Memoirs of Aramis, Book 8

Memoirs of Aramis, Book 8

Annotation

The eighth book of the fan fiction, "Memoirs of Aramis", tells about the events that occurred after the trial of former superintendent of finance Nicolas Fouquet ended, which sentenced him to exile. King Louis XIV , irritated by the leniency of the court, commuted this sentence to life imprisonment in the fortress of Pignerol. D'Artagnan was ordered to deliver Fouquet to where the King's twin brother, Louis Philippe, was already being held by this time.
D'Artagnan fulfilled this order of the King. After this, the King ordered the transfer there of his brother, Louis-Philippe, since d'Artagnan reported to him that the Pignerol fortress was the most reliable prison in the entire kingdom, and the commandant of the fortress de Saint-Mars, the former quartermaster of the company of the royal musketeers d 'Artagnan, was described by him as the best and most reliable guard for the most dangerous state criminal. The king also ordered D'Artagnan to deliver Louis Philippe to Pignerol, as he was convinced of his loyalty. Indeed, it was he who freed the King from the Bastille after Aramis secretly placed him there, replacing him with his brother during his sleep. D'Artagnan returned the King to the throne, and secretly returned his twin brother, an impostor and usurper, back to the Bastille. So, the King did not fear the betrayal of his captain of the musketeers. But Fate decreed differently. On the way back, d'Artagnan quite by chance met Porthos and strongly recommended that he hide in Switzerland. However, apparently, one of the King's or Colbert's spies identified Porthos and reported to the King about d'Artagnan's meeting with the state criminal Baron du Valon. The king accused his captain of the musketeers that his information about the death of Baron du Valon was erroneous and instructed him to find and arrest him, as well as Aramis, Athos and Raoul de Bragelon. The king warned d'Artagnan that if this order was not carried out, he himself would be considered a state criminal, and if it was successfully carried out, the captain would receive a marshal's baton along with the title of marshal of France. D'Artagnan faced the difficult choice of following the King's orders and betraying all his friends, everyone dear to him, or betraying the King, but at the same time hardly having the opportunity to save his friends. What d'Artagnan will do in this case, you will learn from the eighth book of the Memoirs of Aramis.
Enjoy reading!

Chapter 316

D'Artagnan left the King's office in complete despair. The king provided for everything. This time, what appeared before d'Artagnan was not the young boy whom he had once defended from the rebels of the Fronde, and not the inexperienced youth who had gratefully absorbed the advice of an experienced warrior. He was a sober-minded, fully established politician who defends himself and his power, stopping at nothing. He even foresaw a suicide attempt, which d'Artagnan, of course, would have thought about, but he had not yet even had time to consider this option of saving his friends when it turned out that this was not an option at all, that it would not give the desired result. Any attempt by d'Artagnan to save his friends seemed doomed to failure. Invisible spies were watching him. He could not warn them by mail or send a messenger.
The king entrusted this matter to him because he was convinced that only he, d'Artagnan, would find his friends easier and faster than anyone else. As soon as he finds them, Colbert's bloodhounds following him will also find them, capture them and take them to the King, who, of course, will be deaf to any pleas. Or it is possible that they are tasked with killing his friends right away. Of course, with a sword in hand, it would not be easy for them to defeat the brave musketeers, but a treacherous shot in the back could end the lives of their beloved friends, and d’Artagnan could not allow this.
Without noticing where he was going, d'Artagnan came to the shop of his former servant Planchet.
- Monsieur d'Artagnan! - exclaimed Planchet. - How glad I am to see you here! Come in, settle down! You know that you can have lunch, breakfast and dinner with me whenever you want and completely free of charge!
“A wonderful opportunity, dear Planchet, especially since I never take advantage of it,” replied the captain of the musketeers. “But I shouldn’t have come to you.” I myself don’t understand why I did this.
- What are you saying, Mister Captain? - Planchet was horrified. - Has my home and my hospitality become a burden to you?
“I’m being watched, my friend, but I can’t identify these people, that’s the thing,” answered d’Artagnan. “Now they will be watching you too.”
- What a miracle! - Planchet waved him off. “Weren’t the cardinal’s spies watching us?” And these spies are no match for those spies. You forgot that I am very experienced in conspiracy, because I participated in the Fronde!
“Yes, you’re a master at hiding, I remember how cleverly you hid from my orders,” d’Artagnan laughed.
“Listen, Mister Captain,” Planchet said unexpectedly seriously. - Here's the key to the first room on the second floor. Go there and relax. In ten minutes your lunch will be brought to you. In twenty minutes I will come up to you and we will decide what to do.
“I have absolutely no appetite, my friend Planchet,” d’Artagnan waved him off.
“You complained that you were being followed, which means you were planning to take a trip that those who installed this surveillance should not have known about,” Planchet said. “Well, we’ll deceive those who are watching you so that you can go where you need to go without interference.” And before a long journey, you should always eat, because on the way you don’t know when and where else you will find a decent lunch.
“There is a lot of truth in your words, dear Planchet,” agreed d’Artagnan. “I think my appetite has already returned.” Tell me to carry what you have for this case and give me the key here.

After d'Artagnan had destroyed the roast partridge and half a bottle of Burgundy, Planchet entered the room.
“Mr. Captain, my boys, who serve in the kitchen and other minor affairs, have discovered that three officers are watching you at different ends of the street, blocking all your escape routes,” he said.
- Only three! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “Shouldn’t I string them one by one on my sword?” However, nonsense, Colbert will send three more, or thirty-three, if he deems it necessary.
“I also thought that we wouldn’t achieve anything through bloodshed,” Planchet agreed. - Listen to what I came up with. I have a helper, his name is Francois. He is the same height as you, his gait also resembles yours. One day I saw him from behind and decided that it was you, and when I discovered that I was mistaken and it turned out that he was looking for work, I decided that this was the finger of fate, and immediately took him to the stable. I reasoned that the Lord created such a similarity in figure, posture and height for something.
- Brilliant, dear Planchet! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - Call him quickly!
“You will exchange clothes, and he...” Planchet continued.
- Yes, my friend, yes! We will send him on the longest journey, but not longer than a month. - continued d'Artagnan with enthusiasm. - Call him!
- Francois, come in! - Planchet shouted, the doors opened and the one Planchet was talking about appeared on the threshold.
“The nose is too big, and the mustache is too black, mine is already completely gray,” noted d’Artagnan, “If you put on your face a mask like the one I recently had, then even Aramis would not distinguish him from me!”
“My Jeannette will sew a mask in ten minutes,” said Planchet, “she will only have to take your measurements.” Sprinkle the mustache with flour. As for the nose...
“Don’t tell me that my nose is the same or even bigger,” the captain laughed.
“I didn’t mean to say that,” Planchet lied without blinking an eye.
“Let Jeanette take Francois’s measurements,” ordered d’Artagnan, “and while she sews, I will give him some instructions.”
Mademoiselle Jeanette entered, made a curtsey and began to tenderly apply her tailor's yardstick to Francois's face. She took the measurements so delicately, and she herself was so young and fresh, that our captain repented that he had refused to have his face measured.
As soon as she disappeared through the door, d'Artagnan began to outline his plan.
“Dear Francois,” he said. — Do I understand correctly that you agree to make a short trip around France at my expense on my horse and in my costume?
“If these spies are not assigned to kill you,” answered Francois, “then my journey will be pleasant and educational.” If they have orders to kill you, then the journey will be even more exciting, but I am afraid of disappointing those who sent them, since not all of them will return.
- Bah, you’re a Gascon! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “You can’t confuse Gascon speech with anything, just like Gascon courage, which people from other provinces mistakenly call bragging until they understand from the holes in their skin that this is just a statement of facts!”
“Mr. Planchet told me about you many times,” said Francois modestly, “my house was no further from yours than M. Planchet’s house is from the Louvre.”
“In that case, dear Francois,” asked the captain, “why is such a brave young man serving in the stables, and not asking me to become a musketeer?”
“Even though my parents belong to a noble family, they are completely ruined,” Francois answered simply. “I decided to conquer Paris, starting from the very bottom.” Working for Mr. Planchet, in three months I have almost saved up for full equipment; I just have to earn enough money to buy a good horse and an excellent sword, after which I will ask to join the company of guards. This will take no more than three months.
- A nobleman serves at Planchet? - the captain was surprised.
“Monsieur Perrin is riding my two horses,” Planchet said modestly. “And we agreed that I opened him a small loan, which he could repay whenever he wanted.”
- That's another matter! - exclaimed the captain. - So, you need to train Planchet’s horses for another three months?
“Three months and a week, Mr. Captain,” the young man answered modestly.
- This will take no more than a month, since for this month, Francois, you are hired by me at a triple rate. “I will personally choose your sword and horse,” answered d’Artagnan. “And for this month I will lend you my sword, my horse and all my equipment.” You will go towards Blois along the longest road. The spies will decide that you are going to the count, let’s not say his name, confusing their tracks. This is what they expect from me. They will follow you. But halfway you have to turn and go towards the Brassier estate, also winding as much as possible. Before reaching Brassier, you will again turn towards Blois, but you will go there along a different long road. For twenty-five to thirty days you should not be given the opportunity to look at your face and hear your voice, this is your task.
“The mask is already ready,” Planchet reported. - In an hour it will be dusk, my people will go home. I ordered them all to leave at the same time and go in different directions. You will also go out with them, wearing Fran;ois’ clothes. Three spies will not be able to monitor everyone at the same time. At this very moment, Francois will leave the yard in your clothes and, spurring your horse, will rush in the indicated direction as quickly as possible.
“Three fools will rush after him, and I will head to where I should have been long ago,” said d’Artagnan. - Planchet, Francois, I am your debtor! In the meantime, here’s money for expenses,” with these words the captain threw a wallet on the table, although not too weighty, but containing enough gold, which would be enough for Francois’s two-month journey.
After this, the captain and Francois exchanged clothes and began to carry out Planchet's plan.

Chapter 317

Before his conversation with d'Artagnan, the King had a long conversation with Colbert.
“Monsieur Colbert,” said Louis. — Fouquet’s case is not over yet.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Colbert agreed, although he did not understand what could be discussed in the future, he simply learned that one should always agree with the King in everything, and this was very useful knowledge.
“I remember that Fouquet called himself ruined, pointing out that he did not have even two million livres,” the King recalled.
“That’s exactly what he said at the trial!” Colbert confirmed.
- Do you believe this statement? - Louis inquired.
“Mr. Fouquet has already proven that not a single one of his statements should be believed!” - Colbert answered with some vehemence. - Especially in relation to finances, and especially in relation to his own financial capabilities!
“But it seemed to me that you were aware of all Fouquet’s financial affairs, didn’t you?” - the King was surprised. - So you don’t believe Fouquet only because you don’t trust his words, or do you have evidence of the falsity of his statements?
“I know that his statements are false,” Colbert stated firmly. “Even after the removal of all securities from Fouquet’s offices, nominally quite large sums remained in his hands in jewelry, paintings, buildings, etc.
Colbert wanted to mention the value of the lands belonging to Fouquet, but caught himself in time, since he had the firm intention of taking possession of these lands for himself personally.
- How much do you estimate the wealth left behind by his family? - inquired the King.
“No less than ten million livres,” answered Colbert.
- This answer is not accurate! - said the King, feigning displeasure. - What does this “no less than” mean? Didn't I tell you to control all of Fouquet's financial transactions? Haven't you received all the necessary authority to do this?
“The money stolen by Fouquet from the operations that he carried out during the time when I could control them has already all been returned to the treasury, it’s four and a half million livres,” answered Colbert.
- So justice has triumphed? - asked Louis.
“The court accused Fouquet of embezzlement of significantly larger sums,” Colbert clarified.
— It seems that Fouquet objected that this was not embezzlement, but funds issued to Cardinal Mazarin for special needs in the interests of the state, which were not passed through the treasury, but were carried out on the secret orders of the cardinal?
“It’s just Fouquet’s invention,” Colbert lied. “The Cardinal would never have demanded money from Fouquet without providing him with a receipt in return.”
At this moment, even the King realized that Colbert was lying, since he still remembered what Cardinal Mazarin was like.
- Do you insist that Mazarin could not have taken the money without a receipt? - he asked and looked into Colbert’s eyes.
“Cardinal Mazarin was a crystal honest man, and would never have taken a single sou from the treasury without a receipt,” Colbert stated firmly, realizing that this lie should be insisted on. - Regarding the cardinal's honesty, Your Majesty can inquire from the Queen Mother, who will certainly confirm my words.
“She will confirm it, even if it is not so,” thought the King. “Well, let’s assume that the Cardinal really wrote the receipts to Fouquet, although I seriously doubt it!”
— Could these receipts somehow get lost? - asked the King. — Perhaps, when Fouquet’s papers were confiscated, they fell into the category of unimportant documents? I was told that Fouquet insisted that there were receipts in his documents, which he could not produce because his papers had been confiscated.
“By my order, all the papers that could be included in the indictment against Fouquet were placed in folders with red spines, and the papers that could serve to justify him, I ordered to be placed in folders with green spines,” Colbert lied. — There were several dozen folders with red spines; folders with green spines were not needed, since not a single document confirming Fouquet’s words or refuting the accusations against him was found in his papers.
“It’s good that I ordered all the folders with green spines to be transferred to me! - thought Colbert. “I studied them for long evenings, it was entertaining reading, and, in part, I already burned them all, and ordered the ashes to be crushed and scattered over the Seine!”
- So, not only Fouquet’s abuses and crimes have been proven, but also that he owes the treasury a significant amount? - asked the King.
“He owes sixteen million four hundred and seventy-three thousand eight hundred and eleven livres and forty-eight sous,” answered Colbert. - So if a smaller amount is obtained from the sale of his property, all of it should go to the treasury. If the amount comes out more, the difference can be transferred to his family.
“In this case, I instruct you to sell Fouquet’s seized property,” the King concluded. — You can put paintings, statues, buildings and other valuables up for auction. Anything that can be sold, sell it. Do this carefully, your success will earn you the position of Superintendent of Finance, which is still vacant.
“I obey, Your Majesty,” Colbert replied. “Can I also order the dismantling of the fountains in Vaux-le-Vicomte?”
- Why destroy the fountains? - asked the King.
“Copper pipes are very expensive,” Colbert replied. “They could be useful for constructing fountains at Fontainebleau.”
“I told you, take everything that is valuable,” answered the King. “There is no need to bother me about such petty details.” And here's another thing. Fouquet was friendly with the Bishop of Vannes. Take a closer look at this person's property. Probably part of Fouquet's money went to him. And although I appointed another person as Bishop of Vannes a long time ago, deal with this. If the new bishop has significant sums hidden in the palace he has received, they should be found and confiscated. I remind you that the Chevalier d'Herblay has been declared an enemy of the state! I hope you are looking for him?
“Your Majesty, the Chevalier d'Herblay does not need to be found, since he is not hiding, but, unfortunately, we cannot reach him, since he serves at the Spanish court,” answered Colbert. “However, my people are keeping a close eye on people associated with the Chevalier d'Herblay who remain in France.
“Are d’Herblay’s accomplices still in France?!” - the King cried, but immediately caught himself and added more calmly. - Know, Mr. Colbert, that any person who is at least somehow connected with the Chevalier d'Herblay must be arrested as quickly as possible and placed in the Bastille! There are no exceptions to this rule!
“Monsieur d’Artagnan was a close friend of the Chevalier d’Herblay,” Colbert said.
“I know that,” the King waved him off. “I trust the captain of my musketeers, D’Artagnan, completely. Remember this: completely! When I said that there are no exceptions to this rule, this did not apply to d'Artagnan. My captain of the musketeers is an exception to any rule, only I can decide his fate, remember this, Mr. Colbert.
“ Quite right, Your Majesty, you are certainly right in assessing the devotion of Monsieur d’Artagnan, and I would not have mentioned him if not for one circumstance,” Colbert added softly.
- What other circumstance? - the King asked displeasedly.
“The unfortunate fact is that Baron du Valon, a friend of Monsieur d'Herblay, who was also wanted, and about whom news was received that he had died under a huge stone in the Lokmaria cave, as it turned out, did not die, but was safely saved, Colbert replied.
- And what does d'Artagnan have to do with it? - the King asked incredulously.
“The fact is that, let me remind you, Monsieur d’Artagnan was in close friendship not only with the Chevalier d’Herblay, but also with Baron du Valon,” Colbert said. “It was he who saved Baron du Valon, barely alive, who would have gone to his forefathers from hunger and cold if Monsieur d’Artagnan had not come to the cave and dug up Baron du Valon, exhausted but alive!”
- Incredible! - exclaimed the King. - And you knew about this, but were silent?
“I remained silent for the time being, Your Majesty, because Monsieur d’Artagnan best performed the functions of the man who arrested Fouquet and organized his protection,” Colbert replied. - The public of France was in great excitement due to the arrest of Fouquet, and only such a person as d'Artagnan could restrain the spontaneous riot and prevent the misfortunes that could follow if Fouquet's friends decided to release him, as similar people once did The Duke de Beaufort was released. If Beaufort had been guarded by d'Artagnan, he would not have escaped.
“You covered d’Artagnan exactly as long as you needed him to defeat Fouquet!” - guessed the King. “Now that Fouquet is under the protection of de Saint-Mars in Pignerol, have you decided that the time has come to overthrow d’Artagnan?”
“Your Majesty, temporary alliances with a less dangerous enemy against a more dangerous enemy are what Master Nicolo Machiavelli teaches,” Colbert replied. — It is unwise to ignore the advice of such a skillful politician, as we can see from the example of Charles the First of England.
“What you say is disgusting, but you are right, Monsieur Colbert,” answered the King after some thought. - Could it happen that d'Artagnan was in cahoots with his friends d'Herblay and du Valon? I'm not talking about any specific conspiracy, but a purely hypothetical conspiracy against me?
“I do not exclude this, Your Majesty, but if this were the case, then there would definitely be another person in the conspiracy with them,” Colbert replied.
-Who is this man? - asked the King.
- Comte de La F;re, Your Majesty! Colbert replied.
- Comte de La F;re? - asked Louis. - Unthinkable! Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit, noble like de Gramont or de La Rochefoucauld?
“Knight of two Orders of the Holy Spirit, Your Majesty,” Colbert reminded. — He received the first Order of the Holy Spirit from the late Charles of England. These honors probably went to his head. If you remember, Your Majesty, he incurred Your disfavor due to his absurd behavior when he asked for consent to the marriage of his son, Viscount de Bragelonne, to Mademoiselle de La Valli;re!
Hearing the name Louise de La Valli;re, the King shuddered. He no longer loved Louise as tenderly and devotedly as in the early years, but he respected her very much and became attached to her, since she had already given birth to two children and a third could appear very soon.
- Marry Mademoiselle de La Valli;re against my wishes! - exclaimed the King. - What a cheek! I remember this incident. I even, it seems, signed an order for his arrest, but later d'Artagnan persuaded me to forgive him.
“You see, Your Majesty, that these four friends stand up for each other like a mountain, and Monsieur d’Artagnan will never arrest any of his friends, even if he receives a completely unambiguous order from you,” Colbert replied.
“I remember that I once found a letter from this same de Bragelon on Louise’s table!” - said the King in a quiet voice. “She said that this was nothing at all, that this was some fellow countryman of hers, a friend of her innocent childhood!” But how pale she turned then! I saw that she was very scared that I read the sender's name at the end of the letter. I think it said “Forever yours, Raoul de Bragelonne,” or even something worse!
“Your Majesty, if, as you say, there could be a conspiracy against you by these four, then the reason for this could be that you did not consent to the marriage of de Bragelonne with Mademoiselle de La Valli;re,” suggested Colbert. — For your safety, all four must be placed in the Bastille.
“And also this Raoul,” added the King. “But I don’t want to put d’Artagnan in the Bastille!” I believe him, no matter what you say about him!
“In that case, Your Majesty, instruct him to arrest three of his friends and the Viscount de Bragelonne,” Colbert prompted. - If he carries out your order, he will be above suspicion. And if he does not fulfill it, then does Your Majesty need officers who do not carry out your orders?
- Yes, Colbert, you’re right, that’s what I’ll do! - exclaimed the King. - Prepare a written order for the arrest of these four - the Chevalier d'Herblay, the Comte de La F;re, the Baron du Valon and the Viscount de Bragelonne!
“Let me give you some advice, Your Majesty,” Colbert said softly. - D'Artagnan is cunning, and he will find something to complain about in the order, or he will simply pretend that he lost it and therefore could not carry it out. If you give him a verbal order, it is impossible to lose it. D'Artagnan is the captain of the royal musketeers, he must obey your verbal orders as well as written ones!
“Well, that’s reasonable,” agreed the King.
“And in case d’Artagnan decides to claim that his friends died, demand from him unequivocal evidence of such a statement,” Colbert clarified. “If d’Artagnan does not carry out the order within a month from the date of its receipt, he will be added to the list of state criminals and share their fate with them.” Warn him about this and show him the prepared order for the arrest of him and his friends, ordering that it be carried out by, say, Marshal de Gramont.
“Okay,” agreed the King.
“Let me also make a note that the order will be transmitted to Marshal de Gramont in the event that Monsieur d’Artagnan accidentally dies in a duel, or due to some other unforeseen circumstances - falls from the bridge or is killed by robbers,” Colbert continued.
“Do you think that d’Artagnan will go to his death to save his friends?” - exclaimed the King.
“I do not assume so, Your Majesty,” Colbert answered humbly. - I know it.
“It’s our happiness that d’Artagnan did not count Fouquet among his friends!” - said Louis.
“The Lord kept us from this misfortune,” Colbert agreed.
“Why didn’t God send me friends like d’Artagnan?” - asked Louis.
“Because Your Majesty does not know how to be a friend to anyone,” thought Colbert. - However, can the King have friends? Well now, Monsieur d'Artagnan, beware! By God, it would be better for you to give up the position of captain of the royal musketeers to my nephew than to cross my path! You will see how I can get rid of my opponents!”

Chapter 318

In my memoirs, I write mainly only about what is connected with our old friendship, the friendship between me, Athos, Porthos and d'Artagnan. I do not concern myself with my affairs in leading the Jesuit Order.
Perhaps the time has come to say a few words about this.
My actions in relation to the leadership of the Order were aimed at spreading the Catholic faith in the world and strengthening it. The Order was not an instrument of power, violence or suppression of people, as people not privy to its affairs later said. Of course, sometimes it was necessary to remove from the road those who interfere with the work of faith. But it was a benefit for those who were pushed aside. Imagine a carriage rushing at speed, pulled by a magnificent four good horses. Now imagine that an unintelligent child is sitting in the path of this carriage. The carriage cannot turn to the side because there are large stones or trees or bushes on both sides of the road. It is impossible to instantly stop speeding horses. There is only one way to save this child - by removing him from the path of the madly rushing carriage. The work of Jesus cannot stop, it cannot turn aside. If this matter is impeded by some nobleman who has inappropriately begun to be willful and bend his line, he can only be removed from his place. You can do this politely and gently, but if there is no time and resource for politeness, the Order removes it in one motion, just as you brush an annoying fly off the table with a towel. You don't think about whether the fly will be scared or whether it will not receive any psychological trauma. I also agree that you are not worried about whether the fly will remain unharmed or whether your towel will break its wings or legs. It must be swept off the table, there is simply no other option. You can remove a stupid child from the road; if you are lucky enough to save him, you will be proud of it. If you break his arm, you can take comfort in the fact that you saved his life after all. I am afraid to argue further and draw analogies, because otherwise I will be accused of justifying crimes against individual people. But I don't justify anything. I am a Jesuit, and the most important of all Jesuits. Therefore, I am the servant of the Lord. I listen to His instructions, which are given to me in signs that are imperceptible to inattentive people. I guess His will, whether right or wrong, He is responsible for this, not me. And to whom should He answer, if not to Himself? And if He allowed me to take the place of the general of the Order, therefore, He wanted it that way. If He allowed me to strive for even greater power, and if this desire of mine was crowned with success, then I see His will in this too.
Yes, I would never allow someone's life to be taken in vain. But I did not do it in vain, but in the name of a high goal. Perhaps my descendants will judge me. But in this case they forget that I am a soldier, a musketeer, my profession has always been to kill on the orders of the King. If I saw that the King’s orders were not fair, cruel, if I refused to kill in the name of supporting his power, then in order to resist him, I was ready to risk, first of all, my life, and, in addition, happiness, well-being and the very lives of the people whom the Lord entrusted under my leadership. Not all of them, but those who agreed to serve the Lord and me as soldiers.
So my goals were faith, my tools were people, and my methods were people's passions, as well as ways to influence them. I have used bribery, threats, blackmail, I have even used, let's say, powerful drugs secretly mixed into food or drink, but this, however, is very rare. Actually, only once, in relation to the Duke of Lorraine, Charles the Fourth, however, he himself was guilty of this. After all, no one forced him to break his word and put France on the brink of a new catastrophe, civil war and rebellion. He almost allowed a confrontation between two legitimate Kings, two legitimate heirs to the throne, those two twin brothers whom their own mother and father separated forever for the well-being of France, for the sake of peace and prosperity of the monarchy. I did not encroach on the life of my predecessor, the general of the Order, who transferred his power and its details to me from hand to hand. The general died a natural death, I did not give him any drink, this is slander in Grimaud’s memoirs.
So, I was engaged in the affairs of religion, for me this matter was sacred and interesting, for my brothers in Christ, my parishioners, obedient to my will, my affairs were sacred, I was not in danger of rebellion, the servants of the Order were completely obedient to my will. Probably one of the reasons for this was that I knew from whom I could demand what, and from whom I could not ask what. In this I differed favorably from Louis XIV , who could command every drop of d'Artagnan's blood, provided he did not require him to do any harm to his friends. I will also say that from such an inability to understand his captain of the musketeers, perhaps the King himself suffered more than his captain. This is a lesson to all monarchs of all times and peoples: Know from whom you can demand what, do not forget about it, remember that even the most obedient person showed obedience only up to certain limits. The world does not consist of Abrahams who are ready to sacrifice their own son Isaac to their master. If God himself had demanded that d'Artagnan kill me, or Athos, or Porthos, then he too would have failed. He would have failed with both Porthos and Athos.
I wrote this and was horrified. I have never thought about whether I would obey the Lord if He asked me to sacrifice one of my friends? When I started writing this chapter, I was convinced to myself that I would not agree. But no one is forcing me to lie to this paper, which is not intended for anyone to read! I'm only writing this for myself, so I have to be honest. I remember that I actually sacrificed Porthos to my ambitions, even if I considered them inspired by the Lord and pleasing to God for this reason. But why deceive yourself? First of all, I wanted to change the King, I wanted to place Philip, obedient to me, on the throne of France, in order to manage the entire state through him. I wanted my position to be higher than that of Fouquet and even higher than the King himself, because the new King would be entirely dependent on me. Yes, I didn’t think about the fact that I was risking not only myself, but also Porthos! But I had to think about it. Yes, I was convinced of my victory, but I also had to think about the possibility of defeat.
Cardinal de Retz, Paul de Gondi, whom I always despised, once said that any enterprise must be thought through so deeply that even defeat brings us certain benefits! And he finally achieved his goal. The Fronde, invented and implemented by him, was defeated, but even as a result of the defeat, Gondi became a cardinal from a Parisian coadjutor! I should follow his example and think through my steps just as carefully!
When I realized that d'Artagnan had guessed my plans and intended to return Louis to the throne, I fled shamefully, because I did not dare to go against my friend.
I justified my flight with noble motives: I did not want to become an enemy to my friend. But I had to remember Porthos, who was no less a friend to me than d'Artagnan! I had to think about saving Porthos first and forget about myself! I didn't do it. Therefore, I will now get up from my comfortable chair, go to the Venetian glass mirror in a gold frame, and spit at my reflection. So I will express condemnation to myself for irresponsibly risking my friend and almost destroying dear Porthos - the kindest , most sincere and, perhaps, my dearest friend! Lord, I thank you that in that difficult time you did not take him to yourself, that you left him to us, and saved his life!
Yes, I have to admit that I was not the same then as I am now. Perhaps I could risk the lives of my friends for personal gain. I'm ashamed to say this. I hope that I am slandering myself, but I must say that this was possible under certain conditions. It's not like it is now. Now that I, a gray-haired old man, like some chronicler, am writing chapter after chapter just to mentally resurrect those events that were the happiest in my life, although I was not then who I am now, I was not Pontiff, now I am such that I would not risk the little finger of any of my friends for all the power over the world, for all the treasures of the world. Now I would gladly give my life for any of them! But what is my life now? How long do I have left? Months? Weeks? Days? Or maybe a watch! I will soon be reunited with you, my dear friends! And I hope that you will forgive me my weakness at that time, when I exposed our dear Porthos to such a risk! I really need your forgiveness! No confessor gives me absolution better than you, Athos, more reliable than you, d'Artagnan, and more simply than you did, Porthos!
It seems to me that there, outside the circle of light formed by my candles, I see the vague shadows of Athos, Porthos and d'Artagnan!
“Your idea was a great deed, although a crime, dear friend,” Athos tells me. “But you acted the only way you could have acted, because you are you, don’t torment yourself in vain.” Perhaps your actions were controlled by God, perhaps by Fate, or perhaps by someone worse. But your repentance redeems everything. Be comforted, my friend, and come to us with a pure soul and a light heart.
Athos smiles sadly and his face dissipates in the shadow of my office.
- Aramis! - exclaims d'Artagnan. -You acted extremely rashly! If you had ruined Porthos, I might never have forgiven you for it. But, damn it, Porthos didn’t die, and your only fault is that you took a risk, and risk is an unchanging state in which every musketeer finds himself! And no matter how much you pretended to be an abbot, you were always first and foremost a musketeer! The only thing I will reproach you with is that if you had to risk someone’s life, you had to choose me out of the three of us! However, that’s a thing of the past, I join Athos and suggest you remove this stone from your soul. This did not harm Porthos at all, and he quickly regained the lost weight. The Lord is with you!
After this, d'Artagnan's face also began to sway and dissipate in the darkness.
All that remained was the good-natured face of Porthos.
“I can’t speak as beautifully as they do,” said Porthos with an embarrassed smile. - Forgive me for the fact that you have been sad for so long, and that I became the cause of this sadness. Have fun! While you are alive, you should enjoy life! If it were possible to return everything, and if I knew how it would all end, I would still follow you! We had a lot of fun at the end!
- Don't go, Porthos! - I exclaimed.
But Porthos’s face smiled shyly at me again and disappeared into the night.
Ugh! I think I fell asleep!
I'll write this dream down! After all, I am writing these memoirs solely in order to again feel myself among my dear friends! This dialogue in the middle of the night in the luxurious study of the pontiff, lit only by five candles standing on the table in a wide candlestick, because it is also part of my meetings with them. I’ll keep that for memory too!

Chapter 319

A month earlier, in Blois, at the castle of Bragelonne, some events occurred that disturbed the serene life of the Comte de La F;re.
In the morning, after a horse ride, Athos had a light breakfast, went to the fencing hall, where he practiced fencing for about an hour with the former musketeer de La Valle, who lived with the count on full allowance for providing him with this opportunity, then took from the table a book that was already half read to him and retired with her in a small gazebo.
After some time, he heard two light taps on the railing of the stairs leading to the gazebo. According to the conventional sign between him and old Grimaud, this meant that guests were coming to the castle. This finger tapping was almost inaudible, but Athos had excellent hearing.
- How many? - Athos asked, without taking his eyes off the book, and heard another light knock in response.
- Friend? - Athos inquired and looked into the eyes of the gray-haired Grimaud.
Grimaud nodded, raising his left eyebrow and shaking his head slightly.
“Not a friend, but not an enemy either,” Athos concluded. - But rather a friend. Is this the Comte de Rochefort?
Grimaud nodded, closing his eyes.
Athos turned his head slightly and pointed with his eyes at the bench opposite him, then tapped two fingers on the table and raised them.
Grimaud understood everything; he should have taken Rochefort to Athos’s gazebo, then brought a bottle of Burgundy and two glasses.
Athos closed and put the book aside, after which he stood up, made several energetic movements with his shoulders and arms and left the gazebo to meet his guest.
- Dear Count, glad to see you! - said Rochefort, holding out his hand for Athos to shake.
“And I’m glad to see you, Count,” answered Athos, shaking Rochefort’s hand. - What brought you to this wilderness to me? It seems that we have not seen you since the time we arranged the escape of the Duke de Beaufort.
“ Why don’t you admit that I just missed one of my old friends?” - Rochefort replied with a smile. - But you are right! I really have something to do with you, and I hope you won’t find it unworthy of attention.
“If we talk about my attention, you can always count on it, but you, apparently, will need not only my attention, but also my help?” - asked Athos. “Since I know you as a person far from idle thoughts and actions, your matter, I believe, is quite serious, so I propose to move on to it immediately, and then we will have dinner.”
At that moment, Grimaud brought on a tray a bottle of Burgundy, two glasses and a decanter of water for Athos.
“Please forgive me, Count, that I hardly drink wine at all anymore, and if I do drink it, I dilute it heavily with water,” said Athos. “But my guests should not suffer from this habit of mine, so please help yourself while the table is set for us in another gazebo.”
Grimaud filled Rochefort's glass, then poured water into Athos' glass, which he only slightly tinted with wine from the same bottle.
- For our adventures undertaken to save the Duke de Beaufort! - Rochefort proclaimed, raising his glass.
“I am grateful to you, Count, for involving me in this matter,” answered Athos. “You thought through everything in such detail and foresaw that this idea was accomplished exactly as planned.” Therefore, I will say: bravo, Comte de Rochefort!
“It was guarded rather casually, and we just took advantage of the opportunity,” Rochefort replied.
“Not every nobleman realized the vileness of what Mazarin allowed himself to do.” Thanks to you, we did what we had to do in this situation. The Cardinal, who dared to imprison the Prince of Blood, should have realized that there were forces capable of resisting his tyranny! - Athos answered. - In those distant times, when you and I were on opposite sides of the barricades, I had no idea how devoted you were to the royal house, how ready you were to self-sacrifice and risk for the sake of a person of royal blood!
“Speak only for yourself, Count,” said Rochefort. “I was not guided by noble principles, but by the simplest motives. They laughed at me, they considered me incapable of anything, I was indignant. Therefore, I proved that I can still do a lot. I simply took revenge on Mazarin because he considered me a good-for-nothing old man. No, of course, he didn’t say this to my face, but his eyes said exactly that. He decided that my destiny was to grow old ingloriously and die in the Bastille, as befits a person who has lost at least a fraction of the trust of those in power and is of no value to them. I proved that it’s too early to neglect me. I was by no means guided by noble motives, like you, but I confess, knowing your character, I counted on your noble motives.
“A noble deed done not for noble reasons does not cease to be noble,” Athos said softly. - Count , you are slandering yourself. All of us nobles are loyal servants of the King, but we are also servants of his family. The Duke de Beaufort belongs to the royal house, and it was our duty to intercede on his behalf. We have completed it, and this is the end of our mission. Moreover, being free, the Duke was able to make peace with the King, so our mission can no longer be considered criminal. After all, we returned to France the commander who is so needed when France is in a state of war, even if not the largest in the history of France, but not unimportant.
“We have not completed our mission, Count, the Duke of Beaufort has not reconciled with the King, he is in great danger,” Rochefort objected. “I know from reliable sources that there are people in his army who received orders to shoot him in the back during one of the battles. The Duke was not destined to return home from this battle.
-Are you sure about this? - asked Athos. -Can the King be so treacherous?
“Perhaps the order was given not by the King, but by Colbert, or some other influential person,” Rochefort replied.
“Can someone really hatch such insidious plans bypassing the King?” - Athos was surprised. “After all, if Louis finds out about this, the one who planned this and ordered it to be carried out should not be killed!” And who might need this?
“The king reconciled with Beaufort only for show,” Rochefort clarified. - If you were in Paris, you would understand this too. Just for show, the King even sent the Duke de Beaufort at the head of a good army to fight for the interests of France. Of course, the Duke feels safe, at least from the rear. He does not expect such betrayal, and therefore he is doomed if no one warns him.
- All soldiers must obey their commander! - Athos exclaimed. - Shooting your commander in the back is the most vile of betrayals!
“I have already encountered a situation where in the ranks of junior officers there are persons who have received special powers signed by the King,” Rochefort replied. - Monsieur Colbert did such things. Therefore, I have no doubt that in this case he is both the author and compiler of these special powers.
- What a time! - Athos exclaimed. “Cardinal Richelieu would never have stooped to such baseness!”
- You think? - Rochefort asked with a grin. - Count, it’s as if you are looking at the world through a rainbow!
- Was Richelieu really just as treacherous? - asked Athos.
“I shouldn’t know,” was all Rochefort answered.
“Oh yes, it’s true, you were one of his confidants,” muttered Athos. - So, you too...
“No, I never did anything like that, and I didn’t give orders for anyone else to do it,” Rochefort replied. “But don’t you remember that during the siege of La Rochelle, your friend d’Artagnan was not shot at from the enemy’s positions, but from behind, from the trenches, by his own soldiers?”
“I believed that this was the initiative of a lady known to both of us,” said Athos.
“Initiative is one part of action, and consent is another part of it, no less necessary,” Rochefort noted philosophically. - Let's just say that Colbert apparently expressed concern to the King that the Duke de Beaufort would not return from his campaign, and watched how His Majesty would react to this assumption. He noticed from some signs of the King’s facial expressions, which all the courtiers can read perfectly, that His Majesty, apparently, would not be too upset if he lost his relative, who had so tired him with his conspiracies and irritated him with his popularity, who was already like a bone in his throat .
“I admit that Beaufort is not nice to His Majesty, but why would Colbert, or, especially, the King, need to meanly kill the Duke of Beaufort?” - Athos was surprised. - After all, he can simply be exiled somewhere far away?
- Politics, Count! - Rochefort replied. — Beaufort, the grandson of Henry IV, and for this reason alone he is popular among the people. After his release, he not only made peace with the King, but also received the positions of Grand Master, Chief and Chief Superintendent of Navigation. The king pretended to condemn Mazarin for arresting and imprisoning Beaufort in the castle of Vincennes. The king showered him with favors so that no one would doubt it. Blaming all the insults inflicted on Beaufort on the dead man is a great move. But if we now send him into disgrace, the people may not understand such treatment of his favorite. A new Fronde may begin. Believe me, if Beaufort, who also returned from the war as a winner, comes up with the idea of starting a new Fronde, he can do it in no time. It would be better if he didn't come back.
— Is the king who put the all-powerful Fouquet in the Bastille and then in Pignerol afraid of Beaufort? - Athos continued to be perplexed.
“Beaufort, who defeated the Turks twice, and once with approximately equal strength, this Beaufort is not only popular among the people, but also popular among the nobility, therefore, he is doubly dangerous,” Rochefort answered. “This man is rapidly gaining popularity among the people, among the troops and in the eyes of the entire nobility. He becomes dangerous to the King, and, consequently, to Colbert, who bases his plans solely on his influence on the King.
— Is your information about the order to shoot Beaufort to one of the junior officers reliable? - Athos continued to doubt. “But this junior officer must understand that after he carries out this criminal order, he will be destroyed so as not to leave witnesses!”
“Consequently, a not very smart officer or soldier was chosen for the case, who was seduced by a lot of money,” Rochefort replied. “As for my source of information, I cannot vouch for him, but it seems to me that he told me the truth.”
“We must save the Duke,” said Athos in a tone as if he was announcing his intention to take a walk along the park path. “ Even if this information is wrong, we will lose nothing if we go to him and try to protect him.” If this is true, and we, knowing about these insidious plans, do nothing, we will never forgive ourselves! It would be better then for him to stay in the Chateau de Vincennes for the rest of his life!
“I had no doubt about your consent to this matter, Count!” - exclaimed Rochefort. “You are truly the most noble nobleman in France I know!” Such nobility and selflessness, you didn’t even bother to think about my proposal, and expressed it yourself before I had time to formulate it.
“You forget that my son Raoul is fighting under the command of the Duke de Beaufort,” Athos objected. “For me, coming to the Duke’s rescue is not only a matter of honor and duty, but also a family matter.” Any of these three reasons is enough not to think about the dangers. Besides, I'm not alone. After all, you will be with me, won't you? I believe that my old comrade in arms from the time of de Treville, de La Val, will go with us.
- De La Val? - Rochefort was surprised. - I remember him! A brave warrior and an excellent swordsman! Not the same, of course, as you or d'Artagnan were, but also one of the first!
“You flatter me, Rochefort, I am not such an excellent swordsman as d’Artagnan, although my sword has seen everything,” answered Athos. “I persuaded de La Valle to live with me, and he and I practice fencing every day.” It’s not that I ever planned to return to duty, but for some reason, maybe just out of stubbornness, I don’t want to get out of shape, I don’t want to turn into an old man. I would like to die with a sword in my hand, and this is perhaps the reason that I continue to fence every day.
“I heard that de La Val was completely ruined, he was robbed by his brother and his wife!” - Rochefort replied.
“I didn’t know about it,” Athos lied. “But De La Valle has some money.” In the evenings, you know, we played cards and dice with him, and for some reason he has been surprisingly lucky lately.
“Noble Athos donated part of his fortune to pull his former comrade in arms out of poverty! - Rochefort guessed. “If de La Val refuses to accompany us after this, I will challenge him to a duel!”
But Rochefort’s sword was not destined to see the light of day that day. As soon as de La Val heard about the proposed trip to the front in order to save the Duke de Beaufort, he himself volunteered to accompany Athos and Rochefort.
“This increases our chances against a dozen spies whose faces you don’t know,” Athos said with a smile. - Well, if we die, it will be in the struggle for noble goals, and what could be better than such an outcome in our sixth decade?
- So, there’s a fun little business ahead! - exclaimed Rochefort.
- Count! You have just said the phrase that was spoken on such occasions by our dear friend Porthos! - Athos exclaimed.
- Really? - Rochefort was somewhat deliberately surprised. “I’ll tell you a secret: this is what I was striving for.” My acting talent was lost; I could have portrayed it on stage. I have a wonderful gift of transformation.
- Acting talent? - Athos was surprised. — How did you know that you have the talent of transformation? Who told you about this?
“During the time of Richelieu, I was more than once convinced of this in practice,” Rochefort answered and smiled slyly. “I have met d’Artagnan much more often than he thinks about it.” But most of the time I didn't give myself away. That is why the cardinal knew almost every step of your inseparable four.
- Wait a minute! - Athos exclaimed. “I remember once it seemed to me that one priest somehow reminded me of you, but I immediately convinced myself that I was mistaken!”
- It was me! - Rochefort replied, after which both counts laughed cheerfully and hugged.
“And how did it happen that we didn’t kill each other?” - asked Athos. - We were very close to this!
“Your dear d’Artagnan fought with me three times, and each time inflicted very painful wounds on me!” - Rochefort replied. “I myself am surprised how he didn’t kill me in three duels in a row?” After all, already at the first of them I realized that I could not resist him!
“Well, apparently, he chose this way to avenge his Constance,” thought Athos. “It was very kind of him not to kill Rochefort.” Otherwise, I would not now have such a pleasant interlocutor and comrade in the task that we simply must complete - save Beaufort, or perish with him!
 
Chapter 320

Arriving in Marseille, Athos, de La Val and Rochefort boarded a ship bound for Naples, from there they rode overland on rented horses to Bari, from where they again reached Gythio on a ship bound for Athens. In this beautiful and sunny town, it was not without difficulty that they hired a small fast schooner, the captain of which agreed to take them to Crete. On this island is the Candia fortress, where Duke Francois de Beaufort arrived with his squadron to support the Venetian Republic in the fight against the Ottoman Empire. Among the Duke's officers were Raoul de Bragelonne and Armand de Gramont Count de Guiche. The expedition undertaken by the Duke was intended to protect the fortress of Candia from the Turks in order to prevent the loss of the island of Crete, which would give the Turks the key to the entire eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Duke de Beaufort, the second son of Caesar de Bourbon, Duke of Vend;me, the illegitimate son of King Henry IV and Gabrielle d'Estr;es and Fran;oise of Lorraine, taking into account the secret of the birth of Louis XIV from Caesar de Bourbon known to me, is biologically the brother of our King, as well as Louis - Philippe, but was not the brother of the Duke of Orleans, Philippe, that is, Monsieur. But this paternal relationship was known only to me, the Queen herself and the Duchess de Chevreuse; for everyone else, the father of Louis XIV and Monsieur was Louis XIII , and since Caesar de Bourbon was only a duke, while Louis XIII was the King of France, the difference between Louis XIV and the Duke de Beaufort was huge, so Louis ruled the country, while Beaufort had to perform the functions of a military leader.
Francois de Beaufort was distinguished by extreme courage and belligerence, surprisingly combined with a rather eccentric character. As a result of a conspiracy against the first minister, Cardinal Mazarin, he was imprisoned in the castle of Vincennes, from where he managed to escape with the help of the Comte de Rochefort, the Comte de La F;re and Grimaud. The Duke's participation in the Fronde movement was more nominal than active. Having received the half-joking nickname “King of the Markets” from the Parisian mob, he performed the functions of that figurehead leader, whose existence gave the Fronde the appearance of meaningful resistance to power and the illusion of having an alternative to royal absolutism. Of course, the Duke himself did not even think about overthrowing the rightful King and taking his place, but he was pleased with the idea of annoying Cardinal Mazarin, who had him imprisoned in the Castle of Vincennes. Gradually, and not without the help of the captain of the royal musketeers, d'Artagnan, the Fronde disintegrated on its own, just as a huge sea wave breaks on the shore, deadly for ships in the open ocean, but completely harmless after it reaches the rocky shore, having lost almost all of its strength as you advance.
I have already written that after the end of the unrest of the Fronde, Mazarin again reigned in Paris, in his palace, where old age and gout finally finished him off. Having bequeathed part of his wealth to the King and leaving an equally significant part of the money he stole from France to his nieces, the cardinal finally left this mortal world, or, as some desperate heads joked, “received a final promotion along the line of the spiritual hierarchy,” to the joy of many of his enemies and, to the great regret of his few friends, among whom was Nicolas Fouquet, who would have regretted Mazarin even more if he had foreseen his imminent fall, which would not have happened while Mazarin was alive. It is also likely that if Fouquet foresaw that he would end his life in prison due to too much trust on his part in Mazarin, as a result of which he gave huge sums to the cardinal, without caring about receiving a corresponding receipt for each such extradition and carefully preserve it, he apparently would not have been such an obedient executor of his will, and even, perhaps, would have strangled Mazarin with his own hands, instead of taking care of the safety of his library, collections of paintings and other valuables while the cardinal was in exile.
Queen Anne wiped away two tears from the corners of her eyes and calmed down relatively quickly after learning about the amount of the inheritance that her son Louis XIV finally received. The king quite easily reconciled with the Duke de Beaufort after his flight from the Castle of Vincennes and even appointed him to several important military posts. A series of successful military expeditions secured the position of Grand Master, Chief and Chief Superintendent of Navigation for Beaufort. The Duke and his fleet repeatedly proved to the Turks that France did not intend to give up its positions in the Mediterranean, which the beaten Turkish captains learned from their own sad experience. The expedition undertaken this time was supposed to strengthen the alliance with the Venetian Republic and further weaken the influence of the Turks, but the forces were unequal, and the expedition promised to be difficult.
If Beaufort had succeeded in winning this expedition, his fame and influence on the destinies and politics of France could indeed have increased enormously, but only a person so far from the art of war as Colbert could believe that this expedition could easily end in success. He was in vain to fear the return of Beaufort and did not take into account at all that in the event of the duke’s untimely death, the chances of success of this expedition became vanishingly small, and the failure of the expedition was extremely undesirable not only for France, but also for the entire Catholic world.
So, Count de La F;re, Count Rochefort and de La Val were in a hurry not only to prevent treason and save the Duke of Beaufort from death, in fact they were in a hurry to protect the interests of France and the Venetian Republic in the eastern part of the Mediterranean.
“I should have gone to this siege with Raoul from the very beginning,” Athos said to Rochefort, standing on the deck of the ship and peering into the distance on the horizon.
“You should not constantly patronize the young Viscount, and of course you did not, otherwise he would never have become the valiant warrior that I have heard he already is,” Rochefort objected. — The desire not to let children go has a destructive effect on their characters.
“It was precisely this consideration that held me back,” Athos sighed. “But, as you know, there are spies on the expedition who have received orders to commit the most terrible crime that can be committed in an army engaged in combat operations.” To treacherously behead a military expedition means dooming it to defeat. And to encroach on the Duke, in whose veins the blood of King Henry IV flows, is an extremely villainous crime. Only a completely immoral person who did not deserve the honor of bearing the title of nobleman could attempt such a thing.
“I completely agree with you, Count,” Rochefort replied.
“You still haven’t revealed to me the source of information about this betrayal,” Athos continued. “You, of course, have every right to hide the source of your information, I in no way question your words.” As I said, even if this information is not accurate, we lose nothing from travel except time and money, and I don’t value either of those. At the same time, I am flattering myself with the hope of seeing Raoul. If I had not had this wonderful occasion to go to meet him, I would have vegetated in Blois, whereas now I feel that I am younger, I am cheerful in spirit and filled with the brightest hopes. I live, Count, and for this I am extremely grateful to you! If the source of your information is not subject to disclosure, I apologize for my curiosity and withdraw my question.
“You didn’t embarrass me at all by asking this question,” Rochefort replied. — As you know, I took part in the actions of a certain opposition force called the Fronde. Although these forces have retreated, I still have some connections. Among the Parisian bourgeoisie there is an extremely smart fellow who runs something between a tavern, a hotel and a fruit shop. He has maintained a network of well-wishers who, on occasion, if they manage to learn some important information through servants or lackeys, deliver this information to the specified shopkeeper. This shopkeeper serves as the underground commander-in-chief of the remnants of the opposition. He tells me the information he has received only when he is sure that, firstly, it is important for me and the common cause, and secondly, he understands that without my help they cannot solve the problem that has arisen. This is the second message from this source, and the first was completely accurate and extremely timely.
“Your explanation, Count, is more than enough, and I ask you not to mention the name of this amazing person, who is a reliable source of your information,” Athos hastily answered, not wanting to know someone else’s secret to such a degree of detail that Rochefort was already ready to share with him. .
If Athos had not interrupted Rochefort, he would have learned that the mysterious source of information was none other than Planchet, familiar to him from the days of his youth, when the current shopkeeper and eminence grise of the remnants of the Fronde was a simple servant of the young and then unknown d'Artagnan , just starting his military career.
“By the way, Count,” said Rochefort, “how can we help the Duke of Beaufort on this fragile boat?” Now it’s not enough that you and I rushed to the Duke’s rescue without thinking about the means of achieving our goal, but now is the time for an acceptable plan of action.
“As far as plans are concerned, Count, you are coming to the wrong address,” Athos answered with a smile and shook his head, causing his gray curls to scatter over his shoulders, like a thousand streams flowing down a mountain. “My friend Aramis likes to make far-reaching and extremely intricate plans. As for unexpected, dizzying and decisive plans, in this area we had the best d'Artagnan. I always acted only under the influence of a sense of duty and honor, without thinking too much about the consequences, except in those cases, of course, when we all acted according to a single plan, born in the head of one of us, and accepted by all without objection. What happy times those were, Count!
- I remember this, when no one was able to stop the pressure of your glorious four! Rochefort smiled. - Although this did not please me at all, because by chance I was on the other side, so your successes were at the same time our defeats.
- Is it worth remembering such little things now? - Athos responded under the influence of romantic memories. “The king and the great cardinal, whom we served as best we could, have already departed to the best of worlds, where, I believe, they put aside all their differences and were reconciled before the face of God.” But royal blood should not be offended by vile murder. Let us act as our conscience tells us. We either save the Duke or die saving him. I see both of these outcomes as preferable to passively waiting for the outcome of this terrible drama.
- Count, I admire you and your words, and I cannot object to anything! - Rochefort replied.

