) of these conspiracies were the King's wife Anne of Austria and the King's brother the Duke of Orleans. Fourthly, in all cases both of these persons, standing closest to the throne, actively repented and were always forgiven by the King at the humble request of the cardinal. Thus, a strange picture arises - two royal persons who could have received, it would seem, the greatest benefits from the conspiracy, themselves never did anything to carry out the conspiracies, but always did everything possible to incite other conspirators to them. The cardinal, who, it would seem, should have understood perfectly well that as long as these two men existed and as long as they retained their position under the King, their actual power, and as long as their potential power was many times greater in the event of the success of such conspiracies, until that very moment the cardinal’s life itself remained in incredible danger.
Let us consider an interesting episode of the alleged attempt on the life of the cardinal in Amiens. Historians claim that the Duke of Orleans and the Count of Soissons intended to kill the cardinal. To do this, they had to wait for an opportunity when the cardinal himself would be unarmed, and Louis would not be nearby, since the conspirators would not dare to kill the cardinal in the presence of the King. Then a fantastic picture occurred. Twice in three days the cardinal was defenseless, surrounded by his enemies, and the King himself was far away. This was exactly the situation the conspirators were waiting for. But, strangely enough, the King's brother, Gaston of Orleans, who was supposed to give the sign to the conspirators, never gave this sign. Unable to withstand the nervous tension, he went home to Blois. Of course, this time too, all the conspirators were exposed, Gaston and Anne repented and were forgiven, the rest of the conspirators were punished. The punishment for all others except Anne and Gaston was either execution or imprisonment, from which not all of those punished were released. The most severe punishment for Gaston and Anne was short-term exile.
Historians explain this by the fact that until Anne bore an heir, she was not only the King's wife, but also the only hope for the appearance of an heir, and Gaston was formally the heir to the crown, so he could not be severely punished in accordance with the severity of his guilt.

Chapter LXIX. Causes of the War with the Spanish Netherlands, Part 4

We ask our dear readers to forgive us our impudence, but, comparing all these facts, we see several riddles that are easily solved if we assume that both Gaston of Orleans and Anne of Austria were the very same people who revealed to the cardinal the essence of the conspiracies and the names of the conspirators even before the cardinal "accidentally" revealed these conspiracies in other ways and "miraculously" escaped death. As the Queen's confessor, the cardinal regularly conversed with her, and the conversation had to take place without witnesses, and the cardinal had the right to ask the most delicate questions, while Anne was obliged to answer with the utmost frankness. Perhaps the naive Anne believed that by telling of her silent approval of the conspiracy or at least of the non-disclosure of the conspiracy, which she allegedly learned about by accident, she hoped that if she did not name any names, the cardinal would not guess what and who she was talking about, but by virtue of his duties as a confessor, he would set her on the right path and forgive her sins already committed and those for the commission of which she was only just preparing. We can hardly call Anne of Austria so naive that she blindly trusted the secret of confession and for this reason, although she was sincere with the cardinal, she did not see any harm to the conspirators in this sincerity. Let us recall that Anne was a devout Catholic, so she would not have dared to deceive the confessor. Consequently, she had to make a choice between eternal hellfire for deceit in confession or the disclosure of the conspiracy in confession and eternal salvation. If Anne could not and did not want to confess to the cardinal, she could probably have achieved that the King would change her confessor, who had been imposed on her by her mother-in-law, Marie de Medici. Probably, it would have been only pleasant for Louis to cancel another order of the Queen Mother, proving his truly royal will. If she did not reject the cardinal as a confessor, then there were reasons for this. And we see one very important reason in this - the need to be sure that she would invariably be forgiven by the King due to the intercession of the cardinal. It remains to understand the reason for this invariable intercession of the one at whom these conspiracies were directed. If we admit that Anne of Austria was an involuntary or even more so a voluntary source of information about all the dangers of the conspiracies, then it becomes clear that the cardinal was vitally interested in preserving not only Anne's life and freedom, but also her high position with the King. The fact that Anne was to bear an heir to the crown was hardly essential for the cardinal, since until the heir was born there were grounds to suspect Anne of sterility, and in that case the Pope would easily grant a divorce, and getting rid of the Queen, who was constantly hatching plans for murder, would be a blessing for the cardinal. And after the birth of the heir, the need for the Queen to be near the King disappeared even more. Thus, the explanations of the reasons for the cardinal's intercession before the King for the Queen, given by historians, do not stand up to any criticism, whereas if we admit that the cardinal saw in her a voluntary or involuntary source of timely information about the conspiracies being prepared, then such behavior of the cardinal looks quite reasonable and justified. The same considerations come to mind with regard to the Duke of Orleans. The fact that before the birth of the Dauphin he was considered the heir to the throne in no way made him inviolable. On the contrary, it made him the most dangerous for the King. And after the birth of the Dauphin, the Duke was no longer the heir to the throne, so there was even less need to take him into account. History provides many examples of a monarch dealing with a disobedient wife and even with his own eldest son, so the extraordinary favor and constant forgiveness of Louis towards his absolutely unloved wife and far from beloved brother can be explained as a concession to the cardinal, and nothing else. If Richelieu had insisted on house arrest or even imprisonment in one of the castles of the Queen and Monsieur, he, in all likelihood, could have persuaded Louis to such a decision, especially since all such conspiracies planned, at a minimum, the overthrow of Louis himself, and a detailed investigation always showed that the conspirators did not rule out, and even directly planned, the murder of the King.
If we admit for a moment that we are right, we shall no longer be surprised that Gaston d'Orl;ans did not give the order to murder the cardinal when all the circumstances were favorable, considering that it was precisely such circumstances that the conspirators were waiting for and were deliberately acting in such a way that such circumstances would arise. For Gaston, who had made a secret agreement with Richelieu, according to which the King's brother pledged not to take part personally in the conspiracies, but to pretend that he supported them, in order to know everything possible both about the conspiracies themselves and about the conspirators, while in return Richelieu would guarantee Gaston's personal safety and even, to a large extent, if possible, the preservation of all privileges, for such a Gaston, we repeat, his behavior was entirely natural. Natural in this case was also the behavior of Richelieu, who was not afraid to be left alone with his enemies, since he knew perfectly well that not everyone with whom he was left alone was in fact his enemy.
Most likely, Gaston took the path of betrayal to the conspirators in fear that the Queen could inform the Cardinal about the plot, and then Gaston's punishment would be much more severe. Most likely, the Queen herself was in a hurry to reveal all the information to the Cardinal in fear that he would find out everything without her, that is, from Gaston. Not trusting each other, these two, apparently, were in a hurry to get ahead of each other, so the Cardinal was not afraid of them, since he held them very tightly in his hands. The Duchess de Chevreuse, who also always avoided serious punishment, and without whose intrigues no conspiracy took place, is also organically attached to this pair. Probably, she also chose the policy of serving two masters. Summarizing all that has been said, it can be assumed that all these numerous, senseless and doomed to failure and merciless suppression conspiracies, quite probably, matured in the heads of this trinity not by chance, but all of them were suggested by the cardinal himself, who alone derived exceptional benefit from them. Firstly, he caught all of his more or less influential enemies with this bait, secondly, as a result of the exposure of each conspiracy, he each time rose, concentrating in his hands more and more state power. It is quite possible that the first conspiracy took place without his participation and was exposed by a lucky chance for the cardinal. But it cannot be ruled out that all subsequent conspiracies were organized personally by him, with the goal of getting rid of hidden enemies. In any case, the last conspiracy, the conspiracy of the King's favorite de Cinq-Mars, who had risen so high that the King called him by the simple title of "Chief," and had already become in the eyes of Louis XIII and therefore in the eyes of the entire court camarilla a person more important than Cardinal Richelieu. De Cinq-Mars himself did not need this conspiracy, he should have simply waited a few months until the death of the cardinal from natural causes would remove this rival from his path. Instead, de Cinq-Mars got involved in this conspiracy, which finally ruined him. Taking our point of view, my readers will probably agree that this conspiracy was the last and great victory of the cardinal, and therefore, perhaps, also another successful genius project aimed at eliminating the most powerful rival, in the past the prot;g; of Richelieu himself, who refused to fulfill these functions, took the path of disobedience and opposition, because he felt his independence due to the extraordinary favor of the King.
We would only like to add to the picture we have drawn that it is absurd to claim that the King's presence prevented the conspirators from killing Richelieu, since their plans included killing not only Richelieu but also the King himself. If they had decided to kill both, the order of the murders would no longer have mattered. On the contrary, in this case they could be sure that they would kill both rulers who were hindering the execution of their plans. In this case, they could not fear that the King would punish them for killing the cardinal, since they were also going to deal with the King. Therefore, it turns out that the conspirators did not really plan to kill the King, but only planned to kill Cardinal Richelieu. Where did the information come from each time that the conspirators also planned to kill the King, if in fact they were only trying to kill the cardinal? The answer is simple. This conclusion was made on the basis of the confessions of the repentant pseudo-leaders of the conspiracy, Queen Anne and Gaston of Orleans. Pretending to be the ideological leaders of such conspirators as de Chalais, de Saint-Mars and others, they brought them to a situation where they were finally discredited, and proving their guilt was no problem, and then they gave testimony according to which the conspiracy extended not only to the cardinal, but also to the King himself. With the help of such conspiracies, the cardinal achieved several important results. Firstly, he got rid of potential enemies. Secondly, he avoided danger in a timely manner. Thirdly, each time the conspiracy was exposed, his position with Louis was strengthened. Fourthly, he also acquired power over Anne and Gaston.
We could, of course, assume that this statesman was so short-sighted that, having the power to deal with his enemies, and realizing that their actions regularly threatened his life, nevertheless, not only spared them, but also saved them, interceding for them before the King, but we cannot assume such short-sightedness in a man such as Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu.
This man did not simply lead the King of France, nor did he simply lead the politics of France. We are talking now about a man who shaped the history of Europe from the capture of the Huguenot stronghold of La Rochelle in 1628 until the very last day of his life, that is, until December 4, 1642, when he left this mortal world at the age of 57 years and 3 months.
This man drew up a decree that granted noble privileges to merchants on the condition that they maintain a ship of at least two hundred tons for trade for at least five years. These privileges were also transferred to the entire family upon the death of such merchants, provided that at least one of the heirs continued their business. Before Richelieu, it was humiliating for nobles to engage in trade and other profitable activities; Richelieu elevated this occupation to the rank of honor, giving the right to nobility. Before Richelieu, officer positions could only be obtained for nobility; Richelieu introduced a system according to which "a soldier, according to his merits, can rise to positions and ranks of detachment commanders, from rank to rank, up to captain, and even further, if he proves worthy," as stated in Article 229 of the "Michaud Code", drawn up by order of the cardinal. This man captured all the outlying fortresses and ordered them to be razed to the ground, sparing, however, the historical landmarks in them, destroying only the defensive structures and filling in the ditches. These measures concerned only those fortresses that had defensive structures facing the territory of France, and did not concern fortresses serving to defend the territory of France from an external enemy.
Richelieu received the cardinal's robe, sent by the Pope, from the hands of the papal legate, Giulio Mazarin. This same papal legate, Giulio Mazarin, had come as a papal envoy to baptize the young Dauphin, the future Louis XIV. This same Mazarin had come to present peace proposals from Spain, knowing that Richelieu would reject them, and when asked whether Mazarin expected them to be accepted, he replied that he had no hope of that.
“Then why have you come?” Richelieu asked in surprise.
“To see the great man once more!” answered Mazarin and bowed his head before the cardinal.
Richelieu could not help but notice such a man, and when his faithful friend Father Joseph, called the grey cardinal, died, Richelieu remembered Mazarin and took him into his service, and, dying, bequeathed the cunning Italian to the King as the best replacement for himself.
Of course, when he became first minister, Cardinal Mazarin continued the policy of his predecessor, Cardinal Richelieu, but by other means. He replaced intimidation and punitive measures with seduction and bribery. And it worked until the money ran out, and when it ran out, he needed Fouquet with his ability to squeeze money out of anyone.
This is why France never ceased to gain strength due to the impulse of centralization given by Richelieu. Instead of elected governors, the provinces were governed by governors appointed by the prime minister and therefore completely subordinate to him, so instead of a patchwork quilt, each patch of which was ruled by its own duke or margrave, France acquired the features of a single state that would not allow itself to be offended by its neighbors, such as Spain and the Holy Roman Empire, which was essentially a German empire.
Richelieu suppressed the Huguenots in his own country, but did not destroy them, but only subjugated them, eliminating their isolated freemen. At the same time, he actively used the Huguenots of other countries and entire Huguenot countries to fight the Habsburg encirclement.
It is not surprising that such a man would radically interfere with the fate of two twins born on the French throne, leaving one as the Dauphin and heir to the French crown, while condemning the other to eternal imprisonment and obscurity.
It is also not surprising that such a man concluded treaties against those who threatened the freedom and independence of France, while not shying away from concluding treaties with them, his enemies, if it was advantageous here and now.
Since in 1635 the Holy Roman Empire invaded the territory of the Trier region, with which France had a treaty, and since, according to this treaty, France was obliged to defend this territory, a war broke out between France and the Spanish Netherlands, which was called the Thirty Years' War, since it lasted thirty years.
In fact, it did not end, but only moved from a hot stage to a cooler one, then back to hot, and so on.
Marshal d'Artagnan decided to end this war. Athos, Porthos and Aramis joined his decision, as did the King's brother, Louis-Philippe, who by the will of fate had to share their campaign in Spanish Holland because Marshal of France Count Charles d'Artagnan had decided so.

Chapter LXX. The Evening Visit

The Duchess de Chevreuse was a little bored, since her now measured, and previously very stormy life had not been disturbed by anything for two weeks. Therefore, she was enlivened when she heard that the doors of her luxurious home in one of the wings of the Louvre, provided to her by the King, opened and Louis XIV himself appeared in person.
- Ah, Your Majesty! - exclaimed the Duchess. - What a surprise and what a joy! Unfortunately, I have nothing to treat you with, and I am not quite dressed for such a visit.
“It’s a trifle, Duchess,” the King waved his hand. “I came to talk casually, without formality, in a family way, as if I were my mother’s best friend.”
“Nothing could be more flattering and at the same time more pleasant to me than such a visit!” exclaimed the Duchess, anticipating some intrigue, or at least hoping to hear new information that might prove useful, or at least interesting.
“Duchess, since by chance you are initiated into the most important secret of the royal house, and my confidence in you has been justified by the most active assistance at the very moment when I most needed it, I would have spoken to you without fear of certain subjects connected with it, but lately it seems to me that even the walls of the Louvre have ears.
“Drive away the dwarf Preval, Your Majesty, and your secrets will be safer,” advised the Duchess.
“The Louvre is simply teeming with spies like Preval,” the King objected. “Preval is already good for this, that I know to whom he reports what he manages to find out, and in this case I can use him for my own purposes against his will. If I drive him away, two others, more clever, will appear in his place, about whom I will not know whom they serve and for what purpose. However, you are right, Preval has gone too far. But if you know about him, perhaps you will name the names of the others?”
"My God!" cried the Duchess. "Take the lists of your courtiers, and you will have a list of spies who eavesdrop and sniff out everything they can."
"Who do they work for, Duchess?" asked the King without a shadow of surprise.
"Everyone has their own master, or even two or three," said the Duchess, shrugging her shoulders. "It would be easier to list those who work for no one but themselves."
“Are there any like that?” asked the King.
"There are not many at Your Majesty's court who do not report anything they have learned, either by accident or on purpose," replied the Duchess. "Apart from me, who does not share information with anyone without sufficient grounds, I would only name Count d'Artagnan and, perhaps, Colbert. However, I cannot vouch for the second, since it is quite possible that he too is part of some coalition, and in that case he is simply obliged to share some confidential information."
"Then it follows that we are not destined to talk without someone eavesdropping?" asked the King, looking around the walls of the apartment, especially at the curtains and the wardrobes.
"Oh, rest assured, no one is listening to me!" cried the Duchess. "The whole world already considers Marie de Chevreuse a lost cause, and no one is interested in me."
- In that case, I would like to discuss a letter with you, but there is no need to read it aloud, - said Louis. - Here is this letter, it was brought to me by a man whom I ordered arrested. You will understand who is being discussed from the text of this letter.
“Even without looking at the letter, I understood that it was about a rebellious old man,” the Duchess replied, after which, with her lips barely audible, she added: “Charles of Lorraine.”
“Exactly so,” the King confirmed and handed the letter to the Duchess.
This letter was addressed to His Royal Majesty and signed by Marshal d'Artagnan.
The Duchess unfolded the paper and read the following.

"Your Royal Majesty!

IV of Lorraine, who is under arrest on suspicion of plotting to commit a conspiracy and who, if necessary, will confirm the truth of the facts I have stated.
Having found a man who could serve as a means for rebellion, let us call him F., the said Charles, apparently, had no other goals than to return to himself the full power over the Duchy of Lorraine. Charles II recognizes this intention as illegal, since he agrees that after March 29, 1641, in accordance with the agreement signed in Paris between the Duke of Lorraine and your father, King Louis XIII, the Duchy of Lorraine is a full vassal of France.
The Duke acknowledges that he had no other intentions, and that he has completely abandoned this intention under the pressure of circumstances that have arisen as a result of the visit of Messrs. the Count de la F;re, the Duke d'Alameda, and the Baron du Valon. Mr. F., who could have assisted in this daring plan, voluntarily left the Duke's palace, where he was held by force, and also by the threat of harm to a lady for whom the said F. has the strongest spiritual inclination. At the present time, this lady has also received her freedom, so that the Duke is deprived of any means of continuing the rebellion. In addition, the Duke d'Alameda has confirmed and strengthened his authority and his indisputable power over the actions of Duke Charles of Lorraine, which power Charles absolutely and unconditionally recognizes.
In connection with these circumstances, I can guarantee the Duke’s complete obedience to Your Majesty in the future, as well as a guarantee of preserving the information known to you and not disseminating it even among the closest people, including the Duke’s wife.
As for Mr. F., I inform you that his arrival in France was carried out against his will, as a result of the betrayal of envoys sent without your sanction to investigate the circumstances of the case by an official known to you in a state known to you.
Mr. F.'s stay in France will end as quickly as possible, immediately after he has settled his personal questions, which concern only his cordial attachment and friendly feelings towards the lady in question. Both parties to this affair, Mr. F. and his lady, have no ambitions in politics and therefore do not represent any danger to the monarchy.
I ask your permission to act according to circumstances for the good of France and I inform you that even having all the possibilities to settle all questions at our own discretion, including questions under the jurisdiction of the Minister of War, the Marquis de Louvois, since - happy is the King with such servants! - the Marquis recognized the possibility and necessity of obeying, we, however, did not use these circumstances for any interference in the course of events, did not dare to use them to cancel any of the highest orders, decisions and orders, and left everything exclusively to the discretion of the one to whom the Lord has destined to decide the fate of the state and its subjects.
If, in view of the circumstances set forth, Your Majesty deems it possible to restore the Duke's freedom, we shall accept this circumstance as the happiest for him and shall be glad to see peace established among the highest nobility of France. If, in addition to the above, Your Majesty finds fault with the Duke and rejects our humble petition, may the King's justice be done!