Meanwhile, serious events flared up in the Kandia fortress. Under the terms of the Iberian Peace, France pledged to help the Venetian Republic in its confrontation with the Ottoman Empire. At first, success accompanied the Venetians, and they won many victories in individual battles, but after the Ottoman fleet completely defeated the Venetian one, and to top off the misfortunes, the commander of the Venetian fleet Lazaro Mocenigo was killed by a ship's mast collapsing from a cannonball, luck completely switched to the side of the Ottoman Empire . The fortress of Candia on the island of Crete remained the last outpost of the Venetian presence in the eastern Mediterranean. For this reason, the Turks spared neither strength, nor lives, nor gunpowder, nor bullets during the siege of this fortress. Using information from defectors, they learned about the most vulnerable places in the fortress and fought fierce battles in these areas. When the fighting died down for a while, the siege of the fortress continued, which complicated the already unenviable fate of the besieged.
The forces of the Duke of Beaufort arrived from the sea and joined the besieged.

Chapter 321

D'Artagnan, with the help of Francois, who was the same height as him, and, fortunately, even in some ways resembled him in facial features, successfully implemented Planchet's cunning idea: Francois portrayed d'Artagnan, and d'Artagnan portrayed Francois. While Colbert's spies followed Francois's trail, thinking they were pursuing d'Artagnan, he himself was free to choose another direction without fear of surveillance, at least at first, and that was already something.
I must say that our friends were not so lucky in everything, and if d'Artagnan managed to outwit Colbert for a while, then Colbert outplayed my friends in some ways. Realizing full well that he could not so easily kill the Comte de La F;re on his estate, where there were so many of his supporters and servants, and without a written order from the King for his arrest, he would not be able to arrest him either, he decided to lure the Count out of the house with the help of a false rumor that the Duke de Beaufort was in mortal danger due to the bribery and betrayal of one of the soldiers or junior officers. In fact, nothing of the kind happened; Colbert would never have decided to commit such a crime that he couldn’t get away with, but the rumor about this idea should have played into his hands. Colbert had no doubt that if this news came from a reliable source that Athos trusted, he would certainly rush to save the duke.
Why Colbert conceived this game will become clear if we consider that Colbert considered d'Artagnan his rival for the King's trust, which d'Artagnan himself did not suspect, since he did not even think of fighting for this advantage. Colbert studied in detail the character and habits of his rival, whom he hated because it was he who got the position of captain of the royal musketeers, but Colbert wanted to get this position for his beloved nephew! Eliminating d'Artagnan, in his opinion, would elevate Colbert himself, so he devoted all his energy to this task. He intended to eliminate his rival once and for all. The captain had to either die or be placed in the Bastille as a state criminal.
Having made sure that the King, for inexplicable reasons, extremely trusts d'Artagnan, like no one else, Colbert, of course, would like to undermine this trust in the eyes of the King, but he already had the opportunity to be convinced, and more than once, that d'Artagnan was not so simple He knew how to take advantage of successes without asking for anything, and explain his failures, which only happened to him while carrying out an assignment to arrest his friends, he explained them so cleverly that they almost looked like successes, and, worst of all, the King was inclined to believe d'Artagnan even when this should not have been done under any circumstances, which was quite obvious, in Colbert's opinion. Of course, he thought, it would be wonderful if d'Artagnan was convicted of not following the King's orders, but Colbert understood that the cunning Gascon would manage to obtain evidence of the death of his friends, or present the King with evidence of their innocence. Since Colbert did not know what exactly Aramis and Porthos were guilty of, this made it difficult to implement his plans, and he could well have allowed such a development of events. Being in the castle in Blois, Athos could well have pretended to be dead with the help of his servants; his friends and neighbors would have helped him in this: both the local doctor and the local priest. The servants would have buried in the family crypt a closed coffin, or a skillfully made wax figure dressed in the clothes of Athos, while Athos himself would have departed for an unknown destination. D'Artagnan could have played the same joke on Porthos. A death certificate signed by the local doctor, as well as a funeral certificate signed by the local vicar, the King would have considered sufficient proof of the death of his enemy. Colbert decided to try to gather all of d'Artagnan's friends in one place, away from their own estates. The best place for this was where the Viscount de Bragelonne was already located. Moreover, this place was located outside of France, where it would be easier to hide traces of the crime. If Athos, Porthos, and I had arrived there, then the easiest way would have been to eliminate us all. To do this, you just need to give orders to trusted people. What is surprising here if Cardinal Richelieu did this, or, in any case, Milady, loyal to him? Probably, Mazarin once did the same thing, and if such political murders were not noticed behind him , it was only because of his gentleness and inappropriate mercy, and not at all because of his statesmanship and political perspicacity. At least that's what Colbert reasoned.
The death of the captain of the musketeers on a foreign campaign during the storming of a fortress is not at all strange, just like the death of his comrades, former musketeers, and the son of one of them, a guardsman in the present. However, Colbert would have been content with the death of d'Artagnan alone, if he had not been sure that his friends would definitely find out about the causes and circumstances of his death and would certainly avenge him. Therefore, Colbert mentally sentenced us all, which was expressed in the order of the King he prepared, which he persuaded Louis XIV to sign, although this was not easy for him.
Baron du Valon, as reported to Colbert, was seen in Lyon, but it is quite possible that it was not Baron du Valon at all, but simply a person very similar to him. Colbert's spies could not explain where he came from or where he had disappeared. They would not have found him if they had not followed d'Artagnan's journey to Pignerol and back. They were not tasked with tracking down and looking for a person similar in description to Porthos, they simply kept an eye on d'Artagnan, which Colbert ordered just in case. Therefore, as soon as he received information that d'Artagnan had met in Lyon with a man of enormous stature, he himself did not immediately realize that this man might turn out to be Baron du Valon, who was ordered to be arrested three years ago, and who, was reported to have died in the Lokmaria cave. Having guessed that this man could be Baron du Valon, who miraculously slept, Colbert guessed the rest, which he received many confirmations. When you know what to look for and where, it is much easier to find than when you don’t know!
So, Colbert made sure that Planchet learned about the supposedly impending conspiracy against the Duke de Beaufort, Colbert knew that Planchet in this case would tell the news to the Count de Rochefort, and the Count de La F;re simply could not help but believe Rochefort. Everything worked out according to Colbert’s calculations.
Since Athos, who believed in the false message, went to Beaufort, to the army where his son Raoul served, Colbert correctly calculated that d'Artagnan, who was ordered to find Athos, Porthos, Raoul and me, would first of all go to Athos if and not in order to arrest him, but, on the contrary, in order to save him from arrest, warning him of the danger. Colbert also correctly calculated that if d'Artagnan actually met with Baron du Valon, then perhaps he would take him with him, since it would be reasonable for him to go abroad, and even join the active army, since it would be safer at the same time and not only is it not disgraceful, but it would be one of the glorious deeds to earn the King's forgiveness.
Finally, one of the considerations that guided Colbert was that the fortress of Candia, where Beaufort fought, was very far from the borders of France, and d'Artagnan was given only one month to search for all his friends. Time was working against him. Even if luck had accompanied d'Artagnan and his friends in everything, after a month from the moment of receiving the King's order, a written order to Marshal de Gramont would have come into force, according to which all of us, including d' Artagnan himself, were declared state criminals, We should all have been arrested and placed in the Bastille, after which an even worse outcome could have happened. True, I must remind you that in relation to me and Porthos, this order did not represent anything new, we were already declared state criminals, but a month after its signing, Athos, Raoul, and D' himself were also included in the list of criminals Artagnan.
The trap for all of us was extremely cunning! Colbert, among other things, hoped that I would also fall into it, that if I found out about my friends’ trip and about the danger for the Duke de Beaufort, then perhaps I would try to meet with my friends and help them.
So, the trap was ready, the bait in the form of the Duke de Beaufort, in need of protection, was inside, all that remained was to wait until those for whom the springs of this trap were cocked would fall into it!
Colbert was not at all surprised that Francois, whom his spy identified with d'Artagnan, headed towards Pierrefonds, because Porthos was supposed to live there.
At this very time, the true d'Artagnan went to Blois, intending to meet with Athos.
Although in particulars things did not happen exactly as Colbert had planned, in general everything went according to his plan, which posed a very serious danger to my friends.

Chapter 322

Despite the current situation, which threatened the life and freedom of both d'Artagnan himself and all his friends, he felt joy as he approached Blois. Anticipating a meeting with Athos, he could not think of anything bad.
“Even if Athos does not offer the best way out of the situation, he will at least offer the most noble option,” d’Artagnan said to himself out loud. “I think I’m talking to myself out loud?” So what's wrong with that? I went on this trip alone, there is no one around, I am in an open field and I am convinced that no one can hear me, since there is nowhere to hide, and my faithful horse, even if he understands what I am talking about, will not tell anyone. Well, I can afford to talk with an intelligent and understanding interlocutor, can’t I, Monsieur d’Artagnan? Yes, of course, Monsieur d'Artagnan, you are absolutely right, and I will be happy to talk with you on any topics that are interesting to you, since they are interesting to me too!
After these words, d'Artagnan burst out laughing.
- Wow! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “I’m behaving like Aramis’s grandfather, Mr. Chicot, who suddenly burst out laughing loudly in the presence of Henry the Third!” When the King asked him what was the reason for this laughter, Chiko replied that out of boredom he told himself different jokes, and there was one joke that he had never heard before!
Despite the fact that Athos called his home a modest house, he lived in the magnificent castle of Bragelonne, and the castle of La F;re was no worse, but, on the contrary, much more luxurious, but Athos considered it too luxurious and preferred to live in the castle of Bragelonne.
- I was once in the castle of La F;re! - D'Artagnan said to himself. - Magnificent castle! By God, if I could afford such a home, I would want nothing more! Of course, I would need a small staff of servants, as well as funds to maintain the castle in proper order, for provisions, forage for my horses, of which I would have at least two dozen! But Athos can easily afford all this. He is not at all poorer than Porthos, and even, I believe, he is twice, or even three times richer. Why did he choose to live in Bragelon Castle and leave La F;re to some of his distant relatives for a purely symbolic fee? It seems that he distributes all the money he receives from the rental of the La F;re castle to his servants, leaving not a single penny for himself. Noble heart!
D'Artagnan thought for a moment.
“It seems that I understand perfectly why Athos does not want to live in the castle of La F;re!” - he answered himself. “This castle reminds him of the few days he lived in a happy marriage with his wife, Milady. Well, our dear Athos is only stern in appearance, but in his soul he is extremely sensitive. So many years have passed, and I believe he cannot calmly remember this week of happiness without heartfelt trembling! If it weren’t for Raoul, our poor Athos would have gone completely crazy from these memories, and either would have drunk himself, or would have shot himself in the temple, and most likely, he would have gotten drunk first and then shot himself. It's lucky that Raoul exists! It’s a pity that I won’t see him either, but damn it, I’m so glad I’ll see Athos! We haven't seen each other for only three years, but I missed him as if I hadn't seen him for ages! Athos, my dear, soon I will shake your courageous noble hand and hug you!
But to his surprise, d'Artagnan did not find Athos in the castle of Bragelonne, but to his great surprise he found there Porthos, who was received as befits the best friends of the Count de La F;re.
- Porthos! For God's sake, how did you end up here? - he exclaimed. - And where is Athos? Did he really go hunting, leaving you bored alone in his castle? After all, I won’t believe that you refused to accompany him!
- And don’t believe me, because I’m not saying this at all! - Porthos replied, opening his arms to d'Artagnan. “Don’t worry, I’ll hug you tenderly, I remember that you need to balance your strength in such matters!”
- For once, have you learned to control yourself? - D'Artagnan asked in disbelief.
“I read in one of the books from Athos’s library that the crocodile carries her eggs so tenderly in her huge mouth with huge and very sharp teeth that not one of them gets a scratch!” Imagine ! So am I worse than a crocodile? Will I really not learn to measure my strength in handshakes and hugs with what is needed in this case?
- Porthos, you surprise me! - answered d'Artagnan. “Well, I’m ready to risk my ribs to experience the proportionality of your embrace.”
After this, Porthos hugged d'Artagnan so carefully that his surprise increased even more.
“You really have completely learned to balance your strength, dear Porthos!” - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - So where is our dear Athos?
“He has gone to Candia, that’s what the count’s people told me,” answered Porthos.
- Our Athos missed Raoul so much that he decided to join him in a military campaign on the island of Crete? - D'Artagnan was surprised. “Well, I probably would understand him if I had a son like Raoul.”
“He didn’t go there for that at all, or at least not only for that,” answered Porthos. “He left a letter for us, look at it, I’ve already read it.”
With these words, Porthos handed d'Artagnan an opened envelope, on which was written: "To give to Captain d'Artagnan, or Baron du Valon, or the Chevalier d'Herblay in case any of them comes looking for me."
D'Artagnan took from the envelope a letter with the following content:

“My friends, forgive me that I unexpectedly left my home and went to a place from which I may not return without saying goodbye to you. You will, of course, forgive me when you understand the reasons for such a hasty departure. I learned from the Comte de Rochefort that the Duke de Beaufort was in mortal danger from a treacherous shot in the back. I don’t know other details, but this information is enough for me to immediately rush to His Highness in the hope of having time to warn him about this danger and try to avert this misfortune from him. If I do not return, I instruct you to take care of Raul, and if he dies in this war, bury us side by side in the family crypt of my family. And yet I believe that we will see each other again. Hugs to all of you!
Yours forever, Athos, Count de La F;re.
One for all and all for one!"

- What do you say to this, Porthos? - asked d'Artagnan.
“I’ll say that good horses are waiting for us, and, besides, the count will forgive us if we take a couple of his servants with us,” answered Porthos. “You’re thinking about the same thing I’m thinking about?”
- Yes, Porthos! - answered d'Artagnan. “If we can help Athos save Beaufort, we don’t care about anything else.” If we are late, we still have to be there at this harsh hour. If all four of us die, it will be a glorious death! You couldn't ask for anything better. To Candia!
“But you didn’t even have time to have lunch on the way, dear d’Artagnan!” - Porthos objected. “Aren’t you going to stay at least half an hour to have lunch?”
“ Humanity invented saddlebags, and you probably ordered them to be filled with all sorts of food,” answered d’Artagnan. - Let's have a snack on the road! Even a delay of half an hour can be fatal if we miss the opportunity to board a passing ship, and we have to wait a very long time for the next one! Let's eat quietly when we are forced to remain calm while the ship carries us to our goal.
“I don’t really like to eat while pumping,” Porthos grumbled. “But you’re right, we should hurry.”
“If the seas are taking away your appetite, we will have lunch on the shore if possible, or we will not have lunch at all until the seas are over,” answered d’Artagnan.
- Well, they came up with something else! - Porthos objected. - This is how hard it must be to completely kill my appetite! As far as I can remember, I have never suffered from a lack of appetite, even in circumstances that were more inconducive to food, worse than just some kind of jock! Let's hit the road!
- Let's hit the road! - D'Artagnan picked up.

Chapter 323

A military council was held in a room in one of the inner towers of the fortress. Captain-General Francesco Morosini bent over a map of the fortress, on which marks were made on the location of the Turkish troops. Commandant Grimaldi, tapping his riding crop on his boot, walked nervously by the window, looking anxiously in the direction of the Turkish batteries. The Duke de Beaufort sat by the fireplace and listened to the distant cannonade.
“What are our strengths at present, Commandant?” - Morosini asked, turning to Grimaldi.
“Eight and a half thousand people,” answered Grimaldi, “but if you don’t count the wounded, then eight hundred people less.” Add to this the acute shortage of gunpowder, cannonballs and bullets, as well as the danger of soon being left without provisions, and you get a relatively complete picture.
- Does this mean we lost? - asked Morosini.
“This means that we must take into account all factors in order to manage the forces available to us as effectively as possible in order to reduce the likelihood of defeat,” Grimaldi replied.
“The Turks captured Mount San Lucia and installed their battery on it,” stated Morosini. “They’re hitting us from there, but we can’t answer them with anything!”
“It should be assumed that under the cover of these batteries their sappers may begin to dig tunnels,” added Grimaldi.
- This cannot be allowed! - exclaimed Morosini. “We must blow up their tunnels before they can bring them to the fortress walls, plant explosives and blow up the walls of our fortress.”
“ Turkish sappers dig their sappers with quiet glanders,” said the Duke, playing with a sea dirk. “We need to dig saps on our side, even lower, put gunpowder there and bring down their tunnels.”
“We won’t be able to dig under the fortress walls,” Grimaldi objected. “The ground underneath is rocky, and such tunnels, even if possible, would be extremely dangerous, since they would reduce the inaccessibility of the walls of our fortress.
- So they are impregnable?! - exclaimed the Duke de Beaufort. - What are we worried about then?
“I didn’t express myself quite precisely,” Grimaldi objected. “I just wanted to say that it is unwise to weaken the strength of these walls.” We will not violate the inaccessibility, but only the strength of our fortress walls. As you know, there are no impregnable fortresses. If the fortress wall cannot be overcome, then you can build a rampart from which it will be easier to climb the wall or fire inside the fortress.
- Unlike the Jews, who calmly watched as the Roman troops poured such ramparts and did not interfere with them, since the Romans worked on the holy day of the Sabbath, we will not calmly watch as the Turks make their seasonings for the attack! - answered de Beaufort.
— Did you mean to say “ preparations ”? - Morosini clarified, who, like all the listeners, did not immediately understand the meaning of the word “ seasoning ”, used inappropriately by de Beaufort.
“That’s exactly what I said,” replied the Duke, who was already accustomed to being questioned and not always understanding what he was saying, since de Beaufort had a rare disorder, as a result of which he very often made mistakes in the choice of words, which sometimes caused awkwardness , and sometimes the meaning was distorted so much that it was not always possible to correctly understand what exactly the Duke of Beaufort wanted to say.
- What can we do? - asked Grimaldi.
- We will carry out a night trick ! - exclaimed the Duke of Beaufort.
- A night raid is very dangerous! - answered the tactful Morosini, who had already become accustomed to the Duke’s manner of confusing some consonant words, and corrected Beaufort in a more tactful manner than the straightforward Grimaldi.
- I myself will lead this escapade! - exclaimed de Beaufort. “Only volunteers who will want to risk their lives for the sake of the Yuletide cause will come with me ! ”
—What will be the purpose of such an outing of your volunteers with you at their head? - asked Morosini.
“We will capture the prisoners, find out from them where the mines are underway, and collapse them or blow them up,” Beaufort said with such an impassive expression, as if he was announcing his intention to walk through the park and enjoy the smell of night violets.
“We have already made several forays, and for this reason we have eight hundred wounded and the same number died in such forays,” Grimaldi added his comment.
“Apparently, the sorties you are talking about were without proper command ,” answered Beaufort. - Under my direct command, the sortie will be more fruitful .
“I’m ready to admit that under your command the sortie will be more successful ,” Morosini replied, emphasizing the words “ command ” and “ successful ,” as if emphasizing that these words should be used, and not the terms “ command ” and “ fruitful .” - however, we cannot risk you, Your Grace.
“You don’t need to do this,” the Duke of Beaufort waved him off, “I myself can risk My Lordship, your consent is not required here.” In case I am killed in this sortie, the Comte de Guiche or the Viscount de Bragelonne will take my place. These officers fully demonstrated their courage and military ingenuity.
“Why not entrust them with leading the raid if they can replace you in everything?” - asked Morosini.
“For the simple reason that when the commander-in-chief is present in the French Army, there is no need for him to transfer his duties to his deputies, but if he is absent due to death, these duties will be transferred to them by themselves,” answered the Duke.
“Of course,” Morosini corrected quietly.
“I said so,” replied the Duke.
- When do you propose to make this sortie? - asked Grimaldi.
“At least on this very real night,” the Duke answered simply.
- In no case! - exclaimed Morosini. “If you do not allow us to keep you, Your Grace, from personal participation in this dangerous event, let us at least select the best soldiers and officers for this and carefully think through and prepare this event!”
- Nonsense! - exclaimed the Duke. “All the soldiers and officers under my leadership are good enough for war, and by calling this event dangerous, you forget that there are no safe events in war.” There’s nothing to think about here, you just need to break into the enemy’s trenches, capture prisoners and chop down all those who resist.
“Your Grace,” Grimaldi said softly. - For what reason do you prefer a night sortie to a daytime sortie?
“Because of the darkness, which gives us the advantage of secrecy,” answered the Duke.
“In this case, the full moon, which will illuminate the site of this foray tonight, will not allow us to achieve the required secrecy, since the required darkness will not take place,” Grimaldi clarified.
- What, are you suggesting waiting two weeks until the moon turns into a thin moon? - the Duke was surprised.
“We’ll wait for at least a cloudy night that will at least half hide the moon behind the clouds,” Grimaldi replied. - Let's wait for a cloudy night.
“Okay,” agreed Beaufort. - There will be a trick on the next cloudy night .
Grimaldi and Morosini looked at each other. They did not dare to argue with the Duke de Beaufort.

Chapter 324

One dark night, when the clouds hid the moon, Athos, Rochefort and de La Val landed on their small ship on the island of Crete, unnoticed by Turkish intelligence. Having made their way to the walls of the fortress, they looked for a way to get inside, trying to avoid a stray bullet from both the defenders of the fortress and those besieging it. It was desirable to act secretly from the Turks and at the same time somehow let the besieged know that the arriving nobles were French, not Turks, friends, not enemies.
Suddenly, shots came to their ears.
- They are making a sortie! - Athos exclaimed. “Let’s hurry up, let’s join the brave souls and help them with our swords and muskets!”
Running to the scene of the battle, Athos, de La Val and Rochefort discovered that the advantage was on the side of the brave French, both due to the suddenness of the sortie and the decisiveness of their actions. The forces of the soldiers defending the trenches in this area were smaller, so the sortie could well be called successful. By their clothes, appearance and French shouts, the participants in the sortie recognized their compatriots in the three arriving friends and gratefully accepted their help.
The participants in the raid carried out three daring actions. Firstly, they drove the Turks out of the trenches near the fortress at the site of their attack and forced the enemies to retreat. Secondly, they exploded several barrels of gunpowder that were standing not far from the cannons, so that all these cannons were temporarily left without gunpowder, and two or three of them, among other things, fell on their sides, or fell into a trench, moreover, damaging them , apparently, were fatal to their further use. Thirdly, the heroes of the raid captured two prisoners.
Inspired by the success of their tasks, the heroes of the foray returned to the fortress, after which the fortress gates were hastily closed behind them.
Grimaldi, who went down to the gate to meet the heroes, ordered the prisoners to be transferred to headquarters for interrogation. He hugged the participants in the sally and congratulated them on their success, and was also very surprised by the appearance of three nobles who, according to the participants in the sally, arrived very opportunely and helped complete the assigned tasks.
Suddenly a murmur ran through the ranks of the sally participants. The officers shouted the name of the Duke of Beaufort more and more often, and more and more grief was heard in their cries.
- What's happening? - asked Athos. - Why does everyone say the Duke’s name?
“He has disappeared,” said the Comte de Guiche, who approached him at that moment. - He led the detachment, but he did not return.
- My God! - exclaimed Rochefort. - We are late! Count de La F;re! We are late.
- Count de La F;re?! - asked the Count de Guiche and brought the lantern to Athos’s face. - Count, it's you! What fate!
“Yes, it’s me,” Athos nodded. —Are you talking about the fate of the Duke de Beaufort?
“And not only,” de Guiche answered with deep sadness. “After all, Raoul de Bragelonne is your son, isn’t it?”
- What about him? - Athos asked, growing colder.
“Take courage, Count,” replied de Guiche. “I saw with my own eyes how a shot rang out from the Turkish side, after which Raul fell into one of the trenches. After this, an explosion was heard somewhere nearby. We didn't see him again.
“If Raoul did not return from the sortie, it follows that he died or was wounded so badly that he did not have the strength to return,” Athos said in a dull voice. “My son will never surrender.”
- I know that, Count! - Count de Guiche answered hotly. “In the morning we will make another sortie and look for him among the wounded or killed.” No matter how seriously injured he was, it was better than death. We will get him out of the Turkish trenches, if he is alive, which I sincerely hope.
“At dawn, his rescue will be impossible, since we are not the only ones who will come there, the Turks will also return there.” - Athos answered. I won't wait for the morning. I'm going immediately.
- This is madness! - exclaimed de Guiche. - Without a flashlight you won’t find anything or anyone, but with a flashlight you will turn into a living target!
“I will use the lantern with the greatest care,” answered Athos. - I will open it for a short time and only when absolutely necessary.
- Count! I can't put you in such danger unnecessarily! - de Guiche continued to object.
“There has never been a greater need for me to be exposed to danger than now,” Athos waved it off. “If you don’t give me a lantern, I’ll go like this.”
- In that case, I'm going with you! - exclaimed de Guiche.
“This is completely unnecessary, Count,” Athos objected. “You are still young, your life is precious to your father and sisters, while my life is worth nothing if Raoul is dead.” Messrs. de Rochefort and de La Val, please, restrain the Comte de Guiche from rash actions! If necessary, use force.
With these words, he grabbed a portable lantern from de Guiche’s hands, covered it with his hat and walked towards the fortress gates.
“They won’t let you out, Count!” - exclaimed de Guiche.
“Let them just try,” Athos answered in such a tone that de Guiche realized that nothing could detain this man.

Since Athos saw with his own eyes the place where the battle took place, he, covering a portable portable lantern with his hat and cloak, crept in almost complete darkness to the place where the events described by de Guiche supposedly took place.
Soon he saw a cannon torn apart by the explosion, which had half collapsed into the trench. He jumped down and saw that the fallen cannon had crushed a man. With a trembling in his heart, Athos lifted the cloak thrown over the lantern and illuminated the body of the dead man. His head and shoulders were crushed by a heavy cannon. A sword lay next to the dead man. Athos bent down and picked it up. It was the same sword with the coat of arms on the guard that the Count de La F;re gave to Raoul before his departure to the army of the Duke of Beaufort. It was Raoul's sword.
Athos threw the lantern away from him and walked back to the fortress in complete darkness. His eyes saw nothing, and even if at that moment the clouds had disappeared and the full moon illuminated the battlefield, he still would not have distinguished the surrounding objects, since his eyes were covered with a salty veil, a heavy lump was stuck in his throat, and his legs refused to move.
Raoul, his Raoul, was killed, his youthful body was mutilated by a cast-iron cannon that fell on him, and only the pride of the count's family - a sword decorated with diamonds and emeralds, that sword that Athos himself, being a simple musketeer, more than once crossed with his enemies, this the sword remained untouched; the enemy did not get it. Everything is lost except honor! This is what King Francis I of France wrote in a letter to his mother, and Athos could have said the same now if the words had come to his mind.
Life is over. It was only necessary to complete it with honor. Athos could not leave the besieged in the fortress, and could not indulge in his own grief when the besieged did not know whether they would survive the next day. He completely forgot that he could not accomplish what he came here for - to save the Duke de Beaufort. Now Raoul's death obscured all his other goals from him, hid all his failures and overshadowed all his exploits and successes. The soul of Athos seemed to have died at that moment, only an empty shell remained, which was still moving, but heard almost nothing, saw nothing, had no desires, no needs, no goals in this life.
If there had not been a situation of war around, if the fate of the fortress had not now depended on every sword and every steady hand capable of holding a musket, Athos would have indulged in his grief, and nothing could have distracted him from the thought that life was over . But the count was a man of honor. Even having lost the desire to live, he did not lose his sense of duty. If the work for which Raoul and the Duke de Beaufort died is not yet finished, then he, Athos, Count de La F;re, will have to finish this work, or share the fate of the fallen heroes. The Count would have preferred to be killed immediately, but his honor demanded that he fight to the end, inflicting as much damage as possible on the enemy. Honor forbade him to shoot a bullet in the forehead, throw himself on a sword, or expose his chest to a stray enemy bullet. Honor compelled him to fight according to all the rules of the art of war, defending the cause that had destroyed his dear son.

Chapter 325

And now, my reader, if you ever visit me, I will tell you a little about my life in Madrid. I will speak in the present tense, as if I were describing what is happening to me now. It’s easier for me to express it this way, because I don’t want to get ahead of myself, so I will describe my plans at that time as my current plans, although some of them have already come true, while others were not destined to come true.
I bought my Alameda Castle in Madrid not so expensively, however, of course, if I had not had the sources that became available to me in connection with the position of the de facto general of the Jesuit Order, I would hardly have been able to afford to buy even at least a couple of rooms this castle. Honestly, he was wonderful. I am not a supporter of pretentious luxury, which Fouquet strove for. Why do I need this? Paintings, statues, fountains, parks with skillfully planted trees, shrubs and flowers, all this is indifferent to me. I love comfortable rooms, the castle must necessarily contain rooms for all types of recreation and all types of activities that I want to conduct. My library, I will say without undue modesty, is the best in Madrid, although only I know about it. I allow the Jesuit brothers to use my books if necessary, but I myself love to work with them. I remember where each volume is, although I have up to forty thousand of them, and each is unique in its own way. This information that they contain is my assistants, my servants, my friends.
In my office there are only those books that I work with in a given week or in a given month. I can easily find out information about any nobleman in Europe, these are my books. Yes, yes, the existence of some books is not known to any book collector, since many of them were published only for me in a single copy.
My library contains books in different languages, since I read fluently not only in French, but also in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, a little worse in English - who needs it? - and quite passably in German. I know Greek and Latin perfectly, I can understand Danish and Dutch. Once I had an idea to study Slavic languages, but after looking through a couple of Polish and Czech books, I abandoned this idea.
Of course, in my castle I have a fencing hall and a stable, large and comfortable.
I didn’t attach any importance to my park, although it exists, of course. I like to walk not in parks, but in forests, fields or on the seashore, preferably rocky.
I don’t like an excessively wide ocean, but if necessary, I would even be ready to go to the New World by ship. I could follow the path of Columbus.
How conveniently I remembered Columbus! Yes, it was his name that told me that pigeons could be used to deliver mail. I hide my secret from anyone who might reveal it. I hope that enlightened Europe will not reveal it soon. Perhaps in a hundred years they will guess what I guessed. Every domestic pigeon always returns home, especially if a pigeon is waiting for him there. It is possible that he will return without this bait, but I did not conduct experiments to find out. I always leave a dove in the dovecote, and the dove that my messenger takes with him knows and remembers this. You can’t take many pigeons with you unnoticed, but three or four can be carried quite secretly in a small cage. They need to be fed and given something to drink. When my agent learns information that requires immediate delivery to me, he ties the note to one of the pigeon's legs. If the letter is large, he tears it in two and ties its parts to both legs, wrapping them around the leg and tying them on top with a thin but strong thread. Once a pigeon lost a letter, so I insist that the threads be thick, and that the letter be tied in two places with different threads, after that there were no letter losses. Bezmo checks the dovecote built under the roof of one of the towers of my castle. If one of the pigeons captured by my messengers returns, he immediately takes it in his hands, since my pigeons know him and obeys him, cuts the threads and brings me notes. My mail is the fastest in Europe because pigeons travel faster than horses and fly the shortest route home. I envision in the future setting up a network of dovecotes throughout Europe so that my envoys and couriers could not only send me letters, but also receive my reply messages. To do this, my people will from time to time bring me pigeons from these pigeon houses of mine and place them in cages with an inscription about what places these pigeons are from. So far, such dovecotes exist only in some of the most important cities in France.
I promised to write in the present tense. Why am I obligated to observe this nonsense? I’ll be honest that now, when I write these lines, I have dovecotes in the following cities of France: Mont-Valerien, Paris, Tours, Blois, Vincennes, Cannes, Lille, Monaco, Douai, Valenciennes, Maubeuge, Mezi;res, Verdun, Toul , Langres, Belfort, Besan;on, Lyon, Marseille, Perpignan, Grenoble, Brian;on, Toulon, Pignerol. But at the time of which I am writing, I had dovecotes only in Paris, Pignerol, Tours and Blois, and even this I would not have had if I had not been a general of the Order.
That day I slowly climbed the spiral staircase to the very dome of one of the towers, the same one in which there was a dovecote. Under the conical roof there were cages with pigeons. A rock pigeon impatiently walked along the roof of one of the cages and cooed continuously. Bazin had not yet discovered it. I approached a pigeon, one of whose legs was wrapped in a thin strip of paper, secured with a silk thread wrapped over it. I cut the thread with a knife and removed a strip of paper, after which I put the dove in the cage and went down the same spiral staircase that led me to this mysterious dovecote.
Returning to my office, I straightened out a strip of paper, took a large magnifying glass from the table and read the text written on one of my secret message codes, which read:

“Order 1 completed. Du Sh."

This meant that my agent du Chant; had carried out my first order.
I burned the note on the candle, then leaned back and closed my eyes for a few seconds.
Then I took the same small piece of paper and wrote a response message in my small calligraphic handwriting:

“Follow Order 2. You are responsible for the accuracy of execution with your head”

After writing this letter, I rang the bell. Bazin entered the office with silent steps.
- How many pigeons have you delivered from Poadorakis? - I asked.
“Three,” replied Bazin.
I pointed Bazin to the note and ordered:
- Send it when it gets dark.
Bazin carefully took the note, bowed and left the office.
I remember how my gaze fell on my already lean hands with transparent parchment skin. Hands are the easiest way to guess years, but my hands would not give away my age. Without boasting, I will say that at that time I looked a good ten years younger than my peers. Once upon a time these hands caressed the first beauties of France, duchesses and marquises, countesses and baronesses, and sometimes even simple maids! My hands remember the delicate skin of the Duchess of Chevreuse and the cheeks of the Duchess de Longueville, and many, many others. Now these hands, studded with expensive rings, are sometimes kissed by men who recognize my power over them.
“How fleeting life is! — I thought then, not suspecting how much more the Lord would give me. - First, we have youth and spend it on getting the attention of beauties, acquiring at least some money and power, risking our lives for this! Very little time passes, we get money, power and beauties, as much as we want, but youth leaves us, taking away the last remnants of life! Why now strive for power and wealth if those who were once dear have either died, or have changed beyond recognition, or have simply moved away from us so much that they have ceased to disturb our souls?”
How funny these thoughts are to me now! My sixty-two years, where are you? I assured everyone that I was thirty-six, and many ladies believed me, because I looked only a little older than those years. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to deceive my friends, and there’s no point in that. But the ladies were deceived! What years those were! How many more ladies were ahead of me, if I only knew about it! Now, at best, I could pass myself off as a seventy-year-old; this age frightens the ladies, although I sometimes spend time with the very young of them, but only as a sweet companion, a mentor. I bestow upon them fatherly love, and nothing more. After all, I’m far from seventy! And my rank is no longer such that I could easily neglect my duties to maintain the dignity of a prelate.
My heart sank again with the thought of Porthos. I was already almost omnipotent and almost omniscient, but I still couldn’t do everything, and I didn’t know about everything. And even now this is not the case. And then I had no idea that Porthos had escaped! My informants were neither in Pierrefonds nor in Lyon.
"It's my fault! - he accused himself again and again. “I shouldn’t have done this to my friend, as if he were a simple instrument to carry out my will!” I had to share my plans with him. Perhaps he would not understand me. Perhaps he didn’t support it! But I had to talk with him, with Athos and with d'Artagnan, before starting such a thing!
For more than three years I tormented myself with these reproaches. I didn’t want to live, but I lived for the sake of the Order, and the Order gave me the will to live.
I closed my eyes and again the picture of the last minutes of our communication with him, our confrontation with the soldiers hunting us as if we were hares or foxes, appeared before my mind's eye.
And then my heart was pierced by an even greater pain than the melancholy over the death of Porthos. At first I didn’t even understand the reason. With my eyes closed, I tried to look into my soul. I was tormented by intense anxiety, shame and remorse.
“They wouldn’t support me, all three of them!” - I then thought with horror about my friends, not only about Porthos, but also about Athos and d'Artagnan.
I had long since come to terms with the fact that Porthos would not have supported my idea, and that I had to lie to him, since our Hercules never claimed either the role of a moral leader, which Athos always was, or the role of a generator of ideas, which d'Artagnan was . By condescendingly allowing all his friends to shamelessly take advantage of his physical strength, his sword and his courage, and even his money, Porthos himself voluntarily relegated himself to the background. He turned into a background for the three of us, his friends, shining against this background with their cunning, intelligence and morality! But was Porthos really as naive as he wanted to appear? Why was the role of moral leader unconditionally given to Athos, while it was I, a person who dedicated himself to serving God, who, it would seem, should have carried within me the strongest foundations of moral purity? Why was D'Artagnan, who was younger than everyone and more inexperienced than the rest of our friends, considered the most cunning among us? Why was Porthos considered the best fighter, while Athos trained tirelessly in musketry and fencing, while Porthos only trained his strength and agility, without connecting these exercises too much with martial art, although, of course, he was one of the best swordsmen and musket shooters, but was still inferior to Athos in this art?
“We did not understand each other at all, we treated each other as diagrams, while each of us contains a whole Universe of different properties of the soul, character traits, thoughts and aspirations! — I thought in despair. - I left France, saving my life and looking for ways to increase my power! But at the same time I left my best friends, which not every person is lucky enough to acquire! Spain without my friends is as empty to me as a desert, lifeless and uninteresting. A thousand dangers near my friends are nothing compared to the spiritual emptiness that arises here in Madrid, where no one and nothing threatens me, and where I can only receive information and send instructions to my numerous agents! Is this life?
“Your Eminence,” said Bazin, who returned with a new important message and had been standing silently for five minutes, waiting for me to turn my attention to him.
- What, Bazin? - I asked, shuddering in surprise. - What's happened?
“A letter from Blois with pigeon mail,” Bazin answered respectfully, approached respectfully and placed a small piece of paper in front of me.
I approached the light and read the note.
In it, Athos reported on his trip to Candia in order to save the Duke de Beaufort from a treacherous shot in the back.
I suddenly clearly felt that Athos, unlike me, although he does not look as young as me, in his soul, apparently, is much younger than me! While I send out spies and doves, vegetate in a luxurious castle and caress the rarest books with my hands, Athos lives the full life of a young and strong man: he puts his life on the line, risks everything to save the Prince of Blood! For him, a feat is still everyday life, whereas for me, everyday life will soon become a feat if I wither away in this damned luxurious palace in Madrid!
This thought, like lightning, pierced me from head to toe.
I resolutely straightened up and felt as if I had even become younger and taller.
- Bazin, my sword, horses! We're going to Blois! - I exclaimed.
“Your Eminence, a trip to France is extremely dangerous for you in the current situation,” said Bazin timidly.
- So much the better, Bazin! You didn't think I'd live forever, did you? - I objected. - Half an hour to get ready, a full supply of gunpowder and bullets, two muskets for each saddle, my sword, two hundred pistoles for the journey for me and a hundred pistoles for you. Let's go. Forward, forward, move!
Bazin, accustomed to the calm and serenity of the existence of an assistant to the prelate, leading a rhythmic and measured lifestyle, almost by the hour, sighed and went to carry out my order. Over the many years of service with me, he had become accustomed to accepting Mri orders as unconditionally as the weather or natural disasters.
I looked again at the piece of paper on which it was written:
“D'Artagnan travels between Blois and Pierrefonds, followed by Colbert's three spies. De la Fer, de Rochefort and de La Val went to Candia to save Beaufort from a treacherous shot in the back. J.-P. d'Aunay."

“Well, La Val is my man, whom I assigned to Athos, although Athos does not suspect it! - I thought. - He will write to me as soon as the opportunity arises! We need to write to him too, give him detailed instructions!”

Chapter 326

Almost until dawn, Athos did not go to bed, but only stood for a long time, first in complete darkness, then in the predawn twilight, and so on until dawn. He continuously looked out the window towards the enemy, to where the Turkish batteries would start firing again at dawn. His enemies were there, who had taken his son from him, but now he looked at them as future deliverers from a now unbearable life. He firmly decided to go on a sortie tomorrow and die, putting an end to this life, which from now on was only a burden for him. He didn’t even have to make a decision, it came naturally without the slightest thought, as if he had been thinking for years about what he would do if he lost his son.
I think now that perhaps he was sorry to part with us, his friends - with d'Artagnan, Porthos and me. Perhaps he regretted parting with me least of all. I wasn't anyone's favorite of our four friends, probably because I was guilty of it myself. Friends had to be wary of me because they never knew exactly what to expect from me.
Or am I just thinking that I'm right? It seems that over the years d'Artagnan has learned to read me like a book. He could not predict my feelings, reactions and plans only when he did not see me, and even of this I am no longer convinced.
I wonder why my friends loved me? I had something to love them for, and why did they love me? Perhaps, sometimes I brightened up their everyday life with an ironic joke or two? Of course, I always understood and recognized long friendships, but how did this manifest itself for them? Is it because I went to England with everyone without talking? I also had my own reasons for this trip. Was it that I helped d'Artagnan find Constance, and then, after the misfortune that happened, put an end to Milady's machinations? Our lives are intertwined in many ways, and not so much in events, but in our thoughts about each other, in unnoticed services and concerns, and other things that cannot be described in words. I flatter myself that I was a good friend to them. Let me return to Athos and his despair at the news of the death of his son.
This thought squeezed his heart with such a cruel vice that even the joy of communicating with his comrades could not dull this pain.
“Why drag out this miserable life of an old man when my son is no longer there and no one will return him to me? - he thought. “I won’t have a better opportunity to end my life.” There is no point in delaying this. Today I will go on the attack under bullets. If Fate allows me to take one or two enemies with me to the next world first, this will serve as the best consolation for me, although revenge is an unworthy thing, but who can forbid a father to avenge the death of his son? There is no law under heaven that would prevent this!
Now that the torch of fatherly love had been extinguished by the insidious Fate, Athos felt like a barren, dry tree, which in vain takes up space and obscures the light of young shoots. There was no longer any vital juice left in this tree, it did not strive to survive, and not a single green bud, not a single leaf could be expected on its dry and wrinkled trunk. Looking with contempt at the bottle of wine that the servant brought him, he thought: “How far away are the times when I rejoiced in good wine! With the appearance of Raoul in my life, I stopped drinking completely. Why did I take care of my health? And who now could I set an example with my sobriety? The night is so long, this is the last night of my life. Why not cut it down with a couple sips of this good old wine?”
After these thoughts, Athos resolutely filled the goblet that was standing right there and drank its contents in one gulp. The taste of the wine seemed unusual to him; he felt a faint aftertaste of nutmeg bitterness and some other unknown herbs.
“Is the wine poisoned? - he thought. “Were there spies in the Duke’s camp?” But what difference does it make? It’s even better and easier! After all, I’m not a suicide or a coward, I’m just surrendering to the flow that Fate carries me along!” After this, Athos poured the remaining wine from the bottle into the goblet and drained it even more decisively than the first time.
His head began to spin, the dark silhouettes of the furnishings in the room floated and swayed.
“How simple and easy everything is! - thought the count. - We will meet soon, Raoul! I am going to you!"
With this thought, the count collapsed on his bed and fell into a painful sleep.
At this time, the executor of my will, de La Val, entered the room along with the Count de Rochefort, whom he had already managed to convince of the correctness of his plan. With them were two servants whom they had borrowed from Athos.
“Take it carefully,” de La Val ordered. “If you carry him carefully, he won’t wake up.” I mixed a harmless but strong sleeping pill into the wine, however, the doors here are narrow, carry it in so as not to touch the walls.
 
And now I must explain what actually happened.
I arranged it so that my man, a former musketeer and our comrade in arms, de La Val, settled in the house of Athos as a friend and fencing partner from the very time Raoul left for military service. Such a comrade was very useful to Athos. His former acquaintance and companionship served him as the best recommendation, and the message that he was ruined and lost his means of livelihood was, on my instructions, somewhat exaggerated, but it served to ensure that Athos’ decision to provide his old comrade with shelter and board in his house was made without hesitation.
Although de La Valle's behavior can be formally regarded as espionage, it had nothing to do with any meanness. On the contrary, I ordered de La Val to see to it that no misfortune happened to Athos.
Judge for yourself. Our dear friend, whom we all called only “Noble Athos,” for all his “nobility,” had some features that did not fit this definition. He did not have the restraint and tolerance that most “noble” courtiers show in the presence of higher-ranking persons. He could partially, although not entirely, see nobility not so much in nobility or birth, but in the character, behavior, and dignity of the person with whom he was dealing. And on the contrary, if a person demonstrated unworthy behavior in his presence, no nobility and purity of noble blood could, in the eyes of Athos, obscure the guilt of this person for such behavior. On the contrary, nobility of blood, according to Athos, imposed obligations on a person to behave with dignity in all circumstances. Therefore, having encountered unworthy behavior, Athos was ready to rebuff a person who showed character traits that did not correspond to the high rank of a nobleman. This does not mean that he behaved unworthily with those unworthy, but still he did not have enough composure to be a silent and serene witness to the unworthy behavior of a nobleman or the injustice committed before his eyes.
For this reason, Athos was constantly in danger of disgrace, since not a single nobleman tolerates even a condemning look, even the absence of praise in the case when he considers it appropriate, while Athos, who out of modesty, being a marquis, preferred to be called a count, still sometimes behaved in the presence of even the most noble grandees as if he himself were a Prince or Duke. However, he almost was, if we take into account the importance of his La F;re estate. If he served both Kings at their court, like all those shufflers who are only looking for gifts and encouragements from their monarch and in every possible way strive to earn or beg for positions, titles, fiefs and order ribbons, if he had demonstrated at least a small amount of complaisance and sycophancy, he would probably have reached certain degrees. But Athos is Athos. With one conversation with the monarch, he could forever ruin his career and even the life of both himself and his relatives, since, not without reason, he considered himself to have the right to speak with almost every grandee on an equal footing, and even point out mistakes and injustice to the King.
At the same time, Athos did not think at all about the fact that there are such painful topics that not a single one, even the most loyal grandee, would allow interference in these issues and would not listen to moral teachings. I tried to somehow explain this to Athos, but failed. To declare to King Louis XIV that he should abandon Mademoiselle de La Valliere only because his son Raoul had plans to marry her is the greatest impudence on his part. And although in my heart I understand his indignation, since Raoul sincerely wanted to make this girl happy, while the King did not even think about marrying her, since he was already married, but all this is not so simple. After all, the King was also aware of the behavior of his ancestors, including Henry II , who openly lived with Diana de Poitiers as his wife in front of his legal wife, and Henry IV , who begot heirs from his mistresses a whole galaxy of descendants, including legitimized children from Gabrielle d'Estr;e - Caesar de Vend;me, Catherine Henrietta and Alexandre de Vend;me, not counting a stillborn baby in 1599, as well as two children from Henrietta d'Entragues, five more known descendants from different mistresses, and God knows how many unknown, unlegitimized descendants of both sexes. With such an example from his august ancestors, Louis XIV could not, even if he wanted to, discern anything unnatural, illegal or simply unethical in his behavior towards Louise de La Valli;re. He sincerely believed that his disposition towards any lady of his state was a mercy, granting her the opportunity to conceive from him was an even higher mercy, and officially recognizing her as his mistress was a blessing that should only be praised, and certainly not case, understand, accept and not judge. After all, just a simple dance at the next ball, of which Louis arranged a great many, with some next lady, elevated her in the eyes of all the courtiers. As soon as the King made a gracious speech to some lady during dinner, or offered to pour her wine or serve her some dish of his special choice, or show any other sign of attention, this lady would have many enthusiastic admirers, not a smaller multitude of secret envious people, and more often both in one person. The position of the King's official favorite was, in Louis's opinion, much more attractive for Mademoiselle de La Valli;re than the position of the wife of some Raoul, Viscount de Bragelonne. Even if, after the death of Athos, Raoul began to be called the Marquis de La F;re, then such a marriage in the eyes of the King would be ridiculously small in comparison with the share of the royal favorite.
For Athos, the legal marriage of a woman with any nobleman was much higher than the position of the illegal mistress of anyone, even the most Christian King.
In the eyes of Athos, the demand that the King give up La Valli;re was a benefit for her; in the eyes of the King, it was not only insolence, but also an attack on her highest rights with an attempt to drive her into insignificance.
That is why Louis immediately decided to arrest Athos, and only such a skillful rhetorician as d'Artagnan was able to persuade the King to abandon his decision. You can see for yourself that Athos almost needed a nanny who would look after him and protect him from himself! In particular, I feared not so much the disgrace of Athos, which had practically already taken place, but rather his reckless risk to life, bordering on suicide, if the same thing happened to Raoul, or even if Raoul, by the will of Fate, died on the battlefields. This could not be ruled out; Raoul was young, brave, and determined. Although there is an opinion among the Musketeers that Death shuns the brave, and the fate of our four would seem to confirm the truth of this statement, Raoul’s courage was somewhat different. He did not so much strive to win fame with his brave exploits as he sought peace and almost even death in battle, having been disappointed in the love of Louise de La Valli;re. So, the love story of one ambitious noblewoman could cost the life of my best friend’s son, and then himself! I couldn't let that happen. I couldn’t entrust someone with guarding Raoul in his military operations, it’s impossible, it’s not accepted, it wouldn’t be according to the rules of honor. I counted on the reasonable discretion of the Comte de Guiche, Raoul's friend and commander, and the Duke of Beaufort, the military commander of both. I understood that such people would not risk the life of any brave and praiseworthy officer in vain, but I also understood that no one could guarantee the safety of the life of an officer participating in battles, even if he served at headquarters. And Raoul was not the type to remain a staff officer for a long time when battles were going on, Athos did not raise him like that.
We are forced by Fate and the time in which we live to be prepared for our own death and for the death of those we love, but shouldn’t we try to avoid a similar fate for them, people close to us, at least in those cases when death chooses for our own? goals of the most vile and not the most noble ways, such as despair? So, de La Valle’s task was to try to prevent Athos from having reasons for despair, and if any appeared, then to prevent despair from completely taking possession of him. He received powers to the extent of using sleeping powders and taking Athos unconscious from those places where he was threatened by an unreasonable, unnecessary and far from glorious death. If Athos, with two or three brave men, had decided to capture the head of the Turkish army, I would not have interfered with him. But if Athos decided to simply expose himself to enemy bullets in order to die on the first sortie, I would at least wish that this happened after mature reflection, and not under the influence of momentary feelings immediately upon receiving the fatal news.
De La Val did not yet know that they were mistaken in mistaking the corpse of an officer crushed by a cannon for Raoul only for the reason that Raoul’s sword was found next to him. De La Val believed in the death of the Viscount de Bragelonne in the same way as Athos and Rochefort believed in it.
Both of them decided that the death of one member of this great family was more than enough for one day, especially due to the instructions De La Valle had previously received from me. Therefore, they seized Athos and took him out of Candia.
What actually happened to Raoul de Bragelon, as well as to the Duke de Beaufort, I will tell you about this later.

Chapter 327

A few days after the events described, d'Artagnan and Porthos arrived in Crete. That part of the coast that was still controlled by the Allies was guarded by French troops. Our friends also arrived with one of the ships that delivered gunpowder, ammunition and food to the fortress. Based on his high military rank and with the consent of the command on the coast, from which ships were sent to help the French troops on the island, d'Artagnan led this small naval expedition on the flagship ship and, despite the shelling of coastal artillery from the Turkish part of the island, he managed to navigate the ship with virtually no losses to his intended goal. One of the keys to success was Porthos, who, due to his incredible strength and determination, brilliantly aimed and alternately fired from the three bow cannons of the flagship at the most vulnerable places of the closest ships. Later he admitted that he aimed a little higher; due to the pitching, the cannonballs lay lower, which was more destructive for the ships. When three Turkish ships almost simultaneously received dangerous holes, the remaining ships chose to retreat to a distance greater than the firing range.
The delivered cargo was gladly received by the commandant of the fortress, who escorted d'Artagnan and Porthos to the rooms of one of the inner towers.
- Since you arrived without troops, captain, you probably brought us some kind of order to your units from the King of France? - asked Grimaldi.
“His Majesty has not received news from the fortress for a long time and sent me to find out how things are, what help is needed and in what time the campaign can be expected to be completed.
“We have nothing to please your King,” Grimaldi answered gloomily. “We will hold the fortress as long as we can, but its surrender to the Turks is only a matter of time.”
- Damn it, you have several thousand soldiers here! - exclaimed Porthos.
“Our forces are constrained in action, while the forces of the Ottoman Empire are many times superior to ours, especially at sea. - Grimaldi replied. “They surround us, methodically breaking down the walls of the fortress. I'm surprised you managed to sneak past their warships.
“A little skill and a lot of luck, as well as a good and strong artilleryman,” answered d’Artagnan, pointing to Porthos. “And yet, is there really no way to save the situation?”
“A few days ago a monk came to us and told us that he had been sent as a general of the Jesuit order,” Grimaldi replied. “He offered us a means of fighting the Turks.
- What did it consist of? - asked d'Artagnan.
“He suggested that we scatter dead fish sprinkled with some mysterious substance along the coast,” answered the commandant. “According to him, the seagulls that would feed on this fish would subsequently bring a fatal disease onto the Ottoman ships, which would cause a pestilence in the Turkish camp, after which the Turks would have to retreat.
“This is not war, but meanness,” d’Artagnan shrugged, “however, meanness and war are synonymous.” But how could seagulls, having brought an epidemic to Turkish ships, not affect the ships of the French and Venetian fleet?
“We asked the same question to the Jesuit monk,” answered Grimaldi, “to which he replied that he knew a medicine that could completely cure anyone who contracted this deadly disease.”
- What is the dose of such a medicine per patient? - asked d'Artagnan.
“The Jesuit said that one bottle of such medicine is enough to cure five people,” Grimaldi answered.
“There are about ten thousand soldiers in the fortress and about a quarter of this number are women and old people!” - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - Add here the fleet of two states! You will need several barrels of this medicine and a whole staff of doctors!
“That’s why we rejected the Jesuit’s offer,” Grimaldi replied.
- And you were absolutely right, commandant! - exclaimed the captain and firmly shook Grimaldi's hand. - Edged weapons, muskets, rifles and cannons - these are the real weapons of war! The poisons invented in Italy and used by the Jesuits will, I hope, never be used in wars in such quantities that the result can get out of control. I hope that this monk did not intend to realize his idea himself?
“It seemed to us that he was indifferent to the outcome of the campaign, and our refusal to take up his offer did not seem to bother him at all,” answered the commandant. “He left without a trace of emotion, and I was informed that he had sailed to the coast in a small ship, accompanied by some gloomy man who acted as skipper and servant.
-What did he look like? - asked d'Artagnan.
“A very young man of average build with deep-set eyes and wide brow ridges,” Grimaldi replied.
“No, this is not Aramis,” d’Artagnan said to himself.
- What did you say, excuse me? - the commandant asked.
“Nothing, I’m just thinking out loud,” the captain replied. —Can I talk to my compatriots? I would like to see the Duke de Beaufort.
“Unfortunately...” said Grimaldi, “however, I see the Count de Guiche is coming to us, he will tell you everything that interests you, but let me leave you to start preparing for the further defense of the fortress.”
— All the best, Commandant, and good luck! - answered d'Artagnan, placing two fingers on his hat, thus saluting the commandant as his equal in rank. d'Artagnan. - Count, I am immensely glad to see you! I see you are not injured! Fortune protects you!
“In relation to me, Fortune is still more merciful than in relation to other commanders,” answered the Comte de Guiche with a sigh. “It would be better for me to die in this sortie.”
- What are you saying, Count! - D'Artagnan was surprised. - Who got it this time from the wayward Greek goddess of luck?
“The imagery of your speech, captain, will disappear after I tell you the names of the dead,” replied de Guiche. “Our commander-in-chief, the Duke de Beaufort, disappeared without a trace during a night raid.
- Can't be! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. — Disappeared without a trace? How can a person disappear in front of many fighting?
“Although the night was moonlit, at the time of landing the clouds covered the moon, we fought in almost complete darkness. Only occasionally flashes from shots from our and enemy muskets illuminated the battlefield, and barrels of gunpowder exploded four more times, with which we destroyed two Turkish cannons and brought down two of their tunnels under the fortress,” de Guiche answered sadly. “The sortie could have been called successful if not for the loss of our commander-in-chief.” The Duke was a desperate warrior, he was completely oblivious to the danger, and, apparently, chased after some particularly fiercely fighting Turk, in the heat of the chase he broke away too far from the detachment and was killed or captured.
- This is a great misfortune! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “Didn’t the envoys come after that with an offer to return the Duke for an appropriate ransom?”
“There were no envoys,” replied de Guiche.
“So the duke is dead,” said the captain, more to himself than to de Guiche. “The king will not forgive us for this loss.”
“The Duke was an unstoppable man, whom even the King could not control. Even Cardinal Mazarin could not do anything about his wayward character. We could only follow his orders and try to protect him as best we could. But I do not absolve myself of blame for this tragic incident,” de Guiche replied. “The most reasonable thing for me is to die as gloriously as my commander died, and as the Viscount de Bragelonne died.”
- Viscount de Bragelonne?! - D'Artagnan cried. “You said that the Viscount de Bragelonne died?”
“Crushed by a cannon that collapsed from the explosion,” de Guiche sighed. “Apparently, before this he was wounded, which is why he fell into an enemy trench, where he found his death.
- Unhappy young man! What an evil fate! Poor Raoul! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - Unhappy Athos! He won't survive this.
-Are you talking about the Comte de La F;re? - De Guiche was surprised. “You therefore know that he recently arrived at the fortress?”
- So the count is in the fortress? - asked the captain.
“Not anymore,” de Guiche sighed sadly. — Upon learning of the death of his son, the count apparently drank poisoned wine. He was found the next morning lifeless in his bed. The Comte de Rochefort and two other officers, de la Val and Lieutenant du Chante, who arrived after them, with the help of two servants, loaded his body into a coffin and took him to the mainland. This du Chantet had important powers in a letter signed by the King of France.
- Rochefort and two other officers with the authority of the King? - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - Again, some officers and some damn powers! Who read these orders?
“I read them, captain, because after the death of the duke I remain the senior officer of the French army in this fortress,” answered de Guiche.
- What did they say? - asked the captain.
“Everything is very vague,” said de Guiche. - The paper stated that the bearers of this document acted by order of the King and for the good of France, and also that all officers of the land and naval forces of France should provide all possible assistance to these officers in their mission to arrest or execute state criminals.
- The same style and the same immense powers! - the captain said in despair. — What did you say the names of these officers are?
“The officer who arrived with the Count de La F;re and the Count de Rochefort called himself de La Val, and on the paper that the second officer showed me there was only his name,” answered the Count de Guiche. - This name is Lieutenant du Chante.
“Du Chante,” said d’Artagnan thoughtfully. “I don’t know such a lieutenant in the royal guard.” But I'll meet him, damn it! Count, we are forced to leave you, since I am also carrying out the King’s orders and must move on.
“Well,” replied de Guiche, “the ship on which you arrived has already been unloaded, and the most seriously wounded have been loaded into it.” I suggest you have lunch, after which you can set sail.
“We’ll have lunch on the ship, if a piece gets into my throat after all the stunning news that you told me, Count,” answered d’Artagnan . - Today is the worst day of my life! I'm afraid I lost my taste for food for many days. Three deaths in two days! And what people! Count, I would like to meet a dozen or two Turks now in order to put them on my sword, however, I must rush to the King to save the honor of the Count de La F;re and his son, if I failed to save their lives!
“Can something really threaten the honor of such worthy people?” - De Guiche was surprised.
- And to a very strong extent! - answered d'Artagnan. “Apparently, some ill-wishers denigrated the Comte de La F;re and his son in the eyes of the King. His Majesty expected the most eccentric antics from them.
“If fighting under the banner of France, not sparing your life, is considered an eccentric trick,” de Guiche noted, “then there are plenty of people like that here.” Those who value their honor less than their lives remained in France.
“Since recently people have appeared around His Majesty, urging him not to trust my words too much, I ask you, Count, to draw up a report on the death of the Viscount de Bragelonne and the Comte de La F;re as accurately and as quickly as possible.”
— This report has already been drawn up in two copies. “One is intended for the King, and the other I intended to send to the notary Comte de La F;re in Blois,” replied de Guiche.
- You are a wonderful person, Count! Give me both copies, I promise to deliver them to you faster and more reliably than any post office in the world.
“Let’s go up to my office,” answered de Guiche, “it will take no more than a couple of minutes.”
- Thank you, Count! Let’s go,” answered the captain.
Taking the two sealed envelopes handed to him, d'Artagnan extended his hand to de Guiche for a handshake, but, obeying some unknown force, the two suddenly embraced as if they were old friends and parted for a long time.
“ I knew you as a clever courtier, Count,” said d’Artagnan, “from which I conclude that I did not know you at all!” Now I see before me a brave military man whom I am happy to meet.
“I am neither one nor the other,” de Guiche answered sadly. “As a courtier, I constantly make mistakes, falling in love with someone I can’t possibly love.” As a military man, it seems to me, I don’t make mistakes, but military Fortune is very strict with me. I foresee that in this field I will find my death, but this fate does not frighten me at all.
- And in this you are right, I will report to you! - D'Artagnan said brightly. - Death on your bed among bottles of medicine and surrounded by sobbing nurses who are just waiting for you to give up the ghost and free them from the painful burden of caring for a frail old man! I wouldn’t wish such a prospect on my enemy. It's a matter of falling from your horse, struck by a bullet or an enemy cannonball! To be buried like a hero under the banner of the Motherland, surrounded by soldiers who do not pretend to mourn, but actually mourn the loss of a comrade in arms. This fate, I hope, is destined for me too. But don't rush into it! Fight as duty dictates, however, do not expose yourself to bullets in vain. Farewell!
“Farewell, captain,” replied de Guiche.
- Porthos, we're coming! - exclaimed d'Artagnan, turning to the giant, who was studying the fortifications of the fortress, accompanied by one of the junior officers. Hanging from the fortress wall, he examined the equipment of the approaches to the fortress, not paying attention to cannon shots from the Turkish side. — An amazingly intelligently designed fortress! - he exclaimed, finally, going down to d'Artagnan.
- Damn this fortress, and its architect, and those who besiege it, and those who defend it! - answered d'Artagnan. - Let's go, Porthos. I have something important to tell you. But not now, for God's sake. I don't have the strength for this. Hurry up and get on the ship and go home to France!
- So we won’t look for Raoul? - asked Porthos.
“We won’t find him here anymore,” the captain answered angrily. - Damn this fortress and this war! Let's go.
— Arrive at the line of combat contact with the enemy and not kill a single enemy? - Porthos was surprised. “Are we not soldiers, but sutlers?”
- Thousand devils! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “The king gave me only a month to find my friends and provide evidence of their death!” I intended to provide false evidence of an imaginary death, and I have no time for delays! I must hurry, because even one hour of delay can cost not only life, but also honor for all of us, both living and dead!
-What dead people are you talking about? - asked Porthos.
- Know, Porthos, that Athos and Raoul have been killed! - D'Artagnan answered in despair. - They died here, in battles with the Turks! And I can’t even take revenge for them!
- It's horrible! - Porthos whispered, voiceless from grief.
“We came to help them, save them, or die with them!” - continued d'Artagnan. - What did we find here? They are already dead, having not completed their task to save de Beaufort, they died along with him! Instead of the false evidence of their death, which I intended to compile, I find true evidence of their true death! I intended to deceive the King, but it seems that Fate itself is making fun of me, it has deprived us of what is most precious to us - our friends, and threatens to take away even their honor if I am even an hour late! The heart demands revenge, and the mind forces you to leave this place as soon as possible. So I am forced to flee from the Turks like a hare from hounds!
“If you must go to defend our honor, go,” answered Porthos. “I’m staying to avenge Athos and Raoul, and I don’t care if I die right there, defending this very fortress.”
“Damn it, you’re right a thousand times, Porthos!” - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “We will not leave here until we give a retaliatory battle, and until we send at least five Turks to the next world for every fallen comrade!”
- That's it for me! - exclaimed Porthos. - So we fight! This is nice! Our muskets and swords will defend our honor here, in battles with the Turks, and what they will say about us in Paris is no longer so important!
“We will leave here, Porthos, but later,” answered d’Artagnan, whose prudence tried to take over, if not his heart, then at least win back a piece of his influence. “After we have sufficiently covered ourselves with military glory in the battles for this fortress, we will set out with a pure heart to defend the honor of those who survived and those who cannot be returned.” Documents about the death of Athos and Raoul must reach the King so that he can see what kind of people he intended to arrest! People whom he suspected of rebellion, and who gave their lives for him!
- But first we fight? - asked Porthos.
- But first we fight! - confirmed d'Artagnan word for word. “And today we will go on the attack, even if we don’t get a single soldier in support!”
- It will be a nice business! - Porthos answered.

I don't like descriptions of battle scenes. Two days later, d'Artagnan, who received a bullet wound in the right shoulder, and Porthos, who was wounded in the thigh of the left leg with two bullets straight through, having previously added to their account more than a dozen killed Turks, received the legal right to leave the number of defenders of the fortress and among other wounded sail to the mainland to join their people.
At dusk, the friends boarded the ship, which carried all the wounded from the island. On the road, the friends hardly spoke, as everyone was lost in their own thoughts. In addition, there were many strangers on the ship, which made it impossible to speak frankly without fear of being overheard.
Having received first aid on the mainland, which consisted of freshening their bandages and giving them a glass of wine to ease the pain of their wounds, they set off in a light carriage back to France.
All the way, d'Artagnan thought only that the King's cruel order to bring him evidence of the death of his friends was inexplicably being fulfilled by itself. If the evidence of the imaginary death of Porthos, which saved him from persecution for more than three years, could be tried to be presented as true, and could not be rebutted, although this might not have worked, then in relation to Raoul and Athos, the villainess Fate decreed differently. Some mystical force forced the requirements of this order to come true despite all the efforts of d'Artagnan, which made him feel the powerlessness and rage of a lion driven into a cage.
“If this goes on,” he thought, “I will soon receive news of Aramis’ death! We must decisively end this game of cat and mouse with the death certificates of my friends! I went the wrong way! We should fight not with the consequences, but with the cause.”

Chapter 328

- D'Artagnan, what do you think about our two forays into the fortress? - Porthos asked, finally, to break the painful silence.
“The same as about the attacks of de Beaufort and Raoul,” answered d’Artagnan. “You shouldn’t send a person where you can send a bullet!” And you shouldn’t send a group of soldiers to where you can send five cannonballs! You see how this ends. It would be good if Raoul died defending the territory of France from the invasion of the Turks. But here, in the Mediterranean Sea, there is a war between the Ottoman Empire and Spain for the possession of strategically important fortresses on the coasts and islands. The Ottoman Empire still won’t win, but it won’t lose either. The same can be said about Spain. Both of these powers will still remain here and will continue to fight with each other until a balance of power is established, even if it is very shaky. And you know what I don't like most?
“The death of Athos and Raoul,” answered Porthos.
“Of course that’s true, dear Porthos, but I meant something completely different!” - continued d'Artagnan. “I don’t like that the French got involved in the battle for the interests of Spain!” And here's another thing I don't like about this. Firstly , the fact that Aramis has been living in Spain for a very long time, and not only lives there, but, as I found out quite by accident, he has a very great influence on the King of Spain! I know that the whole history of intrigue between the highest nobility of France and the monarchs of Spain is full of mysteries and personal relationships, in which for some reason the name of the Duchess de Chevreuse always comes up! And now, when France solves the problems of Spain with the blood of its soldiers, I want to see the Duchess de Chevreuse and ask her why this is happening, and whether there are traces of her influence here too?
“The Duchess seems to be quite old and completely retired,” Porthos replied.
“She is no older than you and me, Porthos,” answered d’Artagnan. “And she still seems to have some influence over the Queen Mother, whose influence over His Majesty still remains in some small ways.”
— Is the death of hundreds and perhaps thousands of soldiers for the interests of Spain a trifle? - asked Porthos.
“For Queen Anne, of course, it’s a trifle,” answered d’Artagnan. “Don’t forget that she is a Spaniard, and that the current King of Spain is her nephew, and the brother of the young Queen of France.”
“So, this is a family matter, the interests of two monarchies, for which ordinary nobles must shed their blood, as well as soldiers, whose lives no one counts at all,” Porthos summed up. - When was it different? And you said, “ firstly ,” but you didn’t say, “ secondly .”
- Secondly , dear Porthos, I don’t like, even more than the monarchs of Spain, the Jesuits are interested in this war, whose goal is to spread Catholicism as widely as possible, which is confirmed by the fact that a Jesuit came to the island with proposals to use poison against the Turks, - answered d'Artagnan. - Thirdly , I don’t like that our dear Aramis, who is in Spain, is also connected with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, with the Duchess of Chevreuse and with the Jesuit Order, which in order to remember our dear Aramis, on our island there were too many reasons.
“Do you suspect, d’Artagnan, that France’s participation in this war against the Ottoman Empire is the result of the machinations of Aramis?” - Porthos was surprised.
“If I had only suspected this, I would not have expressed it out loud,” d’Artagnan answered thoughtfully. - No, dear Porthos, I don’t suspect it! I know it!

My reader! Are you expecting me to comment on this text? Alas, you were wrong! If you, my dear reader, someday even manage to read this text, despite the fact that I will make every effort to ensure that this never happens, and this can only happen in the event of my sudden death, which will stop this manuscript, perhaps , in the most unexpected place, then in this case you will not read either confirmation or refutation of my friend’s suspicion. I'll leave this without comment.


“ I’m in despair that we couldn’t bury Raoul,” Porthos said suddenly.
“In many wars, many soldiers remain unburied,” said d’Artagnan. “Perhaps later, when and if peace comes, the remains of all the warriors will be buried according to the customs and traditions of their faith. In any case, if what they said about Raoul’s death is true, he was in a trench, where the poor fellow was crushed by a cannon, which he probably blew up himself. The next day, as a result of mutual shelling, the trench was completely covered with earth. If we had recaptured this territory, he would certainly have been dug up. But it seems to me that a monument quite worthy of his courage has been erected on his grave. Any soldier can only dream of such a death and such a tombstone, although, of course, not at the age at which she came to poor Raoul.
“They also thought about me that I was crushed to death by a stone,” Porthos reminded. - Could it happen that Raoul is still alive?
“They saw part of the unfortunate young man’s body, his legs,” recalled d’Artagnan. “The gun is too heavy, so his body is definitely crushed.”
- But was it really him? - Porthos did not let up. - Maybe he disappeared, or was captured? After all, the Duke de Beaufort was not found among the bodies of the dead, he is considered missing, and it cannot be ruled out that he was simply captured.
“We were informed that Athos recognized his sword, which lay next to Raoul’s corpse,” answered d’Artagnan. Is it possible to assume that Raoul parted with his sword during the battle? Undoubtedly, the sword was in the hands of the man who was crushed by the cannon.
— What is your further plan of action? - Porthos asked.
“I have been ordered to arrest the four people dearest to me within a month, or, if this turns out to be impossible, then to collect information about all four of you, explaining the reason for the impossibility of arrest,” said d’Artagnan. — The impossibility of arrest could only be justified by the death of those who were subject to arrest. If I do not do this within the specified period, all of you, as well as me, will be considered state criminals, we will not only be arrested, but, in all likelihood, executed. They will also publicly disgrace our names, deprive us of our nobility, and our property will go to the treasury. That's all.
“Not a very attractive option,” Porthos described the situation. - What are the alternatives?
“Not too joyful,” answered d’Artagnan. “If I could prove to His Majesty that all four of you died, he would not pursue the dead.” I hoped to fabricate this evidence, or at least to warn you all to leave France as quickly as possible, taking with you all the money that could quickly be collected.
- Aramis left France a long time ago, it seems that a rumor has long spread about me that I died, and Athos and Raoul would not hide from justice, because they, unlike me and Aramis, are not guilty of anything before the King,” Porthos objected. - You know Athos! If he heard that the King was going to arrest him, he would demand a personal meeting so that he could justify himself. He himself would have come to Paris and demanded the same from Raoul.
“I was hoping to come up with something when we met,” answered d’Artagnan. - In any case, I had to do something! Inaction is the worst thing, even worse than action without a clear plan, provided that the situation is carefully considered as circumstances change. As you can see, fate did not provide me with any opportunity to interfere with the fate of Raoul and Athos.
“But nothing has changed as far as we are concerned!” - Porthos added serenely. “Aramis is still in Spain, and I am still considered dead.”
“In this you are mistaken, dear friend,” objected d’Artagnan. “I no longer consider you dead, because you too brightly attracted the attention of too many people to your picturesque person, and, besides, we saw each other, and, as it turned out, I was under secret surveillance.” So you are wanted again, and I am obliged to arrest you or provide evidence of your death. Since I am not going to arrest you, we will have to fake your death again, or I should try to prove that in Lyon I met not you, but a person extremely similar to you. Do you have people in mind who are similar in build to you?
“If we talk about the thickness of the body, without taking into account my height, then my manager Muston has gained so much weight that my clothes fit him,” answered Porthos. - But he is noticeably shorter than me, and also does not have my strength.
- Pad his boots with high heels, put a tall hat on him and try to convince the King that the detectives were wrong in describing his height? - d'Artagnan said thoughtfully and doubtfully. — Not a very reliable option, but good as a backup. What about Aramis?
“He’s in Spain, so he’s safe!” - Porthos reminded.
“He is in territory controlled by France, therefore he is in danger,” d’Artagnan objected. “I am convinced that he, like us, headed to Candia.” This is not the territory of France, but our King’s troops are located there, so it is quite possible to arrest him there if such an order comes, and it goes to Marshal Gramont, who will convey the order to his son, Comte de Guiche. And then Aramis will be arrested.
“Wouldn’t it have been better for us to wait for Aramis if we knew that he would come there?” - asked Porthos.
“Not better, dear Porthos, not better at all,” objected d’Artagnan. “It’s better not to let the shooter shoot than to catch a bullet in front of the victim’s heart.” The fate of Aramis is decided not in Candia, but in Paris. If Aramis controls the politics of Spain and partly the politics of France, it is more profitable for the King to make peace with him than to fight. This must be explained to His Majesty.
“Well, since Athos and Raoul cannot be returned, and a solution has been found regarding me and Aramis, it seems to me that you will carry out His Majesty’s instructions with honor?” - asked Porthos. “All five of us are no longer threatened with shame and execution, and you are probably even entitled to a reward?”
“It would be better if you didn’t remind me of this, Porthos!” - D'Artagnan exclaimed with some bitterness, which no one had ever noticed in him. “I never would have thought how much hatred the thought of receiving a marshal’s baton could cause in me!”
“I thought the same thing about the title of duke when I realized that it wasn’t going to happen to me,” Porthos answered and winked.
“It’s the opposite thought that infuriates me.” There is every reason to believe, dear Porthos, that this rod is haunting me and will be forcibly handed to me so that I can throw it into the sea! - answered d'Artagnan.
- Why throw such magnificent objects? - Porthos was surprised. “After all, this is a sign of royal respect and extremely high power.”
“For every pleasure, Porthos, you have to pay a price,” objected d’Artagnan. — There are those whose price is known in advance and paid for in advance, and for others, which are sometimes called free, you have to pay a price that would seem excessive if it were announced right away. Moreover, sometimes you have to pay for it all your life! So the price that is being imposed on me for this damned marshal's baton does not suit me at all!
“Then don’t pay it, d’Artagnan, and you won’t receive this rod, which began to irritate you before you received it!” - Porthos answered.
“Damn Fortune decided to pay this price without my consent!” - answered d'Artagnan. “And although I never lay my hand on women, except when they themselves ask for it, if that trashy Greek wench called Fortuna were here and now, I swear I would beat her into the ground to the very top!” I will not accept the marshal's baton from the hands of the King, because I will always see the blood of Athos and Raoul on it.
“You received news that some of the conditions that were set before you were fulfilled by themselves,” Porthos said thoughtfully.
- Exactly, Porthos, exactly! - D'Artagnan shouted. - Damn it, this is some kind of evil fate! This can't be an accident! Can you hear me, Porthos! The king orders me to provide evidence of their death, after which both died shortly before my arrival to them! I see a cruel conspiracy in this. Such accidents do not happen.
Porthos gently squeezed d'Artagnan in his arms, pressing him to his heart.
“We must submit to Fate,” he said. “I’m worried myself, I can’t describe how.” By God, it would be better for me to perish forever in the cave of Lokmaria than to find out about such a misfortune, d'Artagnan. You and I are experienced warriors and are ready at any moment to appear before the Almighty, but young Raoul was still so young! And the Count, he loved him so much! If only Athos had died half an hour earlier than Raoul, he would not have experienced such bitterness as he experienced upon learning of his death!
“This love for his son ruined him,” the captain sighed. “They told me that the count, having learned about Raoul’s death, took poison the next night.
“This is a great sin, but I do not condemn it,” said Porthos. “However, the count is not the kind of person to die such a death.” I would have expected him to go on the attack the next day, or to stand tall on the fortress wall with a musket in his hand.
- Damn it, you're right, Porthos! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “People like Comte de La F;re do not take poison of their own free will.” There's some kind of mystery here. I think Colbert's spies poisoned him!
“In that case, we are going to Paris to kill Colbert and all his spies,” Porthos answered simply.
“Porthos, you can’t show yourself in Paris!” - exclaimed d'Artagnan.
- And you try to stop me! - responded the giant. “When it comes to taking revenge on Colbert for my friend and his son, there is no force that can stop me.”
- Colbert, Colbert, damn Colbert! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - Porthos, we are not going to Paris.
- How so? - The Baron was surprised. “Aren’t we going to get revenge on Colbert?”
- Listen, Porthos, we will take revenge on the person who is the true culprit of the death of our friends! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “I’m tired of hiding my friends and getting certificates of their deaths, fake or genuine!” We're going to Pinerol!

Chapter 329

Philip, placed in the Pignerol fortress, was ready to howl and climb the wall. Having spent almost his entire life in the dark about who he was, as a child he believed that his reclusive lifestyle was not the exception, but the rule.
Having received some books for general development, he first recognized life as some beautiful fairy tale that does not exist in the world, just as children read fairy tales telling about all kinds of miracles, wizards, fairies, genies and peris, about flying carpets and about wooden flying horses. All this does not exist in life, but this does not prevent us from enjoying stories about such miracles. In the same way, Philip, reading books about real human life, believed that this was just a wonderful fiction.
As a young boy, he accidentally met the girl Catherine Charlotte de Gramont, who shook his imagination so much that he felt a strong desire to meet her again, talk to her, listen to her, and, perhaps, someday touch her hand. He didn’t even think about anything else. Then he realized that beautiful Princesses exist not only in books, but also in life. If they had told him then that in life there were also genies, flying carpets and flying horses, he would have believed that too.
Over time, he learned to distinguish fairy tales from historical books and books describing the ordinary lives of people. He learned that other people live completely differently from the way he lives. They communicate freely, travel, walk and drive wherever they please. They make friends, get married, have children, although in these matters his concepts were very vague and superficial, precisely those that can be gleaned from books that bear the stamp of modesty and censorship.
The lives of the people he learned about from books are not limited to just one house or a few rooms in a fortress. They were free and, as a rule, happy, and if the books described their misadventures, they ended quite quickly; in the lives of all book heroes, sooner or later a happy ending came, while he, Philip, was, it seems, forever imprisoned , as if he was being punished for a guilt unknown to him.
Nevertheless, over time, he came to terms with this unusual position of his, believing that if the Lord decided to settle him separately from other people, it means that he had such a fate, and there are good reasons for this, which only the Lord can judge. Philip read books about the lives of schema monks and compared himself with them, believing his fate to be very similar to their lives. He indulged in prayers and asked the Lord to guide him on the true path.
This whole life broke down in one instant when he learned from me the truth about his amazing origin, that he was the brother of the King of France, and, moreover, a brother born almost at the same time from the same womb, from the same mother and the same father, and having the same appearance. Having learned that I was not a simple abbot, but a bishop, he gained even more confidence in me. I convinced him that Philip’s rights were no less solid than Louis’s, that the two twin brothers were completely equal in their rights, they were, as it were, one in two persons. He felt the same himself, comparing his reflection in the mirror with the portrait of the King.
He believed me and realized that his rights had been grossly violated, because having the right to be not even the second in the Kingdom, but another first person in the state, he could count on at least half of France as his own fiefdom, but instead I didn’t even get a simple house with a small garden where I could live peacefully, enjoying nature and freedom. The injustice committed in relation to him seemed to him the highest injustice in the world for all time, because nowhere in the books, even in the Bible, did he find anything even remotely reminding him of such a monstrous injustice in relation to one of the brothers, with the completely lawless usurpation of all fullness of power by the second brother, who, strictly speaking, is no different from him, Philip. Books about the destinies of rulers, where one brother killed another and reigned in his place, such as books about Romulus and Remus, about Svyatopolk, Boris and Gleb, and so on, were deliberately not given to him.
The desire to get my share of the kingdom, awakened in him by me, was even inferior to the desire to place the usurper, the King of France, in the position that Philip himself occupied throughout his adult life.
But these two desires - to obtain legal rights and to punish the usurper - seemed to him just another fairy tale that would never come true.
Everything would have remained this way if not for my daring plan and its sad consequences of its implementation and failure.
Philip was King of France for exactly one day, taking the place of his brother Louis. Previously, this would have seemed unthinkable, impossible, fabulous to Philip, but when it happened, he believed that now all of France looked at him with awe and saw in him their King.
However, the main thing was not this, but the fact that from now on he became a free man who controls his own destiny. It was not so important for him to control the fate of his subjects as to become free himself. What does he care about others? The main thing is to finally find your own freedom, to find yourself, to gain the right to love, to ordinary human joys and sorrows instead of eternally being in the state of a prisoner, serving a punishment for other people's sins, for someone else's injustice, for someone else's monstrous decision of his fate.
Having lived a single day as a King, he believed that all his days, his whole life, would now be like this, and falling asleep, he made plans for tomorrow, for the day after tomorrow, for the months and years ahead. He must certainly find Catherine Charlotte de Gramont in the hope that she will recognize him and accept his love, even if only platonic, and allow him to adore her from afar. How sweet it would be to open up to her, reveal your secret! Life opened up thousands of opportunities for him for a happy and long life. But it could happen that they connect? These thoughts made my head spin and my thoughts confused.
But, alas, he was returned to prison by a force that was apparently stronger than the one that took him out of it!
He stayed in the Bastille for three years, after which the captain of the royal musketeers d'Artagnan took him even further, infinitely far from Paris, from his brother the King, from the Queen Mother and from his younger brother, who bore the same name as him, as well as from the crazy dream of Catherine Charlotte de Gramont.
Sometimes Philip thought that it would be better for him not to know any of this, and to continue to lead the lifestyle of an unknown prisoner of the Bastille, which he led almost his entire adult life. But at other moments he believed that the one day when he was King was worth all those days when he was a prisoner.
“If I could once again become the King of France, at least for one day,” thought Philip, “I would not put off until tomorrow the search for Mademoiselle Catherine Charlotte! I would live this day as if it were the last day of my life! How much brighter would my memories of this day be now, and yet I have nothing left except them!”
And Philip recalled the cruel words of Captain d'Artagnan that on that day he was not the King, but was just a puppet in my hands, because he could not make a single decision on his own, but could only voice the orders that he would prepare for him I am. He relied so much on my fatherly care, but I disappeared and never appeared again! There were good reasons for this, but how could Philip know about it?
What could be worse than the fate of a human puppet controlled by someone else's will? Only the fate of a puppet man who is not controlled by anyone! He is ready to obey, he still doesn’t know anything else, and the one to whom he was supposed to obey suddenly disappeared without warning, disappeared in an unknown direction, without even saying goodbye, without leaving any instructions for the future!
Philip decided that people, apparently, could not be trusted, no one should be relied on, no one should be counted on.
“You can only rely on yourself, only on your own strength, on your mind, on your understanding of life, on your opinion about what is good and what is bad for the country, for the people, for himself! - thought Philip. “What an important, but now useless lesson!”
Philip remembered that Captain d'Artagnan told him about a book that contained information on the history of France and several neighboring states. The captain said that this book is written in two languages, which allows it to be used for learning Spanish. True, you won’t learn to speak it, but you can quite learn to read Spanish letters, especially since these two languages are not so different if you look at it, as Philip found out by comparing identical texts in two languages. In addition, d'Artagnan supplied Philip with many other useful books. Useful only if he happens to repeat his daring experiment! However, they could be useful at least in order to support his dream, even if it was impossible to fulfill, but it is better to dream and be deceived than to lose all hope! This is probably why d'Artagnan instilled hope in him! Because without hope life is impossible! No more serious conclusions should be drawn from this. A person sentenced to life imprisonment is given encouraging words and given the opportunity to prepare for a better life, but all this is only to ease his fate, just as in ancient Judea the Savior sentenced to death on the cross was offered, according to tradition, bitter vinegar infused with wormwood and other pain-relieving herbs to make dying easier for him, but not at all to save him!
“I will study the history of France and Europe, I will learn as much Spanish as possible from this book and from all the other books available to me! – Philip said to himself and resolutely opened the book. “I will ask for new books and read them all, and if necessary, I will memorize what I consider most important.” But what is this?
Several sheets of paper fell out of the book, covered in someone's confident and sweeping handwriting. Philip looked at the signature and was stunned: in the last lines of each letter there was one word: “Louis.”
These were letters from the King! How did the captain get them?
Philip, feeling a shiver of excitement, read these papers. The first paper contained an order to the captain of the musketeers to prepare the troops for the next parade. The second document contained an order to Mr. Fouquet to issue one hundred pistoles to the captain of the royal musketeers for state needs. The third paper contained an order regarding changes in the uniform of the musketeers. The fourth paper was a letter addressed to Mademoiselle de La Valli;re, in which Louis begged her to return from the monastery.
“Each such paper was obtained with great difficulty,” thought Philip. — In order to preserve the second document, the captain spent his own hundred pistoles for state needs, preferring to keep a document giving the right to receive them from the royal treasury, the autograph of King Louis XIV . Most amazing of all is the last paper! Letter from the King to his beloved! It was a crime not to pass it on! Apparently, d'Artagnan persuaded Mademoiselle de La Valli;re to return from the monastery without resorting to the letter, because if he had shown it to the person to whom it was addressed, she would never have given it back to him! D'Artagnan didn't just accidentally forget these letters in the book, he first got hold of them with great difficulty, and then generously gave them to Philip so that he could practice writing in the same handwriting as Louis wrote, and even so that he could study the style of his writing in four different types of royal letters! So, the captain does not exclude the possibility that someday Philip will be able to return to the throne?!
Philip's heart began to beat so hard that it seemed to him that someone was knocking on the shutters of his window. Finally realizing that he was embarrassed by the beating of his own heart, he tried to pull himself together and calm down.
“I should not harbor false hopes and live in vain illusions! - he said to himself. “But I should not miss such a wonderful opportunity to complete my education to such a level that if I am lucky enough to take the throne of the King of France again, I will not be thrown off it as easily as happened this time.” I will seize this opportunity so much that even if Louis comes to arrest me with an entire army, I will order this army to arrest him himself, and we will see who will listen to him!”
Philip knew that the jailers were forbidden to give him paper and pen, much less ink. But he could, by dipping any semblance of steam into water, practice writing in the margins of books or on their blank pages. Thus, he could not write anything that would last long, but until the water dried up, he himself could read what was written. In addition, there was no way to transmit the letter outside, since anything that could be written on had to either remain in his cell or be destroyed in the fire.
“I am deprived of the opportunity to correspond, but I am given the opportunity to train my handwriting, to train my hand to write in the King’s handwriting easily and without stress! I can trace the letters written by Louis with any stick, tracing them many times, writing out words and phrases. It is decided that I will study the King’s handwriting so much that the papers I write do not differ from the papers written by him! I will make his handwriting my own, I will learn to write such letters fluently that even the King himself could not distinguish them from letters written by him with his own hand.”
From that day on, Philip began to study the book and train his hand. He had no time to indulge in bitterness about his unfortunate fate, he stopped regretting the missed opportunity, he completely agreed with the opinion of the captain of the musketeers, Monsieur d'Artagnan, that, in fact, he did not get the opportunity to become King, he was only given a short opportunity to stay for a while time is my puppet. In this case, there is nothing to regret! The most significant result of this trick of replacing the King was Philip's acquaintance with d'Artagnan! And if the captain believes that Philip can be a real King, and not a puppet of some courtier, perhaps he will give Philip a new chance to return to the place that he once occupied, but could not keep?!
From that day on, Philip’s life became different, it was filled with meaning, purpose, aspiration that could one day come true. He stopped reproaching fate for his past, he stopped lamenting for his present, he began to live in the future.

Chapter 330

Having decided to go to Pignerol, d'Artagnan and Porthos again went to the nearest port, from where they set off by sea to Marseille.
Porthos wondered why they should go to Marseilles, but d'Artagnan remained silent on this matter. He did not trust even the empty deck with a secret that could be heard. And yet, finding himself with Porthos without witnesses on the open foredeck, he decided to talk to him frankly.
“We will discuss the details of our plan on the shore, in Marseilles and on the way to our final goal,” said d’Artagnan. “But I can tell you a short phrase by which you yourself will understand what I’m up to.” This way you will have time to think. Probably your best decision will be to refuse to accompany me. I even insist that you do not accompany me on this journey, but that it would be better to go to Geneva. It would be even better for you, Porthos, if we went not to Marseilles, but to Venice, from where you can go wherever you wish, and I - through Verona, Milan and Turin to my destination, which we will not name while we are on the ship.
- But the ship we are on is heading to Marseilles! - Porthos objected. “Then why the hell are we talking about Venice?”
- Because Marseille is dangerous for you, like any other French city, at least until I realize my plan! - answered d'Artagnan.
“You know, d’Artagnan, after we left our compatriots in a dangerous situation, due to our wounds, which, I think, with the help of your miraculous balm, will soon cease to bother us, I feel such a feeling of uneasiness that any danger will be the best medicine for my soul! - Porthos objected. “And don’t say that the danger is mortal.” We don't have another one!
“ I had no doubt that you would speak to me in that spirit,” answered d’Artagnan. “Then I won’t torment you with uncertainty.” Know, my dear giant, that I am going to offer you to accomplish what you and Aramis did not quite succeed in doing. If the King decided to equate me with the conspirators on the basis of friendship with you, then I myself will equate myself with you and join your conspiracy!
- Wonderful! - exclaimed Porthos. - I give my consent. Now, in any case, if I am executed for a crime against the King, then His Majesty will have every reason to do this to me, and I will have no reason to complain about the lawlessness, because this punishment will exactly correspond to my guilt! Whatever you say, I prefer to know what I'm getting into! Thank you, d'Artagnan! I’m glad that you abandoned the idea of sending me abroad and not letting me into my native France!
“I did not abandon this thought, but for now I just put it aside, dear Porthos,” answered d’Artagnan. - Listen to me carefully. I won't repeat Aramis' mistake. He should have laid out his entire plan to you from the very beginning, since you not only have amazing physical strength, but also have an extremely fresh outlook on things.
“Yes, I don’t complain about my eyesight,” answered Porthos.
- That's it! - D'Artagnan smiled.
“Well, if you absolutely have to kick me out of France, I prefer Spain, because Aramis seems to live there?” - asked Porthos.
“Most likely he is no longer there, as I told you, but we have nothing to do in Spain, and there is nothing to live there,” answered d’Artagnan. “If my plan fails, we will go with you to England, to my estate Monkville, given to me by General Monk, which I already told you about.”
- Great, we're going together, that's fine with me! - Porthos answered. — The plan in case of failure is quite good. How good our plan must be in case of success! I’ll be happy to hear it from you, I’m all ears.
“So, I’ll tell you everything without hiding,” answered d’Artagnan. “We are going to free the King’s brother, Prince Philip.”
“This is a noble cause,” Porthos agreed. “We’ll take him with us to England, the three of us will have more fun.”
- We won't take him to England, we'll take him to Paris! - objected the captain.
“It’s unlikely that we will be able to place a second King on the throne of France next to the first,” Porthos doubted. “I’m afraid Louis XIV will object.” Two Kings are too much even for such a big power as ours.
“Two are not required, one is enough, Philippe,” answered d’Artagnan.
“You want to replace them, like Aramis did,” Porthos nodded. “Well, if we finally quarrel with the first one, we’ll put the second one in, and the first one in his place.” This is a good thing, but how do we do it?
“Believe me, Porthos, if I knew how to do this, I would tell you,” d’Artagnan answered hotly. “But at the present time, not only do I have no plan for this part of my proposal, but I also do not have a reliable enough plan for the release of Philip.” Honestly, I don't know how we'll do this! But, in any case, at least this intention is better than the absence of any action plan at all! It is better to die implementing this plan than to be dishonored and executed without any guilt before the monarch and the state! If we are forced to go against the King, we will go this way! But I don't have a plan.
“Then let’s get our bearings,” Porthos nodded. - And then, I know you very well. You don't have a plan until you can wait to implement it. Whenever a plan is desperately needed, you will have one. That's the kind of mind you have. As soon as you see the walls of Pignerol, you immediately come up with your brilliant plan, I don’t know how you do it!
“Yes, Porthos, if you wish, I will tell you my method,” said d’Artagnan. - Any business consists of turning the situation as it is into the situation as we need it. Consequently, we can make at least a mental list of the differences between the situation we require and the actual one. Then you need to come up with a sequence of steps to make all these differences happen. For example, if we need money, do you know how we can get it?
“Write to Muston to send them to me from Pierrefonds,” answered Porthos.
“Well, that’s also true,” agreed d’Artagnan. - But if we generalize all possible methods, then their essence will be the same. Money can only be taken where it is available. And you can take them only in those ways that will lead to this goal.
- What are you saying! - Porthos was surprised. - How simple it all turns out! And how would you apply this method to our problem?
“Very simple, dear Porthos,” answered d’Artagnan. “We need to remove Philippe from Pignerol, place him in the Louvre in the place of the King, and also remove the King from the Louvre and place him in Pignerol.
- You couldn’t say it better! - Porthos admired.
“I don’t see any difficulties in carrying out the last two tasks, since if Philip is placed on the throne of Louis, then all our further actions will be carried out on the basis of the order that Philip will give, whom everyone will consider Louis. So, out of four tasks, at least two will not cause any problems for us!
- Half the battle, consider it done! - Porthos answered in delight. - And you say that you have no plan!
“It won’t be too difficult to get Philip to the palace either,” continued d’Artagnan. “It remains only to decide how we will take him from the Pignerol fortress, and how we will place him on the throne in the Louvre.”
- In the Louvre you are your own man, you have one and a half hundred musketeers at your disposal, you can take anyone there and take anyone out of there! - Porthos answered.
“ You are right, Porthos, provided that upon entering Paris I am not arrested by the convoy sent to meet me by Marshal de Gramont, acting by order of His Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan. “My time has not yet expired, and I hope that His Majesty will keep his promise and will not convey his order to Marshal de Gramont before a month has elapsed from the moment he ordered me to arrest you all.”
“Consequently, we will begin to fear Marshal de Gramont and his guard only after the month allotted to you is over,” answered Porthos. “Therefore, if we act quickly, the second problem will not cause any difficulties!” There is only one task left out of four, the first one!
“And the most difficult, my dear Porthos,” answered d’Artagnan. “This is the task of extracting Prince Philip from the Pignerol fortress. True, according to the royal decree, only I have the right to visit this prisoner and talk with him, and this is already a lot! But even I will not be allowed to take it away unless I have the appropriate paper with the signature of His Majesty and with the seal of Chancellor Seguier.
“Well, today we have already solved three of the four problems, all that remains is for you to find a solution to the first and most difficult problem,” said Porthos. - This will require a lot of energy. And we haven't eaten for eight hours.
- You are right as always, Porthos! - the captain agreed. - Forgive my forgetfulness. In this inn we will correct this situation.
Half an hour later, the friends were sitting at a table richly laden with food, which d'Artagnan almost completely moved to Porthos, limiting himself to half a partridge and one cup of Anjou.
“I want to drink to the freedom of those who have every right to it!” - said Porthos, raising a full cup of Angevin after his strong jaws had crushed and sent into his stomach the second half of a partridge and a hefty piece of ham.
—Freedom for the prisoner of absolutism! - D'Artagnan agreed.
— Will we also overthrow this absolutism? - asked Porthos after the Angevin went after the partridge and ham.
“We’ll see according to the circumstances,” answered the captain. “We shouldn’t rush into such drastic changes; first, let’s take a closer look at his surroundings.”
“Disposition on the ground, I understand,” said Porthos, cutting off another piece of ham and filling the goblet.
“Speaking of disposition, Porthos,” d’Artagnan picked up. “Be on guard all the time, Colbert’s spies may be everywhere.”
- Damn Colbert is making me hide! - exclaimed Porthos. “Someday I’ll grab his skinny neck with this hand, after which...
“I see, I see...” nodded D’Artagnan. — There is a sense of common sense in your approach. But more on that later.
“As you say,” Porthos agreed, breaking off a large piece of cheese from a head of cheese and deftly throwing it into his mouth like a small pea.

On the last stage on the way to Pignerol, d'Artagnan was extremely silent and thoughtful. At the next tavern, having left the grooms to take care of the horses, the captain invited Porthos to take a walk along the alley.
“Porthos, I’ve thought it over, you can’t be hidden under any clothes,” he said softly. “Besides, one scout can see a lot more than two because it attracts less attention.”
“I’m tired of being in the shadows, hiding, avoiding battles and pretending to be a simple townsman,” Porthos sighed. - After all, I, damn me, am a baron!
- Remember, Baron, who gave you this title? - asked d'Artagnan.
- His Majesty the King of France! - Porthos said proudly, but stopped short. - Oh, well, yes, King...
“The same one who ordered to kill you, Baron du Valon,” nodded the captain. “And theoretically you are dead, Your Grace.” In my hands is a document that irrefutably proves this fact. And I very much regret that this document will no longer inspire much confidence in the King and Colbert; if it had still remained convincing for them, nothing better could have been desired!
“How unpleasant it is to be dead,” Porthos grumbled. “The next time they kill me, I will sell my life dearly!”
“The two dozen guardsmen who remained buried in the Lokmaria cave, I think, do not think that they bought your life cheap,” d’Artagnan grinned. “However, in order to discuss with them this aspect of the price of your brightest life, we should join them, and this is precisely what I would advise you not to rush into, dear friend.” You are full of strength, vigor and optimism, and it would be extremely disappointing if the cause of your next death was almost youthful carelessness. Moreover, this second death may not be on paper, but in reality, which would be extremely upsetting for me.
“Perhaps for me too,” Porthos agreed. “Well, if you assure me that my help is not needed for the disposition, I am ready to wait.”
“Your help, Porthos, is almost always needed, but not this time!” - repeated the captain. “It would be madness to come to the fortress with you.” I will try to free Philip on my own, I don’t yet know how exactly, after which I will really need your help in extracting the King and placing Prince Philip in his place, believe me! Perhaps we will have to shoot, fence, and also break down doors!
- It suits me! - exclaimed the giant. “You have restored my good spirits!”
“Well, then, settle down with your spirit here in the inn, and wait for me at midnight,” answered d’Artagnan, patted his friend on the shoulders and was about to leave the inn.
“Why don’t you do the same thing as Aramis did?” - asked Porthos.
- What did Aramis do? - asked d'Artagnan, taken aback.
“ He brought a man to a meeting with Philip at the Bastille who agreed to go to prison in his place, since he was facing the death penalty,” answered Porthos. “Aramis told me this in spirit when we changed our disposition and headed to the Lokmaria cave.
“Damn it, Porthos, that’s a great idea!” - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - But where can we get this unfortunate man sentenced to death?
“And we will find some beggar of approximately the same height and build and persuade him, promising him money after our venture burns out,” answered Porthos.
- Porthos! You're a genius! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - How will we free him if our business doesn’t work out?
“No way,” answered Porthos. “But we won’t lament this for too long, because we will be executed.”
“And that’s true,” agreed d’Artagnan.

Chapter 331

At midnight d'Artagnan returned to the inn with a man. He was extremely excited, but Porthos could not tell from his appearance whether the captain brought him good or bad news.
“Porthos, I have learned enough to radically adjust our plan,” d’Artagnan said to the baron. - This man's name is Lieutenant du Chante. He is the envoy of the Chevalier d'Herblay.
- Aramis's messenger? - Porthos exclaimed joyfully. “So he hasn’t forgotten us?” God bless! — the baron continued to rejoice, after which he suddenly stopped. - How do we know we can trust him?
“He produced this letter,” said the captain, handing Porthos a small piece of paper.
Porthos unfolded the paper and recognized his friend's calligraphic handwriting. The letter read:

“To the one from whom the letter was stolen in Menge. The bearer of this paper, Lieutenant du Chante, is my faithful agent. The one who dropped Marie Michonne's handkerchief."