I remain devoted to you
Marshal of France Charles d'Artagnan."
 
"This letter was composed by d'Artagnan and Aramis together," said the Duchess. "Some of the sentences are clearly written by Aramis."
After this, the Duchess marked a few lines on the letter with her fingernail.
"What do you say to that, Duchess?" asked the King.
"Let Charles go home," replied Marie de Chevreuse. "I shall be happy to intercede for once in my life for a distant relative of mine in the line of the Dukes of Lorraine, though, God knows, none of them deserve it."
"Duchess, do you propose that I release a man who is apparently using every means at his disposal to do me the greatest harm?" asked the King.
"Can you, Your Majesty, publicly bring charges against Charles, revealing all the details of this matter?" asked the Duchess.
"By no means!" cried the King.
"If this is not done, your subjects will perceive the reprisal against the Duke, or even his arrest, as an outrage," the Duchess noted. "They should not be given a reason to doubt the justice of Your Majesty, after all, your father was called Louis the Just. You do not want to be called Louis the Unjust, do you?"
“This is most undesirable,” said the King thoughtfully.
"Even if Charles were to start a battle against you with his troops, it would not cause any significant damage to your reputation, Your Majesty," the Duchess continued. "Not to mention that he is already old and his time is coming to an end, even if he were to lead the army, his far from brilliant commands would contribute to his defeat rather than to his victories. If his young and ambitious son Charles-Henri were to lead his army, it would be much more difficult to deal with him."
“There is much truth in your words,” the King agreed.
"If Aramis claims to control Charles, I believe him," the Duchess concluded. "I almost never believe men when they talk about their feelings, but Aramis is one of those people who often understate their power and influence over people and their knowledge in conversation, but never exaggerate it. You have the opportunity to act magnanimously, as the great Cardinal Richelieu sometimes did. Take advantage of this opportunity."
"You call Richelieu a great cardinal and speak of his generosity, Duchess?" the King was surprised. "As far as I know, there was a constant, irreconcilable war between you and him, or am I mistaken?"
“Ah, the war with de Richelieu is a family matter!” the Duchess de Chevreuse waved her hand, but noticing the bewilderment in Louis’s eyes, she added, “What? You didn’t know that the Cardinal’s niece was married in 1622 to the nephew of de Luynes, my first husband? After all, it was only after this gesture of reconciliation that your father, King Louis XIII, confirmed his petition to the Pope to appoint Richelieu a cardinal and transfer to him the Abbey of Notre-Dame-de-Saint-Vast and the deanery of Saint-Martin-de-Tours in Paris. Until then, your royal father had signed such petitions only at the insistence of the Queen Mother, Marie de Medici, but he accompanied these petitions with secret appendices in which he begged the Pope to refuse him this request, since he feared the excessive growth of Richelieu’s power through his entry into the State Council. So my family contributed greatly to the career of the ungrateful cardinal. Why ungrateful? I am not talking about his constant persecution of me personally, I am ready to forgive him for that, although I am not sure. But he destroyed La Rochelle! And the commander-in-chief in La Rochelle was Duke Henri II de Rohan, my cousin! Do not forget that I am a native de Rohan-Montbazon, the daughter of a representative of the senior branch of the de Rohan family! And yet we must give him his due, he created the France that your royal father left you. A single state, a monarchy, in which one King rules.
“My mother, Cardinal Mazarin, the Duke of Epernon, the father of the current d’Epernon, and even I had to do a lot to make France completely subordinate to me,” Louis noted.
"And if it had not been for the efforts of Cardinal Richelieu, then, one might say, there would not have been that France which your mother, Cardinal Mazarin and you forced to submit to you," said the Duchess. "He made it united, ready to submit to a single sovereign, whereas he accepted it in the form of a multitude of fragmented duchies, each of which was headed by rebellious princes and dukes, considering themselves entitled to defend their own opinion on any, even the most trivial, issue. I forgave Richelieu the very day he died, and a month later I realized that it was I who should have asked his forgiveness.
“Well, you have convinced me, Duchess,” said the King. “I will set Charles of Lorraine free. I thank you for your advice and for the excellent conversation. But do you know, Duchess, you are a veritable mine of information of which I am entirely ignorant, and which I find extremely curious! I realize that it would be a rash step to write down all your knowledge in the form of memoirs, although it would be a very instructive book. It is dangerous, I admit. But I should be glad to hear more of your stories of the events you witnessed, and of which I have not the slightest idea!”
“Your Majesty!” cried the Duchess. “If I were to tell you everything I know about the life of the French court from beginning to end, the days that the Lord has yet given me for my life, which is drawing to a close, would not be enough. But that is not the point. If I were to tell you the whole truth, and I dare not tell you anything else, you would think me a liar, a fabricator, or simply an old woman who has gone out of her mind. I fear very little in this world, but most of all I fear being ridiculous, or arousing pity, especially in the eyes of Your Majesty. No, I do not have the talents of Brant;me or Queen Marguerite! It seems that at all times the court was and still is crowded with a great many liars, such as La Rochefoucauld, Gondi, Saint-Simon. They envy Sully’s fame. But Sully is not great for his memoirs. Let me remain simply the friend of your late mother Queen Anne, your, if you please, good genius and adviser in such cases as, as now, you deem expedient.
“Duchess, I understand you and accept your choice, thank you for your advice and good night,” the King replied.
After these words, Louis left the Duchess's chambers and headed to his own.

Chapter LXXI. The Liberation of the Rebel

The next day the King gave orders to invite the man who had been appointed chief of the escort accompanying the arrested Charles of Lorraine.
When Fran;ois entered the King's office, Louis looked at him in surprise.
“Your Majesty, allow me to introduce myself, Second Lieutenant Fran;ois Perrin, arrived at your command,” reported Fran;ois.
- A junior lieutenant? - Louis was surprised. - Just that? And the Minister of War entrusted you with escorting the arrested Duke of Lorraine?
“The Duke wanted to entrust this mission to the Count de Rochefort, but the Count said that his new appointment as commander of the Guards regiment in that difficult period when France is at war does not allow him to move away so long and so far from the unit entrusted to him, and he recommended me for this mission,” Fran;ois answered cheerfully.
"I demanded from the Minister that this mission be carried out by the most reliable person!" the King said with irritation. "He has many reliable people at his disposal whom I know personally, and he entrusts this matter to a person whom I do not even know!"
"Your Majesty, I have carried out all the instructions given to me exactly, the prisoner has been brought to you for interrogation and is now in the Bastille," Fran;ois said quietly but insistently, after which he humbly knelt before the King. "If I have made any mistakes in carrying out this mission, I ask you to punish me, but I would be extremely grateful if, if possible, I could first find out what they are."
"I did not mean to imply that you were guilty of anything," the King said more gently. "Stand up. I do not intend to punish you, since you are not guilty. I am merely surprised that the Minister entrusted a most important mission to a man I do not know."
“Now you know me,” said Fran;ois, who had already risen from his knees, but at these words he bowed so submissively that his words sounded much less insolent than they might have sounded had it not been for this gesture of complete submission.
“You are rather impudent and ambitious, but I even like it, because from your accent I understand that you are a Gascon, a countryman of my royal grandfather,” said the King. “You remind me damned much of Count d’Artagnan.”
“My mother also said that I look very much like him,” Fran;ois answered modestly.
“Was she acquainted with him?” asked the King.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Fran;ois replied. “Luckily for me.”
“Wait a minute, I’m beginning to understand, you are the son of Marshal d’Artagnan?” Louis asked in surprise.
“I dare not deny it, Your Majesty,” answered Fran;ois with feigned modesty.
“In that case, I understand the Minister of War and Count Rochefort and approve of their choice,” said the King with a smile. “But does d’Artagnan have a family?”
"Yes, Your Majesty, the Count has a family, but I do not have the honor of being the Count's legitimate son," said Fran;ois. "The union of my parents, from which I was born, was not sanctified by the Catholic Church, but only by love, that is, by a deity three times older. They were married by Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and it is only to her that I owe my existence. But I was born in marriage and have the right to bear a noble family name.
"You are not only efficient, but also witty, I like that," said the King, who liked the justification of the love affair, which he himself very often needed, at least to himself, due to his excessive love, which he inherited from his amorous grandfather and which his father had not noticed. "Well, I hope that you will carry out my instructions exactly, Lieutenant."
“Second lieutenant, Your Majesty,” Fran;ois clarified almost in a whisper, daring to correct the King himself.
“So, lieutenant,” said Louis, emphasizing the word “lieutenant,” “you will have to bring Charles of Lorraine back secretly, and then release him so that no one will know about his arrest.”
“I would be honored, happy to serve Your Majesty!” Fran;ois replied, which meant that he understood, appreciated, and thanked the King for his promotion, and that he would carry out the assignment as accurately as possible.
"Here is the order," the King continued calmly, "all that remains is to write your name in the place where it says who is entrusted with carrying out this order. Tell me, Fran;ois, do you have your commission for the rank of junior lieutenant with you now?"
“Yes, Your Majesty!” answered Fran;ois.
“Go ahead,” Louis said dryly.
Having received the patent, he crossed out the word “junior” and put his signature next to it.
"There is a war going on, Lieutenant," he said. "Let's not waste time reissuing patents properly. If the opportunity arises, give this document to the War Ministry to exchange for a lieutenant's patent, however, this is not necessary, it is valid in this form as is."
"It is a thousand times better, since it bears your signature!" cried Fran;ois joyfully, after which he bowed with the dignity befitting his new rank of lieutenant, that is, two inches less than before, and went out.

" A polite fellow!" said the King to himself. "If his father had had a fraction of his politeness, he would have been a marshal long before. I hope his politeness at court does not affect his determination in battle. But we shall soon find out. If he is good, I shall perhaps see to it that he has the right to succeed his father."

Fran;ois carried out the King's orders to the letter, so that as soon as the carriage reached Nantes, Charles of Lorraine was quietly returned to his palace, and Fran;ois presented a full report on the fulfillment of the mission entrusted to him and the King's order to his immediate superior, the Count de Rochefort, to whom he also showed the corrections made to the patent by Louis XIV. The Count heartily congratulated the young man on his promotion and passed on all the news to Minister de Louvois.
By this time d'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, Fran;ois and Suzanne were no longer in Nantes, as they were moving towards their intended destination in the Spanish part of Holland.

 Chapter LXX II. The Spanish Netherlands

While our friends are heading to the southern part of Holland, we will tell our readers about where they are actually going, why, and what could await them there.
Spanish Holland, or the Spanish Netherlands, is the southern part of Holland, which had been under Spanish rule for quite a long time, but this power gradually began to crack at the seams due to the enormous work done by Richelieu and continued by Mazarin. This work was aimed at dividing the strongest union of the Habsburgs, including the Holy Roman Empire (that is, the unification of the German states and Italy), Spain and Austria. In order for France to free itself from the ring of strong states claiming unconditional dominance in Europe, Richelieu went into close cooperation with the Protestant countries. The result was that he almost succeeded in implementing his plan, and Mazarin, in full accordance with the course outlined by Richelieu, brought this activity to such a state that Spain could no longer so firmly hold hegemony over the southern part of Holland. All that remained was to wrest this territory from Spanish rule, and then, if not to take possession of it, then at least to ensure that this state ceased to be, in fact, a Spanish colony.
Thus, the Spanish Netherlands became the arena of most of the European wars of the time, which was a tragic consequence of their geographical position and the historical dominance of Spain. Since the weakening Spain could no longer effectively defend its colonial possessions, this resulted in a series of territorial concessions to stronger neighbors.
From 1635 to 1659, the Franco-Spanish War had already taken place, some of the battles of which took place on the territory of the Spanish Netherlands, and according to the results of the Treaty of the Pyrenees, Spain ceded to France the County of Artois and a number of adjacent territories, part of Flanders with a number of fortresses, the cities of Landrecies and Le Quesnoy in Gennegau, Thionville, Montm;dy and other fortresses in the Duchy of Luxembourg, as well as the cities of Marienburg, Philippeville and Avesnes between the Sambre and Meuse rivers. But this was not the end of the matter.
In that part of Holland that remained under Spanish protectorate, anti-French passions flared up, and provocations were constantly carried out from this territory. One such provocation was the support of attempts to separate from France with the help of local military groups by those local rulers who did not accept their new position as vassals of the French crown. As we have seen, one of such active and rebellious rulers was Charles of Lorraine.
Louis XIV in this case acted exactly on the advice of Richelieu, who left his political testament to his father, King Louis XIII, where, in particular, the great cardinal wrote:

"Nothing is so necessary in the government of a state as foresight, since by its help one can easily prevent those evils whose consequences cannot be removed except by great efforts. Just as a physician prefers to prevent diseases, knowing that this is easier than to cure them, so the ministers of state are obliged to provide information and remind their sovereign that it is much more important to foresee the future than to reason about the present, and that, as with diseases, so with the enemies of the state, it is more useful to foresee their intrigues and to meet them, preventing their execution, than to allow their attack, and then with great efforts to drive them out, getting rid of their invasion."

The great Richelieu said that one must sleep like a lion, without closing one's eyes, keeping them open in order to foresee any danger, since troubles that are hardly noticeable at first become the most important later on.
He also said:

“Kings must be very careful in the treaties they make, but once they have been made, they must observe them sacredly.”

He further wrote in his political testament:

"The sovereign must be strong by the strength of his borders. One must be deprived of reason not to know how important it is for great states to have well-fortified borders." "A border that is sufficiently fortified is capable of depriving enemies of the desire to undertake enterprises against the state, or at least of stopping their raids and efforts, if they are so bold as to come with open force. The strongest state in the world cannot boast of enjoying reliable peace if it is not able to defend itself at all times from sudden invasion and unexpected attack."

In particular, the Spanish-Dutch dominion at sea had become unbearable for France, which also wanted to develop its fleet to acquire new colonies. In this struggle for the colonies of the new land, Spain, Portugal, England, France and Holland desperately competed with each other.
Richelieu created the French navy from scratch. When he took office as first minister, France had no warships in the Atlantic or the English Channel, and only ten galleys in the Mediterranean. By 1635, the French navy included three squadrons in the Atlantic, one sailing squadron, and 20 galleys in the Mediterranean. Mazarin and Colbert continued to expand the fleet.
In his political testament, the cardinal wrote:

"The power of arms requires not only that the sovereign be strong on land, but also that he be populous at sea. The sea is the power of all inheritances, which all autocrats for the most part strive for, and yet the rights to it of each are the least clear. In a word, the ancient rights of this dominion are strength, and not proof; one must be strong to enter into this inheritance."

For these purposes, he put into effect the Michaud Code, which we have already mentioned, according to which ordinary subjects "of any rank" received all the privileges of the nobility if they maintained a ship with a displacement of more than 200 tons for more than five years in a row. This contributed to the development of the French fleet. Spain in the south and Spanish Holland in the north of France sought to suppress France's maritime ambitions, which the King could no longer tolerate.
The War of Devolution (1667-1668), the Dutch War (1672-1678), the Franco-Spanish War (1683-1684) - these armed conflicts and the two following ones took place on the lands of the Spanish Netherlands. After each, the country lost part of its territory.
At the time we are talking about, the French army showed itself to be extremely effective, which threatened Holland with complete defeat. In desperation, not counting on the force of arms, in the autumn of 1672, the population of Holland opened the floodgates, and water flooded the country. The advance of the French troops became impossible.
Prince William of Orange, Count John Maurice of Nassau, General Wurtz and Count Hoorn, however, occupied and blocked the roads to Amsterdam. But Holland also resisted desperately on the lands that remained unflooded. Having received reinforcements from Monterey, the Viceroy of the Spanish Netherlands, and having gathered 21,000 soldiers around him, William decided to go on the offensive. He penetrated as far as Maastricht, which was besieged by our troops, and took Fort Valkenburg. From there he moved on to Charleroi, besieged this city, but could not take it.
In the last days of December 1672, taking advantage of the cold weather, Marshal Luxembourg moved towards The Hague. The water that covered the entire country turned into such a thick crust of ice that not only could the troops move along narrow dams, but the cavalry was able to cross directly over the frozen lowlands.

Chapter LXX III. The Last Masquerade

"Do you notice anything strange, my friends?" asked d'Artagnan, looking anxiously into the distance.
"You mean our cavalry march on the ice?" Aramis inquired. "This maneuver will probably be unpleasant for the Dutch. They thought that the water released from the open dams would make the march impossible, but fortunately the cold has frozen the water, turning it into ice, so that the Dutch plans are frustrated.
"Ice is a slippery road for cavalry," Athos said doubtfully, looking at the tracks on the ice, covered with a light layer of frost. "The horses need excellent winter studs on their shoes. I'm not sure that's how it's done."
"Our valiant cavalry will show these Dutch what's what!" Porthos said enthusiastically.
"Look at the sky, gentlemen," continued d'Artagnan. "The clouds are torn into long stripes. The wind is changing. It was blowing from the continent, but soon the wind will change, the main mass of air will arrive here from the west, that is, from the sea.
"Are you sure?" Aramis asked quickly, looking anxiously at the clouds.
“This is very bad news,” said Athos with annoyance.
“What the hell do we care about the direction of the wind?” Porthos asked in surprise.
"Let's go to the commander quickly!" Aramis ordered. "We can't lose a minute."
- All together? - Athos was surprised. - And Philippe and Suzanne are with us?
“Only so!” cried d’Artagnan and spurred his horse.
The rest galloped after him.