- Well, it's not a fake! - Porthos nodded.
“Yes, Porthos, only four people know such details, two of whom are us, the third is Aramis, and the fourth would never tell anyone anything about such details of our youth,” said d’Artagnan.
“Such a note proves that you are Aramis’s messenger,” Porthos agreed. - Your hand, Lieutenant du Chante! You can trust us as we trust you!
- Be careful, Porthos, don’t break his wrist! - D'Artagnan warned. - Lieutenant du Chante, tell me everything you told me.
“I saw the captain and recognized him, because I had seen him before and knew him well,” said du Chante. “I must warn you against Colbert’s traps.”
- Thank you, Lieutenant! - exclaimed Porthos. - We have been warned, now go ahead!
- Cool down, Porthos! - D'Artagnan said softly. - Sit down and listen to the end. Lieutenant, please, start with something pleasant.
“I think, Baron, you will be pleased to know that your friends the Comte de La F;re and the Viscount de Bragelonne are alive,” said du Chantet.
-Are they alive?! - cried Porthos. - I don’t know how it happened, but I believe you! Let me hug you!
- I don't allow it! - d'Artagnan resolutely objected. “Porthos, your embrace threatens the lieutenant with mortal danger.”
“In that case, I’ll just hold you very gently to my chest,” Porthos agreed and, indeed, tried not to hug the lieutenant too much and only patted him lightly on the back.
- Tell us how it happened! Porthos exclaimed impatiently after the lieutenant squared his shoulders and mentally thanked the captain for not allowing Porthos to hug him with all his might.
“We have assigned the task from Monsignor General,” he said.
“That’s what they call Aramis,” d’Artagnan clarified for Porthos.
“During the sally, the Vicomte de Bragelonne was wounded and fell into a trench, from where we carried him out after the Turks retreated, and our compatriots who made the sally returned to the fortress, taking two prisoners. Here is how it was. There were three of us - me, Lieutenant d'Aunay and Second Lieutenant de Trabuson. We observed the sortie without interfering with it, as we were instructed by the monsignor. When the moon appeared from behind the clouds, we saw that the Duke de Beaufort was bravely leading his small detachment into battle. On his left was the Comte de Guiche, on his right was the Viscount de Bragelonne. The Duke pierced one of the Turkish officers with his sword, he, dying, grabbed the sword by the hilt, tearing it out of the Duke’s hands, and fell into the trench. The Viscount at that moment struck another Turkish officer, snatched a short broadsword from his hands and armed himself with it, and quickly handed over his sword to the Duke de Beaufort. The battle continued more and more fiercely, the Duke broke through to the artilleryman, who aimed his weapon at a small detachment of the French. It is quite obvious that the cannon was intended to repel infantry and cavalry, so it was loaded with grapeshot. If the Turkish gunner had managed to fire a shot, it would have been all over for the French participating in the sortie. The Duke ran up to the artilleryman, snatched the torch from his hands and threw it towards the barrels of gunpowder standing behind the Turk. There was a deafening explosion. Unfortunately, the cannon flew forward and, dragging the Duke with it, fell halfway into the trench, where it crushed him to death. The Viscount was stunned by the explosion and also fell into the trench, but was only covered with earth. Almost immediately, both sides of the fighting retreated: the Turks, considering that the forces were too unequal, the French, apparently, considered the sortie successful. They managed to destroy two cannons and bring down several mines. We immediately made our way into the trench and dug up the Viscount. He was unconscious, but alive and not even injured. Following the instructions of the monsignor, we poured into his mouth the sleeping pills with which he provided us, and I instructed de Trabuson and d'Aunay to transport him to the mainland in one of the small launches.
- Truly a remarkable rescue! - exclaimed Porthos. - But poor Duke de Beaufort! He died like a hero!
“I completely share your opinion, Baron, but listen to what happened next,” continued du Chantet. “I, having in hand documents from the King ordering us to carry out a special investigation and obliging all officers to assist us, came to the fortress the next morning in order to fulfill the second part of the order of Monsignor General. The former musketeer de La Val, who was assigned by the monsignor to the Comte de La F;re as a companion for fencing lessons, also acted with us. This matter was much easier. De La Val mixed sleeping pills into a bottle of wine and left this bottle in the count's room. I was afraid that this step would lead to nothing, since, as I knew, the Count did not drink wine at all. But de La Val, who had studied the count’s character well, decided not to tell him anything about the miraculous salvation of the Viscount de Bragelonne. His calculation was simple. The Count would not have drunk so much water, and besides, he would have felt a sleeping pill in the water, so that as soon as he sipped it, he would have thrown the water out. As de La Valle had hoped, being in a state of despair from the news of the death of his son, the count decided to break his vow of abstinence from wine. He, as it turned out, drank the entire bottle. Fortunately, the dose of sleeping pills was carefully calculated, and this special sleeping pill is practically harmless, so although the count was completely unconscious, so much so that even the doctor who was with the commandant recognized him as a dead man, the count remained alive. You and de La Val, with the help of two of the count's servants, who were subordinate to de La Val, the count's successor, carefully placed him in a coffin and said that we would take him to Blois. Rochefort believed us completely, as did everyone else. De La Val told the commandant that from now on he considered it his most important mission to deliver the count’s corpse to the mainland and further to Blois. We fulfilled the first part of the promise exactly, regularly opening the lid and checking the state of the sleeping graph. On the way, I constantly massaged the count’s arms, legs and very carefully his neck to ensure a flow of fresh blood to them. We then transported the Earl and his son to Scotland, to an estate called...
- Monkville! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - A small house under the canopy of trees on the banks of the River Clyde!
“Yes, captain,” agreed the lieutenant. - How do you know?
“This house belongs to me, and a year ago I ordered three additional sets of keys to be made for it. I put these keys in three envelopes, and wrote a letter in each. One of the envelopes with the key found its way to our friend d'Herblay.
- I remember! - Porthos nodded. — I also received such a letter. It said: “Dear friend! I once performed a small favor for General Monck, which did not in the least interfere with the interests of France. The general was so kind that he thanked me with a gift, which I am unlikely to be able to use. He told me: “On the banks of the Clyde I have a little house under the shade of trees; We call it a cottage. The house has several hundred acres of land. Accept it from me! and handed me the keys to the cottage. Whenever you find yourself in Scotland, you can have this home as your own. Your loving Charles Ogier de Batz de Castelmore, Comte d'Artagnan."
“I sent the same letter to Aramis and Athos,” agreed d’Artagnan. - Mister du Chante, from now on Mister Baron du Valon and I are your eternal debtors. You brought us such news that we couldn’t imagine anything better! Your words bring us back to life, because your news tells us that we despaired in vain, you reported that our friends are alive and are visiting me! I will say for myself and for the Baron: we are happy to hear this news from you!
— I was wondering when did you become a count? - said Porthos. “After all, I remember very well that you signed yourself “Comte d’Artagnan.”
“I’ll tell you about this little adventure that happened to me between our first long separation and our second meeting later,” the captain smiled. - But you are not particularly attentive. I never write “D’Artagnan” in my signature, but simply “Artagnan.”
- Why? - asked Porthos.
“Out of modesty,” d’Artagnan lied.
- Do not make me laugh! - Porthos objected. — Modesty is not your strong point!
“Okay, I was joking,” admitted d’Artagnan. “I don’t put this same “de” for the same reason that the Duke of Orleans does not write “Duke d’Orleans,” but simply writes: “Orleans.” Chevreuse did the same, Richelieu did the same, and why am I worse?
“I should also sign “Baron Valon,” said Porthos thoughtfully. - However, it’s not so loud. But what joy! Athos and Raoul are alive! I want to hug them! - he added and shed a tear.
- Listen, Porthos! Even at the risk of you breaking young Raoul’s bones, I, too, passionately desire only this and nothing else! I wish you were in Montville, away from France! Damn you completely! I'm dragging you all over France, which is infested with Colbert's bloodhounds, sorry, Lieutenant, this does not apply to you and your friends, and I beg you to hide in England, Spain, Italy, or Portugal, damn it! Instead, you are looking for adventures with me, not realizing that every second you can be arrested, executed, quartered, hanged and burned! You are tearing my heart, which has already experienced too much in the last month. If you do not immediately leave France with this dear lieutenant, I will immediately challenge you to a duel and allow you to kill me! I'm tired of trying to persuade you to care about your life a little more than I care about it, or at least just as much.
“If you’re so tired of me and you don’t want to see me, I’ll leave right away,” said Porthos.
“I wish to see you not so often and not in France, but alive, healthy and thick-cheeked,” answered the captain. “And I wish to see you for a long time, but not in freedom.” I wish you well, my dear, and I only care about you!
“The last time such words were spoken to me one-on-one was by my mother, who forbade me to pull catfish out of the water with my bare hands,” Porthos sighed.
- And were they big catfish? - asked d'Artagnan .
“Not too big,” Porthos answered with a sigh. - Thirty pounds.
- How old were you when you pulled thirty-pound catfish out of a hole? - the captain was surprised.
“Probably twelve or thirteen,” answered Porthos.
- So listen, Baron du Valon! - said d'Artagnan. “The time has come to tell this story about catfish to the Comte de La F;re and the Viscount de Bragelonne.” This is urgent. You are leaving for Scotland tomorrow, accompanied by the kind Lieutenant du Chante! Or I can't vouch for myself.
“This is in accordance with the spirit of the orders we received from the monsignor,” du Chantet agreed. “He ordered you to be taken there, captain, but there was not a word about the baron, because...
“Because the monsignor understood that the baron would go with me,” d’Artagnan hastened to intervene.
“The monsignor assumed that the baron...” continued du Chantet.
“His assumptions were too pessimistic,” the captain nodded.
- That's right, captain! Du Chantet agreed.
“I need to settle some small matters in Paris, after which I will join you, Baron, the Count and the Viscount, where, I hope, we will have the happiness of seeing Monsignor too!”
- All four of us are together again! - exclaimed Porthos.
- And even five. By the way, Porthos, have you thought about having a son? - D'Artagnan smiled. - We will definitely marry you in Scotland!
“God be with you, d’Artagnan, your jokes are always there,” Porthos smiled.
- Du Chante, he agrees, go! — the captain summed up the conversation.
- Excuse me, but we were going to... Implement our plan, have you forgotten? - asked Porthos, catching himself.
“I don’t forget anything, Porthos, but now it’s impossible, and besides, it’s no longer relevant.” Firstly, Colbert's spies are swarming everywhere. We will simply be captured. I must be sure that you have sailed for Scotland, Porthos! While you are in France, my heart is not in the right place. Besides, Porthos, I will have a very delicate task for you.
“Do you find me a suitable person for delicate assignments?” - Porthos was surprised.
“I know what an excellent and delicate service you rendered to Raoul in resolving his questions with Monsieur de Saint-Etienne regarding his move, the staircase and the portrait,” said d’Artagnan.
- Oh, this! - exclaimed the Baron. “I have an abyss of delicacy in matters of this kind.” Who needs to be challenged to a duel this time?
- Challenge, but not to a duel, my friend! - D'Artagnan objected softly. — At the court of King Charles II there is a maid of honor or something like that, a certain Miss Mary Grafton .
“Let’s assume so,” Porthos smiled, twirling his mustache.
“This girl, I think, is much more worthy of our dear Raoul’s love than Mademoiselle Louise de La Valli;re.”
- I have no doubt about it, since you think so! - the baron agreed. “I will tell you on honor that since Mademoiselle de La Valli;re, as I happened to find out, is no longer a mademoiselle, and, perhaps, will soon give birth to a child for the third time, then it would be high time for dear Raoul to forget about such mademoiselles and throw her away long ago.” out of my head.
- Porthos! Where do you manage to get this information? - D'Artagnan was surprised. — How could you find out about Mademoiselle’s third pregnancy? After all, this is a state secret!
“There is no such state secret about the pregnancy of the favorite that all the gossips of Paris do not know,” answered Porthos. “And then this news spreads through the ears of all the women of France.” Sometimes I look closely at the innkeepers’ wives and other village women, and sometimes out of boredom I listen to what they are gossiping about. Most often it’s all nonsense, but sometimes you learn the funniest stories.
“Well then, consider that the wife of an innkeeper told me that our Raoul would not have remained indifferent to the merits of the said Miss Mary Grefton if the young man’s head and heart had not been occupied with Mademoiselle de La Valli;re, unworthy of his love.” As for the said Miss Mary Grefton, I repeat this name so that you remember it well, so this same Miss Mary Grefton by no means remained indifferent to the merits of young Raoul. Do me a favor, Porthos, invite on my behalf the said miss, not alone, of course, but with an escort that will make her visit completely social and will not cast any shadow on her, to my excellent house, which is located on the banks of the Clyde in Scotland.
“Doesn’t this Miss Mary Grafton have an aunt, preferably a widow, no older than, say, thirty-five to thirty-eight years?” - asked Porthos.
- Find out on the spot, dear Porthos! I entrust you with this most important task. And secret! - D'Artagnan exclaimed and clapped Porthos on the shoulder.
- Hm, hm! - Porthos exclaimed, twirling his mustache. “I believe I can carry out this secret assignment with the utmost delicacy!”
- Definitely invite your aunt, Porthos! - the captain burst out laughing. - Or even two! Remember: nothing should cast a shadow on the integrity of Miss Mary Grafton! Two or three aunties are the best guardian of her morality and purity!
“Well, auntie, it’s clear,” Porthos agreed. - Or two. Or three.
- But no more! - clarified d'Artagnan. “Otherwise Athos will leave us.” Remember that he is not a lover of women!
- Not a fan? - Porthos smiled. - Where did he get his son from then?
- Damn it, Porthos! You won't be fooled! — the captain admired the baron’s resourcefulness and pushed Porthos forcefully on the shoulder, causing him to sway only slightly.
After that, the friends laughed cheerfully and loudly.
— By the way, how is your leg, Mister Baron? - asked d'Artagnan.
“Thanks to your miraculous balm, great,” Porthos replied. - How is your hand, Mr. Count?
“Everything heals on me like on a dog,” answered d’Artagnan. “I already forgot to think about this wound.” Lieutenant du Chante, our new friend, if you deliver the baron to Scotland, to Monqueville, my gratitude to you, which already has no boundaries, will become simply cosmic. If you allow him to stay in France, I will complain about you to Monsignor General, and he will look at you with such a contemptuous grimace.
After that, he made some kind of hilarious grimace, from which both Porthos and du Chantet suddenly laughed in a completely obscene manner. I don’t understand what they saw in this grimace. I find that d'Artagnan's attempts to portray me are always very unsuccessful, although he shows Porthos and Athos very similarly.

Chapter 332

I arrived in Marseilles, expecting a ship to arrive there that would bring Athos and Raoul de Bragelonne. Messages from Lieutenant du Chante, received by pigeon mail, convinced me that the operation to rescue Raoul and Athos was successful. I looked forward to meeting my dear Athos, as well as his son Raoul, who was like the son of all four of us. According to information received from a message from du Chante, he went to meet d'Artagnan, and Raoul and Athos were to be taken to Marseilles de Trabucon and d'Aunay.
I was pleased with the work of my new agents; I had nothing to reproach them with. In Marseilles, I received information confirming that Athos and Raoul would arrive on the day of my arrival in Marseilles, only at the end of the day, so I decided to wait for their arrival and not go out to meet them. Further, according to my plan, I was going to transport them to the estate, kindly provided to us all by D'Artagnan, to his Scottish possession of Monqueville.
I was happy with the way things were going. The weather was excellent, my friends were saved, and to top it all off, du Chantet informed me that Baron du Valon was alive. This news filled me with happiness. Against the backdrop of all the troubles that could have happened to me and happened from time to time, this news redeemed everything. I was ready to hug the first person I met, to kiss the first woman I met, no matter what her gender, rank and age, my heart sang. I decided to just take a walk along the shore, enjoy the sea air and the warm sun. My eyes involuntarily turned to the horizon, I gazed at every sail, and my heart was ready to jump out of my chest in joyful anticipation of meeting old friends. I did not know whether Athos knew that Porthos had escaped, and in case he was not aware, I also prepared this surprise for him.
Still, it was necessary to be vigilant. I knew that there might be Colbert's spies in Marseilles, and that I would not be able to openly meet the ship from Greece, just as Athos and Raoul, accompanied by de Trabuson and d'Aunay, would have to go ashore, bypassing the border officials or customs officers. According to the plan, the ship was supposed to anchor at a fairly large distance from the shore, after which a small boat was supposed to bring to the shore at dusk, first only de Trabuson and d'Aunay, who were supposed to look around on the spot. I had to wait for communication at the Burgundy Sunset Inn, so at dusk I headed there.
I was leisurely refreshing myself with an omelette with herbs and a cup of diluted wine when I noticed that a man with a figure very similar to de Trabuson entered the inn. When I could see his face, I was sure it was him, so I gave him a hand signal and he came over to my table.
- Monsignor, good evening! - he said and, having asked for my consent with his eyes and received it, he sat down at my table on the bench opposite mine.
- Is everything okay? - I asked.
- Yes, monsignor, everything is excellent, your friends arrived by ship, but for safety reasons we decided that I would sail first on a small boat, after which I would visit the port. If Colbert's spies are not here, I will return to shore and light a fire. When they see him, they will take the next boat to the coast.
- Excellent, de Trabuson! - I said. — Everything is relatively calm here. I did not see large groups of guardsmen. If there are individual spies here, we can resist them, all together. So we can communicate with the help of a Roman candle that it is quite safe here, my friends can go ashore.
“Monseigneur, your information is wrong,” replied de Trabuson. “I walked around the entire port, and I recognized someone here in the crowd. Believe me, there are at least three dozen of Colbert's spies here, and I am convinced that sufficient forces are secretly concentrated somewhere to capture us all. In this case, I have a more reliable plan.
- What's the plan? - I asked.
“While d’Aunay distracts Colbert’s spies, we will go out to sea in a small launch to meet your friends,” replied de Trabuson. - You will join them and go further on the same ship. After all, your friends have no need to return to France, their goal is Scotland. In any case, you will be able to continue your journey by sea and, if possible, land in another, safer port, and from there continue your journey by sea or land.
“Reasonable,” I agreed.
True, some of my people were with me, but I came to the Burgundy Sunset tavern alone. I decided that I would contact my agents later. They were used to the fact that I could appear and disappear without warning.
At dusk we made our way to the shore, illuminated only by the thin crescent of the moon and the distant lights of the princely castle.
- There seems to be no one here? - I asked de Trabuson.
- Absolutely no one, but now we will give a sign and in a quarter of an hour a longboat will arrive here and take you to your friends.
“What if Colbert’s spies arrive here?” - I asked.
“They won’t have time,” replied de Trabuson. “The longboat is waiting for a sign offshore, and spies are patrolling the port, so they could get here fast enough to arrest your friends after landing, but not fast enough to arrest you and me in the short time we wait.” longboat In addition, we will be able to shoot several of them, and the people on the longboat will support us with their muskets if necessary.
“Reasonable,” I agreed.
De Trabuson threw a pile of brushwood on the sand, took a flint and a candle from his pocket and, with their help, lit a fire.
Indeed, the longboat, apparently, was not far away, since within five minutes we heard the splash of oars and soon saw the silhouette of a longboat with a dozen people in it in the night. Soon the longboat landed on the shore.
“Get into the launch, monseigneur,” said de Trabuson.
I climbed on board, de Trabuson followed me, after which the longboat set sail from the shore and went out to sea.
When the longboat sailed far enough from the shore, de Trabuson turned to me:
- Monsignor, now the soldiers will set the sail, and we will sail faster, but for now you can rest.
As soon as he uttered the word “rest”, six soldiers pounced on me, grabbing his arms and legs. Four others pointed their muskets at him.
“Monseigneur, you are my prisoner,” said de Trabuson with a smile. “I don’t advise you to resist.” Lieutenant d'Aunay remained on the shore, and no one will help you. The soldiers were ordered to shoot at any attempt to resist, as well as at any attempt on your part to say even a word or make at least some kind of gesture. Not a single word, not a single gesture, not a single movement of even a finger, or you will be shot immediately. I hope you got what I meant.
After this, de Trabuson addressed the soldiers:
- Tie him up, put a gag in his mouth and put a bag on his head! We will drive a little west along the coast and land where I indicate. A reliable army awaits us, and you, my friends, will receive a reward for your faithful service to the King!
The soldiers briefly shouted “Vivat to the King” and the longboat carried me to where I had no intention of going.
“Treason! - I realized. “Are Athos and Raoul also in the hands of a traitor?” Can I then believe du Chantet's report that Porthos escaped? Perhaps this is also part of Colbert’s insidious plan in order to lull my vigilance? Everything is lost! Or not, it’s too early to despair. After all, I am still a general of the Order, I can find supporters in the most unexpected place. If only my hands weren't tied, there wouldn't be a bag on my head! De Trabuson knows my strengths very well and deliberately deprived me of the slightest opportunity to even give a sign to those who, perhaps, would have obeyed me if he had known who they had arrested! And there is one more hope - if d’Artagnan is free, then all is not lost!”

Chapter 333

Heading to the King, d'Artagnan did not meet Colbert and decided that this was a good sign. In addition, he did not have to wait long in the waiting room for his time; the King agreed to receive him almost immediately after his arrival was announced.
Therefore, the captain entered the office of Louis XIV in high spirits, however, as soon as he crossed the threshold, he realized that such a mood did not fit in with the news that he was supposed to bring to the King.
Louis XIV slowly turned his head towards the entering captain and nodded slightly to him. On d'Artagnan's face he saw only traces of the deepest sorrow, which the captain was trying in vain to suppress in order to show his loyal feelings. The King liked this, so he graciously allowed the captain to sit down.
“You have returned ahead of schedule, d’Artagnan,” he said. “Does this mean that you have already completely completed the task entrusted to you, or did you come to inform me of the impossibility of completing it?”
“I completed three-quarters of the task entrusted to me in half the allotted time, Your Majesty,” the captain answered with a bow, “and therefore I ask Your Majesty’s permission to complete the remaining quarter of the task to spend the remaining time for me, for which I will need a passport signed by a person no lower than a marshal.” France. Without such a passport, as I was convinced, it is impossible to go by ship abroad, where the former bishop of Vannes, the Chevalier d'Herblay, is currently staying. As for the rest of the persons, in relation to the order received from you, they will no longer cause any concern to Your Majesty.
With these words and with an expression of the greatest sorrow on his face, d'Artagnan produced three death certificates from the large pocket on the inside of his jacket. In the first, the vicar de Pierrefonds reported that, according to the testimony of persons who inspire complete confidence, an entry was made in the church register that Baron du Valon died in the Lokmaria cave on the island of Belle-Ile, and that on this occasion a memorial service was served for him and arrangements were made for him. a symbolic funeral of what was able to be buried, the document was certified by the notary of Pierrefonds, Maitre Gortier. The second document, signed by the commandant of the Candia fortress, General Grimaldi, and his assistant, General Morosini, stated that Viscount Raoul de Bragelonne died during a raid from the Candia fortress on the island of Crete. The third document, signed by the same persons, said that the Comte de La F;re died in his bed in the same fortress the day after the death of his son, Viscount Raoul de Bragelon, unable to bear this grief, which led to his cardiac arrest .
The king carefully studied all three documents, and then asked:
- How much did these three documents, which are so similar to the real ones, cost you, captain?
“They cost me ten years of my life, if not more, Your Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan. - They are real.
“Are you saying that the desire to receive the marshal’s baton overpowered your sense of friendship, and for this reason you took the necessary steps to ensure that these documents were not an empty fake, but corresponded to the true state of affairs?” - the King asked in disbelief.
“I want to say, Your Majesty,” said d’Artagnan, jumping up from his chair and kneeling on one knee in front of the King, “that I would not lift a finger to get the marshal’s baton not only at the price you are talking about.” say, but even if for this it would be enough for me to just knock an apple from a tree with a musket shot from a distance of ten steps. I do not want this position and this rod, and I will ask for resignation after the final fulfillment of all points of the order, but I carried out Your Majesty’s order to the extent that it was in my power, since, being in Your Majesty’s service, I was obliged to do this, and also since I have tried to do everything possible so that the good name of the gentlemen mentioned in these documents is not subject to disgrace and persecution out of respect for the physical condition in which they henceforth reside. Human judgment no longer has power over them, and I hope that God’s judgment over them will be fair.
“Well, captain, as I see, you have finally realized that in France there is no one else’s will other than the will of the King of France, my will!” And that fulfilling my will is the sacred duty of all subjects of this state,” Louis solemnly said. — Have you realized that the state is me, that France and Louis the Fourteenth are synonymous?
“I see, Your Majesty, that you are absolutely right,” answered d’Artagnan. - The policy of France is the policy of Your Majesty, and the wishes of Your Majesty are orders for all of France.
“By my will, people who obey me acquire positions and wealth, and those who oppose me are deprived of both, and sometimes freedom and even life!” - Louis said quietly in such a tone that d'Artagnan felt a shiver run down his spine. “The people who encroached on me had to die, and they will die, every single one.” Those who tried to take Mademoiselle away from me with their vile intrigues also got it in full. Everything I touch becomes sacred to all of France and will probably soon become sacred to all of Europe. If I glance at a young lady in my kingdom, it means that this person belongs to me and only me. This person couldn't have a more fianc; or friend! - At these words, Louis’s face distorted with anger. “I hope the Viscount de Bragelonne realized this before he died!” A man who decides that he may not give something or someone to his King should consider it an honor to be able to give his life for his King in battle, for if fate had not dealt with him in this way, he would have given his life in agony here in Paris , on the Place de Greve, on the executioner’s block!
D'Artagnan bowed his head low so that the King would not see the lightning that flashed in his eyes at these words.
“You are a faithful servant and an excellent warrior, captain!” - continued the King. “I see no reason why you should refuse the title that you deserve.” I have already ordered the baton of the Marshal of France to be made for you, and you can look at it, but you yourself admitted that one thing remains unfulfilled. I myself will sign your pass for traveling abroad by sea or land. You will receive all the help you need from the army and navy, and this time you will not have officers assigned to you whose duty it will be to protect you from mistakes. Do you see how much trust I have in you? But I will give you this letter tomorrow, today I allow you to take a break from your labors. The day that you lose for rest will not count towards the thirty days that I gave you to carry out my order. You will come to me tomorrow exactly at noon, receive all the necessary powers and documents securing them, and upon your return, if successful, this will await you,” with these words the King pointed to the box on his table, in which, obviously, lay the staff Marshal of France.
D'Artagnan stood up, bowed his head and left without even looking at the box.

At that very moment when d'Artagnan was descending the stairs of the Palais Royal and thinking about how and where to spend the unexpectedly fallen day intended for rest, the King rang the bell and briefly said to the footman who came to see him:
- Colbert to me.
He said to Colbert, who appeared almost immediately, without even having time to invite him to sit down:
- Mister Colbert! You were right. Captain d'Artagnan returned to me with papers stating that three of the four state criminals were dead. These are the papers.
Colbert took the papers from the King's hands and read them carefully.
“You warned me about this outcome,” the King continued. “You told me that whatever documents Captain d’Artagnan brought were false, and that you know for certain that all his friends, including Baron du Valon, Comte de La F;re and Viscount de Bragelonne, are still alive.” If, in addition to the statements, you also provided me with evidence of your words, the matter would be clearer.
- Let me present you with letters from my agents, Your Majesty! - Colbert replied, handing the King three packages of letters. “My people swear on the Bible that they tell the truth.” They saw all three persons you mentioned no more than three days ago, that is, after the dates indicated in the papers that you handed me.
- How about that? — the King was surprised, taking the letters from Colbert’s hands. “Have you already taken the trouble to prepare for me documents incriminating Captain d’Artagnan?” Commendable! You've apparently been keeping an eye on him this whole time?
“At the beginning of his trip, he managed to deceive all my agents and confuse them,” Colbert replied. “But thanks to the fact that I have my own people, among those who are very loyal to their King and have already proven their loyalty more than once, I managed not only to find Monsieur d’Artagnan, but also to apprehend three of the four criminals whom Your Majesty They ordered him to be arrested.
- Where are they? - the King asked sharply.
“All three are in the Bastille in different cells under the supervision of M. de Bezmo,” Colbert answered with a bow.
- Great, great! - exclaimed Louis. - Let me guess which of the four you arrested! This is, of course, the Vicomte de Bragelonne, the Comte de La F;re and the Baron du Valon, isn't it?
“Your Majesty, as always, is right, but only with a slight amendment,” Colbert answered softly. “We have indeed arrested the Viscount de Bragelonne and the Comte de La F;re.” Baron du Valon has also been arrested, or will be arrested in the very near future, but he has not yet been taken to the Bastille. The third criminal we arrested was the former bishop of Vannes, the Chevalier d'Herblay.
-Have you arrested d'Herblay?! - Louis exclaimed, both surprised and delighted. - How did you do it? After all, he is in Spain! I hope his arrest will not cause an international scandal? We do not want this; he should have been arrested quietly, and preferably on French territory.
“That’s exactly what was done, he arrived in France with the intention of helping his friends save the Duke de Beaufort,” answered Colbert. “But he did not manage to arrive in Candia, nor save the Duke de Beaufort, nor leave France in a timely manner.
— Is the Duke de Beaufort dead? - asked the King and looked suspiciously into Colbert’s face.
“Missing in action during one of the raids, Your Majesty,” Colbert answered. “It absolutely cannot be ruled out that he went over to the side of the Ottoman Empire.”
- You are talking complete nonsense, Colbert! - the King answered sharply. — The Duke de Beaufort will never go over to the side of the Ottoman Empire.
“But he already betrayed Your Majesty once,” Colbert reminded.
“He did not betray me,” Louis objected. — He did not obey Cardinal Mazarin. It's not the same thing.
“ Yes, Your Majesty,” Colbert agreed and bowed deeply.
This man knew how to always and with the most simple-minded appearance agree with the King in everything, even when in his soul he did not agree with him.
-So, d'Herblay has been captured! - the King noted joyfully. - This is very good! It is perfectly! And du Valon is arrested, you say? Perfect! Well, go ahead, Monsieur Colbert, continue your surveillance of Captain d'Artagnan and make sure you don't miss him this time.
When Colbert left the King's office and turned away for the moment it took him to open the doors, admiration disappeared in Louis's gaze and hatred appeared.
“This man anticipates all my desires,” he thought. “This is very convenient while I am fighting against obvious enemies, but it will be very inconvenient when all the obvious enemies are defeated and I remain surrounded by hidden enemies!” What else do I not know about this man and what else does he know about me that I am not aware of? Perhaps my brother’s secret is also known to him?”
He wanted to stop Colbert and tell him that after solving all the problems with the captain and his friends, he would relieve Colbert of police duties and leave them with only financial responsibilities, but he immediately realized that he should never inform his subjects about his plans for them.
“Everyone must find out their fate when nothing can be changed,” he thought. “And no one should ever be sure that his current high position will remain the same tomorrow.” This will not allow them to relax and force them to dig the ground in order to prove their loyalty to me every day and every hour. And the absence of such evidence will serve as evidence of disloyalty! Too long and too many have deceived me in my own state, I will not allow them to do this anymore.”
Then he remembered Mademoiselle de La Valli;re. Just recently they managed to quarrel again and make peace again, and she was again expecting a child. Over the past three years, their relationship has hardly changed, except that quarrels have become more frequent, His Majesty’s desire to make peace has come with ever greater delays since the quarrels, the joy of reconciliation has dulled, and the delight of de La Valli;re’s pure and devoted love has completely disappeared. passed. Love for La Valliere has turned into a habit, and not at all obligatory. Louis has already set his sights on two of her friends, also the Princess's ladies-in-waiting.
At the thought that the arrested Viscount de Bragelonne dared to consider Mademoiselle de La Valli;re his bride and even wrote tender letters to her, the King felt annoyed and angry.
“No one will ever dare to touch Mademoiselle de La Valli;re! - he thought. “The children of La Valli;re will be the legitimate children of the King and no one, not even my wife, will ever dare to offend them or their mother!” Only my desires and my will should be the law for France!”
After that, he remembered the phrase he said to the captain. He liked it so much that he even decided to record it. Approaching the writing table, he took a blank sheet of paper and, dipping his pen in ink, wrote down: “The State is me,” after which he put his ornate signature at the bottom.
Satisfied with himself, he went to the window and looked at the sky in which the bright Sun was shining.
“Just as there is no one in the sky equal to the Sun, there should be no one in France equal to me! - he thought, after which he felt a strange fear. - Philip! - he suddenly thought with horror. “Pignerol is not so far away that we can stop fearing a possible repetition of that terrible day that we would so much like to forget, but we can’t!” Well, I’ll deal with this problem too.”
 
Chapter 334

At dinner the King ate almost nothing. It seemed to him that time was passing too quickly, and the events that he expected, for some reason, were in no hurry to happen.
When dessert was served, he saw Colbert at the door, who bowed his head respectfully, but did not take his eyes off the King's face.
Louis feigned a question, raising his face upward and pointing his pointed beard at Colbert, to which Colbert responded with a second bow, while lowering his eyes to the floor. After this, the King gave Colbert a benevolent smile and decided to make up for dessert with all the food that he had not eaten during the preliminary part of the meal.
“The King has a craving for sweets,” the Queen Mother whispered to her daughter-in-law. - Don't miss your chance! Perhaps tonight he will visit you, and not this one...
“The Queen is very kind to me,” replied Maria Theresa.
“Don’t be upset, dear,” whispered Anna of Austria. “No matter how many bastards your ladies-in-waiting produce, only your son will be King of France.” Even if he is not the son of the King of France. Queen Mothers have been telling this joke to their daughters-in-law for over a hundred years. At one time she made me very happy and calmed me down.
After that, Anna kissed her daughter-in-law on the cheek and lightly pinched her left hand.
Maria Theresa had no choice but to pretend that she did not understand at all what was being said.
As soon as dinner was over, the King hurried to his office.
“Mr. Colbert...” the footman barely managed to say.
- Yes! Ask! - Louis answered impatiently.
As soon as Colbert entered the room with his soft tread, Louis asked impatiently:
- Your people have already delivered him to Paris?!
- Yes, Your Majesty, it has already been brought.
“Did he try to say anything?” Make any gestures? — the King asked warily.
“He was deprived of this opportunity from the very beginning, according to Your Majesty’s instructions,” Colbert replied.
“This is very good, Monsieur Colbert, I am pleased with you,” said the King, rubbing his hands. - Where is he? Lead him.
“Our people tied his hands and feet, and I would not recommend untying them...” said Colbert.
- Then bring it in! - the King exclaimed impatiently.
- This way, what about your chambers? Colbert asked.
- Why not? - the King was surprised. “However, this is really not convenient,” he said after some thought. Take him to the Bastille. I'll talk to him there tomorrow. Prepare a chamber in which two steel rings should be embedded into the wall at opposite walls. He should be chained to one of them by the legs, give him food and drink, I do not want him to die of hunger or thirst prematurely. Everything has its time. Are the other two already there? This obnoxious Count de La F;re and his insolent son?
“Yes, Your Majesty, they have been in the Bastille for more than a day,” Colbert confirmed.
- Great! - answered the King. “When France is cleared of troublemakers, the golden age of my reign will begin.” Have another heavy bag and additional shackles prepared for another prisoner. That's all. And keep in mind that the commandant of the Bastille, General de Bezmeaux, should not see d’Herblay’s face, not hear his voice, not know the name of his prisoner. Write it down under any fictitious name you like. For example, let there be at least some, say, Eustache d'Auger. Yes, that will do. From now on, in your conversations with me, do not use any other name for him than Eustache d'Auger. Under this name he must enter the Bastille, under this name he will remain there forever, or, which is much more likely, he will be executed. I will dictate a list of his crimes later.

Athos did not immediately come to his senses. When he woke up, he felt some kind of rocking. Since he had not yet fully come to his senses, the idea that he was on a ship did not immediately occur to him. Finally, he realized it. He was in the ship's cabin. He was not tied up or guarded, from which he understood that he was not captured, but this did not make him happy, since he had decided the day before that there was no point in living any further. He sat up on the bed and looked around. Nearby there was another bed, on it lay a man, covered with a blanket, turned to the wall.
It seemed to Athos that the man's curls were too familiar to him.
“Either I’m still sleeping, or I’m already dead,” he thought. “In any case, there will be nothing wrong with me coming up to get a better look at my cabin mate.”
At this time, the sleeper turned in his sleep and Athos involuntarily cried out.
- Raoul! - he exclaimed. - My son, are you alive!?
The young man woke up and with the same surprise saw his father next to him.
- Father, it's you! - he cried and hurried to get up from the bed.
Father and son embraced each other.
“If the afterlife is so sweet, there is no reason for people to be afraid of it,” said Athos, whose thoughts were still confused in his head, since the effect of the sleeping pill had not yet completely worn off.
- Why are you talking about death, father? - asked Raoul. -Are we dead?
- How else can I explain that I see you, although before that I saw you crushed by a cannon? - asked Athos.
- Me? - Raoul was surprised. “The gun didn’t fall on me at all!”
“I saw an officer whose legs alone were visible from under the cannon that fell on him,” said Athos. “Next to him lay our family sword, which you received from me before going to war.” I believed that under no circumstances would you part with your sword, so I decided that the deceased was you, my son. How great was my grief! And how great is my joy that you are alive, my son!
“And I, father, am infinitely glad and happy to see you, although I don’t understand how I ended up here, and for what reason I see you here with me,” answered Raoul.
“I, together with the Count of Rochefort and de La Val, arrived here in order to warn the Duke de Beaufort that a monstrous crime was being prepared against him,” said Athos. “Rochefort learned that someone had agreed to treacherously shoot the Duke in the back. But, alas, we did not have time to save him. After your sortie, in which, as I thought, you died, many officers and soldiers did not return back, and among them the Duke de Beaufort.
- What a pity! - Raoul said sadly. “He was a magnificent man and a talented commander!”
- But who was the dead man, and why was your sword lying next to him? - asked Athos.
“It was a sortie to defend the bastion of Panigre,” answered Raoul. “We have already made more than ten forays, with varying success. From the defector we knew that the Turks were digging a tunnel, and that they had prepared forty barrels of gunpowder in order to blow up the bastion, after which they could freely break into the fortress. The Duke ordered to carry out another night sortie and destroy the tunnel, and detonate the gunpowder before they had time to roll it into the tunnel under the fortress walls. Therefore, in the back rows we had squires with torches, and for the same reason we could not always see who was fighting next to us. But I knew and saw that the Duke de Beaufort was fighting very close to me. I also noticed that he lost his sword just when I was able to take possession of the broadsword of the Turk I killed. It seems that the Duke's sword broke or got stuck in the body of one of those he pierced with it. I only saw how he plunged his sword into the enemy’s chest, after which he found himself without a sword. In the heat of battle he shouted: “Give me the sword!” He pulled a musket from his belt, which he fired at the Turk approaching him. Then he threw aside the now useless musket, drew a second one, and prepared to fire it one last time, after which he would be completely unarmed. Meanwhile, I managed to knock out his sharp broadsword from the Turk fighting against me and, having stabbed this Turk, took possession of the broadsword. Since the Duke demanded a sword, I hastened to hand it over to him so that I could fight with a Turkish broadsword myself.
“You did absolutely the right thing, my son!” - Athos answered.
“Since Lieutenant de Savage was standing next to me, I asked him in a familiar voice to hand over my sword to the Duke,” Raoul continued his story. “De Savage understood me and took my sword for the Duke, but at that time the Duke saw in the light of a torch where some of the barrels of gunpowder lay, prepared to blow up the fortress. He shot one of the barrels with his musket, but the gunpowder did not explode. Then the Duke snatched the torch from the hands of one of the squires and threw it with all his might into the nearest barrel. There was an explosion of deafening force, I don’t remember anything else.
“Apparently, you were shell-shocked, and perhaps even covered with earth or the bodies of other dead,” answered Athos. “That’s why neither your own nor your enemies picked you up.” This saved you from your enemies, but it almost killed me, because I almost died of grief when I learned about your imaginary death.
“I’m sorry, father, that I’ve caused you so much grief,” Raoul said sincerely.
- But who saved you anyway? - asked Athos.
“Probably the same people who brought me to this ship,” Raoul answered. - After all, you probably saw them when you boarded this ship?
“The story that happened to me is no less amazing, my son, and I didn’t see anyone on this ship, I only regained consciousness a few minutes before you,” answered Athos.
— Did you also receive a concussion from the explosion? - Raoul asked in a voice whose trembling betrayed his worries about his father’s health.
“Not at all,” answered Athos. “I just drank a little wine out of grief, firmly deciding to go on the attack the next day and die. But something must have been mixed with the wine, since I don’t remember anything at all that happened after that. And I didn't see anyone on this ship.
After these words, the doors of the cabin in which Athos and Raoul were talking opened and a man unfamiliar to them appeared.
- Count, Viscount, good night. Are you already awake? Great,” he said. - I am Lieutenant D'Aunay. We are heading to Marseilles, after which I have been ordered to deliver you and the one who joins us to Scotland, to the estate of Count d'Artagnan.
- D'Artagnan! - Athos exclaimed. - So he organized our abduction from the battlefield?
“No, not him, but another friend of yours, whom we will find in Marseille,” answered the lieutenant. “By order of Monsignor General, we rescued Mr. Viscount from under the rubble of the earth, and also kidnapped you, Mr. Count, since the circumstances are such that it is very unsafe for you to remain in France any longer.”
- But we are going from Greece to France, aren’t we? - asked Athos.
“We are only stopping by to capture Monsignor General, who, as he said, is the only one who can persuade you to go further,” answered d’Aunay.
- Who is this mysterious general who can influence our decision? - Athos asked in surprise. - And why does he care so much about our lives and our safety?
“You can ask him about this yourself, Monsieur Count,” answered d’Aunay. “Perhaps Monsieur de La Val will be able to give you more valuable information.” In addition, we have with us Lieutenant de Trabuson, who also serves Monsignor General.
— Did you say “also serves Monsignor General”? - asked Athos. “Does this mean that M. de La Val serves this same general?” This is big news for me!
- Forgive me, Mr. Count! - exclaimed de La Val, opening the doors of the cabin and entering it. “I am only helping Monsignor d’Herblay to protect your life, which is precious to him.”
- Aramis?! - Athos exclaimed. - So it was Aramis who kidnapped me and Raoul?
“If you are unhappy with this circumstance, you will have the opportunity to reprimand him, Monsieur Comte,” replied de La Val. “I can only say that through my care you have escaped death twice already, simply by living peacefully in your home in Blois.” I can tell you about these circumstances, but you are too tired, so if you don’t mind, we will discuss it later. Now I suggest you rest, and before that I suggest you take a walk on the deck and warm up a little, since you have slept too long, both of you, the Count, and you, the Viscount.
“I thank you, Monsieur de La Val, I thank you a thousand times, if it is true that you saved my father’s life twice, and I have no reason to doubt your words!” - Raoul exclaimed passionately. - Father! I beg you not to be angry with him!
“If I’m going to be angry with anyone, it’s Aramis,” Athos grumbled. - Since when did he decide that he could control my life? I only gave him the right to control my death!
- So you agreed to sacrifice your life for him, but did not agree to live for him? - asked de La Val.
- Exactly! - Athos answered and smiled.
- How do you like my proposal to take a walk on the deck? - asked de La Val. - After all, you still don’t sleep!
“This is a very sensible proposal, since my legs and arms are indeed somewhat numb, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea for us to warm up,” answered Athos.

A day after this scene, the ship with Athos, Raoul, de La Val, de Trabuson and a crew consisting mainly of military sailors selected for this trip from the royal guard personally by Colbert, arrived in Marseilles. There, de La Val and de Trabuson headed ashore after de Trabuson ordered that a boat with ten guardsmen be sent to him after he lit a fire on the shore at dusk. One of the guards, in secret from Lieutenant d'Aunay, de Trabuson ordered to add a new portion of sleeping powder to Athos and Raoul's evening drink. Therefore, after my arrest, de Trabuson arrived on the ship, on which were only the ship’s crew, ready to obey him in everything, consisting of guardsmen-sailors and their captain, as well as the sleeping Raoul and Athos, whom de Trabuson ordered to be tied up and put in different cabins. He ordered me to be placed in a separate cabin, which was occupied by de Trabuson himself, tied up with a gag in my mouth and a bag on my head.
When the guards left de Trabuson alone with me, de Trabuson allowed himself to enjoy his complete victory over me.
He pulled the gag out of my mouth and sat down with a smug look on the bed opposite the one on which I was sitting, tied up.
- Well, Mr. former bishop of Vannes and so on! - he exclaimed. “And now you will threaten me by ordering me to be thrown overboard, or will you inflict some other reprisal on me or on members of my family?” I think we have switched roles. Now I can do with you whatever I want, and even more - even what I don’t want, if it harms you!
“As you correctly noted, our roles have changed,” I replied. - I believe that this is not final. We will still have time to discuss and ponder these whims of Fate. I could offer you a reward for my release, but I think that this makes no sense, since you will not accept it.
- Why are you so sure of this? - asked de Trabuson with a laugh. - It depends on what the reward is! Although you are right, you will not have enough money to buy your freedom. And do you know why? Because I don't want to sell it to you, like that!
“And that’s not even why,” I replied. - And I have enough money to pay off. For example, for starters, let's say a million livres. Few? I can give you two. But, I repeat, you will not accept it, not because you do not want this money, but because you are afraid of my revenge.
- I'm not afraid of anything or anyone! - exclaimed de Trabuson. - And least of all – you, vile Jesuit! Were you thinking of intimidating me? Do you know that from the very first minute, when I was forced to agree to carry out your instructions, I was just waiting for such an opportunity as this to capture you, so that you would be completely in my power? So, revenge, which has matured for three years, is the sweetest! How happy I am that you are now in my power! Bad luck for you, Mr. former bishop! And not because I will kill you, but because you will be judged as a state criminal by the King himself, our dear Louis XIV . You will, of course, be executed, but first you will be deprived of all titles and titles, property and honor! This will be fun!
“Perhaps you are right, but perhaps you are wrong,” I replied. - Life will show. But if I am executed, then all the troubles that I promised you will certainly come true for you, you can rest assured.
- And why is that? - asked de Trabuson with disbelief.
“Do you think that I made my threats to you for the sake of saying something, just to intimidate you, Monsieur Lieutenant de Trabuson?” - I asked. “Do you really think that I didn’t take the trouble to write down orders regarding how those people who would listen to me even when I’m dead should deal with you and your family in the event that I die through your fault?” Do you think that I did not allow your betrayal to occur in my thoughts and did not take any measures in this case?
“Your people, whoever they are, will never know with whose help you were captured, and what fate befell you,” de Trabuson answered uncertainly. “You just disappeared, that’s all.” So there will be no one and nothing to take revenge for after your disappearance.
- What were you talking about about Place de Greve? - I asked. — Does a public execution have anything in common with the simple disappearance of a person? And besides, why on earth do you think that I didn’t include as one of the reasons for carrying out my orders the reason that I would simply disappear without a trace?
“We’ll talk about this later, but now it’s best for you to shut up,” grumbled the annoyed de Trabuson. “You can sleep or stay awake as you wish, you can devote this time to meditation or prayer, but what you will not be able to do is make gestures or say anything, since you are bound, and now I will again insert a gag into your mouth so that you couldn’t make a sound other than an inarticulate grunt.
De Trabuson carried out his threat regarding the gag and left the cabin.

Chapter 335

At exactly noon, d'Artagnan appeared before the King.
“Get the order you wanted, Mister Captain, and you can go to capture the former bishop of Vannes,” the King told him, handing him a document with his signature. “You are charged with the duty of arresting a fugitive state criminal and transporting him to the Bastille; all officers, soldiers and government officials are to assist you in this matter.” You can take up to two dozen musketeers with you, but I do not advise you to travel with them to Spain. I think it will be enough to take two or three people. Read, is everything in this document written down the way you wanted for the success of your upcoming operation?
D'Artagnan read the document, which said the following:

"Order of the King of France

The captain of my musketeers, M. Charles d'Artagnan, is to arrest a state criminal known to him and escort him to the Bastille, where he is to be placed under the care of the commandant of the Bastille, General Marquis de Bezmeaux.
My officers, soldiers and officials should assist M. d'Artagnan in this matter.

Signed: Louis. Certified with the seal of Chancellor Seguier"

“Everything is exactly as required, Your Majesty,” answered the captain, having familiarized himself with the document.
— Do you have any reason to complain about the insufficiency of authority to strictly carry out my order? - asked Louis.
“Your Majesty has handed me a completely sufficient document, having which I will strictly carry out Your Majesty’s order,” answered d’Artagnan.
- Tell me, captain, how will this document help you on the territory of Spain, where are you going to go with it to search for this fugitive state criminal? - asked the King.
“Firstly, Your Majesty, with this order I will be able to select three of the best musketeers and take them with me to carry out the task, and I also hope to receive money from Monsieur Colbert for travel expenses, which I will report on immediately upon my return,” answered d’Artagnan .
“Okay, but don’t make too much of a splash, captain,” Louis replied. - To better fulfill your mission, you should not stand out for either poverty or wealth, be like the majority, like everyone else. What is “secondly”?
“Secondly, Your Majesty,” said d’Artagnan solemnly, feeling inspired by the success of his mission to reassure the King about Athos, Porthos and Raoul, “considering the many years of friendship of our two greatest powers in the person of the two greatest monarchs of Europe and Christendom, how and considering the close kinship of the ruling houses of France and Spain, I hope that in the most urgent need to resort to the help of the authorities, this order will endear me not only to the officers and officials of France, but will also contribute to respect for my mission in our friendly Spain, since love for Your Majesty, who is undoubtedly present in Spain, will reflect a beneficial reflection on my mission, because your august wife is the sister of the King of Spain, and your precious mother is twice his aunt.
- Then go, I won’t delay you any longer! - answered the King and released d'Artagnan with a gesture of his right hand.
The king decided that he had sufficiently lulled d'Artagnan's vigilance. He already had sufficient experience in this matter. An hour before Fouquet's arrest, he told him all sorts of compliments, discussed plans for the future, and even managed to ask him for money and receive it! Louis understood perfectly well that with a person like d'Artagnan one should not act directly and rashly. So that d'Artagnan would not have suspicions, Louis was not even too lazy to dictate and sign an Order drawn up in accordance with all the rules.
This time the cunning Gascon fell for the King's bait. He considered that he had succeeded, and with a light heart he headed towards the exit, but as soon as he grabbed the door handle, the King exclaimed:
- However, wait a minute! One thought came to my mind. Before you go on your search, we will visit one person who can be a source of very valuable information that will help you in your case. Do not you mind? I will also deduct the time lost on this trip from the time allotted to you, don’t worry!
- I am at your service, Your Majesty! - answered d'Artagnan. “I will be glad to receive any help, but why should Your Majesty bother going to the Bastille?”
“You forget that it was Fouquet who told me that the Bishop of Vannes, together with Baron du Valon, headed to the Belle-Ile fortress. His information turned out to be extremely accurate. We will try to find out from him additional information about the places where the bishop can hide.
- Why should Your Majesty bother himself? - asked d'Artagnan. “I can go myself and ask this prisoner all the questions about this case, I just need an order for interrogation.”
“You ask me for one paper after another, captain,” the King said with a laugh, “one might think that you are collecting a collection of my orders!” Meanwhile, everyone else only asks me for higher positions and more money. As for money, these requests come with enviable regularity even from all members of my family!
“My salary, which Your Majesty was pleased to assign to me, is enough for me,” d’Artagnan answered with dignity. “I do not aspire to a higher position, as I had the honor to inform Your Majesty yesterday.” I need papers with Your Majesty's signature only to carry out Your Majesty's orders.
“Okay, okay,” the King smiled. “But I’ll still go.” You forget what a delicate matter this is - the matter as a result of which it is necessary to isolate the former Bishop of Vannes. Believe me, d'Artagnan, I don't wish him harm at all! I won't even stoop to revenge. But as head of state, as sovereign, monarch, King, I cannot allow the fate of the country to depend on the modesty of one Frenchman abroad. This is a matter of extreme importance. This secret is such that for the sake of the peace of the state, no measures are excessive. We can place him, for example, in the castle of Vincennes, where the Duke de Beaufort had a wonderful time and, it seems, his stay there did not in the least harm his health, or his reason, or even his gaiety.
“So I believed you, Your Majesty! - thought d'Artagnan. “But I must play this role to the end, I must agree with the King in everything!”
“Your mercy is known to everyone, Your Majesty!” - D'Artagnan lied. - The example of reconciliation with the Duke de Beaufort, as well as with many other grandees who behaved far from the best during the Fronde, showed the world that Your Majesty is not only the most Christian King, but also the most merciful!
“I’m glad that you understand everything so accurately, d’Artagnan,” said the King. - Let's go. The carriage is ready. I myself want to look at this prisoner and talk to him. There are several important questions that I would like answers to.
“I will order the protection of Your Majesty,” the captain hastened to say.
- I already took care of everything, captain! - the King objected softly. - Let's go.
- But my musketeers...
“Your musketeers are in training today under the leadership of Senior Lieutenant d’Arlencourt, your deputy,” answered the King. “There will be enough guardsmen.”
“But such a clear violation of subordination and etiquette, Your Majesty,” said the captain.
“And we are going unofficially,” Ludovic smiled. “That’s why we don’t need official security.” It is not necessary to announce to all of Paris that the King is going to the Bastille to visit one of the prisoners. Let's go.
The captain bowed and left the chamber, following the King a little behind and to the right.
When d'Artagnan saw that twenty guards were waiting at the carriage, his heart began to beat restlessly, but the King said to him light-heartedly:
- Take command of my guard, captain!
After these words, d'Artagnan ran up to the carriage and opened its door in front of the King. As soon as the King climbed into the carriage, the captain closed the door and jumped onto the horse, which was immediately brought to him.
- Guard of the King! - he shouted the usual command. - Ten people with me are in front of the carriage, the rest are behind the carriage! To the Bastille!
And the cavalcade headed to the Bastille for a meeting with M. Fouquet.