As soon as the travelers approached the military camp, d'Artagnan guessed by the royal flag the tent in which the commander-in-chief was staying. As he rode closer, he was convinced that he was not mistaken, seeing that this tent was guarded by a special detachment.
"Where are you going?" asked d'Artagnan the major in charge of the guard at the marshal's tent.
“Marshal d’Artagnan wants to speak urgently with Marshal Luxembourg,” replied d’Artagnan.
- Marshal d'Artagnan? - the head of security asked with a laugh. - I don't know him. Gentlemen, such jokes are inappropriate here. Marshal d'Artagnan, as far as I know, died two years ago near Maastricht.
- The devil take it, I don't know you, but you must know me! - cried d'Artagnan. - Don't you recognize me?
“I was not acquainted with the Count, so even if you returned from the other world, I cannot recognize you, since I do not know you,” the major answered.
"Who is the Marshal's adjutant?" asked d'Artagnan. "He should know me, whoever he is!"
“The adjutant is currently carrying out the marshal’s orders, I will not tell you anything more, since I must not communicate information to anyone that is not subject to disclosure,” the major replied.
"Listen, Major, will this convince you?" asked d'Artagnan, taking a marshal's baton from the top of his boot and a patent of the Marshal of France from the inside pocket of his waistcoat.
“Wait, I will report you to Marshal Luxembourg,” the major replied, after which he entered the tent.
Three minutes later he looked out of the tent and waved his hand, inviting d'Artagnan to come in.
"Marshal Luxembourg, we have little time, so I would like to get down to business at once!" cried d'Artagnan.
- Dear Count! - exclaimed Luxembourg. - I am glad that the rumors of your death turned out to be false! Tell me how it all happened? Where have you been, and why have you finally turned up?
"To hell with stories about the past, let's discuss the future!" d'Artagnan replied impatiently. "I beg you, call your cavalry back immediately!"
“Impossible, Count,” Luxembourg replied coldly. “The order to advance has been given on the basis of all strategic and tactical considerations, and it will be carried out in the most proper manner. Retreat is impossible.”
"My dear Fran;ois-Henri de Montmorency-Boutteville, Duke of Pinay-Luxembourg, I am not joking!" cried d'Artagnan. "The wind will change to the west in the very near future!"
“Well, the wind from the sea is no worse than the wind from the mainland,” Luxembourg calmly objected.
“These places are usually extremely warm for the latitude at which these lands are located,” d’Artagnan continued to insist. “Do you know why this happens?”
"My brave soldiers can fight in any cold," the marshal replied. "They are hardened, well dressed, they are not afraid of frost."
"It is not the frost that they should fear, but the thaw!" continued d'Artagnan. "The wind from the sea will bring warmth, the ice will melt, and the cavalry will drown."
“You exaggerate the danger, my friend,” the marshal objected in a soothing tone. “I personally checked the strength of the ice. I ordered a hole to be drilled. The ice in this place is at least three feet thick. That’s enough to support horsemen.”
“The air from the sea will easily melt this ice,” d’Artagnan stubbornly continued to argue.
“Listen, Count,” Luxembourg said softly. “I understand that you have been away for a long time, and that you are eager to lead a large army, so to speak, to confirm your high military career in practice. But you are too late, my dear. Everything has already been done before you and without your help. Soon we will occupy all of Spanish Holland, after which, of course, we will secure the new territories with an appropriate peace treaty. Your presence here is not necessary. Go, rest from the road, I will arrange for you and your companions to be provided with a comfortable tent. I invite you to a council of war tomorrow, there we will discuss all your concerns.”
“I just wanted to warn you that you could make a colossal mistake,” d’Artagnan persisted.
“You have succeeded, Count,” Luxembourg replied. “You have warned me. This means that you have successfully accomplished the task you set for yourself. I will make further decisions myself, and I promise that I will take your warnings into account.”
"Just one word, Duke," said d'Artagnan, with a faint hope of winning this strange dispute. "A warm current. The Gulf Stream. The sea air is extremely warm thanks to this current."
"You will tell the admiral that, my dear Count," the Marshal replied. "We are landlubbers, we do not study ocean currents. Thank you, Count, for your advice, and now, if you will excuse me, I am busy. See you tomorrow at the war council."
D'Artagnan left Luxembourg's tent in a rage.
"What are the results of the meeting?" asked Athos.
"Zero, damn it!" cried d'Artagnan.
"Then we shall have to do what we have done our utmost not to do, and what you, d'Artagnan, almost promised His Majesty not to do under any circumstances, such was the spirit of your letter," said Aramis, smiling. "We are simply obliged to use this last means to save the cavalry, are we not?"
D'Artagnan looked at Athos.
“There is no other way out,” Athos agreed.
"Come, monseigneur," said d'Artagnan, turning to Philippe. "You must compel Marshal Luxembourg to call back the cavalry, but I beg you, make sure that the rumour of your presence here does not spread beyond the Duke's tent."

"Monsieur d'Artagnan, you must not go there," said the major, when d'Artagnan and Philippe, who was wearing his rag mask again, approached the Duke of Luxembourg's tent. "The Marshal has given orders that you are not to be allowed to see him today, as he has important business."
"I give you my word of honor that if the Marshal knew what news this gentleman whom I am accompanying brought him, he would immediately receive us both," said d'Artagnan. "If I am wrong, you may take my Marshal's baton and do with it as you please."
With these words, d'Artagnan placed his marshal's baton into the stunned major's hand and, taking advantage of his confusion, entered the tent, leading Philippe behind him.
“I told you that all conversations with you are over for today, Mr. Count!” the Duke said discontentedly.
"I suppose this doesn't apply to me?" Philip asked, removing his mask and stepping closer to the light.
- Your Majesty! You are here?! What joy! - exclaimed Luxembourg.
"Please be quiet, Duke," said Philip. "I am making a tour with a minimal escort incognito for reasons of the highest state importance. So please speak quietly. However, I will do the talking, and you listen and obey."
“Yes, Your Majesty, I am all ears!” Luxembourg replied.
"You are wrong, Duke, to disregard the advice of Marshal d'Artagnan," said Philippe. "While I retain and confirm all your powers to conduct military operations here in Holland, I nevertheless insist that you immediately carry out the proposal, no, the order of Marshal d'Artagnan, as if you had received it from me. You will immediately recall my cavalry, sending this order by such messengers as can fly faster than the wind on the fastest and lightest steeds. To write the corresponding order, I give you two minutes.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” the marshal replied.
"You've already wasted ten precious seconds on that answer. I said immediately!" Philip said in a tone that brooked no argument, then put on his mask and left the tent.
The marshal immediately wrote an order and handed it over to d'Artagnan.
"Not a single living soul must know of my presence here," said Philippe. "And you must forget that you saw me. If you blab, you will end your days in the Bastille."
“Yes, Your Majesty!” the marshal blurted out.
- No, no, I told you, you didn't see me! - Philippe objected. - Just Monsignor or Your Highness. For reasons of secrecy. State secret.
Without giving him a chance to respond, Philip put his mask back on and left the tent.
- Very well! - said d'Artagnan, having received the order from Marshal Luxembourg. - I will go with this order myself, and you will write two more copies and send after me two frisky messengers on light but swift horses in case anything happens to me.
After this, d'Artagnan quickly left the tent, leaving it he took his marshal's baton from the hands of the stunned major and dashingly jumped into the saddle.
"I'm going to bring back the cavalry!" he shouted to his friends, waving the order.
“We are all going!” exclaimed Porthos.
"No, Porthos," said Aramis. "You are too heavy, and the ice will soon begin to thin. We must let him go alone. I will go."
"Aramis, stay, you have many other equally important matters to attend to!" cried d'Artagnan. "Two other ends will be sent for me with copies of the order!"
D'Artagnan waved his hand to his friends, made a sign that he asked them to wait for him and protect Philippe and Suzanne, and then spurred his horse.
"I'm going with him!" cried Suzanne, and she galloped off after d'Artagnan.
"Wait, madam, where are you going?" cried Aramis.
" It's no use, my friend," Athos replied, taking Aramis by the hand. "We can't overcome the force that has carried her away. And it's not necessary."
Let the readers not be surprised that the Princess of Monaco was not among them this time. She succumbed to the persuasion of Philippe, who was afraid for her, and did not join the expedition to Holland. She went elsewhere.

Chapter LXX IV. On Thin Ice

D'Artagnan raced across the thin ice in the direction of the French cavalry tracks. He had reckoned that a line of cavalry would move much more slowly than a single horseman in a hurry. In addition, the cavalry was not moving in a normal marching formation, but in battle formation. The chances of getting the cavalry regiment back before the ice gave out were good, considering that the regiment had only set out on the march that morning. In his haste to save his compatriots, the marshal had not even looked back once, so he did not know that Suzanne was galloping after him and was gradually falling behind him a little. He mistakenly believed that she had stayed with his friends and did not hear the clatter of hooves behind him, which was drowned out by the loud and heavy breathing of the horse and the beating of the rider's heart, which echoed in his ears with dull thuds.
After several hours of riding, d'Artagnan finally saw the rear ranks of the regiment ahead of him. Hoping to be heard, he fired a musket, but the wind carried the sounds away and none of the riders looked back. D'Artagnan decided to urge his horse from a trot to a gallop, despite the fact that the poor animal was already quite tired. Unexpectedly, d'Artagnan's horse broke the ice with its hind legs, after which both horse and rider plunged into the water. Fortunately, it was not too deep, so the horse, instinctively pushing off with its hind legs from the bottom, was able to emerge together with the rider into the resulting hole. The marshal's saddle was heavy, his boots were full of water, and his ammunition was soaked. D'Artagnan managed to snatch a dagger from his boot and thrust it halfway into the ice, which helped him not to go under the ice while the unfortunate animal was struggling in the water, trying to climb up with its front legs onto the ice that had become fragile along the edges of the hole. The marshal tried to grab the dagger's handle and get out onto the ice, but at that moment the blade of the dagger broke. Only a small piece of the blade was now sticking out of the handle, which d'Artagnan again thrust into the ice with force and tried to catch his breath and think about the situation.
"Charles, hold on!" cried Suzanne, who was two hundred meters away from him. "I'm coming to you!"
"Suzanne, be careful, don't go near the gully!" cried d'Artagnan. "Don't come closer than a dozen feet!"
"How can I save you?" Suzanne exclaimed.
"No need to save me, my dear," cried d'Artagnan. "Catch up with the cavalry and convey to them the order of their commander-in-chief."
"Where is this order?" asked Suzanne.
“I’ll throw it to you now,” replied d’Artagnan.
Grasping the handle of the dagger with his left hand, he took from the inside pocket of his waistcoat an order which, although damaged by the water, retained its inscription, signature and seal.
"Catch it, Suzanne!" cried d'Artagnan, and, putting the order into his leather glove, he placed it all on the ice and pushed it towards Suzanne.
“I can’t leave you without help, Charles!” Suzanne pleaded.
"My dear, you will be of great help to me if you will immediately deliver Marshal Luxembourg's order to the commander of the cavalry regiment!" cried d'Artagnan. "I beg you, my dear, do not waste time. The ice will soon become very thin!"
— With tears in her eyes, Suzanne jumped back on her horse and galloped off to catch up with the French cavalry.

D'Artagnan caught his breath and again tried to get out of the hole on his own. The ice where he had stuck the broken dagger was too thin, so after D'Artagnan had transferred all his weight to the edge of the ice, it broke off.
D'Artagnan, holding on to the ice, began to gradually move along the hole in the ice, looking for the edge where the ice was thicker. Soon it seemed to him that he had found the edge he was looking for and he again made an attempt to get out of the ice trap. This time he managed to pull himself up so that the ice did not break. Having climbed to the surface, d'Artagnan looked back at his faithful horse, who could not get out, since he could not climb onto the surface of the ice with his front legs. Risking falling into the hole again, d'Artagnan took the bridle in his hands and pulled the horse to the edge that seemed thicker to him than the others.
"Be patient, my friend," said d'Artagnan. "If Suzanne turns them around, help will soon come."

Soon Suzanne caught up with the cavalry regiment.
"Orders from the commander-in-chief!" she shouted, waving the order.
"Who are you, madam?" asked one of the cavalrymen in the back rows.
“I bring you an order from the commander-in-chief, Marshal Luxembourg, to return immediately, as the ice will soon melt!” Suzanne shouted back.
The cavalrymen quickly passed the message along the chain to the colonel, after which the regiment stopped.
“Where are the orders?” asked the colonel, who rode up to Suzanne.
"There he is, Colonel," answered Suzanne. "I'm sorry he's wet. Behind him, Marshal d'Artagnan of France has fallen through the ice on his horse. Please help him."
"Four cavalrymen to the aid of the marshal!" the colonel ordered, after which he read the order. "Madam, you brought this order very opportunely," he added after reading it. "We noticed that the ice was unreliable, but without the order we could not have turned back without permission. We hoped that we would have time to reach solid land before the ice thinned so much that we could not move further."
After this, the colonel gave the order to return quickly.
Suzanne immediately turned around and hurried off to save her dear Charles.
When she saw five horsemen riding towards her, among whom she recognized d'Artagnan, her heart began to beat joyfully.
"Charles, you've been saved!" she exclaimed joyfully.
"We only saved the marshal's horse," one of the cavalrymen replied. "There was no need to save the marshal, since he saved himself."
"Gentlemen, you have done a great deal for me!" replied d'Artagnan. "You have saved my horse, which is very dear to me, and also the sword which His Majesty personally gave me, which, fortunately, was fastened to the saddle.
"You are alive, my dear Charles, thank God, how happy I am!" Suzanne did not calm down, hugging and kissing d'Artagnan in front of everyone. "Gentlemen, I thank you for saving him!"
"It is we, madam, who must thank you for our salvation," replied the colonel. "If you had not brought this order, our fate would probably have been extremely deplorable."
"Charles, have you sunk your marshal's baton?" whispered Suzanne.
"Fortunately, no," replied d'Artagnan. "I dropped it at first, but it is made of wood, so it did not sink. I remembered it only after we had saved the horse with our joint efforts."
"You've always been like that, Charles!" cried Suzanne. "You love horses more than any inanimate object, even such as a marshal's baton!"
“My excuse is that I love you, Suzanne, more than horses,” d’Artagnan smiled.
"Really?" cried Suzanne, smiling. "Coming from anyone else it would sound rude, but knowing how much you adore horses, I know it's the best compliment. Surely you wouldn't say you love women more than horses?"
"Not for anything!" agreed d'Artagnan. "No woman, except you, Suzanne, can compete with my love for horses."
"I know that, Charles," said Suzanne. "That's why I take your words to mean that you love no woman in the world more than you love me. Am I right?"
“You are right as never before!” d’Artagnan answered seriously.
"Charles, I'm afraid that being in cold water won't do you any good," said Suzanne, worried. "How could you not get sick after this involuntary bathing?"
"Don't worry, Suzanne," replied d'Artagnan. "I'm already warm. Besides, I have a miraculous balm in my bag under the saddle of my faithful horse, according to my good mother's recipe."
"Will you wipe yourself with it, Charles?" asked Suzanne.
"Not this time," replied d'Artagnan. "A more radical method of applying it is required."
Suzanne burst out laughing and playfully wagged her finger at her beloved Marshal of France.

After the regiment arrived on solid ground, it was obvious to everyone how timely the order to return had been. Indeed, on the way back the ice broke several times under some of the horsemen, but since the cavalrymen were already prepared for such a turn of events, the unfortunate ones were quickly pulled out of the ice trap together with their horses by common efforts, using the bundles of bridles prepared for this occasion, which greatly helped the cavalrymen save the marshal's horse.
D'Artagnan was eager to approach Marshal Luxembourg and ask, "Which of us was right, Duke?" but he restrained himself. The joy of saving the cavalry regiment drowned out his pride, wounded in the previous conversation, since his Gascon pride was completely satisfied by the knowledge that the Duke himself understood that he was wrong.
In the tent provided to his friends, d'Artagnan changed his clothes, putting on what the major had brought him, with whom he had previously had difficult conversations in front of the marshal's tent.
"Marshal Luxembourg ordered me to give you these clothes, this bottle of cognac, and also asked me to convey his apologies for not listening to your advice," said the major. "He would have come to you personally, but at the moment he is busy with an urgent military council."
“Tell the Marshal that I am grateful to him for everything and that his apologies are accepted,” replied d’Artagnan.
"D'Artagnan," said Athos, after the Gascon had completely changed his clothes and warmed himself up. "You were going to stop the war, I believe? Will you tell us how you intend to do it?"
"We have done more, friends," said d'Artagnan. "We have saved the cavalry regiment. And let those who started the war end it. For our part, we have created the conditions for peace negotiations."
"If you will allow me, friends, I will try to do something about it, using my connections," said Aramis. "But for this I will have to leave you for a while."
"Go, Aramis, with God!" said Athos. "May heaven aid you in your efforts!"
“Heaven helps those who have enough helpers on earth,” Aramis replied.
“What about Philippe?” asked Porthos.
“Philippe will return to Monaco, where a lady who recently returned there is waiting for him,” answered Athos.
“And then?” asked Aramis.
- My friends! - Philip exclaimed. - I would like to take advantage of your wonderful experience and stage my death in the eyes of all those who follow my fate against my will. This is an excellent way to hide from all ill-wishers and then lead a calm and happy life as a simple private person.
“But you seem to have already sorted out your feelings, and, if I am not mistaken, you connect your happiness only with the possibility of being in the company of the princess?” asked d’Artagnan.
"That's right, Count," Philip replied. "My idea was to her taste. She also intends to fake her death, after which we want to retire to a place that will be known to no one except you, our best friends."
“Listen to my advice, monseigneur,” said Athos. “After everyone believes in your death, go as far away as you can, and do not tell your whereabouts, not only to your enemies, but also to us, your friends. Do not speak of it to anyone. We do not want to know it. Only in this way can we be at peace about your future life and your mutual happiness.”
“I agree with Athos,” said d’Artagnan.
“I also agree, it’s reasonable,” Aramis agreed thoughtfully.
- Well, if all my friends say that it will be better this way, I also join their opinion! - exclaimed Porthos. - But only on condition that before parting we drink a bottle of good wine as a farewell!
“Since you all advise the same thing, I will do as you say,” said Philip.

In the evening, Aramis approached one of Marshal Luxembourg's officers.
"Camille," he said, "see to it that these letters are delivered to the addresses indicated. And one more thing. Did you see the man who came with us, who was wearing a mask of metallic-colored cloth?"
“Yes, Monsignor,” Camille replied.
"I must always know where this man is and what he is doing," said Aramis. "Information about him must be gathered by people whose existence he must not suspect. These must be members of the order from among the initiates of the first level, the total number of these people must not exceed five. They can alternate, depending on what will be more convenient for the best execution of this assignment. I must also know everything about the lady who will share life with this man.
“Everything will be done, Monsignor,” Camille replied.

A month later, the King's secretary said that a parcel had arrived from Holland addressed to the King, containing four swords with diamond-studded hilts.

- So, they have fulfilled all their obligations to me and all four of them ask for their resignation! - Louis said quietly to himself. - Well, I accept their resignation. Today I have received proof that the monarchy is no longer threatened by the danger that they came to France to eliminate. And today I have lost four of my best servants. I will have to make peace with Spanish Holland.
Thus d'Artagnan fulfilled his promise to end the war between France and Holland.


Chapter LXX V. Far from France

Athos, Porthos and d'Artagnan returned to Monqueville, realizing that although only embers remained of the house, it would be cheaper to rebuild it on d'Artagnan's land than to buy a new estate. In addition, everyone was worried about the fate of Bazin, and Athos was also worried about the fate of Grimaud, who was no longer young, because he was older than Athos. But perhaps the main thing that attracted our heroes to this place was the wonderful mountain landscapes that no fire could destroy, friendly neighbors, which is quite rare at all times, clean air and transparent rivers.
Suzanne was happy that d'Artagnan did not fall ill and die after swimming in the icy waters in Holland. Returning to Scotland, d'Artagnan and his friends learned that Bazin had recovered, although he had become very weak in health, but remained cheerful in spirit. They were also surprised to find a rebuilt house in the village of Monqueville. The source of this remained unknown to d'Artagnan for a long time, since he believed that this generous patron was Porthos. However, the baron admitted that although he really had such plans, he could not and would not have had time to organize everything so beautifully, since he participated in the campaigns with Athos, Aramis and d'Artagnan. Then d'Artagnan asked Athos if he was involved in the restoration of Monqueville, to which Athos replied:
— I had a commission from a dying man, which I was going to carry out if my health and the years of life allotted to me allowed me. In the event of its fulfillment, one of the points of this commission was to pay for the expenses of restoring Monkville. But I cannot yet boast of completing this commission, so the source of this money is unknown to me. Perhaps Aramis did it?
"If not Porthos and not you, Athos, then, of course, Aramis," agreed d'Artagnan. "He alone could have made it so that while we were all saving France, some unknown force was restoring Monqueville. The mysterious and powerful Aramis! How we miss him! We have not heard from him for a long time."
"Have you asked Bazin about this?" asked Athos.
“Bazin claims that he has no connection with Aramis,” replied d’Artagnan.
Thus, in the newly built Monqueville, d'Artagnan with Suzanne Campredon, and Porthos with Agnes Campbell, as well as Bazin and Grimaud, were comfortably settled. As for Athos, he had gone on some business, which he told d'Artagnan, that it was the promise he had made to the dying man, and as soon as it was fulfilled, he would be happy to return to Monqueville.

Meanwhile, Aramis was now living in the Kingdom of Naples. All letters addressed to Aramis were signed: " To Monsignor Antonio Pignatelli." Who was this mysterious Antonio Pignatelli and why Aramis was called by this name in later years, our readers will learn about this in the next book.
Ten months after the events described in the previous chapter, Aramis received a letter of the following content.

"Monsignor!
Madame gave birth to a daughter, who was named Amelia.
The prince pretends that he considers this daughter his own."

A few months later, Aramis received the following letter.

"Monsignor,
Amelia died of an illness, apparently related to a lung disease. The intervention of outside forces, perhaps on the instructions of the prince, cannot be ruled out."

"Jealousy!" said Aramis, after which he burned the letter in the fireplace.

Some time after these events, another letter contained the following text.

"Monsignor,
The prince mourns the death of his wife Charlotte. The funeral was modest. Apparently, even the prince himself does not know that in the coffin lies a masterfully executed wax model, which is indistinguishable from the princess even upon the most careful examination. Probably, a servant named Josepha helped in this matter. The coffin was lowered into the family crypt of the princes of Monaco. Charlotte disappeared with the very man whose movements we are tracking at your request. Their location is as follows."

Then came the mysterious symbols, the meaning of which, apart from the author of the letter, could only be understood by two people in the Jesuit order: Aramis himself, and Giovanni Paolo Oliva, known as the general of the Jesuit order, who carried out these functions officially, while Aramis retained the actual management of the Order.

"Tell me, Athos," d'Artagnan once asked his friend, "have you ever thought of joining your destiny with some woman?"
- God bless you, d'Artagnan! - Athos laughed. - There is no woman in the world with whom I would want to connect my life, even though I cannot guarantee that I will live even another year or two! I do not want to overshadow even such a small thing with the responsibility for the fate of a woman and the difficulties that are associated with living together with the daughter of Eve.
"And what do you think of the Duchess de Chevreuse?" asked d'Artagnan. "It seemed to me that you liked her, and that something elusive arose between you."
"The Duchess de Chevreuse?" asked Athos. "That's too much for Athos, and too much for the Comte de la F;re."
“Not enough?” asked d’Artagnan.
"Troublesome!" replied Athos. "One never knows what to expect from that lady. And she is clever, very clever. Sometimes I think she sees no faults in me, but on mature reflection I see that she is simply clever enough not to notice them, or at least to pretend not to notice them."
"I think she loves you, Athos," d'Artagnan replied. "And when you love, even the faults seem to be only a continuation of the virtues."
“Even if that is so, my friend, we must still take into account the question of whether I love her,” Athos objected.
“Do you know the answer to this question?” asked d’Artagnan.
“Unfortunately, I know,” answered Athos.
“You don’t like it?” asked d’Artagnan with some disappointment.
- If only! - Athos objected. - The problem is different. It seems to me, that is, I know, that I love her! Excessively! Too much to decide to do such a stupid thing as marry her.
 
Chapter LXX VI. A Lyrical Digression from the Author

As soon as I had finished my novel, I gave the last chapters to the copyist and waited impatiently for the time when I would have a complete copy, so that I could present my masterpiece to my little tormentor, the Marquise Dion de Livry. I decided to send her the manuscript of the second book by courier, wait three weeks, during which I assumed she would read my work, and then asked to visit her.
"Dear Marquise," I said after exchanging the traditional greetings, to which I added the most fantastic compliments, "I am grateful to you for having induced me to write this book; I have finally finished this titanic work and have come to hear your verdict. I hope you will be indulgent."
- Our dear writer! - answered the Marquise. - I have long since lost interest in these adventure novels, or, as you call them, adventure novels. So-called historical novels are especially boring to me. They have nothing in common with history. If you read something on this subject, then memoirs, for example, the notes of Madame Sevigne, or the memoirs of Cardinal Retz, or, at worst, La Rochefoucauld or Bourdeille.
“You mean you haven’t read my book?” I asked, confused.
- Well, why not? - the marchioness objected. - At least out of respect for you, and also in memory of our past friendship, I could not help but pay attention to your work. I read the book, of course.
I really didn’t like her term “past friendship”, and I didn’t like both words in this combination equally, and I didn’t like even more the coldness with which she responded to my new book.
“Tell me, for God’s sake, what impression did my book make on you?” I asked.
“I must make one thing clear,” said the Marquise, in the tone in which elderly governesses address unruly pupils. “In my youth I was, indeed, captivated by novels like yours. I thought I found in them grains of historical truth. But I am disappointed. You have taken the forged memoirs written in the name of the Comte de Rochefort and the Comte d’Artagnan, selected the best parts, and added a good deal of your own imagination.”
"If only she knew that for my book I used Aramis's memoirs, which so opportunely and completely by chance came into my hands!" I thought. "This charming scoundrel does not understand or appreciate the work of a writer at all! From a boring list of events I make a fascinating novel!"
“Why fake memoirs?” I asked with surprise, largely feigned. “And why do you claim that I used these memoirs for my books?”
"Judge for yourself, Mr. Writer," continued my inquisitor in a dress. "They are counterfeit for the reason that they were written by Gatien de Courtil de Sandre. Moreover, if Captain d'Artagnan was a real historical figure, then the Count de Rochefort is a completely fictitious character, like many others.
- Excuse me, Marquise, - I objected. - Don't you know that the Comte de Rochefort is not only not a fictitious person, but that he also rose to the rank of Marshal of France? Look through the list of Marshals of France and see that I am right! And besides, how did you come to the conclusion that the person you named is the author of the memoirs in question?
“These memoirs have already been published, and meticulous historians have dug up the authorship,” the Marquise waved her hand. “That’s not the point. You took the most decent of his adventures from the three-volume book about d’Artagnan, and also took some of the other heroes from there, although you changed some of their names. So the three Gascon brothers Athos, Porthos, and Aramis turned into people who were not related in any way and were not even Gascons. Fat Vallon from the episode in the book about Rochefort, where the Duke of Orleans ate a hot omelette from his bare belly, merged with the image of Porthos, and began to be called du Vallon. De Troisville became de Treville, de Bemo became de Besmo, Mademoiselle de La Valli;re's fianc;, young l'Etrouville, became Athos's son Raoul de Bragelonne, but if in Courtil's he simply took to his bed and died of grief, in yours he rushed off to war to die.
- Officer de Bragelonne really existed, he came from Blois, he corresponded with Louise de La Valli;re, King Louis XIV somehow accidentally read these letters and caused a scandal, these letters became the cause of the first quarrel between the King and Louise! - I objected.
“Perhaps you are right,” agreed the Marquise, looking as if it were of no importance at all. “You have transferred the story of the Comte de Rochefort’s father and his second marriage to Madeleine de Caumont, who turned out to have a brand on her shoulder in the form of a lily, into the story of Athos and his unsuccessful marriage to Milady. You have borrowed Courtil’s view of Richelieu, Mazarin, Fouquet, Colbert, and the subjective assessment of these people that de Courtil gave them has nothing in common with the historical truth. In reality, Fouquet was not as noble as you write, Mazarin was not as greedy, Richelieu was not so in love with Queen Anne, and Colbert was not so evil and, by the way, was not as omnipotent as you describe him.” You have almost completely forgotten about the Minister of War Le Tellier and his son, the Marquis de Louvois; they are insignificant minor figures to you, whereas in reality they were very important persons at the court of Louis XIV.
- Enough, enough, - I could not stand it. - I understood everything. You did not like my new novel.
“Don’t be offended, Monsieur Dumas!” said the Marquise and looked at me with her expressive eyes.
After that, she put her gentle hands on my shoulders and imprinted a kiss on my cheek.
“Your novel is wonderful, but, excuse me, it’s not for me,” she said, after which it seemed to me that my heart was breaking in two.
“You mean to say that you have outgrown my creativity,” I concluded sadly.
“You could say that,” the marchioness agreed. “However, I wouldn’t use that term. I’m not saying that I’ve become intellectually superior, I’ve simply gone in a different direction in my development. Would you like to go for a horse ride with me?”
“Forgive me, Marquise, my build does not allow me to take up this wonderful sport,” I replied.
“Then let’s go have breakfast,” said the marchioness.
After these words of hers, I did not start a conversation about the book anymore.
We had a good time, except that I couldn't shake the feeling that I had wasted a year and a half of my life.
When I got home, I sat down at the table and wrote a letter to my publisher that I was withdrawing my novel. I did not want it published for the reason that with my final novel, The Vicomte de Bragelonne, or Ten Years Later, I had said everything I wanted to say about my characters.
Just think! My beloved Comte de la F;re, Baron du Valon and Chevalier d'Herblay compared to the schematic Gascon brothers Athos, Porthos and Aramis from the vulgar book by de Courtil! However, the truth lies in the middle. Being a Gascon, Jean-Armand du Peyret, Comte de Treville, really did recruit his musketeers mainly from among the Gascons, so that many of them were relatives, albeit distant ones. Thus, no less than three relatives of d'Artagnan served in the musketeers, and at least two under the same name, and one under the name of Castelmore. Frankly, I considered the memoirs of Charles d'Artagnan and the memoirs of the Comte de Rochefort to be authentic. The vile de Courtil de Sandre deceived me! After all, using memoirs is not the same as using fiction. A writer has the right to use historical evidence in his historical novel! But it turned out that these memoirs were fake, moreover, they belonged to the pen of one novelist, and on top of everything else, she declared that the Count de Rochefort was a fictitious person!
I venture to object that the Marquis de Rochefort, Marshal of France, was a close friend of Monsieur Le Tellier and Monsieur de Louvois, to whose patronage he owed his rapid rise, as Saint-Simon wrote. He died in 1676 on his way to the army, the command of which he was to assume. My only fault is that, since my Rochefort resembles the hero of the memoirs mentioned rather than the hero of Saint-Simon's memoirs, I have used the name of Count Charles-C;sar de Rochefort, as in the memoirs, and not of Marquis Henri-Louis d'Aloigny de Rochefort, Marshal, who served under the Vicomte de Turenne. However, the memoirs also say that the said de Rochefort served under de Turenne, so that they are one and the same historical person. But I was unable to argue with the Marquise. I was humiliated by such a low assessment of my knowledge of history and my talent as a novelist. After all, from the memoirs I took only the era, and a few names of heroes, as well as a few events in their schematic presentation. If you collect all the lines inspired by these memoirs together, it will hardly amount to ten pages!
However, what humiliated me most of all was that I had mistakenly thought that my intelligence, erudition and talent had awakened any feelings in the Marquise for me as a man, because now it was completely obvious that this was not the case.
I wanted to burn my folder in my heart, but I thought that maybe I would correct something in this book and give it a new life. I didn’t want to think about it at that moment. I’ll just put the folder with the novel away from sight. I think I’ll throw it on the mezzanine, just as soon as I finish writing this page.
I have decided that this novel will never be published. It simply does not exist for my readers, because it exists only in my memory and in that nondescript folder in which I have prescribed it to remain, at least until the end of my days.
However, the Marquise still has one copy of my novel, and the first chapters are also with the publisher, whom I ordered to send me back the first parts of the manuscript so that I could destroy them. As for the copy that the Marquise has, I think that she read it inattentively, without sympathy for my heroes. Therefore, I hope that someday she will decide to reread this novel slowly, without rushing anywhere, empathizing with my heroes. If she changes her opinion about it, I will perhaps give it to the publisher again.
Now I will finish this line, put the sheets in a folder, tie the strings tightly and the folder will go to the distant mezzanine. Farewell, my dear d'Artagnan! Farewell to you too, Athos, Porthos, Aramis! Farewell Kings and princes, ministers and cardinals, marquises and counts, dukes and duchesses, servants and lackeys, farewell the King's musketeers!

Three days later I woke up in the middle of the night and went to my desk, took a clean sheet of paper and wrote on it: “Chapter LXXVII. The Cardinal.”
Then I made myself some coffee and started writing further.
Marquise, you have not conquered me. I have given up the idea of conquering your heart, your soul, your attention to me, an elderly writer, infinitely in love with the images created by my imagination. But I have not lost myself. I must complete the plan that I nurtured in my head under the impression of an unforgettable conversation with you. I am not writing for you, not for the current Marquise, but for that girl with burning eyes who read my novels avidly and discussed them with me with bated breath.
    
Chapter LXX VII. The Cardinal

The cardinal received an envelope on which was written: "To Mr. Antonio Pignatelli, Cardinal-Priest of San Pancrazio fuori le Mura." In the place where the sender's address should be indicated, it was written: "France, Paris, Louvre, Louis. "
The cardinal carefully opened the envelope and pulled out a sheet of paper covered with French letters he knew well, but which did not form words in any known language. It was a cipher.
The cardinal easily read the following text:

"Mr. d'Herblay!

I urgently need your help.
I have already had two heart attacks. The doctor said that the third attack would be the last one and that I would die as a result.
This may happen at any moment, although I hope for a few weeks, in order to put all affairs in order as far as possible. These are times when the state cannot be subjected to such upheavals as would inevitably occur with a change of monarch. France can only be saved by Louis Philippe, if he continues the line that I have successfully implemented for so many years.
I hope that you know where he is, that you can quickly bring him to me in the Louvre. Do not accept any excuses from him. He is a son of France, and France needs him. This is my request, and at the same time my order to him, since he remains a subject of the country that gave him life, even if it treated him unfairly, but, as you know, Destiny, not without your help and not without the help of your friends, corrected this injustice as best it could.
So, I am waiting for my brother to give him everything I have – France.
Needless to say, his arrival must be done secretly, but do not delay, since I do not know how many more days the Lord will give me.
In the small envelope enclosed with this letter you will find all the documents you need to pass unhindered through any checkpoints, including the guards at the Louvre. These documents state that your companion is free to remain masked throughout, as he is traveling incognito in accordance with my orders.

Louis"

The cardinal thoughtfully folded the piece of paper back into the envelope and hid it in the inside pocket of his robe.
He then wrote several letters and told his secretary to send them urgently to the addresses indicated on the envelopes.
He also ordered that one of his trusted people be invited to him.
"Giovanni," he said to the man who had come in, "find at once at this address the man whose appearance is described here. You must bring him to me as soon as possible. Say that a certain Aramis wishes to see him on an important matter of state. Speak to him in French."
Giovanni Albonello bowed, took the envelope with the papers containing the information the cardinal had given him, and left the cardinal's chambers.