When the carriage approached the Bastille, the King said to the captain:
“We’ll leave the carriage and guards here at the gate.” I don't want Monsieur de Bezmeaux to know who is visiting him. I'll put on a mask.
“In that case, we won’t be allowed into the Bastille!” - the captain was surprised.
“You forget, captain, that the King can always have a corresponding order signed by the King!” - Louis objected softly and pulled out a sheet of paper folded in four from behind the lapel of his sleeve.
Having shown the guard the paper so that d'Artagnan had no opportunity to read it, the King, taking the captain by the arm, entered the gate that opened in front of him, after which this strange couple went up to Monsieur de Bezmeaux's room.
Without removing his mask, the King placed an order in front of Bezmo.
The commandant unfolded it, read it, then bowed deeply and, taking a bunch of keys, led his guests along the prison corridor.
- Go, my dear, we will catch up with you! - said King Bezmo, after which he quietly turned to d'Artagnan. - Mister Captain, I wouldn’t want you to know which cell the person we’re going to is in, so let me blindfold you.
The captain bowed his head respectfully, the King took a bandage from his pocket and blindfolded d'Artagnan with his own hands.
“Your Majesty, I don’t see where I should go,” answered d’Artagnan, suspecting evil.
“It’s okay, it won’t be long to go,” Louis replied, “hold my hand and listen to my instructions.” There are two steps down here. Tilt your head to avoid hitting yourself. Great, now turn right. Now here. Sit down, don't be afraid.
D'Artagnan sat down on the terribly cold bench.
— Another small formality, Mr. Captain. Commandant, please! - said the King, after which d'Artagnan felt some kind of fuss at his feet and heard two distinct clicks.
- Thank you, Commandant. We will call you,” said the King.
As soon as the front door of the cell closed, Louis said:
“That’s all, Mister Captain, now you can take off your mask!”
He uttered these words from some distance.
D'Artagnan took off the blindfold from his eyes and saw that he was sitting in a spacious cell on a stone bench, and his legs were attached with iron chains to the foot of this bench, so that he could stand up or lie down, but he could not move more than half a step away from it. . At the opposite wall, at a distance of six full steps, another man was sitting on exactly the same bench, with the difference that not only his legs, but also his arms were covered in the same shackles, and he had a leather bag on his head.
“Strange preparations have been made for me for a conversation with this man,” said d’Artagnan.
- Do you think so? Really? - the King exclaimed with ostentatious surprise, taking off the mask that he put on so as not to be recognized by the commandant. “Perhaps these preparations will not seem so strange to you after we look together at whom exactly we will ask our questions about the former Bishop of Vannes?” Well, let's see who it could be?
He grabbed the leather bag with two fingers and pulled it up. To his horror, d'Artagnan saw me with a gag in my mouth and a tight bandage on the lower part of my face.
“We will free the lord former bishop from these inconvenient objects,” the King said, smiling, after which he carefully untied the bandage and pulled the gag out of my mouth.
“Damn it, Aramis, you...” said d’Artagnan in a voice full of despair.
I must say that I heard d'Artagnan's voice and realized that this did not bode well for either him or me. But I had a couple of minutes to gather my courage and prepare for the scene I am describing here. So I tried not to lose heart and remain calm.
“D’Artagnan, you don’t seem happy to see me,” I said with slight sadness. - Forgive me, dear friend, the place is really not suitable for dating, but the choice of place and circumstances was not made according to my will, as you can see.
- Shut up, you two scoundrels! - the King shouted, losing control of his emotions. “Did you think you could deceive me forever?” It didn't work out! I've got you figured out! D'Artagnan! You knew perfectly well that your friend was not in Spain, but in France, and you were not going to arrest him! And you, d' Herblay, will finally have the opportunity to fully experience everything that I, your King, had the opportunity to experience, by your will, as a result of your vile betrayal!
“It seems, Aramis, they don’t believe us here, so, apparently, we will have to spend the rest of our days here,” d’Artagnan said calmly, “However, I don’t think that we will be allowed to grow old in peace.”
- Old age is terrible! - I answered. “We have a good chance to avoid old age.”
“You have a great chance to die here in front of each other, watching each other’s torment and suffering from the fact that you cannot help each other,” Louis answered angrily. - Try to do something to stop this!
“Your Majesty’s will is stated quite clearly, and we do not dare oppose it,” d’Artagnan answered calmly.
“And your orders, as always, are carried out clearly and quickly,” I added. - After all, in France, Your Majesty is at home everywhere.
“Especially here,” d’Artagnan agreed, for which he received a look full of hatred from the King.
- Stop clowning around! - cried the King. - No one will help you here! See that little finger on your left hand? - the King turned to Aramis, showing his left palm. “You dared to injure me by kidnapping me from the house of that vile traitor Fouquet!” You dare to shed royal blood! On my royal hand, by your grace, a mark was left, reminding me that several of my subjects dared to lay a hand on their King! Even when you are gone, and your ashes will be trampled by townspeople in the suburbs of Paris, this wound will remind me of my humiliation! In moments when I asked myself whether I was too cruel towards my enemies, the enemies of France, the conspirators who encroached on my freedom, I looked at this wound and remembered that the conspirators dared to shed royal blood! And I told myself that I would not spare anyone involved in this crime!
“You received this wound by accident, Your Majesty,” I replied, “and I ardently regret that I was so clumsy as to scratch your hand and spill a few drops of royal blood.” But that's the only thing I regret.
- Scoundrel! - exclaimed the King. “You have the audacity to tell me that you have not repented of your villainous crime!”
“I repented of it under the influence of a conversation with Fouquet, Your Majesty, but under the influence of a conversation with you I realized that I was right,” I answered.
- Shut up, Aramis, shut up! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “Let the King speak, perhaps he will want to hear our explanations.”
- Your explanations?! - cried the King. - Do you think that some explanations will help you save your pathetic lives?!
“We need them, first of all, to express what has accumulated in us,” d’Artagnan answered with dignity. “A minute ago I thought that perhaps they would be useful for you, Your Majesty, but now I don’t think so.”
- And wonderful! - answered the King, calming down. “I don’t want to give you any explanation either.” You will be left here to die in front of each other. You will be given drink, but not food. Thus, after some time your torment will end. But all this time, each of you will observe the fading of the other. This is my response to the violence inflicted on me by you, Mr. former bishop, and to the disobedience shown to me by you, Mr. former captain. I'm leaving to leave instructions on this matter.
With these words, the King put on his mask and opened the cell doors.
- Monsieur de Bezmo! Please come here! - exclaimed the King and the prisoners heard the familiar gait of the commandant of the Bastille, who was heading towards the prison cell and tapping his rhythmic confident steps with his forged boots.

Chapter 336

As soon as Bezmo entered the door of the cell, d'Artagnan shouted with all his might:
- General de Bezmo! Follow the order! Arrest Marciali!
Bezmo was taken aback. He had an order in his hands, in which the King ordered that the bearer of this order could freely carry out and, at his discretion, bring back or leave one prisoner in the Bastille. The order was presented to him by a masked man who looked very much like the former prisoner Marciali. Captain d'Artagnan also passed along with this man. But de Bezmo could not have imagined that the bearer of the order would arrest d'Artagnan. And the captain himself didn’t look like he was going to be arrested. He walked quite calmly and even winked at de Bezmo, his old friend and comrade in arms since the time of de Treville. Of course, d'Artagnan accompanied this man as a guard! Who was the prisoner who was ordered to be placed in the Bastille? Nobody explained this to him. All these thoughts quickly flashed through de Bezmo’s head in just two or three seconds. He would have reasoned further, but d'Artagnan did not give him time for this, while Louis, who did not expect such a turn of events, was silent from surprise and did not understand what was happening, he also did not understand what could happen in the future, and most importantly – I didn’t understand at all how best to act in this situation.
- Why are you inactive? - D'Artagnan shouted. - General de Bezmo, immediately arrest the criminal Marciali! After all, upon entering here, you were given an order with my authority!
“But they were handed over by a man in a mask,” Bezmo objected hesitantly.
Then I understood d'Artagnan's plan and added my voice to his cries.
- De Bezmo, are you deaf? - I exclaimed. - If you doubt that this is Marchiali, you can remove his mask under my responsibility! You will recognize him!
Louis, in fear, instinctively grabbed his mask with his hands, fearing to be exposed, and this involuntary movement completely destroyed him.
- Tie him up yourself, don’t call the guards! - D'Artagnan ordered in a confident voice. - There is no need to attract extra witnesses! You remember how secret this dangerous criminal is!
Bezmo hurriedly approached the King, who was still wearing his mask, and grabbed his hands and deftly tied them with his waist belt. Louis, who did not expect such a turn of events, screamed in fear.
- Don't you dare touch me! - he exclaimed. - I am King Louis XIV of France!
This cry finally decided the matter in our favor. De Bezmo completely recognized the voice of Marchiali, which was so familiar to him. Two great men, whose orders he was accustomed to carry out, the captain of the royal musketeers, Monsieur d'Artagnan, and also I, the general of the Jesuit Order, ordered him to apprehend the dangerous and extremely secret criminal Marciali, who was well known to him. One should have obeyed.
At that moment I was glad that I was taken to the Bastille with a bag on my head, so that de Bezmo had not even imagined that I had been thrown into the Bastille under his jurisdiction. These measures were taken in fear that I might somehow influence de Bezmo. Now, having had the opportunity to show myself, I actually regained my influence over him, a devoted Jesuit, who, according to the Charter of the Order, had to obey me even if my order contradicted the order of the King of France.
At that moment I felt that I could have a stronger influence on de Bezmo if I showed maximum restraint and calm.
- What are you looking at, Marquis? “I asked in a calm and confident voice, which really had a very strong effect on de Bezmo. - Follow the order, and then you will receive the most detailed explanations, within the limits of what you are allowed to know about this matter. And shut his mouth with something, otherwise your people will come running here, and then you will have to answer for the fact that those who should not have known about it were privy to state secrets.
De Bezmeaux pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, which, fortunately for us, was large enough, and fortunately for the King, it was completely fresh. He deftly and skillfully rolled it into a gag and shoved it into Louis's mouth.
“And now help us get rid of these shackles that we put on in order to properly influence the scoundrel Marciali, which I will now explain to you properly in order to completely dispel all your doubts on this score, although I am not obliged to give you mine.” explanations, dear Marquis, but God knows I will do it,” continued d’Artagnan.
“Dear captain, I also see that the Marquis is waiting for an explanation from us, so let’s quickly explain everything to him, because it’s so simple and understandable,” I said with such a convincing smile that de Bezmo’s doubts about the fact that we d'Artagnan were in the performance of their duties, while the cunning Marchiali found himself, for some unknown reason, without shackles and almost free.
I still didn’t know how to explain this situation, that d’Artagnan and I were in chains, and the man who brought d’Artagnan was free. How can this even be explained? But I had no doubt that d'Artagnan would come up with something. Moreover, I rightly believed that if de Bezmeaux freed us both, then even if we could not convince him that he acted correctly, there would be two of us against him, so that his agreement with us would no longer be so important to us, at least in the near future.
“I see that it was not in vain that I counted on your intelligence and on the strength of the locks of the Bastille, entrusted to your care!” - summed up d'Artagnan. —Are you saying that Marchiali gave you the order? My hands were busy, I was distracted, the cunning Marciali stole the order from me and presented it to you. Unhappy, he hoped to deceive you in this way, de Bezmo! Attacked the wrong one! The Marquise de Bezmeaux is not so easy to fool! I'm right? Right, of course! But it does not matter. The main thing is that I brought him here and put him in a cell, and although he tries to do his tricks here, he won’t succeed. If you, Marquis, still doubt my authority, I will show you a document much more important and serious than the one that Marciali showed you at the entrance. Here, please take a look.
With these words, d'Artagnan, whose hands remained free, took from his pocket and handed to de Bezmo the order that he had received from the King's hands in the morning.
“Read it out loud so that you have no doubts, since this order is addressed not only to you, but to absolutely all officers and soldiers of France, as well as all government officials,” d’Artagnan said solemnly. - This order is not bearer, it mentions my name, so you should have no doubt whose rights and responsibilities it determines!
De Bezmeaux, with hands trembling with excitement, took the order from d'Artagnan's hands, cleared his throat and read, stopping and wiping his forehead with his hand, since he had used the handkerchief for other purposes.

"Order of the King of France

The captain of my musketeers, M. Charles d'Artagnan, is to arrest a state criminal known to him and escort him to the Bastille, where he is to be placed under the care of the commandant of the Bastille, General Marquis de Bezmeaux.
My officers, soldiers and officials should assist M. d'Artagnan in this matter.

Signed: Louis. Certified with the seal of Chancellor Seguier"

— A famous criminal is Marchiali, who made a daring escape from the Pignerol fortress. Our mutual friend, Monsieur d'Herblay, paid for this miscalculation, because he did not keep track of how it was guarded. Be silent, d' Herblay, no one is forcing you to make excuses! You were punished for the escape of Marchiali, but now I have caught him on the orders of the King, which you, de Bezmo, have just read aloud. I brought Marchiali here to leave him in his cell and free Monsieur d'Herblay. Aramis, you are free! I am not kidding! It's so natural! Once the fugitive criminal is caught, the person responsible for his escape, guilty of oversight, is forgiven by the King, since the consequences of this guilt are completely removed. So His Majesty told me to free you at the same time, Aramis! De Bezmeaux, hurry up and free Monsieur d'Herblay as soon as possible. You can see how tired he is. Let's speed up his return to freedom. You have already seen the order according to which I bring Marciali to the Bastille and release Monsieur d'Herblay, even if only from the hands of Marciali himself. It doesn’t matter whether he showed it to you or him, the main thing is that you saw it. I forgive Marchiali this little joke. He stole the order from me and showed it to you, but the main thing is that you saw it and it stayed with you. I just showed you a more important personal order, it contains a mention of who these powers were issued to, you read my name there. I'm taking it from you because I have yet to catch Marciali's accomplices. Yes, yes, good Monsieur de Bezmo, imagine that this vile Marchiali has acquired accomplices, and some of them are still at large! But it’s okay, I’ll catch them all. Look how the dissatisfied Marciali squirms, who cannot forgive me for his arrest, and not in vain fears that I will catch his accomplices. They confess to me all their faults! I'm afraid that Marchiali's contents after this will not be as gentle as they were before. Well, de Bezmo, here you are, the liberators of Monsieur d'Herblay! Let's shake his hand and congratulate him on his release. Don't forget, Aramis, that criminals must be guarded very carefully! Take an example from Monsieur de Bezmeaux. The criminal Marciali will never escape from him, you can be sure! Do you still have any doubts, Monsieur de Bezmeaux? - asked d'Artagnan.
“No, Count,” answered the stunned de Bezmo.
“I can see in your eyes that you are perplexed, why was I fastened to the chain with the help of these easy-to-lock locks?” - asked d'Artagnan. “Also, of course, you are interested in why I allowed the criminal Marciali to take me into the cell, instead of bringing him in myself?” Of course, this looks illogical and surprising if you don’t know all the reasons for my behavior. Isn't it so strange? Do you agree, dear marquis?
“It’s really not entirely clear,” de Bezmeaux muttered.
- Of course, it’s not clear! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “I might not have to explain to you the reasons for these strange events, and I would be absolutely right, since you don’t have to know all the intricacies of my tactics!” But, you see, not to give you an explanation would be impolite on my part towards an old friend, comrade in arms, especially since I am not going to make a secret of this behavior of mine, which only seems strange, but is not so, if take into account all the motives for my such behavior! Do you agree, Mr. Marquis, that if I reveal to you all the reasons and motives for my behavior, which only seems strange, but in fact is far from strange, but completely logical, then you will cease to be surprised at everything that happened before your eyes? So I thought: “ Let me tell my good friend de Bezmo everything as best I can.” Otherwise, he will torment himself with questions: “Why did Monsieur d’Artagnan end up in a cell with chains on his legs, when he should not have such chains, because he is not an arrested person, but a guard?” So you would torment yourself with this question, even realizing that this is not your business at all, and you do not at all need to understand all the reasons for such behavior, but still I am your comrade, and I will reveal to you the reasons with a pure heart. After all, you are my comrade in arms, Marquis, aren’t you?
“Yes, of course you are right, captain,” replied de Bezmeaux, completely bewildered.
“So listen, dear de Bezmo,” continued d’Artagnan. “I’m not pleased to talk about this, no, it just hurts me to even admit it, but, you see, our good King, our Louis the Fourteenth, was so angry that the vile Marchiali fled from the Pignerol fortress, and he was also very angry with Mr. 'Herblay, who was ordered to guard this vile Marchiali, that our good King thought: “Was Monsieur d'Herblay not an accomplice of this same Marchiali?” That's what our good King thought. And although I told him: “No! Can't be! Our dear d’Herblay cannot possibly be an accomplice of such a scoundrel as Marchiali!”, but His Majesty still doubted. Yes, he doubted it, and he told me to check M. d'Herblay. So he ordered me to pretend that it was not I who arrested Marchiali, but that Marchiali arrested me. That was the plan. If Monsieur d'Herblay had really been an accomplice of the vile Marchiali, then he, of course, would have been delighted at this turn of events! He would have joyfully congratulated the vile Marchiali on his victory and would have rejoiced at my arrest. That is why our good King ordered the scene of my arrest to be played out for me. But, as you understand, I was right! As soon as our dear d'Herblay saw that the vile Marchiali had brought me to the Bastille, and even snapped those vile locks on the chains on my legs, he protested! Do you know what he said? He said: “Sneaky nasty Marciali! Release Captain d'Artagnan immediately! You can keep me here in the Bastille as long as you want, because I do not absolve myself of the blame for your escape, but immediately release the captain of the royal musketeers, Monsieur d’Artagnan, loyal to our King!” That's exactly how he cried, our good comrade in arms, our dear d'Herblay, whom we all knew under the name of Aramis! Monsieur d'Herblay, I conveyed your words absolutely accurately, didn't I?
“You were quite accurate, d’Artagnan,” I replied, “except for a small correction.” I didn’t say “Despicable nasty Marchiali!”, but “Treacherous and vile Marchiali!” Everything else is accurate. Although no, it seems that I still managed to call him Judas, and you know what a cruel accusation this is from the mouth of a church minister!
- Yes exactly! - confirmed d'Artagnan. - How could I get it wrong? After all, you really said: “Treacherous and vile Judas Marchiali!” That's right, word for word! Do you see, Marquis, how it was? Of course, after such words I did not have even a shadow of doubt about the innocence of our dear Aramis. That’s why I shouted to you to finally arrest the treacherous and vile Judas Marciali, and, if it’s not difficult for you, help me free myself from these chains, since I no longer need them, because we are all well convinced of that , that, as expected, His Majesty’s slightest suspicions about our dear friend Aramis have been completely dispelled. He demonstrated the same loyalty to our King as you and I, Marquis. What are you waiting for, give me the key to the locks, it’s in Marchiali’s pocket.
De Bezmo complied. Soon the shackles were removed from him in the same way as earlier from me and put on Louis, whom de Bezmo considered the criminal Marciali. He was left alone in the cell, bound and gagged.
- Monsieur Fran;ois de Montlaisin, Marquis de Bezmeaux! - D'Artagnan said solemnly. “General, you are fulfilling your duty perfectly, which I will immediately report to His Majesty!” I will work to increase your salary. You are the most devoted servant of the King!

Chapter 337

Then d'Artagnan gently took de Bezmeaux by the sleeve and confidentially uttered unexpected words to me.
“Our dear Marquis de Bezmeaux,” he said. “So, at the behest of His Majesty, Monsieur d’Herblay passed the test, and the criminal Marchiali was placed in the Bastille. But, you know, that’s not all, Marciali’s case doesn’t end there, it’s just beginning.
“I am listening to you attentively, Comte d’Artagnan,” replied de Bezmeaux.
“His Majesty loves order in everything,” continued d’Artagnan. “Since by order of His Majesty the criminal Marchiali was to be kept in Pignerol, therefore, he should be in Pignerol, and nowhere else.” We came here only to test M. d'Herblay. Well, being locked up alone for a while and coming to his senses won’t hurt the criminal Marciali. However, once you’ve visited, it’s time to know the honor. Now I will take the criminal Marciali to where he belongs, that is, to the fortress of Pignerol. And we won’t delay this matter, I’ll take him immediately.
“Will he run away again on the road to Pignerol?” - inquired de Bezmo.
- From me?! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - Are you joking! It’s absolutely impossible, general, because the scoundrel criminal escaped with the help of his accomplices, who freed him with the help of a tunnel. But this information is secret, you understand me. Now the tunnel has been filled in, filled with stones on both sides, and the gratings have been reinforced. Pignerol is quite reliable. Soon the scoundrel's accomplices will be caught. His Majesty’s order must be carried out, don’t you agree, General? Therefore, I will immediately take Marchiali there, but with more careful supervision. My escort is good, as you can see if you look outside the gates of the fortress. By the way! Do yourself a favor, go downstairs and order the carriage to drive into the fortress courtyard. You understand that it would be imprudent to take such a criminal outside the fortress. I will put him in the carriage, handcuffed and wearing a mask, and then we will set off.
“Should I lead the guards into the fortress courtyard?” - asked Bezmo.
“Sixteen people inside,” answered d’Artagnan. “Let the four on the strongest stallions wait outside the gate.”
Bezmo nodded and left, after which I looked at the captain in surprise.
- Do you want to take him away from the Bastille? - I asked. “Fate itself put him here, and you want to release him, risking that he will reign again and destroy us all?”
“This is not the time to argue, Aramis,” answered d’Artagnan. “We can’t get out of the Bastille without him.” Twenty guards are waiting for us, who know that they brought the King here. How do you explain to them that you left the King in the Bastille, and you yourself are leaving? Then we really won’t be able to get out of here, and then we will really be imprisoned here forever or, most likely, executed.
“You’re right, d’Artagnan,” I agreed. - What do we do in this case?
“We return to the King,” said the captain.
He bolted the door through which Bezmo went down into the courtyard, grabbed a bunch of keys and a stack of blank sheets of paper from the table.
“Take an inkwell and a pen and let’s go to the King, quickly, catch up,” he said and rushed into the corridors of the casemate.

The king stopped screaming and hitting the walls of his new cell. He remembered from past experience that it was useless, he was afraid that this time his conclusion was final, he was seized with hysterics. Hearing a fuss at the door and the sound of a key turning in the lock, he decided that this time he would undoubtedly be killed. He was waiting for the killers. But d'Artagnan entered the cell, followed by me.
“Your Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan, removing the gag from Louis’ mouth, “we came to prove to you once again that we are not enemies of Your Majesty and do not want your death.” We just want to remain free and live our lives in such a way that we can grow old in peace somewhere in the countryside, away from the court and its intrigues.
“I don’t believe a single word you say,” snapped the King, who understood that they would not kill him, but did not understand that he could still argue. He did not understand what we wanted from him, but he showed short-sightedness, intending to finally quarrel with the people in whose complete power he found himself.
“Your Majesty, we will return your freedom and you will return to the throne again, but I have a small condition,” said the captain.
- Scoundrels! Do you dare to put conditions on me? Me – the King of France? - exclaimed the King.
“Bishop, you were right, conversation is useless, we’re leaving,” d’Artagnan said sharply and slammed the doors.
- Wait! - the King shouted in horror. - What are your conditions? I agree!
“Your Majesty, our conditions are not onerous,” answered d’Artagnan. “On this sheet of paper, folded like an envelope, you will write in your own hand “Urgent Order of the King” and put your signature.
-Are you asking me for a blank form? - The King was horrified. - After all, you can fit anything there!
“Anything written on the inside of this sheet will not be written in your handwriting and will not have your signature at the bottom, so such “anything” will only expose the author of such a document as a forgery,” answered the captain.
- Then what do you need this envelope for? - asked the King.
“The Bishop is in a hurry to leave for Spain, or any other country to which His Lordship may wish to sail.” This envelope will help him board some ship to depart in some direction,” said d’Artagnan. “I managed to notice that both of you don’t like staying in one country, but since the King must remain in his Kingdom, the bishop will have to go to another country.”
“I will be in constant danger,” said the King anxiously.
“No more so than you are in it today,” the captain answered calmly. “After all, nothing happened to Your Majesty during these three years while Mister Bishop was in Spain.” He will return there to his business, to his small park, to his library, to his parishioners.
“He can form a new conspiracy against me based on a secret that he knows, and I will not be able to resist it,” Louis stubbornly objected.
“He promises not to infringe on your freedom, Your Majesty,” continued d’Artagnan.
“He will be completely inaccessible to me there!” - exclaimed the King.
“I really hope so,” I agreed.
“I don’t understand why you don’t ask me for more appropriate documents for his departure?” - asked the King. - Well, let's say I sign such an envelope. What else?
“ The proper documents are too long and difficult to prepare, and a variety of people have to sign them, and the bishop is in a hurry to leave,” answered d’Artagnan. “Having this paper in hand, Mr. Bishop will solve all other problems himself.”
“I can solve my problems without this paper,” I thought. “But you shouldn’t interfere with d’Artagnan, he never asks for anything or does anything just like that, he apparently has plans for such a paper!”
“Okay,” Louis agreed. - Indeed, you won’t be able to write anything serious there, since the paper will not have the seal of Chancellor Seguier. Give me your paper and pen.
I gave the King ink and pen, and he wrote the phrase “Urgent Order from the King,” followed by his signature, “Louis.”
“I wrote it,” said the King, returning the paper to me. - This is all?
“We will let His Eminence go, he is late for a ship leaving for Spain, or somewhere else, and we will stay just a little while to discuss a very small condition in private, a small courtesy that I dare to ask Your Majesty,” continued the 'Artagnan. “Monsignor will need some time to travel far enough to not fear your pursuit.”
“I won’t leave you alone, d’Artagnan!” - I exclaimed.
“I need to say a few words to the monsignor,” the captain smiled and closed the cell doors again. - Run, Aramis, quickly! In any case, with some dexterity with this envelope, you will leave the Bastille and tell Bezmo not to come here. This is enough to get started. And do you know what I want to tell you? Don't rely too much on this paper in French ports! I am convinced that the King will have time to warn his spies so that anyone who produces such a document will be immediately arrested or killed.
- I understand it! - I answered. - But what about you, d'Artagnan?
“I’m not asking you how you will get out of this story alone in Paris without money and without servants!”
- Oh, believe me, it will be extremely simple for me! - I said with a smile.
“I believe,” answered the captain. - Believe me, I won’t disappear. So, let's get down to business. Go away and hold Bezmo.
“But what if...” I asked anxiously.
- I am begging you! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “Aramis, with your connections, you will get me out of the Bastille in a few days!”
- This is true! - I exclaimed, - If you are alive for another day, I will do it!
“I give you my word not to die for at least two more days!” - D'Artagnan answered with a smile.
- Keep your word! - I answered, hugged the captain and followed the advice of a friend, left the Bastille and took refuge in Paris in one of the safe houses. I know the further conversation from d'Artagnan himself, who retold it to me much later.

Chapter 338

“Your Majesty,” said d’Artagnan, opening the doors again. “Your sworn enemy is now far away, and your faithful captain of the musketeers is again ready to listen to your orders!”
- Do you obey me completely, captain? - the King asked in disbelief.
“Your Majesty could be convinced many times that d’Artagnan’s word can be trusted,” said the captain without blinking an eye.
“Your outburst today proves otherwise,” Louis objected doubtfully.
“I showed my willfulness only when they arrested me and announced that I would die,” answered d’Artagnan. “In this case, I no longer considered myself to be in Your Majesty’s service.” What kind of demand can there be from a prisoner? Prisoners, you know, always shout out all sorts of stupid things, that’s their lot.
“You seem to be quite aware of how prisoners behave,” the King said harshly, turning pale as he took the captain’s words personally.
“Due to my duty, I brought many criminals to the Bastille,” answered d’Artagnan with such an innocent face that Louis believed that the captain did not intend to hint at the behavior of the King during his first and second imprisonment in the cell.
“ Even now you treat me without due respect,” said the King coldly, who perfectly understood that he was still in the power of the captain.
“What if he sent d'Herblay for help? - the King thought in horror. “In an hour or two, a whole army of their supporters may come here and commit the most severe violence against me and even kill me!” What have I done! I'm dead! We need to somehow cajole him and quickly resolve this conflict in order to return to the Louvre!”
“Remember, Your Majesty, because I brought you evidence of the death of three of the four persons regarding whom I received your order,” the captain continued, reminded d’Artagnan. “Baron du Valon, Comte de La F;re and Viscount de Bragelonne are dead, and I have brought you irrefutable proof of this fact.” At the same time, I did not claim that the Bishop of Van was killed; on the contrary, I told you that this issue has not yet been resolved. I just needed time, and it was my only fault that I didn’t have time to find out where he was hiding. Why did you decide to execute me by cruel death from hunger in front of my friend?
- But you disobeyed me! - objected the King. “Even now you contributed to ensuring that the criminal was released and avoided a well-deserved punishment,” the King said uncertainly, looking for an opportunity to compromise without violating the logic of the conversation and without making significant concessions to the arrogant captain. “And you encroached on my freedom, and perhaps my life!”
“I just wanted to have a chance to prove my loyalty to the King through the example of the last criminal,” d’Artagnan answered without blinking an eye. “I would like to be needed by Your Majesty, and you need me.” I can predict in what port the bishop will try to use the document you signed, and this document, instead of serving as his pass, will serve as the hook with which we will catch him. I was driven by the desire to preserve a devoted servant for Your Majesty in my person, and not to deprive Your Majesty of the opportunity to punish the culprit, but only a little later.
“Are you really such a bad comrade, d’Artagnan, that you planned such a mean thing?” - asked the King.
“I had excellent teachers in the area of betrayal, Your Majesty, and I was pinned down with arguments that left me no freedom of choice,” the captain lied again.
“Well, let’s say, let’s say,” the King said thoughtfully. - So, can I go?
“I just wouldn’t want to lag too far behind Your Majesty on this path,” d’Artagnan clarified softly. “If you go out first, I’m afraid you’ll forget to take me with you.” I didn't plan to spend the night in the Bastille today. I left my nightcap at home.
“We will leave at the same time,” the King said briefly.
“It would be highly desirable for me to leave a little earlier than Your Majesty, so that you do not have the desire to again subject my loyalty to you to the most severe test,” said d’Artagnan as gently as he could. “I give you my word d'Artagnan that, leaving the Bastille, I will convey Your Majesty's order to take out the prisoner Marciali and escort him to the carriage that awaits Your Majesty in the courtyard of the Bastille. The Commandant is confident that you are the same Marchiali, and that by arresting you, he is carrying out your own order, the order of his King. For this reason, there is no guilt on him towards you. De Bezmo will be sure that he will hand you over to me so that I can convey the state criminal to Pignerol.
-Are you planning to do this? - the King cried in horror.
“I will return you to the Louvre, Your Majesty,” replied d’Artagnan. “By the time de Bezmeaux takes you out and puts you in your carriage, I will already be outside the gates of the Bastille.” Your loyal guards will take you home, Your Majesty, while I will ride on my horse to fulfill my duty to you. I will go to arrest the former bishop of Vannes. When I deliver him to you, bound hand and foot, you will be convinced of my loyalty to you.
- He was already in my hands! - the King exclaimed in despair.
“Your intention to starve us both did not suit me, Your Majesty, first of all because you risked depriving yourself of the most faithful of your officers,” answered the captain. “You will receive the former bishop of Vannes from my hands and leave me in my previous position, or send me into retirement, or send me to the Bastille, but not to starve to death, but so that I have the opportunity to grow old here, or in Pignerol, as is destined.” to do to M. Fouquet. Am I asking too much?
“You don’t ask, you demand, captain!” - exclaimed the King.
“My current position allows me to do this,” the captain answered modestly, “but you have the power to change this.” Just trust me, let me go free, and I promise that your freedom will come no later than ten minutes after I leave the Bastille.
- What if you deceive me? - asked the King with suspicion.
- Have mercy, Your Majesty! “The whole court knows that you left somewhere, accompanied by twenty guardsmen, led by the captain of your musketeers. Some guessed or saw how the motorcade drove up to the Bastille. The guards know that they brought the King here. If you stay here too long, they will attack the Bastille from the inside and extract Your Majesty from it. There will probably be a small scandal, but the matter will end well for you. If I wanted to deceive you, I would conspire with the former bishop of Vannes to bring his forces here, which he certainly has even here in Paris. With these forces, he would disarm twenty guards and take you away, where no one would ever find you.
The king shuddered because the captain had just told him all his fears, which made him believe that, perhaps, these fears were not nearly as groundless as d'Artagnan was trying to show.
“We must finish this vile business as soon as possible! - thought the King. “We must make any concessions, just to quickly get out of this damned Bastille and get back to the Louvre!”
“My request is extremely simple, Your Majesty,” the captain continued. “First you will write a letter ensuring your freedom and the complete innocence of the Marquis de Bezmeaux.” It will contain an order for him to take the prisoner Marciali out, put him in a carriage, and then entrust the carriage to the protection of her royal guard. You can prepare other orders from the King; I leave the paper, pen and ink to you. I intend to hand over the said letter to the commandant, the Marquis de Bezmeaux, with instructions to open it ten minutes after my departure. For myself, I only ask for an envelope with the same inscription: “Urgent order from the King to Captain d’Artagnan” with your signature.
— And inside, of course, it’s also completely empty? - The King grinned.
“Not really, Your Majesty,” the captain objected. “I ask you to write that the four guards are obliged to obey me unquestioningly to carry out your order.”
- What are you up to, captain? - the King asked arrogantly.
“I’ll just send them to gallop as hard as they can in four different directions on some unimportant errands,” replied d’Artagnan. “I would very much like to make it at least a little more difficult for Colbert to capture Captain d’Artagnan in order to gain at least a slight advantage on his journey.” I'm tired of galloping to all corners of France, carrying out your instructions, and feeling behind me the surveillance of Colbert's spies, who, perhaps, have been tasked not only with keeping an eye on me, but also killing me whenever it pleases Mr. Colbert, and not killing me in an honest manner. a fight with swords and not a duel with muskets, but a shot in the back, from around the corner! I just want to confuse my tracks a little and break away from the spies of Colbert, who have pretty much bothered me, who imagines himself to be the Marshal of France and the Minister of the Interior rolled into one.
“You hate Colbert, d’Artagnan,” the King said calmly.
“That’s good,” he thought, “let him blame him for all his misfortunes!”
“I have a little less respect for him than he would probably like to see from me,” said d’Artagnan dispassionately. “It’s about five o’clock in the evening,” he said. - If we don't come to an agreement...
“He’s still waiting for d’Herblay and his people! - thought the King. “We must hurry!”
“We have come to an agreement on all issues, captain,” said Louis. - I will write all the necessary papers, wait three minutes.
"Wow! I managed to persuade him! - thought d'Artagnan. “It’s good that I didn’t have time to finish my sentence!”
Indeed, he was about to say: “If we do not come to an agreement, my position will soon become too dangerous for me to continue negotiations.” In this case, he decided to break through the ranks of the guards at his own peril and risk, or try to explain the King’s delay with some unusual reason, but he categorically did not like both of these options.
- Dictate! - said the King, - I am already completely confused in your most complex plans and in your words.
“Suppose, Your Majesty, in the first document you write the following text,” said the captain and began to dictate.

"The King's Order
To the commandant of the fortress: to entrust the captain of the royal musketeers d'Artagnan to remove the prisoner Marciali and take him away in a closed carriage waiting for him in the courtyard of the fortress, for which purpose the captain of the musketeers is ordered to leave the fortress in advance and wait for the prisoner inside the carriage, while the commandant is to take out the prisoner Marciali in a mask, showing him the respect corresponding to the rank of duke, addressing him by the title “Monsignor” and escort him into this carriage, then close the door and order to open the gates of the fortress, recall his people and not interfere with the departure of the carriage according to his needs.
Signed: King Louis XIV of France"
 
Louis wrote the text dictated to him, reread it and signed it.
— Will you be sitting in the carriage at this time? - asked the King.
“The commandant will think that I will sit in the carriage, but I prefer to leave while the commandant reads this letter and carries out your order, Your Majesty,” answered the captain.
- What will serve as my guarantee for this? - Louis inquired.
“D’Artagnan’s word is that I will not wait for you inside the carriage and that I will leave the Bastille ,” exclaimed the captain. “This is not in my interests, since all you have to do is take off your mask and tell the guards to arrest me, and my situation will be too deplorable.”
“I agree,” the King nodded. - What paper should I write for you? Dictate!
Then d'Artagnan dictated a second order:

"The King's Urgent Order"
Captain of the Royal Musketeers d'Artagnan.
Immediately deliver an urgent letter, for which he can use four soldiers of my guard, sending them with dispatches or verbal instructions to the addresses that he knows.
Signed: King Louis XIV of France"

“This is reasonable,” the King agreed, “even without such an order you can dispose of the guards if necessary.”
“But not when they are Your Majesty’s escort,” the captain clarified, “and not as urgently as I need it now.”
“So, captain, you gave me d’Artagnan’s word that my first order will be conveyed to the commandant and will be executed no later than ten minutes after your departure!”
- D'Artagnan's word is that this order will be immediately conveyed to the commandant and carried out no later than ten minutes, and d'Artagnan's word is that I will not wait for you inside the carriage, as well as that I will leave the Bastille As soon as I go down the stairs leading to the office of Mr. Commandant. D'Artagnan's word that you will leave this fortress freely and without the slightest hindrance, accompanied by a convoy of guards, obeying only you and your word, while I, having taken four guards for my small needs, will in no way interfere with your safe trips to the Louvre! - exclaimed the captain. “If I break this word, may the shame and contempt of the entire noble class of France fall on my gray hair.”

The king made a gesture with his right hand, meaning that he was releasing the captain and began to wait in silence for further developments.

Chapter 339

D'Artagnan, rattling a bunch of keys, headed along the winding corridors to de Bezmo's office.
“Marquis,” he said, “read the order.”
Having read the King's order, de Bezmo extended his hand to him.
“I have to file it in the order book,” he said.
“ Nothing of the kind, dear Marquis,” objected the captain. - If you noticed, this order contains detailed instructions to me, while you are only ordered to remove from the fortress the prisoner who, according to the documents, did not come to you as such. This prisoner was not handed over to you by any order, I brought him here today, and today I am taking him away in order to take him to a place that is not mentioned here for reasons of secrecy, but which I know for certain. But you already know that this is the Pignerol fortress. This order will be added to the case by our former military comrade, then my former quartermaster, and now the commandant of the Pignerol fortress, Mr. de Saint-Mars, when I deliver this prisoner to him. You must carry out this order exactly. Keep in mind, de Bezmeaux, I swore on the honor of d'Artagnan that you will fulfill it exactly, so I ask you to read it again, and if that is not enough, read it perhaps a third time, but I won't tell you I'll leave it.
“I understand everything,” replied de Bezmeaux. - Go downstairs and wait in the carriage, I will bring him out to you in ten minutes.
“That’s right,” agreed the captain. - Yes, however, I didn’t lock his cell, he calmed down and is not so violent now. And where should he run? After all, all the windows here are barred!
“This is somewhat careless, considering that he almost ran away just recently,” Bezmo said worriedly.
- What can you do? - D'Artagnan shrugged. “You see that it is said here that he should be given the honors corresponding to the title of duke.”
- Really! - Bezmo exclaimed. - So that means...
“I’ll tell you out of friendship as a former comrade in arms, Marquis,” said the captain. — King Henry IV was extremely loving. You understand?
- That's it! - whispered the commandant. - This is the side grandson of King Henry the Fourth! And sometimes I treated him quite rudely. No, of course, I didn’t offend or beat him, but take today, for example, because I so rudely pushed him into the cell!
- Don't worry, Marquis! He was not officially adopted, his mother was of low rank, and, besides, you remember that he is crazy! The slight resemblance to our King Louis XIV made him imagine who knows what. A pretty Italian girl... Her last name, by the way, is from her mother's... Some pathetic bastard... But royal blood! Let us show respect for our origins. So, treat like a Duke and call him Monsignor. Crazy people love it. I have the honor!
With these words, d'Artagnan, having taken the King's order, left the commandant's office and quickly ran down the steps of the stone stairs into the courtyard.
- Gentlemen, attention, now the commandant will bring the one you are expecting into the carriage. Security - to the carriage, Bastille guards - open the gates and go to the guardhouse, the general will confirm my order. I'm taking the four outside, according to the King's urgent orders!
He showed the order to the senior lieutenant of the guard, jumped on his horse and rode out the gates of the Bastille.
- You four follow me! The King's Order! - he said to the four guardsmen waiting for him outside the gates of the Bastille and, waving an order in the air, he galloped towards the southern gates of Paris.
Meanwhile, Bezmo sought out the King and addressed him as Duke.
- Your Highness, please go out, a carriage is waiting for you! - said Bezmo.
The king nodded and resolutely walked out. There was no one in the carriage, the King calmly sat down, leaned back on the pillows, after which the carriage gently drove out of the gates of the Bastille and drove towards the Louvre.

D' Artagnan, meanwhile, accompanied by four guardsmen, hurried towards the center of Paris. He intended to call on Planchet and find out whether Fran;ois had accidentally returned from distracting trips. If he returned, he would send him on a new trip for the same purpose, although bitter experience told him that any trick that succeeded the first time was doomed to fail the second time if used against the same enemy.
In any case, it was not a bad idea to stop by Planchet to refresh himself and pick up some of his money from his cash register, which was transferred to the grocer for safekeeping after a happily ending trip to England, from where our Gascon returned with a substantial sum by his standards, as well as the owner of the place Montville, which I myself haven’t had time to visit yet.
- D'Artagnan! - a familiar voice called him from the street they were crossing. - Wait for me!
- It's you, Rochefort! - D'Artagnan shouted. — I meet you very often lately!
- Perhaps Fate is playing tricks on you, you meet those you don’t want to meet, and don’t meet those you would like to meet? - Rochefort replied. — Have you changed your place of service? Instead of musketeers, you are accompanied by guards!
“Gentlemen, I ask you to stand back three corps, I have a secret conversation with the Comte de Rochefort,” said d’Artagnan to the guards, who had to obey him in everything due to the paper presented to them, signed by the King.
When his order was carried out, he addressed Rochefort in a low voice.
— Do you have news for me from my friends? - he asked.
“This is not the kind of news that causes joy,” replied Rochefort. “Know that Aramis took great pains to save the Duke and Beaufort, as well as the Comte de La F;re and his son, from death.” But to no avail. Beaufort went missing, and although Aramis’s people saved the count and his son, there was one traitor among them, so they were all arrested - Athos, Raoul, and Aramis himself. They were taken by ship from Marseille. I believe they were brought to Paris for interrogation. They are all threatened by the Bastille, or even the Place de Greve. I don’t know why exactly, but the King considers them his enemies. I can guess the reasons for His Majesty’s enmity with Raoul de Bragelon, the consequence of this may be enmity with the Comte de La F;re, but why on earth he hated the Bishop of Vannes, the Chevalier d’Herblay, I don’t understand. Was it really just because he was Fouquet's friend? If this were a sufficient reason, half of Paris should be arrested!
- So they were arrested all together, you say? - asked d'Artagnan. - How do you know this?
“One of Aramis’s people, a certain Lieutenant du Chantet, told me about this,” Rochefort replied. “They were supposed to be taken onto the ship to be transferred to some safe place, but this did not happen due to betrayal. Du Chante guessed what had happened, after which part of his guesses was confirmed by de La Val and two servants of the Count de La F;re, who were landed on the shore, not far from Marseille, since the attackers did not know what to do with them, they had no order about their arrest. And this is great luck. Their leader, Lieutenant de Trabuson, ordered them to be thrown into the sea with their hands tied and cannonballs tied to their legs, but the ship had a very decent captain. Upon learning of this order, he declared that if this happened, he would personally shoot de Trabuson, and if he failed to prevent such lynching, he would send the ship to the bottom, but would not tolerate pirate customs on a French warship. He categorically forbade this murder. “If they are guilty of anything, take them to Paris for trial, but on my ship I am the highest court, and I forbid the killing of innocents!” This was told to me by Du Chante, who talked with de La Val and two miraculously saved servants of the Count de La F;re. Poor Aramis, Athos and Raoul! I already almost have friendly feelings for your four, as well as for the count’s son. I advise you to find out where they are. Most likely in the Bastille.
- Thank you, Count! - answered d'Artagnan. “I have already found out some things, and in particular, I found out that Aramis was placed in the Bastille, which he left because he did not like it there.
- Are you joking? - Rochefort asked in surprise.
- Not at all! - answered d'Artagnan. — He stated that he did not like the kitchen, as well as the too monotonous view from the window. For this reason, he left the Bastille almost an hour ago. I don't blame him. But from your information it follows that Athos and Raoul remained there! This changes things in a major way! I immediately go to where I can save them!
- Good job, captain, but it seems to me that you are lost? - Rochefort replied. - The Bastille is in the opposite direction, you are going in the opposite direction!
“I’m not lost, Rochefort, on the contrary, I got rid of all delusions!” - answered d'Artagnan. “Believe me, to save my friends from the Bastille, you have to go in the opposite direction to the Bastille.”
- But if you hope to receive forgiveness for them, you need to go to the King, and this is not straight, but to the right, to the Louvre! - Rochefort continued to be surprised.
“I will not ask the King for mercy for them, since I am convinced that he will not be merciful to me this time,” answered d’Artagnan. “His Majesty has had indigestion since the morning, so he is in a foul mood.” So I'll take a different route. I would invite you with me, but my mission is so delicate that it will be better if I carry it out alone, or rather, with the help of these four guardsmen.
“I wish you success and I have no doubt that you will succeed, although I have no idea how!” - answered de Rochefort. “You amazingly manage to do what is impossible!” I've already noticed this!
- Thank you! May God grant that your wish brings me good luck, and that your prediction comes true! - answered d'Artagnan.
He said goodbye to Rochefort and waved to the four guards to catch up with him, after which he headed towards Planchet's house.

Chapter 340

- Planchet, are you home? - D'Artagnan shouted from the threshold of the inn.
- Monsieur d'Artagnan, it's you! What a joy! - exclaimed Planchet, going out to meet the captain.
“I’m coming to you for a short time and with important business,” the Gascon said abruptly. “Feed me and these brave soldiers, we are setting off on a long journey,” with these words he pointed to the four guardsmen accompanying him.
—Have you replaced your musketeers with guardsmen? - Planchet was surprised. - Come in, gentlemen! Sit down, food and wine will be brought to you now.
“In some cases, the musketeers’ cloaks attract too much attention, and the King’s orders can be very delicate,” the captain said in a confidential tone.
“I understand,” Planchet agreed.
“Today I will need to invade your cash desk, dear Planchet, and extract from it part of my funds placed in it as a deposit,” continued d’Artagnan.
— Another commercial operation? - Planchet asked briskly. - I'm in!
“The operation is indeed a commercial one, dear Planchet, but I will carry it out exclusively with my own savings,” answered the captain. “The level of commercial risk in this operation is too great, I cannot expose you to the risk of ruin, since you have become a sedate married city dweller.”
“It’s okay, I trust you, Monsieur d’Artagnan, and I’m ready to invest in the operation even if you find it too risky,” Planchet said serenely. “Experience has taught me that it is better to lose with a worthy person like you, Mr. Captain, than to win with an unworthy person, of which we have seen too many examples lately.”
- Yes, brother, you have become a philosopher! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - Believe me, philosophy is an unreliable science. The wisdom of all ancient thinkers lies in the fact that with each subsequent aphorism they refuted the previous one, therefore in their works one can find confirmation of absolutely any thought. With the same exact effect, one can declare any thought, both expressed and unexpressed, as wisdom, as any thesis and its antithesis.
“And after that you call me a philosopher?” - Planchet was surprised. “Compared to you, I’m just a donkey laden with books.”
- So you also read, Planchet? - the captain was delighted.
- Very little, but sometimes I read a few sheets of paper. One bankrupt publisher had two dozen large volumes wet from groundwater, and in addition, rats ate their spines. I bought these books from him at a bargain price in order to wrap candied fruits and nuts in their sheets. It happens that I read some pages that I find particularly interesting.
- Well, continue this activity if you find it interesting, I don’t read much, I just think more. You can’t imagine how much time an officer has to spend just waiting in the waiting room! It's time and the right place to think about it! I am so used to reasoning that sometimes I even quarrel with myself, and once I almost challenged myself to a duel due to a difference of opinion on a philosophical question.
“You must be joking, Monsieur d’Artagnan,” Planchet smiled.
- You won’t be fooled! - the captain laughed. - Of course, I'm joking. And yet I really need money. I intend to hire a ship and bring some goods to France.
- I will buy sweets, tea and other colonial goods from you at the best prices for you, Monsieur d'Artagnan! - exclaimed Planchet.
- Agreed! - the captain agreed. “If a storm does not wreck my ship and it is not captured by pirates, we will agree on a price, dear Planchet.” But for the expedition, as I already said, I will take only my own savings.
“You'll probably need an assistant,” Planchet said.
“As you noticed, I’m taking four guards,” replied the captain, “and you shouldn’t leave the shop unattended.”
“I’m not talking about myself, but about Fran;ois,” objected Planchet.
“Is this nice fellow back yet?” - exclaimed d'Artagnan.
“I’ll send for him,” said Planchet. “Besides, he still had your clothes, your sword and your horse with him.”
- This is very useful, dear Planchet! I'll take it! - D'Artagnan agreed. — While we wait for him, I’ll have time to have a snack! And pack us some food for the road. We have a long journey ahead of us, and we don’t plan to go anywhere else this night. I will give you four beggars.
- You seem to be crazy, dear Planchet! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “Why the hell do I need four beggars if I have four guardsmen?”
“This is the short name of the dessert, which is called “Dessert of the Four Beggars,” Planchet clarified. — Almonds, hazelnuts, raisins and figs are placed in one basket, divided into four parts.
- That's it! - answered d'Artagnan. - And why are these four ingredients called the dessert of the four beggars? Is it really only the poor who eat such desserts?
“You can, of course, say that this dessert is quite affordable, it is accessible even to the poor,” Planchet agreed. — You can collect hazelnuts for free in the forest, and with some luck you can profit from other ingredients. But that's not the point. This dessert symbolizes mendicant monks. Each component is the color of those monks' clothing. Hazelnuts, or walnuts can be used instead, symbolize the Augustinians, dried figs symbolize the Franciscans.
- Let me guess! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. — Almonds symbolize the Carmelites, and raisins symbolize the Dominicans?
- Exactly so, Monsieur d'Artagnan! - Planchet agreed.
— Why are there no Jesuits in this dessert? - asked the captain.
“ They don’t always wear black,” Planchet replied. “And besides, the Jesuits are not a mendicant Order.”
- Right! - answered d'Artagnan. “Besides, Jesuits are unlikely to please the majority of visitors to your tavern and grocery store!” If all Jesuits are like Aramis, then how could those who decided to feast on them not break all their teeth! So give us four beggars and no Jesuits for dessert!
- And also burgundy and cookies! How much money are you taking from your share, Mr. Captain? - asked Planchet.
- All of them! - answered d'Artagnan and, armed with a knife and fork, attacked the liver pie.