Ten days later, Aramis, Philippe, and ten guards accompanying them arrived at the front entrance of the Louvre. As before, Philippe was forced to wear a mask. However, Aramis was also wearing a mask, which did not arouse any suspicion, since it was customary to travel in masks in Italy.
The guards let the delegation through after looking at the documents presented by Aramis, who removed his mask. No one noticed that Philippe remained masked, considering it a forgetfulness of Aramis's companion.
The King's secretary showed some concern, but Aramis showed him a document that completely reassured him, since it stated that His Majesty's guest must remain masked, and the document itself bore the signature and seal of the King.
Louis received Aramis and Philippe immediately.
The King's face was sallow, there were dark circles under his eyes, he coughed very often and for a long time into a handkerchief, on which Aramis noticed traces of blood.
Entering the office, Philippe removed his mask and bowed to Louis XIV.
“I am glad you have made it!” Louis exclaimed. “I am truly very ill. My brother! France needs you! We must save the country from the turmoil of civil war. If I do not have time to tell you everything I have to tell you, I will leave you my notes, which I have been making for you for the past two weeks. I beg you, I implore you, agree. If you have arrived, I believe that you have already agreed. If something stops you or makes you wary, ask, do not be shy!”
“My brother and my King!” Philippe replied. “God knows I have not prepared for this role. For many years now I have led a simple, private life, far from politics. I have found happiness, I have known love, I have been happy. If Catherine Charlotte had not died of illness six months ago, I would still be happy, and I would not have agreed to come here. Of course, I wish the best for France and would like to remain a good loyal subject, but I would consider that the years of imprisonment give me the right to personal family happiness. However, my beloved is no longer in this world, so I am ready to devote myself entirely to what you, my brother and master, command me. However, I pray to God that your doctor is wrong, and that you will continue to be King of France!”
“I am extremely pleased to hear of your consent, my brother, and I, like you, mourn the death of Charlotte. She was a remarkable woman, intelligent and beautiful, and I believe that both of you were happy, my brother,” replied Louis. “But there can be no mistake, I am, indeed, mortally ill. I have weighed and considered everything for a long time. I myself would be glad to know that the throne of France will be occupied by my legitimate descendant and heir. But now is not the time for a change of monarch. You know how things are in Europe, and if you do not know, you will read about it in the notes that I have composed for you. Embrace me, and receive France from my hands.”
Philip wiped a tear from his eye and threw himself into Louis's arms.
"Tell me, my brother, that you forgive me the misfortunes you have been forced to endure, although not by my will, since other people made this difficult decision," said Louis. "This decision was made by our father, King Louis XIII, the prime minister, Cardinal Richelieu, and our mother, Queen Anne of Austria.
“I have no one and nothing to forgive, since I understand the necessity of everything that happened,” Philip answered. “But if, my brother, you need to hear this, I speak with a pure heart. I forgive everyone involved in all the vicissitudes of my fate, I forgive them their guilt in the past and in the future, I blame no one, and I hold no malice against anyone.
“I needed these words, my brother!” exclaimed Louis. “Monsieur d’Herblay, you are tired from your journey. Apartments have been prepared for you. I beg you to leave Philippe and me. I must leave all my affairs to him, after which I will retire to a place where no one will find me, though not for long, since my physician does not give me hope for more than a month, and that only at best.”
Aramis bowed to Louis and Philippe and left.
"My brother, you are probably also tired from the journey," said Louis. "In the next room you will find supper and a bed, as well as those papers that you must read in order to take my place on the throne of France.
“I still can’t believe this is really happening,” said Philippe. “I’ve long since forgotten about the French throne.”
"Life sometimes presents the most unexpected surprises, my brother," Louis replied with a sigh. "Rest. We'll talk tomorrow morning."

Chapter LXX VIII. The Iron Mask

Philippe proceeded to the study provided for his disposal. A sumptuous dinner was indeed laid on the table. On a small table lay folders with sheets of paper covered in the King's handwriting. In the bedroom adjoining the study stood a made bed.
Philip had a leisurely dinner, opened the first folder, read ten pages, after which he felt very tired and wanted to sleep.
Soon he was sleeping soundly on the bed provided for his disposal.
Half an hour after Philippe fell asleep, Louis came into his bedroom. There were no longer any signs of illness on his face. He made sure that Philippe was sleeping soundly, after which he put a mask of thick fabric on him, covering Philippe's entire face.
Then Louis went out and called his secretary.
“Is he here?” asked Louis.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” the secretary replied.
“Let him come in,” the King ordered.
De Bezmo entered Louis's office.
“Monsieur de Bezmo,” said the King, “you see a man in a mask on this bed. He is fast asleep, having taken a good dose of sleeping draught. I will now explain your duties to you, after which you will bring in the four guards you were to bring with you, and you will carry out my orders to the utmost. You are to take the man who sleeps on this bed, and without losing time take him to the Bastille, whereupon you will hand him over to the care of Monsieur de Cinq-Mars in exchange for Eustache Dauger, a prisoner there. The papers which I will now give you state that you are to interrogate Eustache Dauger in a private room, without witnesses, after which he is to return to his place. You are to take Eustache Dauger and return this prisoner to Monsieur de Cinq-Mars in his stead.” In case M. de Cinq-Mars notices the substitution, you will show him the corresponding order, which states that the prisoner you have brought is Eustache Dauger, while the prisoner previously held is to be removed from the Bastille and handed over to you. From that moment on, this prisoner whom you have taken will be kept in the Bastille under the name of Eustache Dauger, and will be subject to all the precautions previously taken with regard to Eustache Dauger. If it is necessary to show the corresponding documents to M. de Cinq-Mars, then after M. de Cinq-Mars has read these instructions, he must carry out this order of mine and return these papers to you, which you will immediately burn in the fireplace. Do you understand that?
“Yes, your Majesty,” answered de Bezmo.
"So this is the man who is to be kept in the Bastille under the name of Eustache Dauger," Louis repeated. "This man is to wear an iron mask whenever there is the slightest possibility that he may be seen by anyone, including de Saint-Mars himself."
“Yes, Your Majesty,” repeated de Bezmo.
“If everything is clear to you, go ahead,” said the King.
"Your Majesty, where would you like to take that prisoner who is now in the Bastille under the name of Eustache Dauger?" asked Bezmo. "After all, we will have to take him out of the Bastille?"
"Quite right, Monsieur de Besmo," said Louis. "It is good that you reminded me. This man must not remain in the Bastille. You must remove him."
"Remove him, very good!" said de Bezmo. "I understand that. We must remove him from the Bastille."
“Yes, remove him from the Bastille,” the King confirmed. “And remove him in general.”
“Of course, confiscate,” repeated de Bezmo. “But where?”
- Oh, don't worry about that! - answered the King. - He is a hanged man and a thief. You must rid the land of him. The best thing would be to simply throw him into the Seine, and to keep him from floating, tie something heavy to his feet. Well, I don't know, maybe a bag of sand. Whatever you like. It's up to you. Only throw it where it's deep enough, like from a bridge.
“Everything will be done, Your Majesty,” answered de Bezmo.
"Listen, de Bezmo," said the King. "The water in the Seine is very cold now. So that the poor fellow does not suffer, shoot him before you throw him into the water."
“Everything will be done, Your Majesty,” de Bezmo answered again.
"And don't you dare stop anywhere on your way to the Bastille, Monsieur de Besmo!" the King admonished him. "Especially don't you dare lose a prisoner on the way to the Bastille!"
“It will be done, Your Majesty,” de Bezmo answered for the third time.

When de Bezmo had taken Philippe with the help of four guards and left, the King called the secretary again.
"Is d'Epernon here?" he asked.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the secretary replied.
- Let him come in.
The Duke entered and bowed to the King.
“How is your health, Duke?” asked Louis.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, excellent,” replied d’Epernon.
"I hope you are not angry that your position has gone to Count Rochefort?" asked Louis. "In your new appointment as General-at-Large, you receive no less, and I suppose you have less trouble, don't you?"
- Exactly so, Your Majesty! - agreed the Duke. - I am not complaining.
“I have a special task for you today,” said Louis. “Take with you ten well-armed guards. Now the carriage of Monsieur de Besmo will take a prisoner to the Bastille. I hope that Monsieur de Besmo will cope with this task. The carriage must not be delayed anywhere along the way. Especially make sure that no one gets out of the carriage. If anyone gets out or is carried out, kill them all. Both those who got out and those who stayed.”
“I understand you, Your Majesty,” replied the Duke.
"The carriage will have to take the prisoner to the Bastille, and if they carry out this order exactly, do not hinder them," continued the King. "Wait until they go back."
“It will be done, Your Majesty,” said the Duke.
“They will drive onto the bridge, and then carry a tied man out of the carriage,” said the King. “They may untie him and let him go. Then kill them all. They may not do that, but rather deal with him, perhaps by throwing him into the water… Then wait until they throw him into the water, and then kill the rest. In other words, whatever they do, after they drive onto the bridge, kill them all and throw their bodies into the river. Their life’s journey must end on this bridge. Not a single witness. All into the river.”
“It will be done, Your Majesty,” said the Duke.

“Well, I’ve returned it to the box and destroyed the key,” thought Louis, wiping off the remains of the makeup that made him look sick. “Now Monsieur Aramis will never know where and how Philippe is hiding, and now I have reliably protected myself from the danger that has kept me awake for so many years. That vile de Besmo was a Jesuit. He must have been involved in the conspiracy against me and helped free Philippe from the Bastille. It’s high time to get rid of him. I should have ordered Philippe’s death, but I’m not Cain! Ah, Richelieu! Why didn’t you do that? How many problems would have been solved! Or rather, they wouldn’t have even arisen!”

Chapter LXX IX. The General of the Order

While d'Epernon was in the King's study, and the guards were carefully carrying the sleeping Philippe, de Besmo, who was walking behind them, was stopped by a familiar, ingratiating voice.
"Don't be in a hurry, Bezmo!" said the voice. "This man should be carried not into your carriage, but into mine, please make arrangements for this clarification."
"But that is impossible, Monsieur d'Herblay!" objected Bezmo, who turned at the sound of the voice and recognized his interlocutor. "I am carrying out His Majesty's orders!"
“In all other matters you must obey His Majesty, of course, but not when the General of the Order of Jesus demands otherwise of you,” Aramis replied firmly. “You seem to have forgotten that the authority of the General of the Order is above all secular authority, and that disobedience to him is tantamount to disobedience to the Pope. Are you rebelling against the authority of the Pope? Are you rebelling against God, Monsieur Besmo?”
“You are inciting me to rebellion, Monsieur d’Herblay,” stammered de Besmo.
"Call me simply, Monseigneur Cardinal," Aramis clarified. "Choose, Monsieur de Besmo. If you do not obey the King, at worst you will be arrested."
“In the worst case, I will be executed!” Bezmo exclaimed.
“Even if that were so, although I doubt it, but even if you are executed, you will only appear before Saint Peter in a few days, who will, of course, send you to heaven for all eternity, as a man who suffered for his faith,” Aramis objected. “If you do not obey me, today you will be transported to hell forever, and no one will be able to extract you from there by any means until the Last Judgment.”
“But still, how can I disobey the King?” Bezmo persisted.
"Very well, Bezmo, we are no longer discussing whether you will disobey the King or not, but only how you will do it," Aramis replied. "It is very simple. There are only five of you here, including your guards. At the exit from the palace you will be met by ten of my men, each of whom is worth two of yours, since they understand what they are fighting for. So you simply yield to force."
"Am I giving in to violence?" asked a stunned Bezmo.
"You may use that word if you like," Aramis agreed indulgently. "And believe me, you will save your soul by doing so."
"But how should I proceed then?" asked Bezmo. "After all, I have clear instructions on how to deal with this prisoner."
"We will do it very simply," replied Aramis. "I will go in your carriage instead of your prisoner, and on the way you will explain to me the mission you have received in all its details. Then we will think together how best to act so that no one will accuse you of anything."
De Besmeaux made a sign to the guards to place Philippe carefully in Aramis's carriage, guarded by ten of his guards, after which Aramis gave his men directions as to where they should take their sleeping passenger and climbed into Besmeaux's carriage. Four of the guards rode on horseback as an escort.
“Monsieur Bezmo, if you are thinking now of arresting me or killing me, abandon that thought,” said Aramis.
“I didn’t think about it!” Bezmo exclaimed.
"I suppose you spoke the truth, but I warned you in case," replied Aramis. "If you ever have such a thought, drive it away for the sake of your soul. Now, what was the order?"
Bezmo explained the essence of the order to Aramis and was about to show him the papers, but Aramis gently pushed Bezmo's hand away.
"I believe you, Mr. Besmo!" he said. "Why should I read these documents? They are destined for the fireplace after you have done what has been assigned to you, aren't they?"
“How can I carry out this order if I no longer have a prisoner to leave in the Bastille under the name of Eustache Dauger?” asked Besmo.
"You have been ordered to interrogate Eustache Dauger, you will do so. You have been ordered to return the prisoner de Saint-Mars without him noticing the substitution. You will do so, since you will be returning the same prisoner," replied Aramis.
- Indeed! - exclaimed Bezmo. - They will bring me a man in a mask, and I will return him to Saint-Mar! There will be no objections from that side.
"You will not even need to produce an order from the King, except for the order that you interrogate the prisoner," Aramis confirmed. "You will only need to talk to this prisoner, after which you will return him to Cinq-Mar."
“What should I talk about with this prisoner?” asked Bezmo.
“What were you going to talk about with him if you hadn’t met me?” asked Aramis.
“Nothing,” Bezmo replied. “I would simply replace him with the prisoner the King gave me.”
"You would have needed them to change their clothes," Aramis said. "You would have had to wake the prisoner, and he would have resisted. You could not have accomplished this task alone, Monsieur Besmo."
“But I have four guards with me,” Bezmo clarified.
"And have you been given permission to make these guards witnesses to your exchange?" asked Aramis, looking Bezmo in the eyes.
“No,” Bezmo replied, “but I couldn’t have accomplished this task without them.”
"In that case, you would have received not one, but five extra witnesses," Aramis said thoughtfully. "After such a castling, all five would become dangerous to the state. All five would have to be removed."
"What do you mean, remove?" asked Bezmo. "Who are you talking about, Monsignor Cardinal?"
- What I am saying, Mr. Bezmo, is that after completing your mission, you become unnecessary to the King, but at the same time you remain forever extremely dangerous witnesses to an action that no one should know about. Therefore, you are not needed.
"You mean that after this we will all be dismissed?" Bezmo said with a trembling voice, not fearing this at all, but afraid to admit to himself what he was beginning to suspect.
"It could be called a resignation, Monsieur Besmo," agreed Aramis. "You are right, the King will not arrest you, nor will he execute you, but you will not see tomorrow. Nor will your guards."
"Oh my God!" Bezmo exclaimed. "What am I to do?"
"Obey me in everything, my old comrade in arms," said Aramis. "Remember that in the time of Louis XIII, you and I were the King's simple musketeers, and we got out of worse scrapes."
“I will carry out all your instructions exactly, Monsignor Cardinal,” Bezmo said firmly.
- You will show Saint-Mars the document that gives you the right to interrogate the prisoner, and then, in the presence of Saint-Mars himself, ask the prisoner only whether he is well fed, whether he is given books to read, whether his bed and clothes are good. Having received his answers, whatever they may be, you will thank Saint-Mars and leave the Bastille.
“That can be done, but what if the King asks Saint-Mars about how exactly I spoke with this prisoner?” asked Bezmo.
“He won’t,” Aramis answered firmly. “Then you will leave the Bastille, but you will not go back to Paris. You will not have a passenger whom you were ordered to throw into the Seine. We will all go together in the direction of the Ch;teau de Vincennes. I prefer to ride, and I advise you to do the same. We will leave two of your guards in the Bastille. For this purpose, leave them on guard at the entrance to the fortress and tell them to go home half an hour after our departure.”
"Do you think we'll be followed?" Bezmo asked.
“I know that,” replied Aramis. “But look around if you don’t believe me.”
“I believe you,” Bezmo said firmly. “When can I return home?”
"Your guards - that same night, you - the later the better," answered Aramis. "I would recommend not earlier than a month."
“A whole month away from home?!” Bezmo exclaimed.
"You are right, two months would be better," said Aramis. "However, if you are in a hurry to meet Saint Peter, you may do as you please."
“I will do exactly as you command me, Monsignor Cardinal,” said Bezmo.
"I merely recommend that you do so," replied Aramis. "I gave you orders only in regard to your prisoner, and you carried out my orders, so you are in no way bound by your further actions, except that I also do not recommend that you tell anyone about our meeting."
Bezmo nodded, as he was so overwhelmed with emotion that he could no longer speak.

When the carriage arrived at the Bastille, Bezmo left two guards on guard at the gate, so that they could later escape without arousing the suspicions of those watching them.
In the Bastille, de Besmo reported that he had been ordered to inquire whether the prisoner Eustache Dauger had any complaints about his treatment, and he presented only the King's order ordering him to interrogate this prisoner, after which he asked him through the door of his cell a few meaningless questions that Aramis had suggested to him. Having thanked Saint-Mars, de Besmo left the Bastille.
After this, Aramis, Bezmo and two guardsmen mounted their horses and rode as an escort to the carriage, the coachman of which had received orders to drive it in the direction of the Ch;teau de Vincennes.
"Papers from the King!" Bezmo remembered. "They must be destroyed!"
“Give them to me, I will do it at the first opportunity,” answered Aramis.
Bezmo hesitated.
“Give them to me,” Aramis said firmly and imperiously, after which Bezmo handed the entire packet of the King’s orders to Aramis.
After driving a quarter of a mile, Aramis ordered Besmo to give the coachman the order to drive the carriage to Besmo's house, while the four horsemen continued on in the direction of the Ch;teau de Vincennes.
After riding another half mile, Aramis told de Besmo that at his signal they should all go in different directions and ride as fast as they could, without looking back. At the next crossroads, he waved his hand and galloped along the leftmost road, without looking back or worrying any more about his companions.