Chapter 341

“Gentlemen, I hope you have had enough refreshment,” said d’Artagnan to the guards after he spoke briefly with Fran;ois, who had arrived at Planchet’s call. “I have already had the honor of showing you the King’s order, according to which you are temporarily coming under my command to carry out a particularly important and secret assignment. This order, I want you to read it again and realize that it was given not for a short time, but for a long time. Until I perform a special mission. Lieutenant du Bois, read it aloud.
The lieutenant read:

"The King's Urgent Order"
Captain of the Royal Musketeers d'Artagnan.
Immediately deliver an urgent letter, for which he can use four soldiers of my guard, sending them with dispatches or verbal instructions to the addresses that he knows.
Signed: King Louis XIV of France"
 
“We are carrying a letter containing an urgent order,” said d’Artagnan, patting his pocket. “This assignment is urgent, secret and extremely important. In this case, “letter” means “message”, is that understood? I “message” means “sending”, I hope you understand that? And “parcel” can be called not only a thing, but also a prisoner, because you must understand this! This is the secret language of secret assignments, get used to understanding it. Put aside your doubts, you are under my command. I had to command five hundred men, as you no doubt remember, and my company usually consists of one hundred and fifty of the King's musketeers. Do you see what I'm getting at? I could have taken a dozen musketeers, or fifty, or a hundred, but I chose the guards. Do you understand the reason for this? Do not understand! And great, you don’t have to understand, but you have to be proud of the high honor given to you by His Majesty, the honor of delivering a dangerous state criminal to Paris under my sensitive leadership. I would like to introduce you to my orderly for special assignments, Chevalier Francois de Perrin. Francois! These are Messrs. du Bois, de Chereau, de Savard and de Farcy. Since every dog in Paris knows me, I will wear for a while this red wig and fake beard, which my friend, the actor, Monsieur Goliard, lent me. However, my masquerade will not last long, only until the city gates. And how does he wear that damn beard! It reeks of wormwood and God knows what other herbs a mile away! Planchet! We're going, happy stay and thank you for everything! Du Bois, de Chereau, each take a basket of provisions. One basket for two people. Francois, pick up a basket of groceries for you and me. It's already late - the best time to hit the road!
After this, a small detachment of the listed nobles rode away from Planchet's establishment and galloped along with their captain in the direction of Pignerol.

Meanwhile, Colbert's spies were ordered to track down the captain of the royal musketeers, D'Artagnan, who would presumably move alone, trying to cover his tracks. The spies were also ordered not to be distracted by searching, tracking and pursuing individual guardsmen by the names of du Bois, de Chereau, de Savard and de Farcy, whose signs were described in a special order, where it was stated that the journey of these people was a diversionary maneuver, which Don't waste your time and energy. For this reason, when Sub-Lieutenant de Lortie drew the attention of Lieutenant D'Elsorte to this cavalcade, he only waved his hand contemptuously.
- Leave it, de Lortie! - he said. “This is the same diversion we were warned about.” I recognized Messrs. du Bois, de Chereau, de Savard and de Farcy, and the same young man who was portraying Captain d'Artagnan, trying to lure us with a false trail and completely confuse our tracks. I believe that the captain himself should be looked for at the opposite end of Paris. Let's go!

The journey to Pinerol was long, but uneventful. After Colbert's spies captured Aramis and brought him to Paris, Colbert considered that he could reduce the number of spies throughout France and concentrate on the capital, after which he recalled almost all of them to Paris. This is what d'Artagnan was counting on .
Four days later, d'Artagnan and his companions arrived in Pignerol.
Before reporting to de Saint-Mars, the commandant of the fortress and his former quartermaster, d'Artagnan instructed Francois to hire a carriage.
“Fran;ois, find the carriage as quickly as possible,” he said. — It is advisable that it has closable windows; thick curtains are also suitable; it is even better if there are bars on the windows.
“Perhaps the commandant of the Pignerol fortress, where we are heading, will have a carriage?” - asked Francois.
- Young man, I like you, but sometimes you show fabulous stupidity! - objected d'Artagnan. “Do you really think that I didn’t realize that the commandant of the fortress had a carriage?” I understand this as well as you. But I need a different carriage, one on which I can drive through the castle gates, and not one that I can find in the castle. Is this clear to you?
— Rent or buy? - asked Francois. - Keep in mind that I have no money.
“You find a carriage, I’ll carry on the conversation,” answered d’Artagnan. - Just look for the carriage I need and point to its owner. It is desirable that he be an officer, or a royal official.
“Every city has a judge, and every judge probably has a carriage,” answered Fran;ois.
- Well done, Francois, great idea! - D'Artagnan was delighted. - And you are a smart guy! It’s not for nothing that you are a Gascon! Find out where the judge's house is and we'll head there.
Arriving at the judge's house, d'Artagnan dismounted and entered the courtyard with a decisive step, then with all his might he began to ring the door bell.
Soon a frightened gatekeeper leaned out of the door.
- I urgently need a judge! - D'Artagnan shouted. - Order of His Majesty the King!
- What's the matter? - the gatekeeper muttered displeasedly. - Mr. Judge is busy and cannot receive you. Please leave.
“You idiot, read before I order you to be hanged for not following His Majesty’s orders!” - exclaimed d'Artagnan and thrust under the gatekeeper's nose the order that the King had prepared in order to simply lull the captain's vigilance, pretending to believe him and send him to Spain in order to catch me.
The gatekeeper was illiterate, but he realized that the paper must be genuine, so he immediately changed his face, portraying a sweet smile.
“Please come in, sir,” he said. “The secretary will come up in a minute and take you to Mr. Judge.”
He immediately ran zealously up the steps, calling on the secretary to come down and read the important paper from the King.
A couple of minutes later, the secretary appeared before d'Artagnan.
- What do you want, sir? - he asked.
- Not sir, but the captain of the royal musketeers, Mr. Comte d'Artagnan! - answered d'Artagnan. - Please be kind enough to address me this way in the future. Read this order of the King! Be careful, don't forget and be careful with the seal.
The secretary took the order from d'Artagnan's hands and read the following:

"Order of the King of France

The captain of my musketeers, M. Charles d'Artagnan, is to arrest a state criminal known to him and escort him to the Bastille, where he is to be placed under the care of the commandant of the Bastille, General Marquis de Bezmeaux.
My officers, soldiers and officials should assist M. d'Artagnan in this matter.

Signed: Louis. Certified with the seal of Chancellor Seguier"

- Did you read it, office rat? - asked d'Artagnan, who was a good-natured man, but had long ago learned that impudence and pressure are the best remedy against the judges, who only need to show a hint of weakness and they will skin you three times. - “My officers, soldiers and officials should assist Monsieur d’Artagnan in this matter.” That's what it says. Your judge is a public servant. He is obliged to assist me.
- Mr. Captain! - exclaimed the judge, who heard almost everything and guessed what he did not hear. “I am ready to carry out His Majesty’s order with all the necessary zeal!” But I don't know how to fight, I won't be able to properly help you arrest the criminal!
“Don’t worry, Your Honor, I just need your carriage, and not forever, but only for a while,” answered d’Artagnan.
— A carriage? — the judge repeated, puzzled. - Well, the carriage. If you please. Take it.
“And with horses, of course,” added d’Artagnan. - As soon as possible, I'm in a hurry. I will report to His Majesty that you have provided me with invaluable assistance in carrying out his orders. Tell me your name so that I can petition that you be properly thanked.
“My name is Master Caracoles, Mr. Captain,” answered the Judge.
“An excellent name for a hooker,” thought d’Artagnan. - A person who draws scribbles on paper and receives a salary from the treasury for this. I think caracoles means snails in Italian? Oh well!"
-Excellent, Your Honor Mr. Karakoles! - D'Artagnan said out loud. “You have every chance of getting another order, just tell me to hurry up with the carriage and horses.”
Half an hour later, d'Artagnan solemnly rode in a carriage into the courtyard of the Pignerol castle. The guards du Bois and de Ch;reau rode in front of him, while de Savard and de Farcy rode behind the carriage. Francois took over the duties of coachman, and the horses of Francois and d'Artagnan were led by de Savard and de Farcy.

- Monsieur d'Artagnan ! - Saint-Mars exclaimed, coming out of the gate to meet his guest, as soon as he saw and recognized his guest. -Have you brought me a new prisoner?
“I’m taking the old one for a while,” the captain replied, extending his hand for a warmer greeting. “I assume you fed your guest well and took care of him as prescribed in the King’s orders?”
“That’s exactly what happened, Count,” answered Saint-Mars. - So you're taking him?
“Read for yourself and draw your own conclusions,” answered d’Artagnan.
Saint-Mars unfolded the paper and read the very text that d'Artagnan dictated to the King in the Bastille.

"The King's Order
To the commandant of the fortress: to entrust the captain of the royal musketeers d'Artagnan to remove the prisoner Marciali and take him away in a closed carriage waiting for him in the courtyard of the fortress, for which purpose the captain of the musketeers is ordered to leave the fortress in advance and wait for the prisoner inside the carriage, while the commandant is to take out the prisoner Marciali in a mask, showing him the respect corresponding to the rank of duke, addressing him by the title “Monsignor” and escort him into this carriage, then close the door and order to open the gates of the fortress, recall his people and not interfere with the departure of the carriage according to his needs.
Signed: King Louis XIV of France"

- Is this your carriage? - Saint-Mars exclaimed in surprise. “It seems like two peas in a pod looks like our city judge’s carriage!”
“That’s right, de Saint-Mars,” d’Artagnan answered with a smile. - The King's orders must be carried out exactly. If it is said that the prisoner must travel in a carriage, a carriage will be provided for him. If it had been ordered to deliver him by ship, I would have come for him by ship, even if there was not even the most seedy river nearby. Something tells me that I will return your prisoner to you very soon, and perhaps as part of the same intricate procedure with the carriage. Any questions left, Commandant?
“Except for one thing, captain,” replied Saint-Mars. - Where is it, this carriage of yours?
“So you weren’t watching me from the fortress wall?” - asked d'Artagnan. “You can see it perfectly from there.” Go get the prisoner, while I give a signal to my officer to drive the carriage into the fortress yard.
“Of course, Count,” replied Saint-Mars. - Wait. According to the order, you are to wait inside the carriage. Therefore, I will take the prisoner out after the carriage enters the yard and you sit inside.
“I suppose you are not too surprised by the prescribed ritual,” d’Artagnan grinned.
“My duties, Monsieur d’Artagnan, are to carry out orders exactly,” Saint-Mars answered dryly, “and being surprised is not my thing.”
“Extremely clever, Monsieur Commandant,” agreed d’Artagnan.
“Why the hell did I ask him this question? - D'Artagnan asked himself. - Why the hell is he pretending to be an unbending campaigner? As if we don’t know how flaky each other is! This is what the position of commandant does to a person!”
He did not return to the carriage and began to wait.
Five minutes later, the front doors of the castle opened and Saint-Mars came out, accompanying a prisoner in an iron mask.
The prisoner, without the slightest hesitation and without a single word, approached the carriage and sat down in the empty seat.
- Key? - asked d'Artagnan.
“It doesn’t lock,” Saint-Mars answered. — there is a simple fastening on the straps.
“Okay,” answered the captain. - Francois, go ahead!
Francois whipped up his horse, and the carriage, accompanied by four guardsmen, quickly rolled out of the fortress gates.
“Hello, Your Highness,” said d’Artagnan. “You don’t seem at all surprised?”
“I was waiting for this,” Philip answered calmly.
- All the better! - D'Artagnan nodded. “Let’s get this mess out of the way, but I’ll ask you to put on a wig and a false beard, otherwise your journey home may encounter unexpected obstacles.”
- Home? - asked the prince. — Did you say: “Home”? Where is this going?
“To the Louvre,” answered d’Artagnan indifferently. “From now on, the Louvre will be your home.”
- Lord, thank you! - the prince exclaimed and began to hastily take off his mask.
- Be careful, Your Highness! - D'Artagnan smiled. - Take care of your face, and don’t tear the fasteners on this mask with such fury. It will still be useful.
- Will it be useful? — Philip asked warily.
“I suppose not for you,” d’Artagnan smiled. — Great weather here in the mountains! Don't you feel sorry to leave these sunny places?
- It depends on what you offer me in return! - Philip answered.
- Magnificent, Your Majesty! - D'Artagnan nodded. - I'm glad you weren't offended by this joke. Therefore, your mental balance is not disturbed, your endurance will still be useful to you. There, in the Louvre. Where you will be King again, and I hope not for one miserable day.
“You said?..” Philip whispered.
- Yes. But put on a wig and a beard, we will return the carriage, then we will go on horseback for the sake of speed,” answered d’Artagnan. “Besides, this carriage is not mine, it will have to be returned to the owner.” But we will have to buy a good horse. Of course, if we had more time and money, we would probably buy a carriage, but the time and money we have are not enough to implement such a plan.
“Don’t worry, I’m a good horseman,” answered Philip. “I haven’t ridden for a very long time, but as a child I was allowed to learn horse riding, although not far from home and always under the supervision of my guardian.
“I hoped so,” replied d’Artagnan. - You calmed me down. And yet we need to find a calm horse for you. Calm, but fast. We need a pacer.

Chapter 342

After Lieutenant d'Aunay shared his suspicions about the betrayal of de Trabuson, as well as regarding the fate of Athos, Raoul and Aramis, captured by this traitor, he decided to head from Marseilles to Paris in order to see if he could find out anything... something about the fate of the prisoners. De La Val chose to return to Blois and wait for news about Athos there, on his family estate. He also took with him two of his servants.
D'Aunay reached Paris with Rochefort, and then their paths diverged.
As a true Parisian and guardsman, d'Aunay, of course, had acquaintances in Paris not only among the military, but also among civilians, not only with men, but also with ladies. He decided to visit one of his lady acquaintances, who, as he knew very well, would receive him despite the fact that it was already getting dark.
He left his house and was about to get into the carriage when he felt someone's hand on his shoulder.
- Just a minute, Lieutenant! - he heard a familiar voice.
Turning around, d'Aunay saw Sub-Lieutenant de Trabuson.
“We need to discuss something, don’t you think?” - asked de Trabuson.
- Do you mean your treacherous betrayal in Marseilles? asked D'Aunay.
“I mean your treacherous betrayal much earlier,” replied de Trabuson.
“It seemed to me that we both, almost simultaneously, decided to help the Bishop of Vannes in solving his little problems,” objected d’Aunay, “and at that moment my decision, like exactly the same decision of yours, did not seem to you a treacherous betrayal, is not it? Or am I missing something?
“Temporarily giving in to brutal violence is not treason if there is no other choice,” replied de Trabuson. “But it seemed to me that you have acquired a taste for serving this scoundrel, who poses as either a nobleman, a prelate, or a musketeer, but is neither one nor the other.” In other words, you liked being the enemy of France and the King.
“The proposals made to me by this nobleman,” objected d’Aunay, “until now have not given me any reason to consider myself an enemy of France and the King.” I have become acquainted with the aims, reasons and methods of Monsignor's actions and find them quite compatible with my concepts of honor and justice, while the methods of Monsieur Colbert have always evoked in me only disgust.
“Mr. Colbert is a minister who serves His Majesty faithfully, while your so-called monsignor serves himself in the fight against the King and France,” de Trabuson continued.
“Our opinions on this matter do not coincide,” D’Aunay answered calmly. - If you were not satisfied with the position of Monsieur d'Herblay's client, you apparently had the opportunity to inform him about this and terminate all previously reached agreements.
“This man is a state criminal who should have been captured and handed over to Monsieur Colbert!” - exclaimed de Trabuson.
“As far as I can tell, that’s exactly what you did, Monsieur Sub-Lieutenant,” replied d’Aunay. “But since I saw Monsieur d’Herblay free yesterday, it must be assumed that the King forgave the monsignor, or did not find any guilt in him, which makes serving this gentleman on conditions acceptable to both parties completely legal.”
- You are in the service of the King, being a guardsman! - exclaimed de Trabuson.
- Not anymore! - D'Aunay objected. “I resigned as soon as I realized that I could no longer carry out Mr. Colbert’s instructions, and I received this resignation. Thus, I am free to dispose of myself and enter into those alliances that do not infringe on my honor and civic duty. Together with you, we were engaged in the rescue of two nobles under the leadership of Lieutenant du Chante. At this moment you did not consider yourself a traitor, did you?
“This order did not contradict my convictions and my civic duty, so I carried it out,” retorted de Trabuson.
“I can say exactly the same thing about all the orders of the monsignor,” replied du Chantet.
“I don’t think so,” de Trabuson objected.
“ Listen, de Trabucon, ” said d’Aunay. - Despite the fact that we seem to argue, it seems to me that we understand each other perfectly. You are looking for an excuse to challenge me to a duel, I am doing the same thing. Why bicker if you and I both have a sword? We only need seconds, but now it’s late, and we don’t want to postpone our business. We can stop the first two nobles we meet and ask them to be our seconds. Are you okay with this?
- Wonderful! - exclaimed de Trabuson. - Let's go. There are two noble-looking men coming.
- Gentlemen! - D'Aunay exclaimed, addressing two passers-by who looked like nobles. - Could you help us? We need two seconds.
One of the people who turned around was wearing a half mask; he covered his face with his hand and stepped back to the side. His companion whispered something in his ear and approached de Trabuson and d'Aunay.
“I beg your pardon, gentlemen, we can’t help you,” he answered in a quiet voice. “The fact is that we are in a hurry, and besides,” here he began to speak even more quietly, “besides, my companion is completely unsuitable for this service.” The point is that this is a lady. I rely on your modesty, gentlemen. I can’t go into detail about the reasons that made her wear a man’s dress, but believe me, that...
“Say no more,” D’Aunay interrupted him. - We will try to find other seconds.
“There are two more coming over there,” said de Trabuson. - Listen, gentlemen! - he shouted rudely and deliberately loudly. - We would like to contact you about a small matter!
The nobles looked around in disbelief and quickened their pace, quickly moving away from the suspicious people.
“It won’t work out for us,” said de Trabuson. “They take us for robbers.” It's already getting dark, so it's not surprising that people are scared of us. It is necessary that only one of us goes in search of a second, and it is advisable that he does not have a sword with him.
- But a sword is a mandatory attribute of a military uniform! - D'Aunay objected.
“You yourself just said that you are no longer a military man, because you submitted your resignation and received it!” - objected de Trabuson.
“Well, you’re right,” agreed D’Aunay. “In that case, hold my sword and wait somewhere aside.”
“Great, let’s go to that pier, there’s a bench there where you can leave your sword and cloak so that no one would suspect that you’re hiding a dagger under your cloak,” suggested de Trabuson.
“Excellent,” agreed D’Aunay.
He walked with a decisive step to the pier, took off his sword along with the belt and carefully laid it on the bench standing on the pier. Then he took off his cloak and also carefully laid it on the pier.
“At the same time, we can compare the length of our swords,” said de Trabuson, taking d’Aunay’s sword from its scabbard. - Look! It seems to me that your sword is a little longer! Let's compare now.
With these words, he also took his sword out of its scabbard and placed it against D'Aunay's sword.
- Yes, indeed, longer, but just a little! - he exclaimed.
- Really? - exclaimed d' Aunay , who had already moved a few steps away from the bench on which he had placed his cloak and sword. - Let me take a look.
- Look! - exclaimed de Trabuson.
With these words, he forcefully plunged D'Aunay's sword into his chest.
D'Aunay wheezed, grabbed the sword that pierced him, and wanted to say something, but at that moment his heart stopped beating, he swayed and fell into the water.
De Trabuson took d'Aunay's cloak from the bench and threw it into the black water behind the pier, after which he turned towards the city and calmly walked away from the scene of the terrible crime.

Chapter 343

On the way from Pignerol to Paris, d'Artagnan changed the method and direction of travel several times. Sometimes travelers traveled along the main road of the city in a hired carriage, sometimes, on the contrary, they chose a bypass road along which they rode on horseback, in some cases they were divided into two or even three groups. All these manipulations were incomprehensible to his small detachment, but the guards, being military men, did not ask unnecessary questions on this occasion, Philippe and Francois also preferred to remain silent or talk about the most abstract topics.
To everyone's surprise, d'Artagnan headed his way not to Paris, but to Chartres, where, having gathered four guardsmen, he gave them an unexpected commission.
Unfolding a small package from the curtain, he took out from it a small silver box, locked with a secret lock.
“In this box, my friends, is what we have come such a long way for!” - he solemnly informed the guards. - Messrs. du Bois, de Savard, de Chereau and de Farcy! You have the honor of delivering this reliquary to the Rouen Cathedral! The king sends this gift to the rector of the cathedral and asks for his blessing for the birth of his third child. His Majesty hopes for a boy. The king asked to convey this wish orally. You understand, of course, gentlemen, that His Majesty also asks the abbot to pray for God to bless the womb of Mademoiselle de La Valli;re, but you cannot write about this. A two-year-old child, Charles de La Baume Le Blanc is sick, the King fears for his life. The holy relics that you must hand over to the abbot must appease the Lord. This is the will of the King. Meanwhile, I am ordered to go to Le Mans, where, together with Francois, I will fulfill the second part of the King’s order. Having handed over this reliquary to the rector of Rouen Cathedral, you can return to Paris, since this will complete your mission. By the way, be careful. There is information that robbers may attack you and try to take away this shrine. Do not give it away under any circumstances; you must deliver it to the abbot. However, I don’t expect a large number of robbers, well, maybe two or three. You can handle it. This is the most difficult and most dangerous part of your mission, but I have hope in you and believe in your loyalty to the King. Have questions? A day to rest and move on. You will receive twenty pistoles each for travel expenses.
The guards replied that they understood the order and that they would carry it out thoroughly.
The next morning, as soon as the guards were out of sight, d'Artagnan turned to Philippe and Francois who remained with him:
“So, we got rid of unnecessary witnesses; we don’t need their help in Paris, and their presence would only harm the work we started.” I couldn’t let them go either, because they would certainly immediately come to Colbert and report on all the details of our journey. Now we need to reach Paris and complete our mission before these fellows reach Rouen and return from there to Paris. I can imagine the surprise of the rector of Rouen Cathedral when he opens the reliquary.
- What's inside it? — Philip asked with a smile.
- I have no idea! - D'Artagnan burst out laughing. “Perhaps the handiwork of some pious countess, a widow who wove lace for the monstrance in order to atone for the sins of her youth and more.” The key to the box is hopelessly lost; the Countess, most likely, has already appeared before the Heavenly Father to give Him an account of her hobbies. It is very difficult to open the box, which is a disadvantage for all buyers except me, and therefore I bought it at the price of scrap silver by weight. How else could I get rid of these burdensome travel companions? Anyway, enough chatter, friends, let's go! In Paris! And you, monsignor, will have to put on your beard and wig again, and also dress up as a wandering Franciscan. We'll call you Father Martini, if you don't mind. I got the Franciscan's clothes on the road, change clothes right here, the road is deserted, no one can see us.
After Philip changed his clothes and transformed himself into Father Martini, the three horsemen, without wasting any time, galloped to the capital, where the one who considered d'Artagnan and all his friends to be his enemies ruled.
“Captain,” said Fran;ois as the travelers approached the southern gate of the city. “I believe that Father Martini would not want to meet with Colbert’s spies even more than you.”
“That’s right, my friend, you grasp the essence of the problem on the fly,” agreed the captain of the musketeers.
“In that case, I believe that it would be better for me to ride into the city first and visit Planchet in order to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information about events in the city, while it would be better for you to leave your horses and travel to the center of Paris by river.”
“Your proposal, Francois, is reasonable, but we don’t have that much time to get there by river.” We will buy a cart with vegetables and enter Paris under the guise of village traders who brought food to the market. You go to Planchet and warn him of our arrival. We will be there by evening.
D'Artagnan shook hands with Francois and patted him on the shoulder, the friends wished each other good luck and parted, agreeing to meet at a small inn, where they stopped to refresh themselves and give the horses food, water and rest.
- Smart guy! - Philippe said with approval about Francois, who had galloped off to the center of Paris.
“I thought about that myself,” agreed d’Artagnan. - I would gladly take him into my squad as a musketeer...
Here d'Artagnan stopped short:
“Perhaps my squad no longer exists.” The king has apparently appointed a new captain for the royal musketeers.
- Your King, Monsieur d'Artagnan, does not plan to appoint any other person to this post, since he finds this position exclusively suitable for you, and only for you! - Philip exclaimed.
He said this so simply and naturally, referring to his own final decision, that d'Artagnan admired how much the young man had changed since the moment he first saw him.
“The lesson was beneficial,” thought d’Artagnan. “I’m not taking someone’s puppet to Paris, I’m taking the King to Paris!” Neither Aramis, nor I, nor Colbert will control this man. He will not take a first minister to rule the country in his place, he will not submit to the whims of the Queen Mother or his wife or favorite. This young man intends to decide the fate of France and his own destiny. Well, with God! I don’t know how exactly yet, but I will help him take the throne of France. Damn it, I could use Aramis’ help right now, but, God willing, we can handle it!”
“Monseigneur, you will have to change your clothes again,” said d’Artagnan. “The clothes of a wandering Franciscan monk are quite suitable for a horseman traveling through the provinces, but in Paris it will immediately attract attention. There are no random monks here, people will start looking at you, but you won’t be able to portray a monk so reliably that people who see monks every day will believe you. It's extremely embarrassing to suggest this, but you will have to dress up as a commoner. This image will cause the least suspicion. You will enter Paris as simple vegetable traders, villagers who bring the products of their labor to the market.
- Why do you think this bothers me? - asked Philip. — I became familiar with the history of Europe and France, and also especially carefully with the history of the ruling house of France. My grandfather said: “Paris is worth a mass,” he agreed to change his faith in order to receive the throne of France. In comparison, just changing clothes is nothing. In addition, the King sometimes dresses very simply, like, say, the same Henry the Fourth, whom I just mentioned. After all, he dressed for hunting in such a way that those who did not know him took him for a very simple person, if not a commoner, then just a small nobleman.
“Quite so, monsignor,” agreed d’Artagnan. “Well, I’ll get suitable clothes before us and come back, but you don’t leave this tavern yet.”
“Do you have any plan, Monsieur d’Artagnan, for how I will take my rightful place?” - asked Philip.
“There is no definite plan yet, monsignor, but we will come up with something,” answered d’Artagnan, feeling some awkwardness from the lack of a clear and win-win plan.
“It’s not scary, Mister Captain,” Philip answered condescendingly. - As a last resort, I have such a plan. I will simply show up at the Louvre and throw the usurper out, have him arrested, and my troops will listen to me, not him.
D'Artagnan looked at Philip with admiration and realized that he was right.
“I hope, sire, that it won’t come to that,” he said softly. “It would be highly desirable to avoid such excesses, although, as a last resort, your plan is quite suitable.”
“Well, captain,” Philip smiled. - Go buy a greengrocer's cart, a pair of wide-brimmed hats, aprons and discreet clothing of your choice. And then - forward to Paris, and it will be ours, like all of France.
“Yes, but first we’ll wait for Francois to return,” d’Artagnan clarified. — Reconnaissance of the upcoming battlefield is extremely important, especially when you have to conserve your strength and there is a clear lack of fighters. If my musketeers remained mine, we could enter Paris openly, you would be accompanied by a cortege corresponding to your birthright.
“Soon it will be so, d’Artagnan,” answered Philip.

Chapter 344

Since I must further describe the role of Princess Henrietta in subsequent events, I will give here a brief background about it.
Princess Henrietta was born on June 16, 1644. The princess's father was the English king Charles, who was later called Charles the First; mother - the youngest daughter of the French king Henry IV and his wife Marie de Medici, Henrietta Maria of France.
Henrietta maintained the closest relationship with her mother all her life. The princess's relationship with the Kings of France Louis XIII and Louis XIV was the reason that she always received support from the ruling house of France, to which she later returned as Madame, that is, the wife of Monsieur, the younger took Louis XIV.
In June 1646, the princess with a small retinue secretly left her father's palace, since there was unrest in England, and events did not foretell anything good for the family of King Charles. Princess Henrietta safely arrived in France, where she was reunited with her mother.
Already at the French court, the princess was given a middle name, Anna, in honor of her august aunt, our Queen Anne of Austria. The princess and mother were settled in apartments at the Louvre, Henrietta received a pension of thirty thousand livres and the right to use the Saint-Germain Palace, but it soon became clear that the Princess sent all the money received to her father in England, so the funds allocated to her were cut to such an amount, from from which she could no longer carve out anything for the useless agony of the English monarchy. This was a wise decision, since Karl spent his money completely unwisely and used his power unwisely, which led to the collapse, which I already wrote about in these memoirs.
Subsequently, due to the intervention of two of my friends, Athos and d'Artagnan, at a well-chosen moment, when Charles's son had already reached his majority, and Cromwell had died, leaving the bulk of power to General Monck, a man not so ambitious as to hold on to this power at all costs. Be that as it may, the money transferred to young Charles by Athos, and the courageous courage and nobility of d'Artagnan did their job, the son of Charles of England reigned on the throne of England that rightfully belonged to him under the name of Charles the Second. Thus, Princess Henrietta received the status of sister of the King of England, which made her an enviable bride for the ruling houses of Europe. But for Louis XIV there was a better party, which provided us with a short-lived, but still quite acceptable peace with Spain for the first time. Our King married his cousin, and she was related to him both on the paternal and maternal lines, since her father was the brother of our Queen, and her mother was the sister of our King. But still, the French royal house was very attractive for the matrimonial plans of any ruling house in Europe, and, in addition, for Henrietta, France was actually a second homeland, and the French language was almost native. So the wedding of Princess Henrietta with the King’s brother Philip was a natural decision designed to strengthen the allied relations between our kingdom and England, which, frankly, never existed, despite numerous family ties.
But circumstances, such as mourning for the Duke of Gloucester and other troubles, delayed this marriage, and yet in January 1661, Princess Henrietta left England, and on March 30, Henrietta and Philip signed a marriage contract at the Palais Royal; the official ceremony took place the next day.
At first, the princess's marriage seemed quite successful, since Philip was fascinated by the truly beautiful and witty Princess. He intended to be her loving husband. But for the reason that at one time his uncle, Gaston of Orleans, brother of King Louis XIII, was distinguished by an excessively great love of power, as a result of which he entered into all possible and impossible conspiracies against his august brother, Queen Anne chose to raise Philip to be completely unambitious, and, I think I went a little overboard with this. Philip turned out to be prone to overly tender friendships with handsome noble young men, who, in their position, were quite suitable for him to be friends, but were obliged to be servants, and not lovers at all. However, the noble son of Marshal de Gramont, Comte de Guiche, apparently gained more than just friendly favor from Monsieur, as a result of which he was accessible to him at any time of the day or night. For this reason, he sometimes accidentally or deliberately forgot the greatest difference that separated him from Philip's family. Apparently, he decided that not only did Philippe d'Orl;ans become the husband of Princess Henrietta, but part of this status rightfully belonged to him as well. Being a very attractive, slender, witty young man, a heartthrob who easily won the hearts of the court ladies, he turned his close attention to the Princess not at all because he really fell in love with her. It seemed to him simply necessary to add her heart to the collection of conquered hearts at court. The rights of Monsieur's sincere and even, one might say, heartfelt friend, as well as some carelessness of Philip, made it much easier for him to siege and storm the heart of the King's sister-in-law. Probably, his successes did not go unnoticed, since if they say that walls have ears, then this, first of all, refers to the walls of the Louvre, where it is impossible to do anything that would remain unknown to anyone.
In addition, Louis XIV also drew attention to the Princess, who was well known to him, but miraculously prettier. He began to communicate with her much more often than he should have. Therefore, when, at the end of the first year of marriage, Henrietta gave birth to a daughter, who was christened Marie Louise, many courtiers, not without reason, questioned Philip's paternity, believing that the father of the newborn princess was King Louis XIV or the Comte de Guiche.
Louis XIV showed increased attention to Henrietta until he switched it to Louise de La Valli;re. The irony of the situation is that Henrietta herself suggested that he court La Valli;re in appearance only in order to avert the suspicions of Philip and the Queen Mother. But this increased attention forced the King to involuntarily take a closer look at Louise, after which he fell in love with her so much that he began to almost completely ignore Henrietta, who considered this doubly offensive for herself, since Mademoiselle de La Valli;re was just the Princess’s maid of honor. To look after the maid of honor for the sake of appearance, in order to have a reason to see the Princess herself more often - this was Henrietta’s advice to the King, but as a result, he began to just show polite attention to the Princess for the sake of appearance, only in order to have a reason to see her more often maid of honor de La Valli;re. When the King began to regularly receive from de La Valliere the favors of the highest and most tender respect that only a woman can show to a man, he finally made his choice for the next few years, so that the damsel de La Baume Le Blanc de La Valliere became the official mistress of His Majesty, which overshadowed all the ladies at court, including even the Queen herself. Princess Henrietta's anger at de la Valliere was natural and all-consuming, but she had to restrain it, since the King explicitly threatened her that he would be able to protect “this noble and sublime damsel.”
The relatives of the girl de La Valli;re moved to Paris for all sorts of favors from the King, which did not take long to arrive. Louise herself seemed to want nothing for herself except for the King to belong entirely to her, to make her children and provide them with a better future. This completely modest lady, who did not want anything for herself personally, was quite satisfied with the title of Duchess.
Let me remind you that the ducal title was borne by the illegitimate children and grandchildren of King Henry IV , such as the Duke de Beaufort, as well as many very legitimate relatives of the royal house, including the Duke of Orleans, the Duke of Lorraine, the Duke of Chevreuse, the Dukes of La Rochefoucauld, d'Harcourt, de Rogan, de Lauzun, de Richelieu, de Saint-Simon, de Chatillon, de Choiseul, de Tremouille, de Coligny, de Coze-Brissac, de La Tremouille, de La Meiere, de Luxpembourg, de Mortemar , de Noirmoutier, de Polignac, de Gondi, de Seguier, de Montmorency, de Valentinois, d'Etampes, de Mayenne, d'Elbeuf, de Schomberg, and some others. And suddenly the Dukes de La Valli;re appeared on this list. Well, to accept the nectar of His Majesty’s love and give him offspring, in addition to the legitimate ones, isn’t this the path to becoming a duchess?
For this reason, I no longer intend to echo those voices that call Louise de La Valli;re modest, unambitious, worthy, and so on. For myself, I know everything about this “girl,” and my opinion is that Athos is very guilty that he did not teach Raoul to understand girls of this kind, who should be avoided, and who do not deserve the attention of a worthy nobleman for a time exceeding one night.
So, at the court, what was happening was completely happening for which the Lord incinerated two cities, Sodom and Gomorrah. However, to be fair to the historical truth, I must admit that such things happened at the court of France almost always and only for the time of some Kings, such as Henry III and Louis XIII, there were almost no depraved favorites at court, since they gave way to depraved favorites, what else to a greater extent makes us remember the two cities mentioned. We can only assume that our Lord became much more tolerant of the sin of Sodom, since he did not punish the Louvre with any heavenly fire, except for a couple of broken trees from a lightning strike in the Louvre park during the half-century of the park’s existence.
So, I have given a sufficient introduction to the further story, it only remains to add that Philip persuaded the King’s brother to send de Guiche to the army somewhere further away, preferably outside France, but since the King himself had his eye on Henrietta, and then left it his passion ignored, having switched to Louise de La Valli;re, Princess Henrietta remained dissatisfied with the situation. She decided to return de Guiche in order to make the King jealous and, perhaps, revive his love through this jealousy. In addition, she was simply bored, since de Guiche, who dimmed in the presence of His Majesty, was still the most pleasant, gallant interlocutor and, to be honest, the best partner in some night games, more sophisticated than “Lambert”, “fly”, "compass" and "hermit". So, Henrietta persuaded Monsieur to influence the King to return de Guiche. Since Philip himself missed his well-rounded friend, de Guiche was soon returned and treated kindly.

Chapter 345

Princess Henrietta sadly sorted through her jewelry, noting that for a whole month she had not added anything new to this collection, so it was extremely difficult for her to put together an appropriate set for an evening out for dinner.
Sighing, she decided to put on the pearls that she had already worn twice in the last month before the King.
- How difficult life has become! - she sighed.
“Madam, the Comte de Guiche has come to you and asks to receive him,” reported the Princess’s maid of honor, Ora de Montale.
“Ask,” the princess answered with a breath, trying in vain to portray boredom and indifference.
- Madam, it's me! - exclaimed de Guiche, entering and falling to the princess’s hand.
“Are you eager to get a beating from the King for once again giving reasons for jealousy to his brother?” - Henrietta smiled slyly.
“A thrashing from the King is nothing compared to the thrashing we all received from the Turks,” de Guiche sighed. “But, you know, the only thrashing that would really upset me is a thrashing from Your Highness.”
“By what right could I give a thrashing to you, Count, a representative of such a noble family of the de Gramonts?” - the princess was surprised.
“By the right of the goddess, to whose altar an enthusiastic admirer has not brought any gifts for too long,” de Guiche answered with a smile. “However, I hasten to correct my mistake and bring her a small souvenir from the trip as a gift.”
With these words, de Guiche took from his pocket a small heart-shaped box, lined with pink velvet.
The princess opened it and saw a set consisting of two small, but very elegant earrings with diamonds and a ring paired with them.
- What will the Prince say when he sees these things on me? - asked Henrietta, blushing with pleasure. - You're making him jealous, Count!
“This is the only thing that remains for me, Madame,” de Guiche smiled. - When you have no reason to be proud of the desired victories, all that remains is to arouse suspicion of their existence among those to whom these victories would be especially burdensome!
“Ah, Count, you chose absolutely the wrong object for adoration that should have been chosen,” Henrietta said with ostentatious sadness and coquetry. “Several dozen court ladies of any refined taste would happily respond to your advances, while you are attacking the unfortunate Princess, who is not in the mood for adventures of this kind.”
- What can you do, Your Highness! - de Guiche sighed. - Lawless Heart!
“Tell me better about your glorious victories over the Turks,” Henrietta smiled. “I’m sure you have something to tell.”
“Alas, there were fewer victories than defeats,” de Guiche answered sadly. “The forces were not equal and we finally had to leave the fortress. We have lost the glorious Duke de Beaufort!
“News of this has already reached the court,” Henrietta said with unfeigned sadness. “He was a peculiar person, but very worthy, despite all his eccentricities. I'm truly sorry. - With these words, the princess absentmindedly put the presented ring on her finger and went to the mirror to try on the earrings as well.
- Unfortunate fate! - de Guiche agreed. — By the way, another amazing person and my friend died in this sortie.
- Indeed? - asked Henrietta. - I haven’t heard anything about this! Who is this?
“Viscount de Bragelonne, Princess,” replied de Guiche. “It seemed to me that he was deliberately looking for death, since for almost more than two years he had taken an active part in all sorties and walked so boldly along the fortress wall in sight of the Turks that it was only a miracle that he was not killed. It seemed to me that he was looking for death. But his Fate, which had been merciful to him all these years, finally found him!
“Don’t grieve for him, my friend,” the Princess sighed. “This unfortunate young man was killed much earlier, and not there, in the fortress, but here, in the Louvre.”
“By the way, I remembered that I have a letter from him for Mademoiselle de La Valli;re,” exclaimed de Guiche. “We must definitely take it to her.”
“Better tear it up and throw it away, Count,” Henrietta smiled sadly. “During these years, while you and the Viscount were at war, a lot has changed here at court. This person is interested in the letters of only one person, with whom she sees several times a day, which does not prevent him from writing numerous messages in between their dates.
-Who is this person? - asked de Guiche.
“It seems to me that you know the name of this person very well, as does the poor Viscount de Bragelonne,” answered the Princess. - If unhappy love is a disease, then for poor Raoul it turned out to be incurable and ultimately fatal, although God knows it’s not worth it!
“I see that you are jealous of the King for her, and for this reason you are strict with this lady,” noted de Guiche. “I understand you perfectly, but this makes my stay at your feet completely unnecessary, Madame.” Let me take my leave.
“Go, Count, and find yourself an object more favorable to your attentions,” Henrietta answered without a hint of resentment. “I would like to see you as a faithful friend, but everyone around is trying to convince me that simple friendship between a man and a woman is impossible.”
“And they are right, Your Highness,” the count answered with a bow, kissing the princess’s hand.
- God, how boring this is! - Henrietta said in a capricious tone. “Perhaps I would love you if you stopped loving me, at least for a while.” But I am too confident in your feelings, so they have ceased to worry me. Go ahead, Count! See you at dinner time.
“Wonderful,” replied de Guiche. - Maybe even after dinner? I know one new exciting game. It is called "Bridge" or "Bridge". You'll like it.
— Is that all you learned on the hike? - Henrietta asked with languor.
“Princess, I would learn anything, even the Turkish language, even Turkish horse riding, if I knew that it would help me entertain Your Highness after dinner!”
“Okay, don’t be late for dinner, but we’ll see,” Henrietta answered and smiled slyly.
“She’s playing hard to get again,” thought de Guiche. - God, how this turns me on! Damn it, I need to quickly come up with some kind of game that would be called “Bridge” or I’ll have to admit to lying. Sometimes such confessions work even better on women than a skillful lie.”

Chapter 346

Mademoiselle de La Valli;re was walking through the park all alone. Numerous courtiers, realizing that there was no way to gain access to the King's benefits through her intercession, despite the inexplicable power she had acquired over him, finally left her alone.
She did not ask the King for anything for herself, realizing that this was the best way to get everything for herself and her relatives - parents, brothers, sisters and, of course, children, whose father was the King himself. Therefore, she would not have asked for anything for anyone else, and this was probably lucky for them, since during the entire time she was in an extremely intimate “friendship” with the King, she asked for only two people - for Fouquet, and for Raoul de Bragelonne. The result was that the King, instead of mitigating Fouquet’s sentence, tightened it, and as for Raoul, considering him a rival, the King not only wished him death, but, as we have seen, extended this desire to his father, Comte de La F;re.
So, the courtiers maintained exquisite respect for Louise de La Valli;re, whom I find it difficult to call “mademoiselle” after two births and a third pregnancy, but none of them even thought about using her closeness to the King for selfish purposes, except for her extremely arrogant brother.
It was de La Valliere’s ostentatious modesty that most likely explained the incomprehensible power over the King, which forced His Majesty to treat her at the same time as a goddess, and as a favorite toy, and as the mother of his children. His blind adoration was sometimes replaced by extreme irritation if he did not find in her what he expected, but after the storm the Sun invariably appeared in their relationship, and although Louise had already tried several times to go to the monastery forever, Louis always found the time and desire to come there for her and on her knees begging her to return, which Louise could no longer resist.
In the Comte de Guichet, Louise was accustomed to seeing a good friend, since she knew that he was a friend of the Viscount de Bragelonne, and she was accustomed to treating Raoul as that kind and bright childhood friend who must always be present in life simply for the reason that it was and is, therefore, and must continue to remain as an integral property of life and Nature. This is how a child perceives sunlight and warmth without thinking about the reasons for this grace. Louise could afford one of the most cruel traits of a small and unreasonable child: she demanded kindness and goodwill from loved ones, even when she herself caused them unbearable pain. It seems to me that she never got out of that childhood age when, having hit a chair, you blame the chair for it and demand to be punished, and when you say “you are bad!” everyone and everything that you didn’t like for some reason, but you still demand admiration, adoration and good deeds from the people you offended. And her modesty, which consists in the fact that she did not ask for anything for herself, is explained only by the fact that she was not at all accustomed to asking for anything, since everything she needed, or even just wanted, she received even before it might have occurred to her to ask for it. The gifts of fate fell upon her before she could think about them or wish for them. This humble creature never doubted her right to take the King from his lawful wife and take possession of him. She did not interfere in politics only because she considered it a boring job, and she was not used to working, she was used to the fact that any of her actions caused the delight of others. Raoul taught her this, and Athos raised Raoul this way. So La Valli;re, the new duchess, was largely the brainchild of Athos and Raoul. Since the King still loved La Valli;re, or, to be more precise, he loved his love for her already because it allowed him to cruelly tease with her help his wife, his sister-in-law, and even his mother, who had quite a life left to live. A little. It was obvious to me even then that soon the King would play with his toy forever and throw it away or break it. De La Valliere's fate was determined in advance. She had to go into a monastery forever, leaving her children, her brothers and sisters in the high position of dukes and duchesses at court. She was only a bridge for the future of her children and relatives, she received her five years of happiness and another year of relative happiness, which I would call hell if she really loved the King, because she had to share the title of His Majesty’s official favorite with Madame de Montespan, observing how daily the King's love for Montespan increases due to the decrease in his affection for de La Valli;re. However, this was only in the future, now La Valli;re was the only favorite, she was the one who occupied the King’s mind and heart to the greatest extent, so she enjoyed her position and serenity, completely ignoring the broken destinies of the Queen and Raoul de Bragelonne.
“Mademoiselle, good afternoon, I was looking for you,” said de Guiche.
“I’m glad to see you, Count,” Louise answered with some friendly condescension. “I hope you brought me good news, wherever you came from?”
“I’m afraid that the news I brought cannot be called good, madam, however, I brought you a letter and am obliged to hand it over,” the count replied, taking the Viscount’s letter from his pocket and handing it to Louise.
-What are you saying? - asked La Valli;re with annoyance, who did not like bad news, and to whom the very mention of Raoul brought a rather unpleasant and unfamiliar feeling of guilt, for which she blamed him entirely only on himself, which, in her eyes, was sufficient reason to treat him coldly him and thus blame him alone for the cooling of relations between him and her. — The Viscount is dead, you say? What a pity.
De Guiche was always not distinguished by great insight, so he took her question for a manifestation of sincere grief, just as he mistook Princess Henrietta’s usual female coquetry either for love, from which he came into a state of bliss, or for cooling, which led him into a state of bliss. despair, while in fact the Princess was simply bored, and by pretending alternately one feeling and then another, she was simply having fun.
“Alas, yes, mademoiselle,” answered the count. — The Vicomte de Bragelonne died. You need time to read the letter, let me go.
- Wait, Count! - said Louise, who understood that de Guiche expected manifestations of grief from her, so it would be impolite to disappoint him. - Tell me how it was.
Louise brought the scented handkerchief to the corners of her eyes, hoping that tears would appear in them. Since this did not happen, she dabbed her eyes as if there were still tears. This satisfied de Guiche, and La Valliere considered that such a manifestation of grief was quite enough, and removed the scarf.
“All I can say is that the Viscount was a real hero,” said Raoul. “He showed miracles of courage, and his forays cost the Turks considerable losses, however, an evil fate took him away from us during one of these forays, in which I also participated. In the heat of battle, I only saw how bravely he fought, and how a huge explosion knocked him down, as a result of which he fell into the trench, where the defeated enemy cannon also rolled down. Subsequent sorties confirmed that the Viscount had been crushed by the same cannon that I had seen roll down there. We did not try to recapture the corpses of our soldiers, since at that time there was almost no ammunition left in the fortress. Subsequently, the Turks raised this cannon, they buried both their dead and ours. The captured Turks told me that they bury Christians according to Christian customs, since there are also Christians in their troops. Therefore, although the Viscount was properly buried, the location of his grave is unknown to me.
“God, how verbose and annoying he is! - thought Louise. - Give him free rein, so he, like some kind of Homer, will describe the entire battle in hexameter. There is nothing worse in the world than the hexameter and the violin. I don't even know which is worse. Probably a performance of the Iliad to the sound of a violin. We need to stop him."
- This is terrible, Count! - exclaimed Louise, again taking out a handkerchief and applying it to her eyes, this time for the reason that de Guiche got too close to Louise’s face and breathed on her the smell of garlic, fried partridge with onions and unbrushed teeth, so the scented handkerchief was an absolute salvation , and the word “terrible” applied specifically to this smell.
“Officers like the Viscount, madam, are always ready to die in the name of the Motherland,” de Guiche said coldly. “And losing your life is sometimes not as scary as losing faith in love, believe me.”
- Count, you are cruel to me! - Louise exclaimed, as he continued to mercilessly invade her personal space, the smell of garlic did not go away, and it was time to put the scarf away.
“No more than you would go to the viscount, mademoiselle,” de Guiche answered with a bow and left.
With complete indifference, Louise unfolded the Viscount's letter and read it.

“Mademoiselle, if you are reading this letter, it means that the Comte de Guiche has returned alive from that military campaign, which, I believe, will be my last. In this case, I thank the Almighty for his decision. I wish you happiness and forgive you all the sorrows that you, without knowing it, have caused to my heart. I saw no other way to calm my soul than the one I chose. I bless you. We'll meet in another world. Raoul."

Louise folded the letter and tucked it into the sleeve of her left hand, where she kept a scented handkerchief.

“How boring! - she thought. “For some reason he got it into his head that I should share his ideals, think only about him all the time, and hope to meet him in the next world.” Lord forbid! If, having seen the real world, I decided to meet with him as little as possible and generally hinted to him in every possible way that his presence next to me was not desirable, then will I really dream of meeting him in the next world? Fortunately, I think that hopes for meetings in the next world are never fulfilled. Otherwise, we would all meet there with our parents, they with their parents, they with theirs, and so on! I can imagine how huge our families would be in this case in Heaven. In such a crowd, no one listens to you, no one notices, the most likely sign of attention that you can get there is that they will crush your leg there! If everything were exactly like this, then you would only have to dream that your parents and grandparents would end up in Purgatory, so that they would not bother you with their presence in Paradise, otherwise it would not be heaven, but Hell! If all your exes are waiting for you in Paradise, believing that they have the right to your attention and your time, then it would be better to end up in Hell than to endure their presence forever!”

Louise smiled at the joke that came to her mind. She was not pious, as evidenced by the ease with which she allowed herself to enter into carnal relations with the King without being legally married to him, but she was accustomed to pretending, hypocrisy might be her middle name, or even her first. So “Mademoiselle Hypocrisy” was glad that de Guiche had left and would not see that as a result of reading Raoul’s letter, she had come to thoughts in her thoughts that amused her. Laughing at the news of the death of a fellow countryman, of course, is indecent, and although Louise did not care about some de Guiche, she would not want him to see that she was so insensitive.
She looked around and saw Ora de Montale.

- Louise! Where have you been? - Ora de Montale exclaimed, running up to her friend and grabbing her hand. - Ugh! I barely found you! Let's go, the King told me to find you and bring you to him!
“Oh no, not now, I have a migraine,” said Louise and, pretending to cover her face with her hands, she turned away from Ora.
“We must wait until de Guiche moves away,” she thought. “We should sit for a while on the shore of the pond, watching the blades of grass on the surface of the water and the reflection of the clouds.” It’s so romantic to portray melancholy and sorrow!”
- Stupid! - Ora said, shrugging her shoulders. “Anyone else in your place would run to His Majesty.”
“What is achieved with ease is not valued one iota,” thought de La Valli;re. - You're the stupid one! Yes, it is written on your face and in your entire appearance that you are ready to jump into the King’s bed at any second. Do you think His Majesty will fall for this? Why waste your feelings on something you can easily get? You just take it when nothing more attractive comes along. You will, of course, end up in the King’s bed, but never in his heart!”
“If the King sent you, tell him that you didn’t find me,” replied Louise.
“The King will know that she has deceived him, and her attempts to get him will inevitably fail for at least another year or two,” Louise thought. “Serves her right, this upstart!”
“No, I cannot lie to His Majesty,” Ora replied. “I’ll tell him that you didn’t agree to answer his call.”
With these words, Ora turned around and left.
“What a fool! - thought de La Valli;re. - You will tell the King what is humiliating for him to hear! Some favorite there decided to disobey her King. He will be embarrassed to hear this from the lips of a stranger. He will rush to meet me and achieve my submission, which he, of course, will receive, but not right away. And Ora will remain a witness to his humiliation and defeat, so if he does not remove her, then, in any case, he will avoid her and will never ask her for help in such matters. Stupid! If you have not learned anything from books and from the experiences of others, life will teach you from your own experience, but the beatings you receive during your studies will be painful. Serves you right, sugar coated snake!”