 Chapter LXX X. The Duke of Epernon

The next day the Duke d'Epernon came to the King.
“So, Duke, did you carry out my orders exactly?” asked the King.
“Yes, Your Majesty, exactly,” replied the Duke.
“I hope your guards were not seriously wounded?” Louis inquired.
"No injuries at all, Your Majesty," replied the Duke. "After all, we didn't have to engage in battle."
- What do you mean, they didn't have to engage in battle? - Louis was surprised. - You mean to say that when the carriage drove onto the bridge on its way back, they didn't throw their prisoner into the water?
“The carriage never entered the bridge, Your Majesty,” replied d’Epernon.
“How did they get back if the carriage didn’t cross the Seine?” the King was surprised.
"They did not return," replied the Duke. "After de Bezmo left the Bastille, the carriage, accompanied by four horsemen, rode on towards the Ch;teau de Vincennes.
"And no one was thrown out of the carriage?" asked the King.
“No one, Your Majesty,” the Duke replied.
“What happened next?” asked Louis.
— After driving about a quarter of a mile, the carriage turned left, but the riders continued to ride straight ahead.
"Which of them did you follow, Duke?" asked the King.
“I had ten men, six of whom I took with me to pursue the carriage, and four of whom I sent after the horsemen,” replied the Duke.
“That’s reasonable,” the King agreed. “What happened next?”
— Noticing that the carriage was returning to Paris by a roundabout route, we hoped that it would cross the Seine and stop at some bridge.
- Well, well! - exclaimed Louis. - What happened next?
"The carriage arrived at the house of de Besmo, without having to cross the Seine," replied the Duke. "We followed it to the house. There was no one in the carriage, only the coachman, who parked the carriage and went into the servants' quarters, probably to sleep."
"The damned Jesuit!" cried the King. "He tricked me! What can you tell me about the horsemen?"
“They rode together for about half a mile, after which, as if on command, they suddenly went their separate ways and disappeared into the darkness of the narrow and dirty streets of the countryside,” replied the Duke.
"Your men did not track down or detain any of them?" asked the King.
"Your Majesty, we received no such order," replied d'Epernon. "There was only an order to kill them all if they threw a man from the bridge into the river, or if they even rode onto the bridge. This did not happen. I gave orders that the horsemen should be followed as closely as possible, in case three of them decided to kill and throw a fourth into the water. But as they had all gone their separate ways, I had no reason to attack them.
"You are quite right, Duke," said the King. "Thank you, I will not detain you any longer."

“In essence, d’Epernon is right,” thought Louis. “I did not foresee such behavior and gave no instructions for such a case. And what could have been done? Apparently, the prisoner whom Besmo was supposed to have taken from the Bastille remained there. This can only mean that Philippe was not delivered there. And if so, the murder of these four innocent guardsmen would have made no sense. Thank you, Lord, for not allowing this atrocity to happen.”

Chapter LXX XI. The Awakening

When Philip woke up, Aramis was sitting at the head of his bed.
“What happened?” Philip asked. “Where am I? And why are you here?”
"If I had not intercepted you, Monseigneur, you would have woken up in the Bastille," said Aramis. "Here, read this."
With these words, Aramis conveyed to Philippe the King's orders, which he had received from de Besmo.
“What is this?” Philip asked, reading the documents in surprise.
"Monsieur de Besmo, your former jailer, was ordered to take you to the Bastille, asleep, and leave you there under the name of Eustache Dauger," replied Aramis. "A criminal is now there under that name, deserving the death penalty for his robberies and violence; we placed him in your place last time, so that Louis would not look for you and you would have the opportunity of living a simple life as a private individual. As you see, your brother will not rest until you are again in the Bastille. His whole illness is only a pretense to lure you in and lull your vigor."
"Did I attempt his power?" Philip was surprised. "Did I threaten his peace? After all, I voluntarily retired forever, left him to his fate, and devoted myself only to my small joys of the free life of a private person!"
"Your brother did not believe in your final abandonment of political ambitions," Aramis replied. "By his crime against you, he has proven himself unworthy of the position he occupies. We will remove him, and you will take his place again."
- Cardinal, aren't you tired of juggling my fate? - asked Philippe, irritated. - I have already occupied the throne of France twice under the guise of Louis, my brother. I am tired of it. This extremely precarious position does not suit me; I prefer the simple life of a private person.
"It is your right, if that is your choice, monseigneur," agreed Aramis. "Do you think your brother will leave you in peace?"
“I hope so,” Philip said uncertainly.
“I wish I could share your hope, monseigneur,” said Aramis thoughtfully. “In any case, there are now two paths open to us. Either we secretly leave France forever, like criminals, after which you must try never to be found by any spies of Louis and Colbert, and I must take measures so that my position in Europe will serve as sufficient protection from the persecution of the King of France. It is difficult, but it is possible, believe me. But for this, perhaps, the French people will pay a high price. After all, this means a war between France and the Order of Jesus, and therefore perhaps with Italy and the entire Catholic Union, and, as a consequence, perhaps, the excommunication of the King from the Church. The second path is for Louis to leave the throne, which you will occupy in his place, now finally, forever and irrevocably.”
"Then explain to me, Monsieur d'Herblay, why you chose Louis at that fateful hour when your choice could affect the destinies of us all, and why you choose me now?" asked Philippe.
“The moment you said you would remove Colbert and bring back Fouquet, I realized that your reign could be disastrous for France,” replied Aramis.
“But that’s exactly what you wanted, isn’t it?” Philip asked.
"I was blind, and I did not know either Colbert or Fouquet well," replied Aramis. "On the day when I took the fatal steps of restoring to you the throne taken from you in infancy, Fouquet was my friend and Colbert my enemy.
“What has happened since then?” Philip asked.
"A true politician should have neither friends nor enemies," replied Aramis. "I have become a true politician."
"Your friends of the past, Messieurs d'Artagnan, the Count de La F;re and the Baron du Vallon are no longer your friends?" asked Philippe.
“Oh, no, these people cannot be called by such a common name, for to me they are much more than friends,” replied Aramis. “They are a part of me. I would rather lose my right arm than harm one of them. But I was speaking of other friends. Fouquet was the man who did me a favor out of simple goodwill and affection, and I thought it necessary to repay him in kind or even more. Colbert had thwarted my plans, and so I numbered him among my enemies. But I realized that Fouquet was robbing the country and its sovereign, and doing it with such grace that it seemed a natural service to the state. Colbert was concerned with the strengthening of the state, but he did it so clumsily that it seemed an outrage upon the country. During the two years that you remained King and gave Colbert a free hand while Fouquet was in the Bastille, I had the opportunity to see how wrong I was.
“Who did you see in this treacherous minister, the savior of France?” asked Philippe.
“I saw in him the successor of three great figures of France – your grandfather Henry IV, Cardinal Richelieu, and Cardinal Mazarin,” Aramis replied.
"What a strange choice!" Philippe was surprised. "I thought you despised Mazarin and fought against Richelieu, whereas you put them on the same level as my grandfather, King Henry IV!"
"We fought Richelieu for the simple reason that I chose the Queen's side against the King," replied Aramis. "Fate decreed that d'Artagnan should choose that side, and therefore Athos and Porthos joined us out of friendship."
"Explain to me, Monseigneur, why you chose the side of the Queen, my mother, and why you thus opposed the King, my father?" Philip asked, perplexed.
"Your father?" Aramis asked. "Monseigneur, you must know. Louis XIII was not the son of Henry IV, but you are the grandson of King Henry IV, also because you are not the son of Louis XIII.
"You have just accused my mother and my grandmother of a terrible crime!" Philip exclaimed. "In order for me to believe you, you must show me irrefutable evidence of these allegations!"
“I have them, monseigneur,” replied Aramis. “And I will show them to you.”
"If what you say is true, then whose son is Louis XIII, and whose son am I?" asked Philippe.
"You will know everything, I promise you," replied Aramis. "I have revealed this secret to you only to explain that your mother's attempts to remove Louis XIII from the throne were not the idle whim of a woman eager for power. If your grandfather, Henri IV, had lived, he would have approved of such a coup, since it would have unraveled the consequences of another coup, carried out by the mother of Louis XIII, Queen Marie de Medici, together with her lover, Marshal d'Ancre, also known as Concino Concini.
“So he was the father of Louis XIII?” asked Philippe.
“No, his father was another of her lovers, whose name you will learn from the documents I will give you,” replied Aramis. “Queen Marie de Medici had legitimate children by the King, but Louis XIII was not one of them, nor, indeed, his brother Gaston d’Orl;ans. As for King Henry IV, he had a sufficient number of male children who could have been legitimized and taken the throne of France if he had carried out all his plans to the end. Unfortunately, the Queen knew of these plans of her husband and took care that they should not come to pass. In this she was assisted by the father of the present Duke d’Epernon, who was also called the Duke d’Epernon. These dukes, like the Dukes of Lorraine, bring nothing but misfortune to the royal house of France.”
"Why are you telling me this, Monsieur d'Herblay?" asked Philippe. "I have the feeling that you enjoy digging into the royal dynasty's dirty laundry. But that doesn't make me want to take the French throne!"
“Believe me, my lord, I am as sorry to say this as you are, but without knowledge of the secret motives and the secret springs of the state machine, you are doomed to be broken and ground like roadside rubbish,” replied Aramis. “Many things became clear to me when I penetrated these secrets. That the hand of the King’s murderer can sometimes be directed by the one who stands at the very throne, and that whole nations can go to war against each other simply because one amorous duke failed to obtain adultery from a high-ranking personage, or because some royal bastard realized that his claim to the throne was much more solid than the right of the one who currently occupies it. These are the hidden springs of monarchy.”
“God, I’m disgusted to hear about all this,” Philip sighed.
“Admit, however, Monseigneur, that I sometimes give extremely useful advice,” objected Aramis.
“What do you mean, Cardinal?” asked Philippe.
"I advised you to tell the King that the Princess of Monaco was dead," Aramis reminded him. "That enabled you to spare her the persecution of Louis's and Colbert's spies, for you may be sure that you were extremely persuasive, and Louis believed you. If, however, you had told him that you could not accept his offer, because you preferred to live out the rest of your days with your Catherine Charlotte, you may be sure that she would be sought for throughout Europe today, and perhaps tomorrow she would be dead, or at least imprisoned in some fortress from which it would be extremely difficult to free her.
“You are right, Monseigneur Cardinal, but let me ask, does this mean that you knew in advance that Louis was plotting a vile deception?” asked Philippe.
“No, monseigneur, I did not know that,” replied Aramis. “But I allowed it to happen, and I took my measures to protect you and your love in this case.”
“I am extremely grateful to you for this, Monsieur d’Herblay!” exclaimed Philippe.
"Do you believe me, monseigneur?" asked Aramis. "Do you believe that I will not propose anything unworthy or dangerous to you, and that before I decide to persuade you to undertake an adventure like the one we carried out at the Fouquet Palace, I will weigh all the dangers a thousand times, try to eliminate all the pitfalls, and will make such a proposal only if I am sure that it will be better not only for France, but also for you personally?"
"I believe you, Monsieur Aramis," Philippe replied. "Let me embrace you as a sign of my belief in you."
"Allow me to kiss your hand, monseigneur," replied Aramis. "It will be more proper."

Chapter LXX XII. Louis

Louis was in despair. The illness he had only feigned in order to outwit Philippe had appeared on its own. These were no longer the painted bruises on his face, but real inflammations all over his body. The worst thing was that they were growing not by the day, but by the hour, and even by the minute! Apparently, he did not have long to live!
The king recalled his life, which had passed by in a single day. He thought about the mistakes he had apparently made and the plans that had not come to fruition. He also recalled his fleeting infatuations with beautiful ladies, as well as his sincere love for some of them. He admitted to himself that many of his relationships were not worth remembering, so they were hardly worth starting.
He also thought about the people he brought close to him and the people he drove away, the people he showered with favors and the people he disgraced. Perhaps the favors they received were not always fully deserved, and even more so, perhaps not always those who were punished fully deserved the punishments they received. But Louis had no doubt that he was right. He remembered a document drawn up by the adherents of the Catholic religion at the dawn of the division of Europe into two opposing camps, Catholics and Huguenots. This document stated that it was much more important to punish all the guilty than to ensure that no innocent person suffered. This opinion was supported by the political testament of Cardinal Richelieu, the first minister of Louis XIII, who wrote that in relation to individuals and in relation to crimes against the person, it is much more important to exclude punishment of the innocent than to punish all the guilty, and for this reason, in case of doubt about the guilt of the accused, it is better to pardon him, since the evidence of guilt is insufficient, than to punish despite the fact that guilt is not sufficiently proven. In relation to guilt against an individual, it is better for the guilty to escape punishment than for the innocent to be punished. But in relation to guilt against the state and the state system, against the monarchy or against one of its key pillars - religion, Richelieu warned the King and his descendants that it is much more important to punish the guilty than to spare the innocent. In this case, he said that suspicion alone is quite sufficient for punishment, and for this reason, Richelieu much more often advocated execution than pardon. This conviction of his was not confirmed only in relation to the King's closest relatives, such as the King's brother, Gaston d'Orl;ans, and the King's wife, Queen Anne of Austria. Richelieu did not think about punishing even the illegitimate children of Henry IV and their descendants; in his eyes, such kinship, undoubted from a biological point of view, but not so obvious from a legal point of view, no longer protected such persons from the punishing hand of justice.
Louis was tormented by doubts about the extent to which the cruel measures against Louis Philippe, his twin brother, his own relative, closer than anyone could be imagined. "According to the laws of God, a twin brother is a second self," Louis thought. "Does it not follow that I have ordered myself, or a part of myself, to be sent to the Bastille?"
Louis Philippe was the legitimate son of the royal couple, with all the ensuing consequences. He was born in the marriage of the royal couple. He was sent by God, Louis had no doubt about that. If God sends all children born into this world, then there can be no doubt about the sons of the royal couple. No one can raise a hand against the son of the royal couple. It was the law that protected him, Louis, but why was this law not observed in relation to his other self, in relation to Louis Philippe?
Louis's moral torment came for a reason, because it was precisely the time when any person thinks about his life, evaluates his actions, and does it impartially, because he realizes that if earlier he could deceive others and even himself, now there is no longer any point in lying to himself.
Louis knew this. He knew that his actions were not always blameless from a human point of view, that in the eyes of God he was probably guilty. The lives of thousands of subjects could not serve as a basis for his moral anguish, since they were his subjects, over whose life and death he had been given by right of birth and by right of succession to the throne, but Louis-Philippe, his twin brother, was not one of those people. To encroach on his freedom was a crime that had no parallel in the history of France or even in the history of the world. At least, if there had been, Louis knew of no such examples. In addition to all this, he had a terrible headache. The bright light of the candles irritated him. He rang the bell and ordered that the extra candles be blown out, leaving only the candlestick with four candles on his desk, and ordered that he be left alone. Trying to remember something good, bright and joyful to cheer himself up, he could not achieve serenity. The memory of Louise de La Valli;re made him think of Raoul de Bragelonne, of the unpleasant conversation with the Comte de La F;re and of the other troubles that followed this outburst of sincere love that left him five children, of whom only two remained alive. Marie Anne and Louis were certainly his joy, but the unfortunate Charles, who lived a little over a year, as well as Philippe and Louis, who lived less than a year, probably showed him with their short lives that God did not approve of this extramarital affair. After all three of their children had been taken away by God, Louise decided to give birth again in the same fateful year that had taken their last two children together. A year later, she gave birth to a boy and even decided to give him the same name as the eldest son who had died. Had God forgiven them? Would he allow these children to live to adulthood? Did the death of the first three children atone for his and Louise's sin?
Louis knew that Philip had a child with Catherine Charlotte, who also died at the age of one and a half. “The Lord even punishes us equally for the same sins,” Louis thought. “But Philip could have been left unpunished, since more is asked of the one who is given more! Why did the Lord ask my unfortunate brother as severely as of me? Or is it true that twin brothers are not two different people, but one in two persons? How guilty am I in this case before him, that is, before myself! And now it is difficult to correct anything, since what I did has separated us forever.”
Louis closed his eyes and gave himself up to his feelings rather than his thoughts.
Suddenly he heard the doors of his office open and someone entered.
Louis turned his head and saw himself. It took him a moment to realize that his brother, Louis-Philippe, had come to see him.

Chapter LXX XIII. The Brothers

“My brother, I have come to place myself at your mercy,” said Philippe. “I do so consciously. I do not wish to be the plaything of chance men, nor do I wish to fear chance events. I understand all your fears and recognize their validity. Therefore, I recognize that the peace and well-being of France and the monarchy depend on circumstances over which we may find ourselves powerless. I prefer to dominate these circumstances, and therefore, from now on and forever, I place myself in your hands, in the hands of my lawful King, crowned according to all the rules. I recognize your authority over me, and anyone who attempts to facilitate my escape from the place that you determine for me my future residence, I will consider not only your enemy, but also mine.”
"My brother, Philippe!" cried Louis. "Will you forgive me?"
“Your Majesty, I have not finished yet,” continued Philip. “I would like to confirm what I said earlier, that I forgive you for all your actions towards me, both in the past, the present and the future. Whatever you decide to do, I recognize it as lawful and necessary for the good of the state. If you order me to drink poison, I will do so with peace of mind and with gratitude that my fate has finally been determined. If you order me to remain in the Bastille, I will obey with the same joy. If you order me to leave the borders of France, I will go wherever you order me, accompanied by the guards you assign me. I have no conditions for myself. I am ready to obey any order you give me.”
After these words, Philip knelt down and bowed his head before Philip.
- My brother! - exclaimed Louis. - Stand up immediately! What makes you humiliate yourself so before me? After all, we are equal! We are one!
"I have heard it many times, but I do not understand it," Philippe replied coldly, yielding to Louis's insistence and rising from his knees. "We have different bodies, different souls, different passions, and different lives. You are the King of France, I am a state criminal. As long as I was in the Bastille I was simply an unfortunate prisoner, but after I agreed to replace you in your place, I became involved in a conspiracy against my King, so if I deserve death, I will accept it with humility.
- Enough, you are not saying what I wanted to hear! - Louis cried impatiently. - I beg you, my brother, forget what happened to you after I sent you to this bedroom, inviting you to dine, rest and sleep. I was wrong. I treated you meanly, treacherously, as I should not have done.
“I already said that I don’t blame you for this,” Philip answered coldly.
"I don't care about that, the main thing for me is that I condemn myself for this weakness!" exclaimed Louis. "I would like to receive your forgiveness, but I cannot demand it. And you cannot forgive me so quickly, because you know what I intended to do to you.
“You wanted to do to me what I now wish you to do,” Philip replied. “I must hide my face forever from everyone. I could find myself in a situation where I would be buried alive in one of the prisons against my will. Perhaps I would suffer from this. I would suffer from the awareness of my own naivety and your treachery. But I surrender voluntarily, so I will not suffer either from my naivety or from the awareness of your anger. Your act will not be treacherous, since I am consciously surrendering myself to you. And my actions will not be naive, since I am not deceived, but acting on mature reflection.
"What did d'Herblay tell you that made you decide on such a strange and terrible act, a crime against yourself?" asked Louis.
“Monsieur d’Herblay considers himself my friend,” answered Philippe. “It was not at his request that I came to you, my brother, but in defiance of his wishes and plans. But you are right, he told me something that made me think about our fate on this sinful earth much more deeply than ever before. His confessions stirred all my feelings. I suddenly realized what a cruel and at the same time ridiculous game we are all playing. We try to control events, whereas events control us. We consider ourselves masters of life, but we are all playthings in the hands of God. Destiny disposes of us at its own will, and we depend on its whims no less than a dry straw in a sandy desert depends on the whims of the wind.
- My brother, enough philosophy, I have heard you, now hear me, - replied Louis. - You spoke of Fate or of Divine Providence, perhaps the very thing I wanted to tell you. Do you believe me after all the deception I have committed against you?
"I believe you, my brother and my King," Philip replied. "I would rather be deceived a thousand times than lose faith in those I should trust most. We have neither father nor mother left, we cannot trust our confessors, so who else should I trust if not you? I believe you, no matter what you say."
“Then know, my brother Philip, that Fate or Divine Providence is far more subtle than we imagine,” Louis said solemnly. “When I made up the tale of my illness for you, I did not suspect how prophetic it might prove. God has punished me for this lie! What I invented in order to lure you to France and forever protect myself from the danger of being secretly kidnapped so that you could replace me, happened by the will of God, and I think I will not be mistaken if I assume that this is God’s punishment for the deception I committed against you.
"You say this happened?" Philip asked worriedly. "But you claimed that you were mortally ill!"
"That's what I said yesterday, and that's what happened today," Louis replied. "I spoke of two attacks, and that was a lie, but today there were two attacks so strong that I can say with certainty, even without doctors, that I won't be able to survive a third attack like that."
“Oh my God!” Philip exclaimed in confusion.
“That is the pure truth, my brother,” said Louis. “The rest was true even without this illness. I used the truth to deceive you and Cardinal d’Herblay, because the truth is the best way to deceive. A trivial lie will never be able to mislead an interlocutor as much as the purest truth, seasoned with just one grain of fiction. So know, the truth is that the political and military situation in the country and in Europe is indeed very difficult, and in this situation a change of monarch in France is extremely undesirable. It will cause another civil war, and this will also cause an attack on France by Spain, Holland, Germany, Luxembourg. We will lose Lorraine, Savoy will secede from us, we may even lose Monaco. My heirs will not save the state, and I have very little time left. All this is true.” That for which you were sacrificed by Cardinal Richelieu now demands that I be sacrificed.
“I can’t believe it,” Philip whispered.
“You believed it when it was a lie, so believe it now when I tell the pure truth,” replied Louis.
“But can you speak with such confidence about your health and not be deceived?” asked Philip.
- Oh yes, believe me, I know myself! - answered Louis. - However, even if I were deceived, and my illness were not fatal, I still made a decision, and I will not back down from it. Just promise me that you will take care of my children as if they were your children!
“Sire, I promise you this before God,” said Philippe, and, kneeling, he kissed Louis’ hand.
“I believe you, brother!” Louis replied.
"Will you allow me to retire to the room you sent me to yesterday?" Philip asked. "Are your notes for me still there?"
“Yes, my brother,” Louis replied. “For when I wrote them, I admitted that they might be needed in earnest. I have often been tempted to leave the throne to you, and I was preparing for it, but yesterday an eclipse came over me. I was afraid to part with everything that bound me to life, and that made up my whole life. Today, however, everything has changed. Life is leaving me, and I want to thank my people for everything, I want to leave behind me a strong country, and I want my children to be happy. I do not want discord among them, I do not want them to be used as bargaining chips in the struggle for power by the princes standing next to the throne. And I shudder at the thought that the crown of France could pass into the hands of Philip, our younger brother. He is not made for this, it is better for him to remain in the position in which he finds himself now.”
“I can’t believe this isn’t happening in a dream,” said Philip.
“Do you know how the heart hurts?” asked Louis.
“It aches, giving way to the deepest melancholy,” said Philip.
“My soul aches so,” Louis replied. “I am talking about something else. For many years I have been tormented by various illnesses, for which doctors give me painkillers, but do not cure me. All these illnesses are serious, but one can live with them. Today I know that my current illness is not like that. It will take my life. Now it is time for me to think about the afterlife. I do not want my soul to be burdened by the sin that our parents and the cardinal took upon themselves. I want to free myself from this sin. My decision is final. Take my rings with which I seal my letters, take everything, take my palace, my throne, my France. All this is yours by right. I voluntarily and irrevocably hand it all over to you, my brother. Take my name too, for you were also called Louis-Philippe. Throw away Philippe and be simply Louis, Louis XIV. From now on, you are me, and I am you.” Hug me, my brother!
Philip embraced Louis. For a moment he thought that perhaps Louis had a dagger hidden in his sleeve, and perhaps this was the last moment of his life.
“Even if it were so!” he thought. “I am deliberately going to do this!”
He hugged Louis tightly in a brotherly way and closed his eyes, preparing to receive a blow in the back.
But no blow followed.
“So shall I go into this room?” Philip asked.
“No, Your Majesty,” Louis replied. “From this moment on, you are King Louis XIV of France, and I am your unknown twin brother, who will soon pass away to a better world. The entire Louvre is now your home, and leave that room to me. You will take my notes from there, but leave me your bed, which has become a trap for you. Forgive me.”
After these words, Louis awkwardly knelt down and kissed Philip's hand.
“Good day, Your Majesty!” said Louis to Philippe.
In response, Philip opened his arms and gave Louis a tight, brotherly hug.
“I will try to live up to your expectations, brother!” he whispered in Louis’s ear, for he felt that his voice would tremble if he tried to speak out loud.

In the evening, Philip went to bed in the King's bed.
"So now I am the King," he thought. "What a pity for Louis! What is this sudden illness that has struck him in one day?"
Philip closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep. Various images, vague and unclear, floated before his mind's eye. He was almost asleep when he suddenly started and opened his eyes.
"It can't be!" he whispered in the silence of the night. "Really?.. Aramis? No, no! It can't be."

Philip tried to sleep, but he tossed and turned for a long time, and sleep did not come. Only at dawn did he fall into a deep sleep. This is how the new and at the same time former King of France, Philip, called Louis the Fourteenth, spent that night.
Two days later Louis, the crowned King of France, died, and in his place Louis-Philippe, the new King, who bore the same name, had been King for two days.

The King is dead – long live the King!

Chapter LXX XIV. Charles of Lorraine

Charles of Lorraine regularly received pills from Aramis, which he took on the days indicated in the accompanying notes. He therefore felt excellent. This led him to believe that he was perfectly healthy, and that Aramis was simply playing a trick on him, taking advantage of a temporary illness, which perhaps was actually caused by the accidental scratch he had received from the ring, as a result of some poison whose effects had long since been neutralized.
As an experiment, he would delay taking the medicine for a day, then he would delay the next dose for two days in relation to the specified date, and so on. Thus, each time stretching the period between taking the potion by exactly one day, in a year he would accumulate a twelve-day head start.
"The vile saint simply played a trick on me!" decided the Duke of Lorraine. "Well, never mind, I'll take revenge!"
He decided to disobey his King again.
In 1669 he refused to comply with Louis XIV's proposal to disband the army, and in the summer of 1670 French troops again occupied Lorraine. Charles IV had to flee again and re-entered the imperial service to fight against the French.
At the end of June 1675, he received a letter from Aramis, which somehow ended up on his desk at his field headquarters, where he discovered it.

"Duke, you have violated the terms of our agreement and have embarked on a path of struggle against the King of France. This time I am merely warning you of the inadmissibility of such actions and sending you another dose of the medicinal potion. You must immediately lay down your arms and submit to the King. If you do not do so, then this grain of medicine will be the last you receive from me. Thus, you have exactly one month to carry out my order, no more. General."

- Scare me, scare me, I'm not afraid of you! - Karl muttered. - I've already seen that it's not necessary to strictly adhere to the schedule! According to your calculations, I only have a month. But even if this potion does have an effect on anything, then I still have twelve days more than you think! And when the medicine runs out... Well, then we'll see if I need it at all!
Charles of Lorraine did not comply with Aramis' demands. On August 11, together with George William, he defeated Marshal Fran;ois de Cr;quy at the Battle of Konzer Br;cke. The following day he fell seriously ill and died on September 18 of the same year at Allenbach near Wirschweiler, between Birkenfeld and Bernkastel.

Chapter LXX XV. The Hidden Meaning and Undercurrents of Clio

Philippe suspected that Aramis had somehow interfered in events in such a way that King Louis IV, his own brother, who looked so amazingly like him, had not accidentally fallen ill with a fatal disease. How could Aramis have poisoned the King? It seemed unthinkable. He had given him no food, no drink, had not even come closer than three steps to him. Unthinkable!
But even if Aramis had accomplished this, how could he have instilled in the King the idea of Philippe's return to the throne of France?
In the event of the King's death, his young Dauphin would become the new King, but he would not yet be able to rule, of course. Consequently, the King's brother, Philippe, Prince of Orleans, would become regent. Of course, such a development would be the downfall of all his affairs for Louis, a policy reversal in the direction opposite to that in which France had been consistently led by his grandfather, Henry IV, then Richelieu, Mazarin and Colbert, who were the de facto rulers of the country. Allow the country to be turned into a farce? Even on his deathbed, Louis would not agree to this, he would do everything in his power to prevent this.
Moreover, Louis, like Philippe, knew a terrible family secret. This secret was that King Louis XIII, who was considered the father of Louis XIV, was not really the father, but he was also not the son of King Henry IV, as he was officially recognized.
But Louis XIV was still the grandson of Henry IV. This meant that Louis Philippe, Louis's twin brother, was also the grandson of Henry IV, while Philippe of Orleans was the King's brother only through his mother, since he was, in fact, the son of Louis XIII. If power had passed to Philippe, even temporarily, it would have meant that instead of the descendants of the Bourbons, the throne would have been occupied by the descendants of one of Marie de Medici's Tuscan lovers.
Dauphin Louis had only recently been born, in 1661, and was thus the only hope for the true survival of the dynasty. This child could die in early childhood, especially considering how desirable his death would be for Philippe d'Orl;ans, who would then become King of France.
"Yes," thought Louis-Philippe, "my brother could not have acted differently in this situation. He was saving his son by handing over the throne to me."
But if Louis's action was predictable, then perhaps Aramis could have predicted it too? And in that case, would it not have affected the King's health?
What happened to Louis? Was Aramis really responsible for his sudden illness? And did he die in the end?

I could write a third volume of this book.
Perhaps I will do so, but before me lies a voluminous work, written in cryptography, and deciphered only recently. It is a gift to me from one of the legates of the present Pope, who asked not to be named.
Some of it, it turned out, was written in Spanish, some in Italian, and some in French. Some chapters were written in Latin. But all of them were encrypted in a very intricate cipher. The result of the deciphering of this work and the translation of all the chapters into French lies before me.
I won't hide the fact that I used part of the manuscript to write this novel, which I entitled "D'Artagnan and the Iron Mask, or Two Years Later."
But the ancient manuscript I am talking about is too voluminous, too detailed; all that was left for me to do was to shorten some of its passages in order to make it into a book that could be presented to the readers.
I could attach the last part of this manuscript so that readers can know the end of this story.
But who am I to dissect the memoirs of a witness of the most interesting and important historical events? Besides, he was not only a witness, but also a creator of history, together with his friends - Athos, Porthos and d'Artagnan.
I decided that this manuscript should only be slightly literary processed, removing only those points that would be incomprehensible to the modern reader, adding only the most necessary comments, and publishing it under the new title “Memoirs of Aramis”.
Of course, the sequence of the presentation will be broken in this case, and only from the last books will readers be able to find out what really happened, why and when Charles of Lorraine died, whether the Duke of Beaufort really died, and if he did, how it happened that his body was not found. They will learn whether Aramis finally became Pope, as he dreamed?
I don't want to get ahead of myself. If I've decided to process this manuscript and publish it almost unchanged, regardless of whether I believe everything that's written in it or not, it would be wrong to do otherwise.
From these memoirs, from what I have already read, I see that events do not always have the meaning that we see in them, and that what seems to be the cause is not always the cause. In human society, in this conglomerate of people making various efforts aimed at completely different goals, the main driving forces sometimes turn out to be not those forces at all that only overly ambitiously and completely mistakenly believe that they direct the course of history. Human society is very often compared to an anthill. Oh, how mistaken these people are! In an anthill, all the actions of individual ants are subordinated to the main goal, a single idea, in the seeming chaos there is incredible order. This chaos will give birth to harmony. In human society, everything is the other way around - from the seeming order, chaos will be born. Or maybe this is also order, but precisely the one that is sought by those who actually govern the world order?
Who knows! I can only say that if there ever were people who controlled history, one of them was Aramis. This man was truly the favorite of Clio, the muse of history.
So, it's decided, I'm stopping work on the novel "Two More Years Later" and will start editing "The Memoirs of Aramis".

Translator's Afterword: The Career and Death of D'Artagnan

Wikipedia has an article on "D'Artagnan ".
Perhaps in this case there is no need to write about it, and even less to argue about it?
There is plenty of literature written about this historical figure, as well as about his literary image. Since the great novelist Alexandre Dumas forever linked his image with the image of the mysterious "Iron Mask", interest in this hero has increased even more.
Apparently, the most reliable source is the research of Jean-Christian Petitfis. Two of his books are called "D'Artagnan" and "The Iron Mask".
Numerous filmmakers have made numerous films and TV series about this hero, and his famous literary friends Athos, Porthos and Aramis are not always present in such screen adaptations, the historical prototypes of which are indicated by some researchers, but these references are highly questionable. D'Artagnan was a real historical figure, although, of course, not quite the same as he was portrayed by Alexandre Dumas.
Dumas is believed to have written the novel The Three Musketeers based on the fake memoirs of Gatien de Courtil de Sandras.
For this reason, historians have developed a rather dismissive attitude towards the novel itself. Of course, they are right in that one should not look for historical truth in a work of fiction of the adventure genre. Although it is there, and there is quite a lot of it. I do not mean the King's twin brother.
However, Dumas' genius lies in his ability to write about a person's character and to reveal it in non-trivial circumstances. Perhaps that is why d'Artagnan in his depiction is much more similar to the real, historical d'Artagnan than d'Artagnan in the fake memoirs of de Courtil de Sandre? Moreover, not slightly more similar, but in fact it must be admitted that the "dramatic" writer Dumas and the "historical researcher" Petitfis described one and the same person in the same way, while Sandre described a completely different person. Dumas' talent is that he can devote five or six volumes to revealing a character, or he can reveal the character of the described character in one paragraph. Along with the fact that the theme of Napoleon constantly occupied Alexandre Dumas, and he returned to this theme again and again even in those works that, it would seem, are not directly connected with Napoleon, like the famous novel "The Count of Monte Cristo", Dumas could not leave the theme of the musketeers, which was extremely close to him. Even when publishing a book of fairy tales, he calls it "Tales of Aramis" or "Tales of the Musketeer". He returns to the theme of the "Iron Mask" in the two-volume novel "The Princess of Monaco" and in the short work "The Iron Mask", to the image of Richelieu - in the novel "The Red Sphinx". It seems that he wanted to present the entire history of France through the adventures of various heroes and through their encounters with real historical figures.
Thus, real historical kings, princes and dukes easily converse with fictional persons, and real historical persons find themselves in circumstances that actually happened to them as a result of the actions of such fictional literary heroes. These fictional heroes, and sometimes historical heroes who perform fictional feats, exert a powerful influence on the course of history.
In this sense, Dumas professed the theory of small causes, which in modern literature is known as the "Butterfly Effect". It would seem that if the superintendent of finances Nicolas Fouquet had not written the ill-fated letter to Louise de La Valli;re at the insistence of Aramis, then King Louis XIV would not have arrested him, and the entire history of France could have developed in a different direction. Such random actions control the whole of history, and Dumas sometimes very carefully weaves the canvas of his tale to demonstrate how these hidden mechanisms of fate work. From the point of view of fiction, especially the adventure genre, this technique is extremely productive. After all, the same superheroes from modern action films sometimes "save the world" from all sorts of global misfortunes - an asteroid, a planetary virus, universal terrorists and other villains or misfortunes that threaten the universal destruction of the entire planet or encroach on no more and no less - the entire world order. Didn't they borrow this idea from Dumas' novels?
Writers of Dumas's time had not yet had such a scale of imagination, they had not reached such impudence, but Dumas was quite bold for his time, giving his fictional hero Aramis a not at all fictional position of general of the Jesuit Order, despite the fact that all the generals of the Jesuit Order were known by name.
This did not disturb Dumas, just as Aramis's promise that the Pope would die in accordance with the order of Aramis's predecessor in this position did not disturb him. No matter how much we leaf through history, we cannot point to a violent death of the Pope during the time of Aramis's actions (and the time can be determined quite accurately, since it allegedly occurred in the same years when Cardinal Mazarin died). We cannot point to a supposedly natural death, attributing it to the secret actions of the Jesuits (for example, poison).
Indeed, Mazarin died in 1661. In 1655, Pope Innocent X died at the age of 79 years and 7 months. This event can hardly be attributed to the activities of the General of the Jesuit Order. His successor, Alexander VII, held the office of Pope until 1667. He condemned the 45 points of the Jesuits' regulations. Perhaps Dumas had in mind that the death of this Pope was the work of the Jesuits? Death at the age of 68 can hardly be considered violent in those days. But it is known that although this Pope condemned the 45 points of Jesuit morality, he was very supportive of the Jesuits. He achieved that the Jesuits were allowed to return to the Venetian territories from which they had been expelled in 1606. Would the Jesuits have removed such a Pope? This Pope was not too eager to engage in matters of strengthening the power of Catholicism, preferred literature, philosophy, poetry, strove for a moderately luxurious life in a state of complete peace of mind, and not for strengthening personal power, and especially not for suppressing the Jesuits. The next Pope in line, Clement IX, also died at the age of 69, remaining Pope for only two years. He patronized the arts - music, painting, sculpture, was very friendly to France, the loss of the fortress of Candia upset him so much that he took to his bed, after which he died. The next Pope, Clement X, died at the age of 86 from gout, which can also hardly be attributed to the Jesuits.
If we now turn to the list of generals of the Jesuit order, there was not a single Frenchman among them, and in particular in the second half of the 17th century, we will see the following characters:
- Francesco Piccolomini – Italy, from December 21, 1649 to June 17, 1651;
- Alessandro Gottifredi – Italy, until March 12, 1652;
- Goswin Nickel - Germany, until July 31, 1664,
- Giovanni Paolo Oliva – Italy, until November 26, 1681,
- Charles de Noyelles – Belgium, until December 12, 1686,
- Tirso Gonz;lez – Spain, until October 27, 1705.
As we see, if we assume with some stretch that Aramis became the general of the Order under the name of Giovanni Paolo Oliva, then he would have to pretend to be an Italian, while he, being a Frenchman, allegedly performed the functions of the Spanish envoy. This goes far beyond the scope of an acceptable assumption. That is why Dumas, at the end of the novel "The Vicomte de Bragelonne", reports that Aramis is the actual general of the Order, while the one whom everyone considers to be such is only his puppet, a prot;g; who will be ready to lay down his power in favor of Aramis at any moment. It is very difficult to believe in this even for the most naive reader of a historical novel.
Just as we do not find any Count de La F;re in the lists of knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece either in France or in England, while, according to Dumas' trilogy, Athos received both of these Orders.