Chapter 347

After Francois informed d'Artagnan that the route to Paris was safe, the captain outlined his plan to him.
“We will enter Paris under the guise of greengrocers, then at the market we will abandon our cart and proceed to Planchet’s house,” said d’Artagnan. “You, Francois, must follow us at a distance of at least fifty steps.” Vary this distance at your discretion so as not to lose sight of us, and most importantly, not to miss those who might start spying on us. If you see one spy, neutralize him. If there are a lot of spies, try to warn us about this, ahead of them.
“I understand everything, captain,” answered Francois.

As soon as d'Artagnan and Philippe entered Planchet's establishment, the owner came out to meet them with open arms.
- Monsieur d'Artagnan, you have returned! I hope your venture ended successfully?
“I hope so too, buddy, but it’s too early to draw conclusions.” Monsignor, in this place nothing threatens us, from here we can continue our journey in the very near future. And Master Planchet,” with these words the captain made a corresponding gesture towards his former servant, and from some also his commercial partner, “will be happy to satisfy all your needs for this time.” Planchet, monsignor needs rest.
“My best rooms are at the service of Your Highness,” replied Planchet calmly and with dignity, who, having known d’Artagnan for many years, would not have shown surprise even if even the Pope himself, or even St. Peter.
- What do they hear in Paris about me, Planchet? - asked d'Artagnan after Philip left in order to finally remove his beard, which was pretty boring to him, and give the skin of his face at least a little rest.
- Absolutely nothing. Paris is blind and dumb! - Planchet replied.
- So, I’m still the captain of the royal musketeers? - D'Artagnan was surprised.
“In any case, I have not heard about the appointment of anyone else to this position,” replied Planchet, “and if such an appointment had taken place, rest assured, I would have known about it!” Yes, however, Francois returned before you, as you apparently know, and went to find out through his own channels what and how.
“I know he’ll come here soon,” the captain nodded and headed to the room that he had considered his own for many years.
“I recommend that you visit Mademoiselle de La Valli;re, Mister Captain,” Planchet said after him.
- What did you say, my dear? - asked d'Artagnan, delving into the deep meaning of the phrase spoken by Planchet. - Repeat that word you just said!
“I suggested that you pay a visit to Madame de La Valli;re, captain,” Planchet repeated.
- No, buddy! You said another word! You said "visit", didn't you?
“I didn’t mean anything bad,” Planchet replied.
- Planchet, you are a genius! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - Just “visit”! Do you know what this word means?
“As far as I know, this means visiting someone, sir,” Planchet said in confusion.
“In this case it means rendez-vous without witnesses, dear Planchet!” After all, this is exactly what we need! - the captain was delighted. - I'm a fool, Planchet! How did this not occur to me before! And Aramis too, a good conspirator! To build a whole system of secret mechanisms just to brew a dish that is ready on its own without any effort and is just waiting for you to come up, blow off the foam and swallow it in one fell swoop! Well done, Planchet!
“If the captain wants foamy coffee, I will have it brought to your room,” Planchet replied. — Your traveling companion probably also wants to get his coffee?
- He wishes, Planchet! As much as he wishes! Bring coffee, cookies and whatever else you have here! - D'Artagnan exclaimed enthusiastically. - Don't forget the four beggars!
- Damn it, rendez-vous ! A date that even the King goes to without security , secretly and without witnesses ! What a fool I am! - said d'Artagnan to himself, climbing the stairs to the room, where ten minutes later Planchet brought a magnificent mug of foamy coffee and a saucer filled with biscuits, candied fruits and candied nuts, as well as the famous basket with two types of nuts, raisins and figs, called "four beggars."

That evening, d'Artagnan spoke with Francois, who had returned from his reconnaissance forays.
“Captain, they are undoubtedly looking for you, but they are doing it secretly,” he said. “I was stopped six times by various guardsmen and looked carefully at my face. After all, from a distance I look very much like you, both in figure and even in face. Apparently my age contrasted too much with the description they had. After all, it is impossible to look more than twenty years younger than your age. So every time, although reluctantly, they left me behind. And although no one detained me, I am convinced that if you, captain, had been in my place, the meeting could have ended differently. They would try to detain you. I'm not saying you would have been detained, because that is far from easy, but there would have been a confrontation, which would have attracted unnecessary attention. So you should move around Paris very carefully.
- I expected this, my friend! - D'Artagnan nodded. - This doesn’t surprise me. Tell me, my friend, what is your opinion, do my musketeers know that Colbert's spies are looking for me?
“I can’t say anything definite on this topic, captain, but some of the nobles clearly don’t suspect anything like that.” “Once a certain nobleman called out to me, deciding that I was you,” answered Francois.
- Describe it to me! - D'Artagnan exclaimed with liveliness.
“His chin slopes down a little, and besides...” Fran;ois began.
— The eyes seem to be smiling, while the lower half of the face, on the contrary, expresses sadness? - D'Artagnan picked up.
“That’s right, captain,” Francois smiled.
- De Guiche! That's what we need! - said d'Artagnan. — It remains to think through a few details, and the plan is ready!
“It’s nice to see you in such a mood, captain,” said Fran;ois with a smile.
- How nice it is for me to see myself in such a mood, Francois! - D'Artagnan laughed. “I haven’t seen myself in such a good mood for a long time!” Go ahead, buddy, thank you, I need to think.

Towards evening, d'Artagnan outlined his plan to Philippe and Francois.
“Listen, Francois, I think you’ve already guessed the business I’m up to,” he said.
“In general terms,” answered Fran;ois.
“In that case, monsignor, I ask you, take off this terrible beard and wig,” said the captain.
“With pleasure,” Philip answered and got rid of his makeup.
Francois looked at Philippe in surprise, then got down on one knee and kissed his hand.
“I understand you, gentlemen, and I accept your plan,” he said humbly.
- Wonderful young man! - exclaimed the captain.
“You’re repeating yourself, captain,” Philip smiled.
- Then let's get down to business! - D'Artagnan agreed. - This is the plan. I'm going to de Guiche. Follow me at such a distance so as not to lose sight of me, but so as not to catch the eye of the count. Today our fate will be decided.
- Do we need weapons, captain? - asked Francois.
“I ask you, Francois, to take with you the item that we brought from our trip.” As for you, Monsignor, I would ask you to take this bottle, as well as a large handkerchief and a strong rope. Regarding weapons, I will only say that they may be needed only to drive away unnecessary fellow travelers if they arise.

Chapter 348

The Count de Guiche sat, bored, in the de Gramont family castle. In front of him lay a miniature portrait of Princess Henrietta.
- Twitchy! - the count said with contempt. - What did I find in her? Just that the King likes her so much? Do I really want to defeat the King in this competition?
He looked at the portrait for the umpteenth time, finding that even with the surprisingly accurate resemblance, it did not convey even a tenth of the charm that the princess radiated.
- However, the King had long since cooled off towards her, and became interested in this provincial lame God knows for what reasons! - de Guiche sighed. - And what do they find in it? First - Raoul, then also the King? An ordinary village simpleton, completely delighted with the false luxury of the court, unable to distinguish the true diamonds of the soul of real heroes from the cheap glass of arrogant proud people. A fool who prefers a dressed-up peacock to a noble falcon! And at the same time soulless, exactly like this one... - with these words de Guiche cast a glance full of despair at the portrait of Princess Henrietta.
“Count, captain of the royal musketeers, Count d’Artagnan, asks to receive him,” the footman reported, holding the captain’s business card on a tray.
- Is the captain here? - exclaimed de Guiche. - Of course, ask him!
With these words, the count put the miniature in the drawer and, looking in the mirror, slightly straightened his curls and smoothed his collar.
“Forgive me for the late visit, Count,” said d’Artagnan, entering de Guiche’s room.
- What ceremonies, Monsieur d'Artagnan! - exclaimed de Guiche. - For you, I’m just Arman, you’re welcome to contact me at any time!
“Thank you, Count, I have a small request for you,” the captain bowed.
- Yes, at least with ten! “I’m listening to you,” replied de Guiche.
“I have one letter left from a young man, which I must give to a certain mademoiselle,” d’Artagnan said softly. “Meanwhile, it is highly undesirable for me to appear at court due to some misunderstanding between me and His Majesty, which I hope will soon be forgotten, but at the present time this misunderstanding makes my appearance at court extremely risky.” However, the letter I am talking about is of such a nature that I do not find it possible to transmit it through third parties.
“You are talking about another letter from the Viscount de Bragelonne to Mademoiselle Louise de La Valli;re,” de Guiche guessed. - It's useless. You can’t return the Viscount, but appeal to the feelings of Mademoiselle, who exchanged...
“You are a thousand times right, dear Count,” agreed d’Artagnan. “I do not expect any changes in Mademoiselle’s actions under the influence of this letter, besides, now it no longer matters, however, I am bound by a promise, so I must hurry, while the circumstances of misunderstanding do not allow me to carry out this order in a timely manner.” the deadlines that the sender of this letter set for me.
“I understand very much, Count, and I am very ready to serve and contribute to the solution of your question,” replied de Guiche. - However, how can I help? I could, of course, deliver the letter, but you say that you would like to personally...
- Unfortunately, this has nothing to do with my desire, Count. “I am bound by a promise,” the captain replied.
“So, you need to see Mademoiselle de La Valli;re without anyone knowing about it except her,” de Guiche concluded. - I think I have found such a remedy. You see, although the whole court and all of Paris already know about His Majesty’s connection with this lady, the King still sometimes visits mademoiselle for such a delicate purpose that he would not like to have anyone as witnesses to such meetings, including even friends, so to speak. about such in relation to His Majesty, and, of course, none of the guards.
“I understand,” the captain agreed.
“A definite schedule has been established for this case,” continued de Guiche. “At the hour when His Majesty may decide to pay such a visit, there should be no strangers along the entire path to Mademoiselle, and through the efforts of special persons this condition is ensured every day.
“Thus, if I understand you correctly,” said d’Artagnan, “there is a certain specific hour when you can get to Mademoiselle de La Valli;re without witnesses.” But at this hour she has a guest, a meeting with whom is not included in my plans in any way! What should I do?
“You should use the day when mademoiselle has reasons to refuse the King a meeting,” replied de Guiche.
- How can we predict such a day and hour? - asked d'Artagnan.
“Perhaps I can,” said the count. “I believe that today will be just such a day and such an hour.” You see, the fact is that I already gave a letter like the one you are talking about to Mademoiselle this afternoon. Despite all the shortcomings that I find in this mademoiselle, she is not so insensitive as to treat such a letter with complete indifference. I believe that this evening she will refuse the King a meeting.
“So, I have the opportunity to complete the last part of my mission today?” - asked the captain.
“It’s worth hastening with this, Monsieur d’Artagnan, since the necessary hour is about to come,” replied de Guiche. - Wait for me in the reception hall, we’ll be leaving in ten minutes.
“I’ll wait for you at the exit of your palace, Count,” the captain answered and bowed and left.

This evening the King was not in a good mood. The princess flirted with her husband, Monsieur, Duke of Orleans. It was humiliating to be jealous of his younger brother, but the King, who had long lost interest in Henrietta’s charms, still believed that he had more rights to her attention than even her own husband.
He looked around at the ladies-in-waiting of his wife and the ladies-in-waiting of the Princess, but did not find any mystery or novelty in any of them. Having noted the accessibility of each of them, he almost lost interest in them.
Mademoiselle de La Valli;re, who continues to be formally listed as the Princess's maid of honor, was relieved of the duties assigned to her by this position, since the King practically officially assigned to her completely different duties, which none of the ladies-in-waiting of the court would shy away from.
The regular weak resistance that Louise occasionally offered to the King only fueled his passion and made his victories more significant, at least in his own eyes, despite the fact that two living proofs of this connection had already come to light. Therefore, as soon as dinner was over, the King hurried along the path on which he did not expect to meet any rivals, witnesses, guards, or any other obstacles of any kind, gender or rank. He was separated from Louise's chambers only by a door, which, to the King's great regret, still had an internal bolt that could not be opened from the outside.
- Louise, it’s me, open up! - the King said clearly, after knocking on the door three times with his diamond-topped cane.
“Your Majesty, I beg you, leave me alone today,” Louise replied. “I want to dedicate this evening to grief for those who, by the will of the Lord, did not live to see it.”
Louise’s decision not to accept the King today was not due to grief for Raoul. She felt insulted that the King, having received the news through Ora that Louise had a migraine, did not try in spite of everything to see her. She was offended by the fact that her beloved King, realizing that nothing was in store for him on the love front, decided to cancel the visit, while she expected him to come at least to show attention, sympathy, and care. Most women want to please their men not only when they are attractive, desirable and seductive, but even more so when, due to circumstances, they are far from so seductive, when a date with them does not promise anything pleasant. In the traditional marriage oath, which talks about the promise to be together in sorrow and in joy, men hear only the obligation to be together in joy, while for women the promise to be there in sorrow, to share it and to alleviate it is much more important. After all, grief is much easier to bear when you know that you are not the only one who has suffered it! So, Louise decided not to receive the King, which was an unpleasant surprise for Louis, since he rightly judged that the migraine that haunted Louise during the day could well recede in the evening, when the daytime heat gave way to the pleasant evening coolness.

- What's happened? - the King was indignant. - Would you like to open it? Do you have any guest?
- What are you saying? - Louise exclaimed, opening the doors. - Come in and see that I’m completely alone! But I beg you to leave me for today. I’m not feeling well, I’m in a sad mood, I want to indulge in sad memories, so my company will only make Your Majesty sad.
“Okay,” said the King, reassured by the fact that there really was no one in Louise’s room. - Indulge in sadness, I’ll just sit here on the chair and look at you while you’re sad. You can't stop me from doing this.
“I cannot forbid you this, Your Majesty, just as I cannot forbid you anything at all,” Louise lied with a bow, “however, I do not advise you to indulge in my sadness with me, the reasons for which you do not know, and therefore you cannot share it with me.
- So you have secrets from me, mademoiselle? - the King asked arrogantly.
“Believe me, these secrets are not from you, but from me,” exclaimed Louise. “Sometimes it’s so difficult for me to understand myself that I don’t know what I’m saying or what I’m doing.”
“Well, it seems that you really are not in the mood today,” the King said coldly, who was offended that Louise still wanted to sort out her feelings, which meant that she was still not sure that she loved the King. more than all the men in the world, that is, she dared to doubt his exclusivity, which was already on the verge of insulting the Majesty.
“I will pray for you, Your Majesty,” said Louise, kissing the King’s hand again.
- Prayers, mademoiselle, this is not at all what I would like to receive from you! - he snapped coldly. “Thank the Lord, my situation is not such that I should ask God for any more benefits.” And even less is this required of you, mademoiselle. Everything I need, you could give me without resorting to divine help!
With these words, the King turned sharply and left Mademoiselle de La Valli;re.
“No one can know what fate has in store for him,” said Louise and bolted the door.

- Damn this saint! - exclaimed the King, walking through the dark alleys of the park. “She loves her fears and prejudices more than me!” At the very hour when I would like to spend time with her, it occurs to her to organize an evening of sobs and prayers, and this is not the first time. I've been putting up with her whims for too long! Maybe next time she goes to the monastery again, I shouldn’t go after her and beg her to come back? This is a lesson for the future.
With these words, he raised his cane to knock down a beautiful bud of a white rose, exuding the sweetest aroma, and suddenly he felt that someone grabbed him by the arms and shoulders. He wanted to scream, but a handkerchief soaked in some sharp-smelling liquid was pressed tightly to his face. Louis tried to draw air into his lungs, but instead of air, the disgusting aroma of this liquid penetrated into him, he felt dizzy, the twilight park floated in front of him eyes, after which the King lost consciousness and fell into the arms of those who grabbed him.
D'Artagnan quickly undid the buttons on the King's doublet, took it off and threw it to Philip.
- Put it on, monsignor! - he exclaimed.
While the prince was pulling on his doublet, the captain also pulled off the King's shoes and trousers.
- Put this on too, pick up a cane and be with God! - he said.
- Captain, I’m waiting for you at the Louvre! - said Philip.
- Of course, Your Majesty! - answered d'Artagnan, putting an iron mask on Louis.
“We should put the monsignor’s clothes on him,” said Fran;ois.
“Leave it alone,” the captain waved him off. “In these clothes and the mask, he looks more like an escaped madman.” Take the prince's clothes with you so as not to leave traces.

Chapter 349

Having walked along a path left unattended for the purpose of the King's secret trips to Mademoiselle de La Valli;re, Philip entered the Louvre at a pace as if he had been walking this path every day for several years.
Judging by his somewhat swift gait, the courtiers guessed that the King was not entirely in good spirits and guessed that the reason for this was probably Louise’s regular refusal to have a tender meeting, which sometimes happened.
De Saint-Etian, who appeared right there, asked what His Majesty would like to do to amuse himself that evening.
- Your Majesty deigns to play Ombre? Or wants to visit the Queen's ladies-in-waiting? - he asked.
- Ombre, perhaps! - Philip answered.
“As Your Majesty wishes,” de Saint-Etian bowed.
— By the way, where did Colbert go? - the King suddenly said. “I haven’t seen him for two days, yet I need him.”
“I will order him to be found and sent to Your Majesty,” replied de Saint-Etian.
“ Yes, dear Saint-Etienne, do it,” Philippe nodded. — I have to give him some instructions.

After some time, the doors of the King’s office opened and the secretary appeared.
“Your Majesty, Monsieur Colbert asks to receive him,” he said.
“Ask,” Philip answered.
The next moment Colbert entered the office and bowed to the King.
“Monsieur Colbert,” said Philippe. - I am pleased with your work, however, I would like to make a few comments to you.
“I’m listening to you, Your Majesty,” Colbert answered with a bow.
“As you know, I decided to do without the first minister, following the advice of Cardinal Mazarin,” Philip began. - This does not mean that my government will not have a head. You will perform the same functions that you performed previously, with some amendments.
Colbert bowed and took pen and paper to record the King's words.
“Sit down, Mr. Colbert, it’s much more comfortable to write at the table,” Philip nodded. - So, while maintaining your position as Minister of Finance, you will also have the right to control taxes, loans, customs duties, customs tariffs, and colonial policy. In addition, I will need your help in preparing the military and naval budget. You will have a lot to do, Mr. Colbert. Do not be distracted by petty intrigues with those who do their job conscientiously and successfully. I relieve you of assignments regarding military policy. Marshal de Vauban will do this. I appoint Mr. Letelier as Minister of War. Monsieur de Lyon will be entrusted with the leadership of diplomacy. I appoint Monsieur de Louvois as Secretary of Military Affairs. Have you recorded it?
“I wrote it down, Your Majesty,” Colbert bowed.
- And find Monsieur d'Artagnan, Colbert, do you hear?! - Philip exclaimed.
“We are looking for him all over France, Your Majesty, but we cannot find him,” Colbert replied.
- This is because you are not looking for him, but hunting for him, Mr. Colbert! - Philip objected. “I’m not asking you to catch him and imprison him in the Bastille, you misunderstood my order.” I demand that they find him and invite him to take the position that is assigned to him. I understand that he is annoyed that every action he takes to carry out my orders is controlled by your numerous spies. Anyone would be furious at such control. Moreover, taking into account his Gascon blood... Agree that M. d'Artagnan, with all his shortcomings, which you constantly tell me about, also has a number of undoubted advantages.
“Your Majesty is certainly right,” Colbert replied. - “Find and invite”, recorded.
- And finally take care of finances! - Philip added.

That same evening, Monsieur Colbert went to Planchet's establishment.
“Listen, Planchet, I have to ask you one question,” he said.
“If you want to know where Monsieur d’Artagnan is, then I cannot answer this question, although he was once my master, and we have common trade affairs, but Monsieur Captain does not consider it necessary to report to me about his goals and location.” of his travels,” Planchet hastened to answer.
“I don’t want to look for Mister Captain,” Colbert replied. “I only want you to convey to him, on behalf of the King, an invitation to finally take up those matters that he must do as a result of his position as captain of the royal musketeers.” For two weeks now, these functions have been performed for him by his deputy, Mr. d'Arlencourt! For what, in this case, does Monsieur d'Artagnan receive his salary?
- And you continue to charge it, Mr. Colbert! - exclaimed d'Artagnan, who at that moment appeared on the stairs leading to the second floor to his permanent room. “I have something to justify myself to His Majesty.”
“In that case, Monsieur d’Artagnan, I’m waiting for you tomorrow in His Majesty’s office with your excuses,” Colbert snapped dryly. - I have the honor to take my leave.
After these words, he got up and left Planchet's establishment.

The next morning, d'Artagnan, as if nothing had happened, appeared at the Louvre, and arrived there in his carriage, which he almost never used.
“Report me to the King,” he told the secretary.
“Let him come in,” said Philip, having heard from the secretary about the arrival of the captain of the musketeers.
In the King's office, d'Artagnan saw Colbert, who, wiping sweat, was writing something in his notebooks.
“Let’s take a break from state affairs for a minute, Mister Colbert, and listen to Mister Captain,” said Philip. - So, captain, where have you been?
“I was catching a state criminal, Your Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan in accordance with the preliminary agreement with Philip.
- A state criminal, that’s how it is? - Philip asked, continuing this performance for one spectator. - Who are we talking about?
“This is a secret criminal,” answered the captain.
At these words, Colbert’s face became covered with spots, and his lower jaw began to nervously move back and forth.
— Is this the one whom we write down in the documents under the name Marchiali? - asked Philip.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” answered the captain.
“Do you mean to say that you captured him, Monsieur d’Artagnan?” - asked Philip.
“He is in my carriage, tied up, under reliable guard, the carriage is standing at the gates of the Louvre,” answered the captain.
“Why didn’t you take him to the Bastille?” - asked Philip.
“I was specifically pointed out the need to prevent said state criminal from communicating with anyone, giving any signs or having any other communication with anyone,” explained d’Artagnan. “This criminal is tied up, he has an iron mask on his face, and he is guarded by a reliable person.
“Well, I want to take a look at it,” said Philip.
Colbert stood up from his chair and prepared to walk with the King, to which Philip calmly replied:
- Mister Colbert, follow me at a distance of at least thirty meters. I wish to speak with him one on one without witnesses. Let's go, Mister Captain.
After that, Philippe and d'Artagnan left the office and proceeded to d'Artagnan's carriage.
The captain opened the door of the carriage in which Louis sat, bound hand and foot, wearing an iron mask and gagged.
Francois modestly got out of the carriage and walked away to a respectful distance.
“Listen to me, my brother,” said Philip, after which Louis shuddered and looked at Philip with surprise and longing.
“My brother, you are not guilty of what our parents did to me,” Philip continued sadly. “That’s why I forgive you my decades of imprisonment in the Bastille.” But you are guilty of throwing me back to the Bastille, and then to Pignerol, knowing that I am your brother, who has the same rights to the throne as you. You have neglected my rights to a happy and free life, forcing me to lead the life of an unfortunate prisoner, forgotten by everyone and not having the slightest chance for even simple human happiness. Having every opportunity to send me at least to another country, into exile, anywhere, but not to prison, you still preferred to imprison me in a fortress as the most banal criminal, which I still am not. I have already served my sentence without guilt, so I am not embarrassed by guilt in front of you without punishment for it. I submit you to the fate that you deliberately prepared for me after you became aware of my existence. You did not forgive those people who served you faithfully, only because they retained feelings of friendship, duty and justice, and did not completely submit to you in everything, refusing to betray such concepts as friendship, honor and love. With such views of human values, you could not be a good King for such a great power as France is, and as I hope it will remain under my reign. Perhaps after a while you will understand me, and forgive me, and accept your fate. In this case, I promise that I will not leave you without my help and support. I will allow you to live the life of a free and honest person when it becomes possible. Now I want you to experience for yourself the cruel fate that they have prepared for me, into which they plunged me without any fault on my part, since one cannot blame a person only for the fact that he wished to return to himself the freedom that was taken away from him without any grounds, they were taken away vilely and secretly, trampling all laws, human and divine. I served my sentence without guilt, only for being born who I am. You will be punished for your guilt before me. It won't last forever, but don't expect it to be short. Perhaps one day you will return to your place, and I will disappear from France to a place where you, even with the power of the King of France, will not be able to reach me. You can still become King again. Devote the time that will serve you to atone for your guilt before me, thinking about your guilt and how you will rule the greatest state in Europe. Goodbye.
After these words, Philip closed the carriage door and indicated to Francois that he could take his place as a guard in it.
- Mister Colbert, come here! - said Philip, raising his voice.
Colbert immediately ran to Philippe.
Philip took the folder with papers from Colbert's hands and pulled out a blank sheet of paper. Colbert exposed his back, forming it into a kind of tabletop, after which Philip wrote the following text.

"The King's order to the captain of the royal musketeers, Count d'Artagnan
Return the prisoner Marchiali to the Pignerol fortress and hand him over to the commandant of the fortress, Monsieur de Saint-Mars, under personal responsibility.
In relation to the prisoner, comply with all previously prescribed measures, namely:
1. Wear an iron mask in all cases of contact with any people who come into contact with him to provide him with food, drink, clothing, and other needs.
2. Not to enter into any communication with anyone, including not to talk, not to correspond, not to give any signs, and not to exchange information in any other way.
Prisoner Marchiali is allowed to read and is allowed to remove his mask when he is alone and all contact with other persons is excluded, including contact through the windows of the fortress.
3. In addition to the previously taken measures, M. Captain of the Royal Musketeers Charles d'Artagnan is henceforth, immediately after the transfer of the prisoner to Pignerol, excluded from the number of persons who are allowed to communicate with the prisoner Marciali.

Signed: King Louis XIV of France"

After this, Philippe folded the order like an envelope, without giving Colbert the opportunity to read it, and in a sweeping hand wrote “ Order of the King” on its front side , after which he again put the same signature.
He casually showed this part of the document to Colbert, who only bowed respectfully and accepted the writing instruments from Philip’s hands.
- Mr. Colbert, you will proceed to Chancellor Seguier’s office so that he can stamp this order in your presence without reading it. You will confirm that the order was written by me in your presence. After this, return the order to Captain d'Artagnan. Go, Captain d'Artagnan will soon catch up with you with the order.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Colbert replied.
- Mr. Captain! - Philip said when Colbert walked away. “I apologize for sending you on a long and distant journey, but believe me, I can only entrust this important mission to you alone!” I understand that you are impatient to free your friends from the Bastille. I can assure you that I also want to do this as soon as possible.
“Then maybe we should free them first?” - asked d'Artagnan.
- Do you play chess, captain? - asked Philip.
“Not particularly, but I’m familiar with the rules,” answered d’Artagnan.
“Cardinal Richelieu loved this game very much, and I also devoted a lot of time to studying it and practicing it with myself,” Philip continued. — In chess there is such a rule as the order of moves. First one side makes a move, then the other, and so on in order.
“I don’t see any analogies, Your Majesty,” said d’Artagnan with some embarrassment.
“You and I, one might say, are making moves, one after another,” Philip continued. “But you can’t make the next move without completing the previous one, do you agree?”
“Undoubtedly,” answered the perplexed d’Artagnan. — I’m not good at chess, but it seems to me that you are right.
“ Releasing your friends is the next move, Captain d'Artagnan,” Philip explained. - But, you know, there is a move in chess called “castling.” Did you know about this?
“Yes, it seems that it can be on the long side and on the short side,” answered the captain.
“Well, then you will understand that moving one of the pieces in castling is not enough,” Philip explained. — There are two pieces involved in castling, and the move will be completed only when both of them change their position. If only one piece was moved, then this is only half the move.
“I understand you, Your Majesty, the move must be completed,” answered d’Artagnan.
“Quite right, captain,” Philip agreed. - And, besides, sometimes in order to save some pieces, it is necessary to create a threat to other pieces. In the same way, if you are concerned about saving one of the pieces at any cost, without noticing what is happening on the other flank, you may lose everything and not save the piece you were trying to save.
“I understand, Your Majesty,” agreed d’Artagnan. “The castling must be completed first, after which we can take care of saving two important pieces.”
“That’s right, Monsieur d’Artagnan,” agreed Philippe. “Don’t take my orders as a lack of confidence in you.” I have no doubt that you will carry out my order in any case. I just want that for everyone else, not only the witnesses of the game, but perhaps even the players, everything was according to the rules, in the right sequence, and safely leading to our final victory.
“I quite sincerely agree with you, Your Majesty,” replied d’Artagnan.
“Look at the order,” Philip continued. - What can you say about the handwriting in which it is written?
D'Artagnan unwrapped the envelope and looked carefully at the letter.
- One hand! - he said sincerely. “I would never have distinguished this handwriting from the handwriting of your brother, so familiar to me.” This is the King's handwriting! Let me from now on forget the name of Philip and call you Louis XIV , our King, not only in front of everyone, but also in private, if this happens again?
“Of course, captain, that’s the only way to do it,” Philip agreed.
After this, d'Artagnan came to Chancellor Seguier, where Colbert was already waiting for him. Warned about everything, the chancellor immediately put a seal on the royal order, without reading its contents.
After this, d'Artagnan left the Louvre and went to the barracks, where he chose twenty musketeers for his convoy and headed to Pignerol.
Francois served as a coachman, and at the same time as a lookout. Loaded pistols lay on either side of him. Ten musketeers rode in front of the carriage, ten behind, and in the carriage sat the King and d'Artagnan, who was guarding him.

Chapter 350

After half a day's journey, when the carriage had driven far enough away from Paris and entered an ordinary road, quite deserted, d'Artagnan invited Francois to get into the carriage and rest, and to replace him he offered one of the musketeers, whose horse was taken on the reins by his comrade.
- Mister d'Artagnan, you succeeded! - said Francois, as soon as he got into the carriage, completely ignoring the presence of the King in it.
- What exactly happened? - asked d'Artagnan.
- Replace the King, make a coup that no one knows about, save your friends, you succeeded in everything you planned! - Francois continued enthusiastically.
“Listen, Francois, sometimes you seem to me like a good guy, you seem to be savvy, brave, dexterous...” d’Artagnan said sadly. “Sometimes it seems to me that you’re just... Let’s just say, not experienced enough, naive.” In a word, I would not want to have such a son.
“Excuse me, captain, it seems to me that you wanted to call me a donkey,” Francois objected. - I have nothing against if you tell me the reasons for such an assessment of my mental abilities. If you did it just to have fun at my expense, then with all due respect...
“Sorry, son, I didn’t mean to insult you,” d’Artagnan said reluctantly. “And you know, this is the second time in my life that I apologize against my will, and the first time that I do this in order to avoid a duel.” I wouldn't like to kill you.
“Apology accepted, captain, but I will be the first to apologize to you, so that we can be even if you explain exactly what my mistake was,” said Francois.
“It won’t work that way,” the captain laughed. - First you will apologize so that we can be even, and then I will explain what your mistake was. Is it coming?
“Forgive me, Monsieur d'Artagnan, I simply do not have enough experience to correctly assess the situation,” Francois said calmly.
- Damn me, you are forgiven, but it seems to me that you are not a Gascon at all! At your age, I would never have admitted that I was wrong as easily as you did! - exclaimed d'Artagnan.
“I’m a Gascon, of course, it’s just that my mother raised me so that I wouldn’t be like my father.” She tried very hard to achieve this goal, and, as can be seen, she succeeded. Therefore, I am somewhat different from ordinary Gascons,” said Francois and smiled modestly.
“If your mother didn’t like your father, why the hell did she marry him?” - the captain was surprised. “Besides, how can a woman born in Gascony not like the Gascon character?” Or was she a visiting thing?
“I propose to discuss my family after you explain to me the reasons for your assessment of the situation, and, accordingly, conclusions about my ... insufficient experience,” Francois objected.
“Well, the plan is accepted,” agreed d’Artagnan. - So, I will state my understanding of the situation, and you ask questions if something is unclear to you. Sir, join our discussion and finally remove this disgrace!
With these words, d'Artagnan took off the King's iron mask and contemptuously threw it on the seat.
- Forgive me, Your Majesty, for not taking this pear out of your supreme mouth, which is preventing you from communicating with us fully, but, believe me, this is for reasons of your own safety.
The king muttered something displeased, to which d'Artagnan calmly replied:
— We will also discuss this issue, but a little later.
After that, turning to Francois, but not forgetting for a minute that Louis was hearing their conversation, d'Artagnan began to reason out loud.
“Imagine, young man, that I was exactly like you, a young and proud, but poor Gascon who came to conquer Paris.” The only thing I had was ambition and pride, the ability to use a sword and musket quite deftly, and very good horse riding skills. Of course, it seemed to me that I was magnificent as a soldier and impeccable as a man. I conquered Paris, trying to serve the wrong people, at the wrong time, and in the wrong way. I served my Queen Anne, defending her honor from the attacks of Cardinal Richelieu and from the jealousy of her husband, King Louis XIII. For the sake of these, as it seemed to me, holy goals, I sometimes allowed myself to stab one or two of the cardinal’s guards, who, in essence, were the same young and ambitious soldiers as I was at that time. Why did I do this? It seemed to me that my actions were the only right ones. If Queen Anne's honor demanded it, I was ready to die for her. And where are these ideals now? The queen, who refused simple friendship to the great Cardinal Richelieu, entered into a morganatic marriage with a pitiful shadow of this man, with Cardinal Mazarin. Forgive me, Your Majesty, for mentioning this. I then served Cardinal Mazarin without much success for my purse. And do you know what's eating me? After all, I fought against Richelieu, considering him unworthy of my serving him, and when he died, I suddenly learned that it was he who was the France that I loved and for which I fought, since the glorious King Louis XIII obeyed the cardinal in everything , and when Richelieu died, they began to call him the Great Cardinal to distinguish him from Mazarin, which was very accurate. Soon our glorious King Louis XIII also died , who outlived him by only six months and ten days! I served Mazarin, but comparing this second cardinal with the first was not in his favor! Richelieu was pretty cool, but after giving me a promise to leave me alone despite the insults inflicted on him, he kept this promise until his death! It was possible to deal with these nobles of the times of your august father, but I did not notice it! And now this young King. I'm talking about you, Your Majesty, and I understand that it is not polite to talk about those present in the third person. Please forgive me. I will address you as an interlocutor, but not as a King, since I am afraid you are no longer one. So, I knew you, Your Majesty, from a young age. I protected you as best I could from all the troubles that I could foresee and which I could resist. When the rebels of the Fronde wanted to look at their young King to make sure that he had not left Paris, I stood behind the curtain behind your bed with a sword in my hand, ready to pierce anyone who encroached on you, my King, Louis XIV. And now you, my infinitely adored King, announce to me that everyone I love and value in this world, all my three comrades in arms, with whom we went through fire and water, serving your father, your mother and you, must to be killed, and killed by me, the captain of your musketeers. But this is vile! I understand your anger at Monsieur d'Herblay, and if you had limited yourself to pursuing only this man, I would not have helped you arrest him, but I would never have raised my hand against you. I would have made every effort to protect him and save him from a harsh execution, as well as from prison, but if I had not succeeded, I would only blame myself, and the thought of taking revenge on you for what you destroyed my friend, doing it to protect themselves and their lives. I would consider this as a duel, a fair duel between two noble nobles. In a duel there are no more noble and less noble; if the nobles crossed swords, they are equal before Fate, luck and the art of war. It would be more difficult for me to forgive the death of Porthos, since this most noble man was drawn into the conspiracy by deception, and he would never have raised his hand against you, Your Majesty, if he had not been deceived. Therefore, after the conspiracy was exposed, and, mind you, exposed by me, and when the status was restored by me quo , you, Your Majesty, would show boundless justice, infinite courage and astronomical wisdom if you refused to pursue Baron du Valon. However, I must admit that Baron du Valon was also a rebel from the point of view of the law, he was your enemy, Your Majesty, and you had every right to persecute him for this. So I would not raise a hand against you even if you arrested Baron du Valon and even if you executed him. I confess that, in all likelihood, I would not have survived such a misfortune. But I would always have two consolations left. Firstly, the consciousness that your actions were fair, and secondly, I could die if my melancholy were so unbearable that it would make my further life meaningless, aimless and joyless. But then I will tell you, Your Majesty, words that were born of thoughts full of despair and loss of faith in the highest justice. These thoughts still burn my heart. You encroached on the lives of two people who did nothing wrong to you, who, on the contrary, suffered greatly from your actions, from your whim. You, who have everything you could want, and also have a magnificent beautiful wife, who was the best bride in all of Europe, you, for the simple satisfaction of your whim, destroyed the life of a young man in love, and at the same time his father. And so, instead of feeling guilty towards them, you feel hatred towards them. You are taking revenge on them for your meanness towards them. This is low, this is unworthy of the King. If you had taken up arms against my friends, who were not guilty of anything before you, I would have left the service and joined the rebels against you, I would have joined openly. I would do this in order to die with honor from the bullets or swords of your guards or musketeers, soldiers or officers. Because an honest officer and a true friend cannot calmly watch as his friends are destroyed without any guilt on their part. But it seemed to you that this was not enough. You, Your Majesty, have commanded me to carry out this mission. And so that I would not betray you, so that I would not help my friends avoid persecution, you prepared and showed me an order, already signed by you, which in the event of my death, accidental or deliberate, as in the case of my escape, would declare me state criminals not only Messrs . d'Herblay, du Valon, but also the Comte de La F;re, the Vicomte de Bragelonne and myself. All five of us in this case faced punishment much worse than death. You signed an order that in this case we and our descendants would be declared outlaws, our names would be disgraced for all time, our nobility would be annulled, our inheritance would be transferred to the treasury. You have taken away from us something more important than life! You took away our honor! Moreover, three of the five did not give any reason for such injustice, not counting friendly feelings for the other two. Do you know, Your Majesty, that the loyalty of true nobles, true officers rests not on salary, not on the expectation of a pension, not on handouts, not on orders, not on estates, not on granted ranks and titles, but only on one thing - on noble honor? By taking away our noble honor, you terminated the contract with us. Our oath of allegiance did not involve depriving us of honor. Every nobleman is obliged to serve his sovereign so long as it does not take away his honor, but not one iota further. As soon as you encroach on our noble honor, you terminate our contract of faithful service, you make us free from the oath of allegiance to you, you become nothing to us. By taking away our noble honor, you are taking us away from yourself. You left me a loophole. I had to betray my friends, and then my honor would not officially be harmed. But what about the heart? With my honor as an honest man and loyal friend? You wanted to make me a scoundrel, Your Majesty, and for this meanness they offered me a marshal's baton. Have thirty-five years of impeccable service really allowed me to be judged as Judas, who is ready to sell his friends for material wealth, for titles and positions at court? What have I been doing all this time if I created such a vile impression of myself? And here I am, Charles d'Artagnan, torn between the duty of friendship and the duty of loyal obedience, trying to combine both, but I am haunted by some inexorable fate that nullifies all my attempts, on the one hand, to protect my friends from the King, on the other hand, to protect the King from some of my friends. All my wonderful plans fail miserably, and I find myself in the Bastille, where my King, my idol, who was like a son to me in age, and like a father in his high position, a man for whom I could do anything, literally everything , I would not hesitate to give my life for him, but he asks too much - he asks that I give the lives of all three of my friends to please his fears, and moreover, to please his temporary lust, I also bring the life of my dear only son a friend, the Comte de La F;re, in fact the son of all four of us, since none of us, except the Count, by God’s will, have children. But even this was not enough for you! As I already said, you demanded that we put our noble honor on the altar of your lust - the honor of Athos, the honor of Raoul and mine! I find this unacceptable, but fate is against me. I bring to you, my King, evidence of the death of three of my friends, including the poor Viscount de Bragelonne, which I received completely by chance, which I myself believed! True, I admit, I already knew that things were not so bad, but didn’t I have the moral right to use this evidence to try to save my friends? Wouldn't you, Your Majesty, have done exactly the same in my place? If you did otherwise, then You, Your Majesty, do not deserve to have friends. And a King who has no friends should not be a King, because instead of friends he will surround himself with hangers-on, scoundrels, scoundrels, unworthy people. So, I provide sufficient evidence of the death of my three friends, but for you, Your Majesty, this is not enough for him, you demand the execution of my last friend, Bishop d'Herblay! You send spies to watch my every move even when, out of concern for your safety, I take your unfortunate brother to prison, to the fortress of Pignerol, where he should in no way end up, since he does not deserve it. Your people grab my friends, and you doom one of them to a long, painful death before my eyes, and me to the same death before his eyes. Can this be understood according to human and divine laws? And I asked myself: “D'Artagnan! Who do you serve? Who did you serve? What did you spend your life on, if not so that this man, your future inquisitor, would prosper and strengthen his power?!” And then I decided to avoid this outcome. I got out of the Bastille with Bishop d'Herblay, but I realized that I would not be happy in France while such an ungrateful King ruled in it, and I would not be happy outside of France either! And besides, two of my friends, Count de La F;re and his son, remained in the Bastille, and their fate, apparently, was planned by you with even greater cruelty. I thought that, apparently, you were planning to starve Raoul to death in the same way in front of his father, Comte de La F;re, and the Count himself - in front of his son Raoul. Perhaps this order is already being executed? Perhaps I won’t have time to save them? Perhaps they are both already dead? And I’m wasting my time bringing you in comfort to your next destination, instead of making you ride on horseback without stopping for food and lodging for the night! My heart is now breaking from these thoughts, but I can’t do anything except offer prayers to the Lord that this is not so! Over the past month I have heard promises of a damn marshal's baton, along with demands to pay such an exorbitant price for it, that I began to hate this very marshal's baton! Damn him, this damn rod! And be damned along with him the King, who demands to sacrifice honor for the sake of the marshal's baton . Sorry, Your Majesty, I'm talking about you. I didn’t want to offend you, I just wanted to insult you, the King, who wants to see a scoundrel in the post of Marshal of France! Does the path to becoming a marshal necessarily lie through meanness? Do you want to have a state in which the marshals are scoundrels? Such a state is doomed. Well, this is already a thing of the past, you are no longer the King, and if you ever become one again, my words will not change anything in my fate, regardless of whether I would tell you everything that I am saying now or keep silent. After all, even if I didn’t say any of this, you still won’t forgive me, and if you return to the throne, I won’t live.
The king was silent, having a gag in his mouth, but the look full of hatred that he initially threw at d'Artagnan gradually became less bitter, and at the end of the captain's speech he completely averted his eyes to the side.
“I won, are you talking about me, Francois?” - continued d'Artagnan. “But I didn’t declare this war!” This war was declared for me by those who were used to thinking for me, moving me like a chess piece across the squares: one step forward, one step sideways, one step back. Disgusting! Out of me, a soldier, an officer, they first made me a messenger to ensure impunity for the pranks of the royals, then an instrument in the fight against Paris and its people, and finally, they tried to turn me into an instrument for the execution of my friends. I didn’t make a decision, I just defended myself to the best of my ability, trying to avoid the most terrible outcome, choosing the lesser of two evils. From the disgusting and unbearable, I was forced to choose the disgusting. Well, I have overthrown one King and installed another in his place. Do you know what I want to do most, Francois, son? I want to let the King go in all directions and go wherever his eyes may lead.
At these words of d'Artagnan, Louis fidgeted restlessly, apparently hoping to convince the captain to carry out his intention.
- Don’t be afraid, Your Majesty, I won’t do this, calm down! - d'Artagnan joked, and then continued. “You see, my friend, we cannot do this, because then we will be immediately arrested, and along with us many other good people.” I figured the King's brother might be a better alternative. May be so. For me now the main thing is to save Athos and Raoul. I can’t think about what’s next. I don’t know if I can serve him faithfully, remembering every second that I put him on the throne dishonorably? Do you think he will be able to keep with him such a dangerous person who knows the terrible secret about the presence of a second copy of the King, who, if necessary, can be returned to his original place? Prince Philip said that someday he would probably be able to restore his brother Louis to his place, or improve his lot. He doesn't look stupid. Therefore, should I think that he is a deceiver? What happens, we replaced one satrap with another? Your Majesty, don’t be offended, I love it! Look at this, Francois! The Sun King, who commands states to wage war, who, with the stroke of a pen, can take away lives or give them, overturning the verdicts of his own court, this man, as soon as his hands and feet are tied and a gag is put in his mouth, becomes a pathetic, insignificant and worthless little man, killed which is worth nothing . But to kill a defenseless person is vile, and to kill the former King - I can’t even find a word for such an atrocity! And so I turn into a jailer! First, I am ordered to imprison the Count de La F;re in the Bastille, then I take the superintendent of finance, Mr. Fouquet, there, then I am ordered to arrest Athos and Porthos, my friends, after that I learn about the death of Porthos, and when it turns out that he somehow miraculously survived alive, for three years I am turned into the jailer of Mr. Fouquet, not such a bad man, whom the court sentenced only to expulsion from France, but the good King commutes this sentence to life imprisonment in Pignerol, where I am ordered to take this unfortunate former nobleman. When I carry out this unpleasant mission, I am ordered to arrest Athos and Raoul under pain of shame and loss of honor. I learn about their death and rush with this news to my King, but by pure chance I turn out to be a deceiver, after which I myself am taken to the Bastille by deception, where they promise to starve me to death in front of my best friend. And finally, when I find a seemingly acceptable solution, the new King sees no better use for me than to instruct me to take the former King to prison in Pignerol, instead of hastening to save my dear friends Athos and Raoul! And what do you think this says, Francois?
“I believe this proves that the new King fears the release of his double just as much as the former King did, doesn’t it?” - asked Francois.
“This proves that the new King is just as short-sighted as the old one.” Don't be offended, I beg you, Your Majesty! The fortress of Pignerol is most suitable for holding a prisoner of this kind. Well, think for yourself! It is so close to the borders of a not particularly friendly state! After all, if this state finds out about this, it can capture this prisoner and release it in order to sow confusion. Life is such that any state will only rejoice at the turmoil in a neighboring state, hoping to quietly grab a tidbit of land from it! If, for example, the Italians decided to weaken France by organizing a civil war in it, then nothing would be easier for them than with a small military force to secretly approach the Pignerol fortress, attack it and capture the prisoner. Then it is enough to declare him the true King of France, and you will get a civil war. Is this what you sought, Your Majesty, when you sent your brother Philip to this fortress? And is this what Philippe is now achieving by sending you, Your Majesty the real Louis XIV, to the same place? You could just as easily have taken Your Majesty abroad! The only thing Italians lack is information about this matter. Your Majesty, you have driven hundreds of soldiers to capture Monsieur d'Herblay, but if you have a network of spies, you should have known that Monsieur d'Herblay has already been to Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal, so that if you wanted to destroy everyone who is privy to your secret, then either you believe that Monsieur d'Herblay is not going to privy anyone to this secret, and in this case, all you would have to do is not pursue him, but come to an agreement with him about it so that he no longer uses it against you, or you don’t believe him in this, but then you should proceed from the fact that, at a minimum, the Spanish government is already privy to this secret, so by exterminating M. d’Herblay, you will only give away too much proof to the Spaniards that this man really was the bearer of some terrible secret, and was not a dreamer who had invented an incredible invention! Your actions are illogical, because you trusted too much those who should not be trusted, and did not trust those who could be trusted! And what do I see after your brother comes to take your place? He invites Mr. Colbert and appoints him as head of the French government with him. It’s great that he’s with himself and not above himself, but it’s very bad that, having removed one superintendent, he installs another, although in a nominally different position, but by no means with less powers. Excuse me! I'm tired of politics, I'm tired of military service, I'm tired of government decisions based on the ambitions of small people fighting for the attention of the sovereign and for their influence on him. That King or that one - what's the difference? I would have opened the doors and let you out, Your Majesty, and rushed to save Athos and Raoul, if I had not believed that by such an action I would either kill you or start a civil war where innocent citizens of France would die. What would you like to tell me? That you will give me some promises on the condition that I let you go? I am begging you! You showed me the value of your promises recently in the Bastille. In addition, I am sure that Colbert has already sent a dozen and a half spies after us, who are monitoring the movement of the carriage, its every turn, every change of horses. That’s why I took my carriage, because Colbert believes that I will never leave it, and will ride in it myself to the end, all the way to Pignerol. Funny, by God! The reason I didn’t use the carriage was because I felt more comfortable in the saddle, and not at all because I was saving it for some special occasion! You know, Your Majesty, putting something aside for a rainy day is, by God, not my thing! I prefer to think that a rainy day will never come, or to consider every day black in order to have the right to use what has been put aside, because I firmly believe that when this very rainy day comes, what has been put aside will still not be enough for it. Therefore, Your Majesty, only one circumstance prevents me from letting you go. This circumstance is Your Great Similarity to Your Majesty, that is, to You. Sorry for the pun. Putting an iron mask on you makes the chickens laugh! After all, the mask can be removed. Now, if it were possible to change your appearance so that you could never again become the cause of a civil war in France, then it would be fair and safe to let you go. Indeed, go somewhere abroad and live as a simple civilian, God be with you. Or do you believe that your brother Philip will arrive after some time and open the doors of your prison and say to you: “My brother, forgive me, let’s rule together”? Or even more fun - will he give up his place on the throne to you with the words “now it’s your turn”? Nonsense! Empty. I will not gouge out your eye or mutilate your cheek, cut off your lips or ears. It's cruel. But, you know, it would be better for you. Would you agree to permanently change your face, which would forever deny you the opportunity to use your likeness to regain your throne or to plunge France into civil war? In this case, you would have complete freedom. Or do you prefer, spending languid days in captivity, to hope that your appearance will one day allow you to return the lost throne? Life will pass in captivity, and this opportunity will never present itself. Think, Your Majesty, it’s not too late to radically change your life, but remain free. I have heard that in some countries, dyes are driven under the skin with needles, and the resulting patterns remain on the skin forever. I myself will not encroach on your face against your wishes, but you can do it, this is your right. You will lose your resemblance to yourself, but at the same time keep your face almost completely intact. How do you like this idea? Why are you silent? Is it just because I didn’t take this disgusting pear out of your mouth, or do you have nothing to say? Well, Francois, dear, we cannot torment the King any longer, he wants to breathe in a mouthful of air and tell us his opinion about us and our action. Attention, there will be a storm now. Careful, Your Majesty, I'm removing the gag.