Now let's return to the career of d'Artagnan, which many people find unrealistic. Dumas, as we remember, reports that d'Artagnan received the title of Marshal of France and at that very moment died from a cannonball during the siege of Maastrich. Since we do not find his name in the list of Marshals of France, Dumas, as he apparently believed, gave an explanation for this fact that he allegedly simply did not have time to assume his position.
But if the order appointing him Marshal of France had been signed, he would certainly have been included in this list, even if he had not had time to assume this position due to death, especially heroic death in battle.
Pope Urban VII was pope for only 13 days, Boniface VI for 15 days, and seven other popes were pontiffs for very short periods, ranging from 17 to 33 days. No one thought of excluding them from the list of popes on the grounds of their very short tenure as pontiff.
Of course, if d'Artagnan had been appointed Marshal of France, this appointment would have remained in history.
In Wikipedia we find the following information: "On January 15, 1667, d'Artagnan was officially promoted to the rank of captain-lieutenant of the musketeers, effectively the commander of the first company, since the king was the nominal captain. Under his leadership, the company became a model military unit, in which many young noblemen not only from France but also from abroad sought to gain military experience. In 1667, for his services during the siege of the city of Lille, he was appointed its governor. As governor, d'Artagnan failed to gain popularity, so he sought to return to the army. He succeeded when Louis XIV fought the Dutch Republic in the Franco-Dutch War. In 1672, he received the title of "field marshal" (major general)." It turns out that d'Artagnan held the position of field marshal for a whole year, after which he died. Of his death it is said: "D'Artagnan was killed by a bullet in the head (according to Lord Alington) at the siege of Maastricht on June 25, 1673, during a fierce fight for one of the fortifications, in a reckless attack across the open ground, organized by the young Duke of Monmouth."
Let us recall that a field marshal is precisely a "field marshal", since field in French is translated as Field, the same word exists in English, and in German - Feld. If the Russian translations of the book said that d'Artagnan achieved the rank of field marshal, this would be perceived as a rank higher than that of marshal. After all, in France, a field marshal is the lowest level of possible marshal ranks, corresponding to a major general. It is not surprising that a person who actually led five or six hundred royal musketeers, that is, the guard, the King's bodyguards, who formally reported directly to the King, in the event of a military campaign receives more than a thousand cavalrymen under his command and, accordingly, is appointed a field marshal.

For example, de Treville, who led these same musketeers before d'Artagnan, became extremely close to the King. Queen Anne of Austria herself tried to involve him in the Cinq-Mars conspiracy, aimed at the destruction of the cardinal and the overthrow (and, murder) of the King himself, Louis XIII, although this second final goal was not revealed to all participants in the conspiracy. De Treville wisely refused to participate in this conspiracy, but he did not reveal this conspiracy either. For exactly the same "crime", that is, for failure to denounce, de Cinq-Mars' friend de Thou was beheaded. Note that at the time of the conspiracy, Cinq-Mars himself was one of the most powerful people in France, his power exceeded that of Cardinal Richelieu, and could only be compared with the power of the King himself. It also remains surprising why de Cinq-Mars conceived and participated in this conspiracy? He only had to wait a little, a few months later Richelieu died a natural death! It is very likely that Richelieu himself, through secret springs, pushed de Saint-Mars into the conspiracy and dealt with him. After all, if he had not done this, then after Richelieu's death the King would certainly have become completely under the influence of de Saint-Mars alone, which would have meant a turn in the entire policy of France towards the "saints", that is, it would have been a course towards an alliance with Spain and the Holy Roman Empire, with which Richelieu himself fought with all his might to ensure greater power for France and its independence from this Catholic bloc surrounding France on all sides. So, this conspiracy turned out to be most beneficial to the one against whom it was directed!
De Treville did not get involved in it, but what is more important for us is that he was invited into this conspiracy.

Why are we surprised by the fact that d'Artagnan was quite close to the King and had a fairly high position in the French army? This position was ensured to him by his personal loyalty to the King.

Such personal devotion to the monarch elevated such people as Grigory Lukyanovich (Malyuta) Skuratov (Skurlatov), Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, Grigory Grigorievich Orlov, Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin and many others in many countries to extremely high military posts.
In the book "Henry IV " Alexandre Dumas mentions Monsieur de Preslin, who was captain of the guard of Henry IV, and then became a Marshal of France. This is a completely analogous career! For those who still doubt the possibility of such a career takeoff, we will not cite de Saint-Mars, Luynes and the like as examples, but simply remind you that Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev's personal pilot Boris Bugayev became the Minister of Civil Aviation. So why shouldn't the head of the King's personal bodyguards become a Marshal of France? What's surprising about that?

By the way, de Courtil de Sandres hints that d'Artagnan carried out many delicate assignments for Mazarin and the King. At that time, there were no such concepts as "resident", "spy", or "scout", which does not mean that there were no secret assignments. Let us remember that Milady, shown in the novel "The Three Musketeers", is based on a real historical person, Countess Carlyle. This lady was a spy for the cardinal. It can be said that at a certain stage of his career, d'Artagnan most likely carried out assignments for Mazarin and the King, which we would call espionage today. Such an assignment is to go to England and report what was happening there in the political arena, when the execution of Charles I was being prepared. In Dumas, d'Artagnan is accompanied by friends on this trip and together they try to save the unfortunate King. It is unlikely that Cardinal Mazarin could entrust such a task to a secret envoy, but it cannot be ruled out. The assertion that Mazarin was interested in the death of Charles I is, of course, to be attributed to Dumas's fantasy. Most likely, the cunning cardinal could have profited from any state of affairs, but given the kinship of the French royal house with the English house, he would most likely have been interested in restoring the Stuarts to the throne of England (which was de facto, but not yet de juro, Great Britain, that is, it included Scotland under the same hand of the King). Meanwhile, we can trust de Courtil de Sandres in many respects, since he was a contemporary of d'Artagnan and Rochefort, he himself was in the Bastille, and unlike Dumas, he described not events that were far from him, but events that he witnessed or whose witnesses he could personally know. This is important. And the possibility that d'Artagnan once carried out special assignments for the cardinal and/or the king does not degrade his image at all, but, in our opinion, elevates it. This suggests that he served the monarchy not only with a sword, not only as the leader of a military formation, but also as a smart collector of information, resourceful enough to secretly hide under someone else's guise in enemy surroundings, a kind of Stirlitz of the seventeenth century, and, in addition, possessing considerable analytical talents in order to understand what kind of information should be collected, and how to briefly present it. Dumas also hints at this when the King sends d'Artagnan to go to the fortress of Belle-Ile and find out what's what, and also when he uses him as a kind of Sherlock Holmes to investigate the duel with Count de Guiche.

It is no coincidence that "D'Artagnan's death was perceived as a great grief at court and in the army, where he was infinitely respected," as Wikipedia reports. It goes on to say: "According to P;lisson, Louis XIV was very saddened by the loss of such a servant and said that he was "almost the only man who managed to make people love him without doing anything for them that would oblige them to do so," and according to d'Aligny, the King wrote to the Queen: "Madame, I have lost d'Artagnan, whom I trusted in the highest degree and who was fit for any service." The expression "for any service" speaks for itself.
Marshal d'Estrade, who served under d'Artagnan for many years, later said: "Better Frenchmen are hard to find."
Now let us turn to the testimony of Jean-Christian Petitfis, who was awarded the Legion of Honor for his series of works on history. This meticulous French researcher of history and the most intelligent and interesting writer reports that d'Artagnan received the rank of lieutenant general. Bearing in mind that this rank corresponds to "field marshal", as we said above, we can only say that Dumas was very slightly mistaken in terminology.
For example, how many of our readers (except those who served) can distinguish a major general from an army general? But between a major general there are two more steps – lieutenant general and colonel general!
In most countries, a marshal is higher than the senior rank of general, but lower than the rank of generalissimo, but in France at that time there was no generalissimo, and before the time described in Dumas's novels of this series, France had the rank of constable, which had been abolished shortly before. There were several gradations of marshal ranks.
In Napoleon's time the situation had already changed. Therefore, we will, I think, forgive Alexandre Dumas, the son of a Napoleonic field general, for this small inconsistency.

Let us read together further Petfis, which is informative and interesting reading. He reports that d'Artagnan's appointment as major general was his last promotion, but it was in no way connected with the obligation to go to war, in contrast to the version given by Dumas. D'Artagnan received this appointment a year before his death.
For almost a year he held the post of governor of Lille, which had been held before him by Marshal d'Humi;res, and which he handed back to that same Marshal, because it did not suit him. He asked to go to war. He did not want to be governor, he was not satisfied with this position, in which he felt out of place. It is obvious that King Louis XIV was extremely merciful to d'Artagnan, and obviously not for his pretty eyes, but for his real merits. But let us note for ourselves that he held the marshal's post of governor.

There is an aphorism: "A military officer is a person who, in peacetime, receives money for sending you to the front in case of war." This cannot be applied to d'Artagnan, he was the first to rush to where it was most dangerous.

Our hero died as a result of, so to speak, "stupidity of command", this command, apparently, should have been transferred to d'Artagnan, but he was in a subordinate position. That is, in terms of intelligence and experience, he could and should have occupied a higher position than he did.
So I would ask our readers to put aside the irony regarding d'Artagnan's meteoric career. He was not on duty that day, he intended to rest and had the right to do so, but seeing how difficult the situation of the troops was, and how it could further deteriorate if nothing was done, he rushed into battle, where he met his death.

Petitfis tells of the clash between Montbron and d'Artagnan over how the troops should be further managed.
The point was that Montbron proposed to build a defensive embankment in front of the captured ravelin, while d'Artagnan proposed to give the fighters a short rest one by one and build the embankment when it got dark. His argument was that such actions in daylight would be expensive, considering the losses of soldiers from shelling or from enemy counterattacks.
His words were: "You are dragging us into a hopeless cause."
Three hours later the palisade was erected, but a fierce battle broke out on the ravelin, still held by the Dutch. Major General d'Artagnan with his musketeers remained in the rearguard, as he had been ordered by the highest military command, not intending to interfere, but closely watching the progress of the battle.
At the end of dinner he said: "Look, there's fire on that ravelin! We should recapture the ravelin before the enemy has a foothold there!"
The Dutch made several sorties and eventually drove the French out of their positions, thus nullifying all the gains of the day. A counterattack had to be made and the positions retaken, but the soldiers were exhausted and in dire need of reinforcements.
Despite the fact that, according to the schedule, on this day, June 25, d'Artagnan was not "on duty" and expected to rest, which he had every right to do, he, having learned of the rapid retreat of the guard, left his companions and went to Monmouth's headquarters. There he saw the confusion of Monmouth, Lafeuille and, most of all, Montbron, who himself was to blame for the failure. Despite the fact that nothing obliged Montbron to renew the battle, he decided to rectify the situation, i.e., in the words of Lord Alington, "he behaved with rare bravado." He sent musketeers into battle and decided to entrust Monsieur d'Aligny with the command of thirty musketeers and sixty grenadiers.
At this very moment, d'Artagnan led his men towards the very barrier that had been lost because, instead of defending it better, Montbron had ordered the embankment to be strengthened in broad daylight, before the enemy's eyes. This counterattack required moving across open ground.
The Duke of Monmouth, son of the English King Charles II, completed the disastrous operation with his personal impatience.
Instead of going down into the trenches and thus reaching the fortification that had to be stormed, he preferred to move along the top, where the place was very narrow, so that the enemy could shoot the attackers one by one.
This attack was pure madness.
When the Duke wanted to personally lead this attack, d'Artagnan tried to stop him.
- Across the open ground? - he exclaimed. - Don't even think about it, my prince! It would be foolish carelessness! We'll be killed before we reach our goal!
“It doesn’t matter, we don’t have time,” answered the son of Charles II.
He drew his sword and quickly rushed into the attack.
D'Artagnan stopped him with a gesture and said the following:
- In that case, I'm with you!
In this mad attack the ravelin was retaken, although many musketeers were killed. Among the dead was also found d'Artagnan. He had been shot in the head. He was identified by his weapon.
It also took a lot of courage to carry d'Artagnan's body off the battlefield. Four of those who tried to do it were killed by enemy bullets. The first quartermaster of the company, Monsieur de Saint-L;ger, managed to do it. As a reward for this, King Louis XIV granted him 30 thousand livres.
This speaks volumes about how much the King valued his marshal. We call him by this word deliberately.
We also draw the attention of our readers to the fact that, according to eyewitnesses, d'Artagnan was identified by his weapon, since his face was shattered beyond recognition.
This apparently led Dumas to believe that he was killed by a cannonball to the head, which was not the case. However, many military leaders met their end in this way, so it is possible.
It also allowed, apparently, the writer to offer a different interpretation of the events in the final version. Indeed, if d'Artagnan was identified only by his weapon, then such identification should be considered not very reliable, because in battle one can sometimes lose a weapon and use another one - captured from the enemy, or snatched from the hands of a killed or wounded man. Since P;lisson writes that after this attack, many musketeers, killed or surviving, had damaged weapons, "swords bent, covered in blood right up to the hilts", therefore, it is not surprising that someone who was on his feet could pick up a sword that fell from the hands of a seriously wounded but living fighter. Therefore, the version that d'Artagnan was not killed, but only seriously wounded or shell-shocked, after which he dropped his sword, which was picked up by another musketeer, who was killed by a shot to the head, and who was buried with honors as d'Artagnan, while d'Artagnan himself, perhaps, came to his senses in the night and got out, or, perhaps, was captured, does not seem so fantastic. No matter how fantastic such a version may seem, it can be used by a writer with not too much of a stretch, although, of course, it is most likely that d'Artagnan really died in this battle, and, perhaps, he was identified not only by his weapon, but also by his clothes and other signs.

But can we, on this basis, deprive the author of the right to fantasy?

People ask me why I write the words "King" and "Queen" with a capital letter. That was the case in the original. Apparently, at the time it was written, there was a rule for writing these words like that. However, I can't say for sure, I haven't checked. But after reading so many of these two words in this spelling, it already seems to me that writing these words with a lowercase letter is a mistake, I want to correct what I've written. I hope that when I stop working on this book, I'll break this habit.

Translator's last comment

Today I received a letter from France, from the city of Clermont-Ferrand, with the following content.

“Dear Professor Vadim Zhmud!
Following your purchase of the manuscript entitled "Deux ans plus tard par Alex Dumas", I am pleased to inform you that our Lyon branch of our second-hand bookshop has a manuscript by the same author entitled "Trois Henry. Manuscrit d'Alexandre Dumas. Version d;finitive". The manuscript is accompanied by a document certifying its authenticity, signed by two experts: Professor Thierry Esconte of the Sorbonne and Professor Jean-Jacques Dumanche of Lyon. Their signatures were certified by the notary Ma;tre Champigny of Lyon. The director of the branch kindly offers you this manuscript for only forty-five thousand euros. He assures you that the price of the manuscript at the last auction was set at forty-eight thousand euros, but that the then director of the branch refused to sell this manuscript for the proposed price, considering it too low, and withdrew this lot from the auction, paying a penalty for the withdrawal of the lot after the auction in the amount of one and a half thousand euros from his own funds. Therefore, the proposed transaction seems very attractive to you, since we respect your interest in old French manuscripts. We note that this manuscript contains a book by the great master Alexandre Dumas about King Henry of Navarre, how he took the French throne under the name of Henry the Fourth, and also about the conspiracy that resulted in King Henry being killed by a treacherous blow of a knife. In conclusion, it is said that this book is a continuation of the famous trilogy published under the titles "Queen Margot", "Countess de Monsoreau" and "Forty-five", contains a story about real historical figures, such as Henry of Navarre, Henry the Third, Henry of Lorraine, Chicot, d'Epernon and others, as well as persons who apparently did not really exist, who are literary heroes. This manuscript is of no interest as a historical source, since it tells of events that the author could not have witnessed, however, it is of obvious literary interest.
We ask that you let us know as soon as possible if you are interested in purchasing this manuscript at the price offered. The price includes postage of this manuscript to you and insurance for this postal item. The documents on the examination performed are included in the package you purchase.
We are also happy to announce that if you purchase this manuscript, you will be credited with 450 bonuses from our store, which is equivalent to 450 euros on your next purchase.
Sincerely
"Store Director."

After reading this letter, I am overcome with mixed feelings.
On the one hand, I have a stack of still untranslated sheets in front of me. As far as I understand, these sheets are Aramis's account of the events that happened to him during the two periods when the adventures of the four friends fell outside the attention of the author, Alexandre Dumas. The logic of the presentation falls apart, so it would be better if this part of the manuscript, after translation, was entitled "Memoirs of Aramis". At the moment, I am tired of translating; many important matters have been forgotten and urgently require my return to them. Therefore, it seems unreasonable to me to take on the work of translating another voluminous manuscript. I have not yet mastered even this manuscript, and I am already quite tired.
Another point is the indication that the attached manuscript is accompanied by documents on the examination carried out in relation to it.
I began to have serious doubts, since the manuscript I bought did not come with any such documents. Apparently, I should order an expert assessment of this manuscript before continuing its translation.
But what should I answer the store manager? Would I miss an opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime? And on the other hand, maybe the first manuscript was a fake, and the second one too?

I need to take a break…