Chapter 351

D'Artagnan expected that after he freed the august King from the gag, His Majesty would burst into monstrous abuse. But to his surprise this did not happen.
The king, although quite young, already knew how to control himself perfectly when he wanted it. A long stay in the position of a prisoner, that is, in a position in which he had once been for almost a whole day, when he had the opportunity to think everything over thoroughly, and when he had already fully imagined that this position of his would never change for the better, he became philosopher. He owed his miraculous salvation to d'Artagnan's foresight and loyalty, he did not forget this. If such a person had not happened to be among his courtiers, no one but him would have saved Louis. He would have been a lifelong prisoner of the Bastille or Pignerol, if not for d'Artagnan. And he, it seemed to him, appreciated the loyalty of this man.
But the truth was revealed to him in the frank statements of his captain.
Did he really appreciate this loyalty? Louis belatedly realized that he had acted in relation to this noble man exactly the opposite of what he should have done!
Indeed, d'Artagnan was the only person who proved by action that he was incorruptible, honest and faithful, that his loyalty did not rest on hopes of handouts, ranks, titles and orders. This man was loyal to the King simply out of conviction, solely due to his personal conviction that a noble should be loyal to his King.
All of France was full of people who thought completely differently. There were nobles in France, especially the most noble ones, princes, dukes and peers, who only wanted Louis to fall, to clear the way for them to even greater power. Those who did not want his fall did not want it out of respect, love or gratitude, but out of cold calculation. It was simply easier for these people to make their way to the top if Louis remained in power than if he was removed. There were also those who could easily change the owner depending on what would be more profitable for them. They could be faithful if they were convinced that it was beneficial, and they could be unfaithful if they were convinced of the opposite.
Louis, while d'Artagnan was speaking his tirade, simultaneously listened to his speech and asked himself the question: who in the kingdom was as faithful to him as d'Artagnan was until he lost patience?
Perhaps Marshal de Gramont was among them? This old man was probably just wiser than the others, he perfectly calculated that the legal heir of Louis XIII had a better chance of becoming the true King of France than all these dukes, princes, peers and marquises. They are only capable of creating a fuss around the throne, a crush. Among them there was no strong and confident person, authoritative and powerful, who had all the qualities to take the throne, snatching it from the young Louis XIV . If Henry de Guise, nicknamed the Marked, had been alive, such a person could probably have sowed one kind of trouble and another. If the Cardinal Duke de Richelieu had been alive, he would have become a support for the King, strengthened his power, and at the same time the state. If the Queen Mother were as sophisticated in intrigue as Catherine de Medici, she could probably keep the threads of government in her hands, but even in this case, this would not bode well for the rebels. On the contrary, taking into account the fact that Anna of Austria adored her eldest son, Louis, and only wanted to transfer the throne of France to him in a position no worse than what he got to her, no intrigue could lead to success more reliably than loyalty to the young King. The active actions of Cardinal Mazarin while he was alive strengthened this situation in favor of Louis, even though Mazarin was a thief, sneaky and on his own. All these qualities were small and insignificant traits of his character, his main and strongest aspirations were to be a faithful servant to Her Majesty the Queen Mother and the young King, and the entire family as a whole. Louis remembered that Mazarin valued d'Artagnan very much, never complained about him, always praised him and strongly recommended using him for any matter, especially the most important, complex and delicate, as well as urgent and secret.
How did Louis dispose of this wealth? Wasted it for nothing! He entrusted him with the only assignments possible, which under no circumstances should have been entrusted! At first he used it to overthrow another strong nobleman, whose loyalty, as it turned out, could not be doubted. Well, if with the help of d'Artagnan Fouquet was overthrown, a man whose overthrow no one expected, since everyone sincerely believed that it would simply be beyond the power of the young King, if this huge man was overthrown and reduced to a simple prisoner, all the more one should value d'Artagnan and be wary of making an enemy out of him. He should have tried with all his might to make him a friend, and only a friend, to maintain his loyalty with promises of further benefits, which from time to time should have come true, even if only half, a third, a quarter. His loyalty should not have been put to such a severe test!
He made three mistakes regarding d'Artagnan. Firstly, he did not reassure him, did not convince him that only the best awaits him both for what he has already done and for what he has to do. Secondly, he did not give him the promotion he deserved, at least for the fact that he saved his King! Never did the Duke de Luynes, nor the marshal and "Mr. Chief" favorite and minion de Saint-Mars, nor Saint-Simon, nor even Richelieu do for Louis XIII what the modest Gascon, captain of the musketeers Charles d'Artagnan did for Louis XIV . He should have been made a marshal right there! The next day! For him, perhaps, the title of Constable of France should have been revived. For the man who alone defended his King, could there be any limits as to how he should be rewarded? He should have been made a duke and given possessions! What did he do instead? This is where the worst thing comes - this is “thirdly!” After all, thirdly, Louis, not satisfied with the fact that d'Artagnan, who had shown exceptional insight and loyalty, devotion and enterprise, was not only not offended that he did not receive the proper reward, but he did not even seem to notice that he could would like to claim this. And instead of treating with the utmost care the only feeling that kept d'Artagnan faithful better than all the handouts - to the honor of the nobleman! “The king questioned this very honor!” With his own efforts he created all the conditions for his overthrow! Now he understood it. There was no point in being angry with d'Artagnan, he should have been angry with himself, because it was he himself who, through his erroneous actions, led to what happened.
To his awareness of wrongness, Louis added the fact that neither Athos nor Raoul threatened him, they could and should have been left alone, and Baron du Valon was indeed deceived, which Louis already knew for certain. His only enemy was I, d'Herblay, Bishop of Vannes, but d'Artagnan was right in that, having stayed for three years in Spain and having visited many other European states, I did not reveal this secret to anyone, and did not attempt to do so. to begin his plot again. If d'Artagnan did not help my arrest, then he, in any case, prevented the implementation of my plan, so that Louis could be sure that, provided he had complete confidence in d'Artagnan and did not cause him offense or insult, d'Artagnan would have been the first person who would have guarded the throne of Louis more reliably than anyone else, he would have become a three-headed Cerberus next to the throne of Louis XIV , if Louis himself had not pushed him away.
But Louis was still young, he was proud, he was the King, at least a day ago. Therefore, he was not used to admitting his mistakes, he could not immediately admit that he was wrong, and he did not know how to apologize, ask for forgiveness, and did not want to. He thought that admitting mistakes and asking for communication in a situation where he is not free is pointless, it will not be understood and will not be appreciated properly. Compliance at gunpoint is not valued very much. Admitting one’s wrong from a man with his hands and feet tied will not inspire confidence, such self-flagellation will not touch the heart of the captain of the musketeers, since the King understood that this heart had to first harden, or, in any case, lock itself in, it is closed to the King, a frank there will be no conversation.
Louis decided in advance that talking could not help the matter, just as he could not return a severed head with sympathy and poultices. Therefore, he decided to speak out after all, but to do it in an extremely calm voice. Mazarin taught him that no one hears the voice of anger, while the voice of reason always speaks quietly, so quiet speech is more likely to be perceived as reasonable than shouting.

“Captain d’Artagnan,” said Louis. “No matter what you say, you violated your oath.” Whatever rights to the throne my brother had, they crowned my head, I am God’s anointed, therefore the crown of France belongs to me and only me, anyone else who steals it from my head is a usurper, and anyone who contributed to this is a state criminal. Even my august mother the Queen recognizes herself as my subject and submits to my will! Philip, my brother, is just the brother of the King, and nothing more, he is not a King before the Lord. You not only had the audacity to vilely kidnap me, after which you also imagined that you could afford to lecture me, you are a state criminal, according to the laws of my state, you should be executed. I understand that I am in your hands, that you can kill me at any moment, but you cannot force me to stop being your King. You will not force me to renounce power and take monastic vows. You can become my killer, the new Fran;ois Ravaillac or Jacques Cl;ment. If you escape execution in this world, even more terrible punishment awaits you in the next world. Know, whether you kill me now, or later, or take me to prison, the Lord will punish you, and I also do not exclude that the earthly court will punish you even earlier, for it is said that everything secret sooner or later becomes clear. There is no point in me cursing you, since all of France would curse you if they knew about your villainy.
After these words, the King fell silent and closed his eyes as a sign that the conversation was over.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for not screaming, otherwise I would have had to use the gag again,” answered d’Artagnan. “I don’t advise calling my musketeers for help, they were warned that I’m carrying a crazy man who imagines himself the King of France, so at the slightest attempt to free himself or call for help from anyone, and above all my people, I believe the gag is on my own.” place, and I will also put an iron mask on you. This is what I wanted to tell you regarding our behavior with you, and if you understand and accept this, you will be able to travel further with greater comfort than if you resist.
Louis did not want to be gagged again, and he did not doubt d'Artagnan's determination, so he did not answer.
“You are absolutely right, Your Majesty, in your accusations,” continued d’Artagnan. - However, I must note that you completely did not take into account the information that I had the honor to tell you before the start of your speech. If you don't mind, we'll ride in silence for a while. I see you don't mind. In an hour we will arrive at the house where we will spend the night. Think finally about what you choose – a tattoo or lifelong imprisonment. I must remind you that the order of Philip, your brother, who continues to rule as Louis XIV, did not give you this choice, so by offering it, I am committing another rebellion, but I am no stranger to it. I forgot to tell you that your brother’s name is Louis-Philippe, as well as the fact that according to the laws of France, twins have equal rights, so he has every right to be called Louis, both according to the laws of man and according to the laws of God. Regarding the coronation, the people, the church and the nobility have been deceived into believing that you, Your Majesty, are the undisputed heir to the throne. If the Royal Council had known about the existence of your twin brother, who had equal rights to be crowned with you, then the coronation would have taken place differently. History knows precedents when two brothers with equal rights sat on the throne intended for one person. I do not exclude that this will probably happen in the future, since the birth of twins is not such an impossible thing, it happens from time to time, and I see no reason why it should not happen again someday with the birth of an older offspring some monarch. One way or another, we have not made peace with you, and you are in my power, I am not one of those people who retreat in the face of difficulties, or change their plans without good reason. I replaced you in order to save my friends, and if I succeed, we may return to the question of your future fate. If, through your fault, I do not have time to save them and they die, your fate will not change for the better. I will not lift a finger to do something good for you. I will leave you to your Fate. Let Heaven decide whether you should live as a King, or remain an eternal prisoner, whether to return to you the fate that Richelieu has prepared for you, or whether to live the life that he chose for your brother. Remember, Your Majesty, that the difference between your fate and the fate of your brother depended on such a small thing! If your brother had been born first, you would have spent your whole life in prison as a prisoner. Would you consider your fate fair in this case? Or what if Cardinal Richelieu thought that your brother had more rights to the throne than you? If you had been born less healthy than your brother, Richelieu would probably have destined this terrible fate for you rather than for your brother. We all walk under the Lord, and, as the Holy Books say, not a single hair will fall from anyone’s head unless the Lord, our Savior, wants it! We are just a tool in his hands! So everything that happened to you is not just Fate, it is God’s providence. Humble yourself and pray to Him, perhaps He will have mercy and return to you everything that was taken from you by Fate and a little by me, who volunteered to help her for reasons well known to you.

Chapter 352

After a long silence that reigned at the end of d'Artagnan's emotional speech, the captain turned to Francois with a question in order to somehow defuse the atmosphere.
“By the way, my friend, you were going to explain something to me,” he reminded. - Why doesn’t your mother like the Gascon character? Was one of her acquaintances such a scoundrel that she transferred her hatred to all his fellow countrymen? She forgets that our good King Henry IV was a B;arnian, which is almost a Gascon. So the current good King, who is now sitting in front of you, is also a bit of a Gascon.
- Oh, it's a very simple story, captain! - answered Francois. “My mother’s husband was thirty-five years older than her, and she never loved him, and entered into marriage under the coercion of her guardian, since her parents were dead by that time.
“Well, this happens, but, as I see it, the age difference did not prevent the worthy Monsieur de Perrin from marrying such a wonderful young man as you are,” the captain smiled.
“My mother’s husband has nothing to do with my birth,” Francois answered with some embarrassment. — She had one young and frisky friend. It was from him that she gave birth to me.
- Well, let's not blame her. If a man takes a wife thirty-five years younger than himself, he must be prepared for such a turn. I would still understand the difference of thirty years... But thirty-five is too much! Moreover, if his wife didn’t like his character so much, then it’s a mess.
“As for the Gascon character, she was irritated precisely by the character of this young friend, who, as I already said, was my father,” objected Francois.
- And he, this lover of hers, therefore beat her, or often cheated on her? - asked the captain.
“Neither one nor the other,” answered Francois. “He just played tricks with her, and then one fine day he jumped on a horse and left to conquer Paris.”
“There’s nothing strange in this, because you did the same too, didn’t you?” - asked the captain.
“Perhaps, but before this I have not fathered any child with any resident of Gascony!” - answered Francois.
- How can you be sure of this? - D'Artagnan grinned.
“Yes, I just remember all my days and all my nights,” answered Francois, “In any case, those that I did not spend alone.”
- Well, I can’t assume that you have so little experience in communicating with women, because you are a Gascon! Therefore, you have a good memory, buddy, for which I congratulate you! - D'Artagnan answered with a laugh. - Thousand devils! Oh, sorry, Your Majesty! I just wanted to say that at your age I had an excellent memory, but not so good that I remembered all the girls with whom I spent time from dinner to breakfast! However, I remember all the pretty and slender ladies very well by name, even if they never looked at my face against the background of the ceiling of their house.
- In this case, you probably remember Vevienne de Fezansac? - asked Francois.
— Vevienne de Fezansac? Baby Vivienne?! - cried the captain. - My God! Of course I remember! She was truly a beauty! But what does she have to do with it? After all, you are called de Perrin, not de Fezansac? - the captain was surprised.
“My mother was widowed long before I was born, and this is the name of my mother’s second husband, my stepfather, who adopted me and gave me his name,” Francois answered simply.
- So you are the son of Vevien Fezansak? - asked the captain. - What was your father's name? The real father, that young Gascon scoundrel who abandoned her?
“His name was Charles de Castelmore, Mister Captain,” answered Fran;ois.
- Damn it! Vivien's son! How old are you? - cried d'Artagnan.
“I turned twenty-two, Mister Captain, recently,” answered Francois.
- Exactly! Strike me with thunder! Francois! Hug your father! - exclaimed the captain.
- This one? - Francois asked in disbelief, pointing his hand at the bound King.
- Yes, me, me, damn you! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “After all, I visited your mother out of old memory about twenty-three years ago or a little less!” Damn it! I don't regret it at all! Francois, my dear! That's why they find us so similar!
“It seems to me that your nose, Mister Captain, is much larger than mine...” Francois said slyly.
- Go to hell!!! - D'Artagnan said cheerfully, hugged his son and laughed so hard that the carriage shook.
- Do you know what, sir? - the captain turned to Louis. - By God, on such an occasion I would let you out on all four sides, and let it all go to hell!
Louis looked hopefully into the captain's eyes.
- I would gladly let you go, I swear on my honor! But I can’t,” the captain said sadly. - First, I must save Athos and Raoul. Secondly, you will be killed by those spies who are probably coming after us. Your Colbert, by God, interferes too zealously in matters that do not concern him. If and when you regain the throne, rein it in, it is in your interests, Your Majesty. Thirdly, if they don’t kill you, then only if they recognize you as the King of France, but in that case you will execute your brother, and that doesn’t suit me either. Fourthly, if they don’t kill either you or your brother, then so many people in France will die in internecine wars that it would be better for me to strangle you with these own hands. So, I can't go for it.
“Kill me now and all your problems will end,” said the King. “And besides, you won’t have to fear my return to the throne.”
“I, Your Majesty, am not afraid of anything, or almost nothing,” answered d’Artagnan. “But “not to be afraid” does not mean “not to be afraid.” After all, fear is the anticipation of trouble, which allows us to take timely measures to prevent it or reduce damage. And fear is a mental state that prevents you from acting when it is necessary to act. But one should not be offended by Kings and jesters, so I think that you just accidentally used the wrong word. Please note that I am not the person who is capable of killing the King, even if he has been dethroned. This sets me apart from the British. I would rather kill myself than you. But I don’t intend to let you out either, so if I see that I can’t prevent your escape, I’ll probably take the example of the British, since I really don’t like civil wars. The war of the three Henrys for power caused such enormous damage to France that I am generally surprised how my father managed to survive in it, so that after a decade and a half, together with my mother, he could give birth to me. I am not a supporter of wars in general, although I am a military man, and nothing could be worse than a civil war. In addition, it just occurred to me that if I were so stupid as to release you and you regain the throne, then you would execute both me and my son, and I am not used to losing sons as soon as I have gained them. You know, they don’t throw away their sons, these are not some kittens for you. But taking you to Pinerol would be extremely stupid. One thing remains. No matter how sorry I am to part with Francois, having barely found him, and no matter how sorry I am to part with you, Your Majesty, while you are so sweetly silent, I will still allow you to leave you for a while and entrust it to my son. Francois, dear, from now on you are Captain d'Artagnan, who is taking his captive Abbot d'Herblay to the Pignerol fortress. At the nearest convenient place I will leave you and set up a small ambush for those who are traveling behind us, and they are coming, you can be sure of it. Once I know who they are and how many there are, we will decide what to do. If I don’t catch up with you, we’ll meet in Lyon, at the Silver Sword inn.
D'Artagnan was right; the spies sent by Colbert were indeed following in the footsteps of his carriage.
I have already written about the fact that Colbert did not have any love for d’Artagnan, and he did not have it very actively. To say that his personal dislike for the captain of the royal musketeers sometimes went off scale would not be an accurate enough description; one should use more assertive terms. When the King needed d'Artagnan in order to get rid of Fouquet, Colbert showed extreme courtesy and goodwill towards d'Artagnan, but it was a forced politeness. He valued d'Artagnan, as a traveler would value a stick with a slingshot at the end, with the help of which he neutralized a snake preparing to attack him, pressing its head to the ground. But now that the snake was neutralized, the slingshot was no longer needed.
This is exactly how Colbert treated people below him on the hierarchical ladder - as a tool for his actions.
But Captain d'Artagnan had no intention of becoming lower in importance than Colbert. He didn't fit into his scheme. Moreover, he seized the position of captain of the royal musketeers, which Colbert was eyeing for his nephew. Imagine how the Minister of Finance, who is aiming for the post of First Minister, can relate to some captain of musketeers who spends more time with the King than this very minister, who, as Colbert noted, has much more influence on this King than Minister Colbert himself?
It was Colbert who arranged the surveillance of d'Artagnan. He did not know exactly his guilt before the King, when this guilt consisted only in the fact that he remained my friend and the friend of Porthos. Colbert did not know the reasons why the King declared me an enemy of the state, a criminal, why he wanted to arrest me. He believed that my whole fault was that I was Fouquet's friend.
On this basis, Colbert drew his conclusions. If the King is persecuting me, the Bishop of Vannes, simply because I was friends with Fouquet, then, in Colbert’s opinion, all Fouquet’s friends should be persecuted.
D'Artagnan, during the time he was guarding Fouquet, managed to develop sympathy for him, so that, unlike most people performing the functions of escorting a criminal, he did not look for the slightest opportunity to show severity towards the escorted person, but, on the contrary, looked for the slightest opportunity to ease Fouquet's lot wherever possible. He did not believe that the prisoner should be limited in everything possible, but, on the contrary, believed that Fouquet was allowed everything that was not prohibited.
In the eyes of the King it was noble, legal and humane, therefore right. In Colbert's eyes, this was a crime. It was Colbert who turned the King against d'Artagnan, but he succeeded very poorly. For this reason, he organized surveillance of d'Artagnan in the hope that at least something bad would be revealed. And luck smiled on him. His spies reported to him that d'Artagnan had met with Baron du Valon, who was first declared a state criminal and then dead. Then luck smiled on Colbert. He learned that of the three spies who, among others, were sent to monitor d'Artagnan during his assignment to arrest me and Porthos, three of these spies were recruited by me. One of them, de Trabuson, came to Colbert to confess and denounced the other two - du Chantet and d'Aunay. Colbert rewarded de Trabuson and ordered him to carry out my instructions strictly, but to inform him of all these instructions. De Trabuson told Colbert about the network of dovecotes I had created and my use of pigeon mail. At his instigation, de Trabuson, with the help of his cunning wife, adopted this trick from me, for which, by orders of Colbert, his own dovecotes were built in large cities of France, and the pigeons were carried by postmen, so that at any time Colbert had pigeons from different cities, which allowed him to quickly send orders to various cities to his agents and spies.
Finally, it was by order of Colbert that de Trabuson villainously killed Lieutenant d'Aunay. True, in fairness, I must stand up for Colbert in this case - he ordered that d'Aunay be neutralized. Colbert had in mind an order to arrest Lieutenant L'Aunay, but de Trabuson understood this order in his own way and overdid it. However, again, for the sake of fairness, I will note that for this abuse of power de Trabuson was not only not punished, but was also awarded. Therefore, when d'Artagnan said that Colbert's spies could follow in the footsteps of the carriage carrying the captive King to Pignerol, who could easily kill both d'Artagnan himself and the King, this was not an exaggeration. However, this is what my next chapter is about.

Chapter 353

On the day of d'Artagnan's departure, together with the King, Francois and the escort musketeers, Monsieur Colbert received de Trabuson.
“I know your exploits, Second Lieutenant de Trabuson,” said Colbert. “For the fact that you brought the Bishop of Vannes to me, I paid you only with money.” Forgive me for my forgetfulness, I intended to pay with something better.
- What could be better than money? - asked de Trabuson. “The amount of the reward is quite sufficient, Mr. Colbert, but I will not refuse a bonus if Your Grace appreciates my work.”
“In your opinion, the amount may be sufficient, but by my standards, we have not finished our accounts, Monsieur de Trabuson,” Colbert objected. “I’m going to continue to use your services, so get this,” with these words Colbert gave de Trabuson an envelope.
Opening the envelope, de Trabuson took out a patent for the post of lieutenant of the royal guard.
- Oh, monsignor! Very grateful! - exclaimed de Trabuson.
- Thank you, monsignor! This is everything I could have dreamed of! - exclaimed de Trabuson, clutching the patent to his chest.
“It’s unfortunate, Lieutenant, that your dreams don’t go as far as my plans for you,” Colbert said dryly. - In that case, you can be free.
- Your Mightiness! - exclaimed de Trabuson. - I will not let you down! Any orders that Your Lordship deems necessary to give me will be executed immediately and to the letter!
“Well, captain, in that case, sit down and listen to me very carefully,” said Colbert. - The captain of the royal musketeers, the Count d'Artagnan, known to you, must take the secret prisoner to the Pignerol fortress. Do you understand me well, Lieutenant de Trabuson? I suspect something is wrong with this prisoner. Perhaps this is one of Monsieur d' Artagnan's friends, and then he may try to fake his escape. This must not be allowed! Who do you think it could be?
“Perhaps this is the former Bishop of Vannes, d’Herblay?” - asked de Trabuson.
- D'Herblay? - Colbert was surprised. - Why on earth would His Majesty make a secret of the arrest of this man, whom he himself declared a state criminal three years ago and sent very serious forces to arrest him? Moreover, there is no point in hiding this man’s face. Moreover, from me, who prepared the order to arrest him!
- After all, this is a very important person! - replied de Trabuson. - He is some kind of significant person in the hierarchy of some secret structure! The ship's captain obeyed his order in defiance of military discipline!
- How about that? Colbert asked. - Why did you keep silent about this and didn’t tell me earlier?
- I'm sorry, Your Grace! - de Trabuson stammered.
- Give me back my patent, Lieutenant! - Colbert ordered.
De Trabuson returned the lieutenant's patent with a trembling hand, his whole face expressing the deepest sorrow and repentance.
- Do you remember the name of the ship's captain? Colbert asked.
“It was Captain d’Argenson,” replied de Trabuson.
Colbert, with a sharp movement, tore the lieutenant's patent along with the envelope into four parts and threw the pieces into the wastebasket.
“I'm dead! - thought de Trabuson. “The devil compelled me to express my guesses and tell everything I know about this matter!”
Meanwhile, Colbert took out some paper from a red folder and wrote a few words on it, after which he handed the paper to the stunned de Trabuson. The would-be guard lieutenant tremblingly took this document, but barely looking at it, he felt joy filling his heart. It was a patent for the position of senior lieutenant of the guard, in which his name, de Trabuson, was inscribed.
- Your Mightiness! - exclaimed de Trabuson. - Thank you very much! Glad to serve Your Lordship, order whatever you please!
“I am pleased with you, Senior Lieutenant de Trabuson,” Colbert replied. - What else can you tell about this mysterious case when Captain d'Argenson betrayed his duty?
“The other two officers did exactly the same,” replied de Trabuson. - Two lieutenants of the royal guard, who had with them the same letters that I had.
- Their names? Colbert asked sharply.
“Lieutenant du Chante and Lieutenant d'Aunay,” replied de Trabuson.
- So that’s when they went into his service! - Colbert said thoughtfully. “Why didn’t you tell me these details before?”
“ I informed Your Lordship that these officers cannot be trusted, and that they are completely subordinate to the Chevalier d'Herblay,” de Trabuson stammered. “I didn’t think that the details of their betrayal were so significant and important.”
“Remember, Senior Lieutenant de Trabuson, everything that concerns the Chevalier d’Herblay is significant and important,” Colbert said deliberately clearly. - Absolutely everything, even such little things as the details of his clothing, hairstyle, sleeve trim, rings, belt, buckle, in other words, everything, absolutely everything!
“I remembered that d’Herblay made some strange sign with the fingers of his right hand at the beginning of our conversation with him, and, apparently, expected that this would somehow affect me,” said de Trabuson. “Besides, he casually showed me his ring.”
- What kind of ring? - Colbert, suddenly animated, asked sharply. - With a stone? With pattern? Signet? Describe in more detail!
“It was a strange ring, like a signet, but it also had precious stones of various colors that emphasized the design,” said de Trabuson.
-Can you draw a pattern? - asked Colbert, pushing de Trabuson paper, pen and inkwell.
“I will try, Your Grace,” replied de Trabuson.
After this, he depicted a pattern on the ring in the form of a circle, from which thirty-two rays emanated in all directions, making this circle look like the Sun. Straight rays alternated with curved ones, and the rays directed strictly up, down and to the sides were straight, as were three more rays between them, the remaining sixteen rays were curved. In the center of the circle were three capital letters IHS , below them were three nails, unfolded in the form of a fan, heads up, the crossbar of the middle letter “ H ” was crossed by a cross, the ends of which resembled the Maltese cross, but the aspect ratio was more like that of a Byzantine cross.
“Head Jesuit,” Colbert said. “Now answer me, Senior Lieutenant de Trabuson, answer as accurately as possible, remember carefully whether this cross in the center of the figure was just a cross, or was it a crucifix?” Have you noticed the figures of the Savior on top of the cross?
- Yes exactly! - recalled de Trabuson. — This was not just a cross, but a crucifix, a cross with the executed Savior on it.
— What stones decorated this ring? Colbert asked.
“I don’t know much about stones,” said de Trabuson. — It seems there was one diamond, and the other stones were colored. All the stones were the same size, quite large and transparent, they sparkled extraordinarily beautifully. One was colorless, another was yellow, the third was sky blue, the fourth was pink.
“Signs of the Sun, Heaven, Water and Blood of Christ,” said Colbert. — These are very rare stones. They were all diamonds, colored diamonds. They are not so easy to get. It is impossible to fake such a ring. This was the general of the Jesuit Order. And you, knowing this, remained silent for three years and did not tell me about it?
- Va-va-your Highness, I didn’t know it was so important! - muttered de Trabuson, who began to stutter out of fear.
- What else did you forget to tell me? Colbert asked. - Remember every word he said!
“I’ll try, but I need to concentrate,” replied de Trabuson.
“I give you twenty minutes to remember and write down everything you know about the Chevalier d’Herblay,” Colbert said sharply. “Do you know for sure that d’Aunay and du Chantet went into d’Herblay’s service precisely after that conversation?” Before this, did you have any suspicions against them?
- None, Your Grace! - exclaimed de Trabuson. “As for D'Aunay, he is no longer dangerous.
“I know,” Colbert de Trabuson rudely interrupted. - You overdid it. I should have acted more carefully. But what's done is done, and maybe it's for the better. I don't blame you for this. It would be worse if he did this to you. Let's assume it was self-defense, right?
- That's right, Your Grace! - exclaimed de Trabuson. “He attacked me unexpectedly and for no reason!” I barely dodged it. If I were unlucky, I would have died from his first blow. I miraculously escaped because his sword came across the buckle of my sword belt and slid across my ribs. Bleeding, I was forced to defend myself with a weapon in my hands, and only in defense of my life did I strike him, which, to my deep regret, turned out to be fatal.
- Is that so? - Colbert asked with obvious disbelief. “And could you show me the terrible wound that Lieutenant d’Aunay inflicted on you?”
“Yes, of course,” muttered de Trabuson. - But take off your doublet here, in the presence of Your Lordship. Not quite convenient.
“Leave it, I believe you,” Colbert lied. “Give me back your patent for the title of senior lieutenant of the guards and immediately begin writing down everything you know about d’Herblay, and hurry up, you have seventeen minutes left.” After that you will receive this from me.
With these words, Colbert showed de Trabuson a patent for the position of captain of the royal guard.
- Thank you, monsignor! - exclaimed de Trabuson with even greater enthusiasm. - I am your eternal servant, until the end of my days!
“Write, write, and keep in mind that today there will be no other patents,” Colbert replied, after which he wrote de Trabuson’s name into the captain’s patent, and also tore the previous patent into four parts and sent it to the basket with another torn patent.

At the end of the allotted time, de Trabuson handed Colbert notes of everything that he could remember, as well as what he had managed to invent in order to present himself in the best light and to denigrate me, as well as du Chantet and especially d'Aunay.
Colbert ran his eyes over the document he had received from de Trabuson, nodded and hid it in the table.
 
“You will follow Captain d’Artagnan,” he said. - Take two guards with you, just in case. You are not going to fight him, but to keep an eye on him, so don’t get carried away, don’t play chase. He is riding in a carriage, you can easily catch up with him. I don’t yet know what exactly, but I am convinced that the damned Gascon is deceiving me, that he has started some kind of hellish intrigue. I can't figure it out, but it's a matter of time. I have enough people all over France. You are not the only one, as you must have realized by now. He's not only deceiving me, I bet he's deceiving the King too! And if I understand the intricacies of his plans, I can finally get rid of him. Get rid of it by the hands of the King. As for Monsieur d'Herblay, we must be careful. There are great forces behind him.
“If he is the man whom Captain d'Artagnan is taking to the Pignerol fortress, he will undoubtedly let him go! - thought Colbert. - If he reaches the fortress with him, then the two of them planned to free Fouquet! For what? Clear as day! They will ask for help from Italy, or Spain, Portugal, England, Holland, and all together will march on Paris. For what? To imprison your King. Who? Well, Fouquet, of course! And not d'Artagnan. But then who? Philip of Orleans? No, he won't do that! Well of course I understand! The Duke de Beaufort did not die at all! He's alive! And d'Artagnan intends to put him at the head of the rebels! And Fouquet and d’Herblay will help him in this.”
“You must catch up with the captain’s motorcade and, following him secretly, keep an eye on him,” Colbert said to de Trabuson. “You must understand his intentions and prevent them from being carried out, whatever they may be!” Do you understand me, Captain de Trabuson? Do you understand the importance of your mission? Repeat, what is my order?
- Follow d'Artagnan, kill d'Artagnan? - asked de Trabuson.
“That’s possible,” Colbert agreed. “But it would be much better to convict him of conspiring against the King.” You won’t be able to arrest him on your own, even if I give you a hundred guardsmen. Besides, the guards wouldn't go against him so easily. This devil is very popular among their ranks, and let’s not even talk about the musketeers. But if you bring me evidence of his conspiracy, I'll take over the rest. Marshal de Gramont has enough troops to curb the rebel!
“I will find out everything and report everything to Your Lordship,” de Trabuson cheerfully cried.
“Yes, of course,” Colbert agreed. - Just don’t get distracted by little things in this case. Remember his every step, write it down, but don’t stop watching him. For this you will need guards. Select the most reliable and savvy. So, if d'Artagnan releases the man whom he is allegedly escorting to the Pignerol fortress, you will kill him and report to me the result. If d'Artagnan delivers this man to Pignerol and surrenders him to the custody of the commandant of the fortress, Monsieur de Saint-Mars, you will take this man and bring him to me, here. I will prepare an order for you to this effect signed by the King. Yes, don’t be surprised, the King will sign my order, even if he doesn’t know what’s in it, he’s already done this more than once. Do you understand everything, de Trabuson?
- Everything is completely clear, monsignor! - replied de Trabuson.
“Apparently, I was hasty in promoting you to captain,” Colbert said with annoyance. - Why don’t you ask me what to do in case of the third scenario?
- Third option? - asked de Trabuson. - What is the third option?
- Think, de Trabuson, don’t disappoint me! After all, you are the captain of the guards, aren’t you? So, the first option is to release him, the second option is to put him in custody. What's the third option?
- Kill? - de Trabuson guessed.
“ You play a fool very skillfully, Monsieur de Trabuson, but at the present time something else is required of you.” If d'Artagnan had intended to kill his prisoner, he could have done it last night or this morning. Besides, as far as I know, these students of de Treville do not kill unarmed people. No, that's not it. Can't you guess about the third possibility?
“Forgive me, monsignor, but I can’t understand what can be done with a person if you don’t kill, don’t let him go, and don’t put him in prison?” - de Trabuson allowed himself to ask a question, himself frightened by his insolence and slow-wittedness.
— You can go abroad together with him. It can be armed and directed against a common enemy. Have you thought about such possibilities, Captain de Trabuson? “Colbert hissed these words almost in the face of the newly made captain with such fury that de Trabuson decided that his last patent would now be taken away from him and torn, and not without reason.
“Your Grace named two more possibilities,” de Trabuson only muttered.
“It’s all the same thing, because watching from the outside you won’t be able to distinguish one from the other,” Colbert said with tired irritation. - If these two go together somewhere other than the prescribed place, this will mean a third opportunity. Lord, your will! Why are there so many idiots in our army who cannot construct the simplest logical chain?
“Army officers are not trained to construct logical chains,” thought de Trabuson. “They are only required to carry out the orders of their superior officers, giving orders to lower officers and soldiers for this purpose.” He was smart enough not to say it out loud.
“You won’t be able to arrest d’Artagnan, but this does not exclude the possibility that a random bullet fired from an ambush by a well-aimed shooter could not put an end to his intrigues,” Colbert said. “If these two go somewhere other than where the prisoner is ordered to be placed, you will try to find out their intentions and prevent them, whatever they may be.” Just don’t bring the situation to such a state where you can no longer prevent them from their actions or at least report everything to me in a timely manner. Well, or at least shoot them both from an ambush. Since the invention of muskets, even the best fencers have a chance to die even at the hands of an opponent who fences much worse or even not at all. And the possibility of being shot in the back from an ambush makes such an initiative practically safe. As soon as you feel that they have the slightest opportunity to sneak away from you, finish with them. Even if you finish them off a little earlier than you should have, without even collecting sufficient evidence of their guilt, I will not be too angry with you, but if you miss them, you will be sent to serve as a simple soldier in a penal company. However, if you do more for me than just kill these two, you can become a major. This is something more: to fully understand d'Artagnan's plans, and not only to prevent their implementation, but also to expose his criminal nature before the King. In the event that he releases his prisoner, who undoubtedly is d'Herblay, you can kill both, but if in addition you bring proof of his act, you will be a major. In the event that he leaves his prisoner in the fortress, you are not allowed to kill d'Artagnan, unless ... - Colbert hesitated. — Unless a random stray bullet does it for you. But in this case, the most important thing that will be required of you is to bring the said prisoner to me, safe and sound, but bound hand and foot, gagged and with a bag on his head. In that case, you will be a major. No, in that case you will be a colonel. Tomorrow morning come for a letter to Saint-Mars, you will easily catch up with d'Artagnan, since he is riding in his carriage, and he will not abandon his own carriage. In addition, Messrs. d'Elsorte and de Lortie are given your assistance.
— Senior Lieutenant D'Elsorte? - asked de Trabuson.
- What's the problem? After all, you are now a captain! Colbert recalled.
- Yes, Your Grace! May I go, monsignor?
“Go, go,” Colbert replied.
When de Trabuson closed the doors of Colbert's office, the last remark of the owner of the office reached his ears.
- Blockhead! - said Colbert, unable to restrain himself and thus throwing out his anger at the fact that something was happening around him that was not entirely clear to him.
“Well,” thought du Trabuson. “The jump from junior lieutenant to captain in one day is worth being called a fool behind your back.” In my absence, he can call me names as much as he wants! - then, after thinking for a while, he mentally added, “In my absence, he can even beat me!”

Chapter 354

Arriving home, de Trabuson proudly laid out his patent for captain of the royal guard in front of his wife.
- Mister Colbert personally awarded me this title! - he said.
- How, Didier?! Bypassing the ranks of lieutenant and senior lieutenant, did you become captain from junior lieutenant in one fell swoop? - Madame Olivia de Trabuson, who was well versed in military ranks and more, was surprised.
— I consistently visited all these ranks. Mr. Colbert gave me patents for these ranks, and almost immediately tore them up, replacing them with patents for a higher rank,” Captain de Trabuson said proudly. - Your Didier is still capable of something! And by the way, Senior Lieutenant D'Elsorte is now my subordinate! And besides, Lieutenant de Lortie! They have already been warned and are preparing for the trip. Tomorrow morning we are going on a hike with them, most likely to Pignerol.
- To Pignerol, in such a wilderness? - Madame Olivia de Trabuson pouted. “I could go with you if they sent you to a more decent place.” By the way, I hope no one tore up your license as a junior lieutenant? It can be sold!
“I don’t think that’s right,” de Trabuson answered doubtfully.
- Think yourself! If the constable, or the captain of the musketeers, or the marshal, or the commandant of the fortress resigns, he can transfer his position to his son, or sell it,” Madame Olivia continued to convince her husband.
- But I’m not resigning! - Didier exclaimed.
- You leave this position, it doesn’t matter whether because you resigned or because you received a new position. An old patent is also good. If they didn’t take it from you, then it’s yours. You can pass it on to your son, or, for example, to me,” Madame Olivia concluded. — Make a transfer note and register it.
- What the hell do you care about him? — Didier was surprised. — Do you want to create a women's battalion? - At these words, Didier laughed cheerfully, imagining how warriors with such forms as Madame Olivia would jump on horses.
“I, too, can ride a horse and get money and titles for it!” Olivia said proudly.
“What you can get is good punches from me, right here and now,” Didier replied.
- Take it easy, buddy! Olivia protested playfully. - Look, here it is, your junior lieutenant's patent. It says here that the patent entitles you to the rank of second lieutenant, and that the recipient of the patent is named Didier de Trabucon. As your wife, I am also called Madame Didier de Trabucon. So this patent may well be considered issued to me!
- The only difference is that women are not taken into the guard, Madame “Second Lieutenant Didier de Trabuson”! - Didier mimicked his wife.
- Okay, okay, I was joking. But I can go with you as your accompanying wife! Although Pignerol is so boring!
“I’m not going to drag women around with me,” Didier snapped.
“Tell me, dear Didier, just tell me the truth, because I can see perfectly well in your eyes when you are lying.” - said Madame Olivia, taking her husband by the chin. —Are you going to fight or spy?
“I’m an officer, not a spy,” Didier muttered, looking away.
“Do you want to convince me that in fact the head of the government, Intendant of Finance Colbert, promotes ordinary officers who shed blood for the King at the fronts through two ranks?” Madame Olivia smiled. - Don't lie to me, you don't know how to do this. Not for me. You can deceive anyone, but not me, no, don’t hope.
“Of course, I’m not going to run into the attack with a sword...” Didier muttered.
- You men are fools! Do you think that an officer who is accustomed to marching in formation and riding in line, which is equivalent to having “The King’s Guard” written on him in three-foot letters, can make a good spy? Olivia chuckled. “Your Colbert knows nothing about the business of obtaining information if he entrusts these matters to such fools as you, dear Didier.
- Oh, you rubbish! Am I the idiot? By the way, I am the captain of the royal guard! - Didier was indignant.
- Okay, I have nothing against the minister who promotes my husband to captain. But I want to help you, fool! - Olivia said in such a sweet voice that Didier was ready to admit that not only “fool”, but also “stupid” are very affectionate words.
“Okay, okay, I’ll think about it,” Didier answered condescendingly, after which he hastened to prove to Olivia that, having become a captain, he did not cease to be her husband.

The next morning, de Trabuson learned that Colbert could not provide him with an order to extradite the prisoner of the Pignerol fortress, signed by the King. For some unknown reason, the King stopped signing Colbert's papers without looking. He carefully read each paper, and signed only if he fully approved of it. Very often he began to ask questions about the reasons for the need to sign this or that paper. Colbert realized that an order to remove a prisoner who had not yet been placed there would look very suspicious, the King might think that Colbert was hatching some kind of conspiracy, so he cleverly removed this order from the stack of papers prepared for signing, after which he himself at the bottom there is a note “In pursuance of the will of the King of France, I hereby confirm: Intendant of Finance Jean-Baptiste Colbert.”
Colbert did not know that, according to the order of the King, in relation to this prisoner, no one’s orders, except those signed by the King personally, are valid. But he knew that even orders signed personally by the King are also invalid unless they bear the state seal, which can only be affixed by Chancellor Seguier in the presence of the King or on his personal instructions. So Colbert was well aware that the paper he would give to de Trabuson would not allow him to remove the prisoner from Pignerol, but he hoped that perhaps de Saint-Mars would not pay attention to this discrepancy. Or, in any case, if de Trabuson has such a paper, he will act more confidently, so that even if he returns with nothing, it is better than complete uncertainty. At least he can be asked about how de Saint-Mars reacted to the document, and about much more.

As soon as he received the order, de Trabuson, accompanied by d'Elsorte and de Lortie, set out on the trail of d'Artagnan's carriage. Reluctantly, he allowed Madame Olivia to go with them, at first deciding to explain to the two officers that he had taken her so that she could visit her sister near Pignerol, but in the end he decided not to explain anything to them. “I’m their boss! - he said to himself. “Both I and they should get used to the fact that my decision does not require justification or explanation, it is their job to accept my decisions and obey them!”

Colbert was thinking about one of the projects when the Major of the Royal Guards, Comte de Shuzo, entered him without a report.
“Monsieur Colbert,” said the major after guest and host had exchanged appropriate greetings. “Your position under His Majesty as Comptroller General of Finance and Minister of the Royal Household is very enviable, but you are not Minister of War.
“My position, Mr. Major, cannot in any way be called a position under His Majesty, since I am not a favorite or a mistress, but a minister,” Colbert objected. “My position is thus determined not in relation to the King, but in relation to the government.” So, by the grace of His Majesty, I am currently heading this government.
“Thus, you find it possible to issue patents to my guardsmen and send them in unknown directions for unknown purposes,” said the major, although still excitedly, but more calmly.
- Clarification. You said that I find it possible. “I will answer that I find it necessary,” Colbert replied.
“In that case, perhaps you will consider it possible, or, excuse me, necessary, to issue patents for the major of the royal guard?” - asked the major in a again aggravated tone.
“I don’t rule it out,” Colbert answered calmly.
“Don’t take it as insolent, but should you interfere in the affairs of the royal guard?” - asked the major, trying to speak in a completely calm tone, realizing that he was losing this battle.
“I will stop interfering in this matter as soon as my intervention is no longer necessary.” - Colbert answered just as calmly. - Let me ask, Mr. Major, where are your four guardsmen, whose last names are du Bois, de Savard, de Chereau and de Farcy, currently located?
“As far as I know, these gentlemen have left at the disposal of M. d’Artagnan by special order of His Majesty on this score,” replied the major.
“This order, as far as you and I know, ordered them to assist in the delivery of certain important messages to addresses known to M. d'Artagnan,” Colbert agreed. - But here’s one small catch. Monsieur d'Artagnan, it has been at least a day and a half since he returned to Paris, if only he was leaving somewhere, and these gentlemen are not with him. How do you explain this?
“I’ll make inquiries with Monsieur d’Artagnan about my people,” the major said in confusion, realizing his mistake.
“Don’t you think, Monsieur Major, that inquiries should have been made yesterday, when Monsieur d’Artagnan appeared at the Louvre?” - Colbert scoffed. “Today he has left Paris in accordance with His Majesty’s new instructions, and in order to make inquiries about the four guardsmen, you will need other guardsmen who will have to catch up with Monsieur d’Artagnan.”
“This is just a temporary uncertainty,” answered the major. “After all, the King did not specify in this order that these guards are obliged to return to the guard at the same time as d’Artagnan.” He could send them somewhere further away than he went himself.
- He sent them to hell! - Colbert said coldly. “You may also be surprised that, having instructions to send out some documents, Monsieur d'Artagnan appears and reports that he has completed a completely different assignment, which is to capture a certain criminal.
“Whether it’s strange or not, it’s none of my business,” answered the major. -The king gave orders to his captain of the musketeers, this does not concern me. His Majesty gave him the authority to take four of my guards, this also does not concern me. Until they return, I consider them attached to the company of musketeers and placed at his complete disposal. I don’t care why the captain of the musketeers, leading one and a half hundred selected musketeers, needed guardsmen and not musketeers. If this matter were illogical, His Majesty would not have signed such an order. If he signed such an order, this means that this was the only thing that should have been done. If tomorrow His Majesty sends the cook to the hunt, the huntsman to the ball, and the choreographer to the kitchen, their duty will be to carry out his will, and it will be no one’s duty to consider the reasonableness of such an order. Thinking in this case is not only useless, but also harmful. An army in which soldiers and officers think about orders before executing them is not an army, but a parody of your stupid parliament, or whatever you call it.
“It is not at all strange to me that the officer does not want to consider His Majesty’s orders,” answered Colbert. - This is to some extent correct. But the minister is obliged to think. There are some discrepancies in this matter that I intend to clear up. For this purpose, for the state purpose, mind you, since we are talking about the capture of a state criminal, I seized three guardsmen and gave them special powers to carry out special assignments. As you may have noticed, I have already performed similar actions on behalf of His Majesty before. And they also concerned the capture of a state criminal. I am acting within the scope of my authority, and if you do not like it, you can complain about me to His Majesty, but I will remember this when you come to me for your monthly salary. The complainant runs the risk of not receiving a salary if, just at the time when it occurs to you to receive it, it may turn out that the treasury is temporarily empty. And, as often happens, revenues to the treasury may be barely sufficient to pay the most urgent payments. So you will have to wait a month or two with your salary. But of course you will get it eventually. If you do not interfere with me in fulfilling my duties, I will try to make sure that by the time you come for your salary, I have the appropriate amounts ready, which I can confirm by signing your order with one simple word: “Issue” and putting under it your signature . Do you have any questions, Mister Major?
“What brazen blackmail! - thought the major. “But the King trusts him, and if I go to complain about him, most likely, His Majesty will take his side, without even understanding the essence of the matter.” This man dumped Fouquet, how can I compete with him? In the end, am I missing guards or what?”
“I recognize your right to do as you did, Monsieur Colbert,” answered the major. - I hope that a small misunderstanding will not worsen our good relations? Actually, I just wanted to clarify that if you so easily make junior lieutenants captains, you, apparently, have the opportunity to help some very well-deserved majors could hope for an early promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
“Of course, Count,” Colbert replied. - You forestalled my thoughts on this matter. I was just thinking that it’s high time for you to become a lieutenant colonel.
“Thank you, Monsieur Minister,” replied the embarrassed de Schuzot.
“When Messrs. du Bois, de Savard, de Ch;reau and de Farcy return,” Colbert continued, “and they will return in the very near future, please send them to me immediately.” You understand me, I hope? Immediately means that they should not change clothes, rest, drink, sleep, and, especially, communicate with any of the other guardsmen. Immediately to me, from the horses, in the dust, in the form in which they arrive, immediately. Delay is like death. This is a matter of national importance.
“I understand you, Mr. Minister, everything will be done exactly,” the major answered, coldly but calmly.
“Thank you, Mr. Major,” Colbert replied. - I won't keep you any longer.
And he went back into his papers.

Less than two hours later, the four guardsmen in question entered Colbert's office.
- Which one of you is Monsieur du Bois? - Colbert asked, after which, looking at the guardsman who responded to this name, he added, “Please stay here with me and give me a report on your trip.” If anything is not clear to me, I will ask again and ask you to explain in detail, but for now, first, describe the trip in general terms. But first, I ask, Messrs. de Savard, de Chereau and de Farcy, go into these offices, I ask you to wait, when we finish our conversation with Monsieur du Bois, it will be your turn. Please do not be offended that I offer each of you a separate room, this is for your own good. I ask you to write down briefly what your trip was like. The more detailed you describe it, the less time we will spend talking. I will ask you, Monsieur du Bois, to write down your report after we have had a preliminary conversation orally. Gentlemen, I will not detain you; in the offices provided to you, you will find paper, pens and ink.

Two hours later, Colbert knew about d'Artagnan's trip all the same as the four guardsmen who accompanied him knew.
“So, he assured them that he had gone for some stupid relics, which he then sent to the rector of Rouen Cathedral, who had never heard of such a shrine. He had them wrapped around his little finger,” Colbert reasoned. “He needed them as protection from my own people and to add significance to his mission.” In fact, he brought some prisoner from Pignerol! Wasn't it the same one he took back to Pignerol? Well, it's possible! He was wearing a mask, maybe it was Fouquet? The king decided to ask Fouquet something personally, and for this Fouquet was brought to the Louvre. Quite possible! His Majesty has changed very much since d'Artagnan's return or a little earlier. Could this be explained by the information he received from Fouquet? D'Artagnan knew about this because he stopped hiding. Or maybe it’s not Fouquet at all? Most likely, this is the same person whom he took to Pignerol a month earlier! I was never able to find out who he was, what kind of person he was. This man cannot be Monsieur d'Herblay, whom my people captured at this very time. Who is he? Duke de Beaufort? Excluded! When the captain took him to Pignerol for the first time, the Duke de Beaufort was heading to war in the fortress of Candia at the head of the French troops. It can't be Fouquet, he's already been to Pignerol! It cannot be Prince Cond; or Conti. Who is this man? I have to see him! If de Trabuson shoots him, it will be a disaster! But I won’t have time to recall it. So, de Trabuson will only shoot him if d'Artagnan lets this man go. But he won't let him go. And this is not d'Herblay. And most likely it is not Fouquet. If he leaves him in the fortress, then de Trabuson, with the help of my order, will try to pick him up and bring him to Paris, tied up, with a bag on his head. Great. But Saint-Mars may not obey this order! And there remains a third possibility, damn it! If d'Artagnan tries to escape with this man, then de Trabuson will shoot them both. I should not have instructed de Trabuson to kill this prisoner, that was my mistake! But I didn’t know that d’Artagnan brought this man from the Pignerol fortress! I must go there myself, and I must be there before d'Artagnan and before de Trabuson! Is it possible? Will the King let me go? Impossible. Well, we can only wait here in Paris for news from there.”
At that moment, a secretary entered Colbert’s office and reported:
“Mr. Minister, a certain Auguste de Trabuson is asking you to see him on an urgent matter.”
— Auguste de Trabuson? - Colbert was surprised. - Let him come in.
“Your Excellency, I am the son of Captain Didier de Trabuson,” the young man introduced himself.
- Oh, that's it? “Excellent, young man,” Colbert replied, not understanding anything of what was happening. - What do you want?
- My mother sent me. She told me: “Son, Monsieur Colbert is sending your father on an urgent and important matter. You must go and give Monsieur Colbert two pigeons and this note."
With these words, the young man laid a sheet of paper on the minister’s desk.
“And the pigeons remained there, in the reception room, in cages, Mr. Minister,” said the young man.
Colbert unfolded the note and read the following:

“Mr. Minister, I am sending you a method for quickly delivering messages, which my husband learned in the service of a certain gentleman. These pigeons can deliver urgent letters from you to my husband. One pigeon was brought from Lyon, the other from Grenoble. The dove from Lyon has a red thread tied to its foot, and the dove from Grenoble has a blue thread. If Monsieur Minister wishes to send any clarifications to the orders that Captain de Trabuson received, then Monsieur Minister only needs to tie a small piece of paper with instructions to the paw of one of the pigeons. These pigeons are trained to return to their dovecote by the shortest route. Fulfilling the instructions of the Minister, Captain de Trabuson took two pigeons from Paris, from a dovecote that is known to my son, Auguste de Trabuson. If these pigeons bring any letter from my husband, my son will immediately deliver it to you, Mr. Minister. I remain devoted to you Madame Olivia de Trabucon.”

Colbert looked with admiration at the note, then at the young man who delivered it and asked:
- Monsieur de Trabuson Jr.! I'm very pleased to meet you. Let me ask, why didn’t your mother come to me with such an important message herself?
“She dressed herself in a man’s suit, got on a horse and rode off with my father, Mr. Minister,” answered the young man.

Colbert quickly stood up and went out into the reception area. There, on the floor of his waiting room, he saw two cages with pigeons. Then, pointing to de Trabuson Jr., he said to the secretary:
- Lucien! You will allow this young man to see me at any time of the day or night without report and without delay!
Then he returned to his office, pulled out a desk drawer, in which lay several dozen wallets with money, chose the smallest of them, opened it with two fingers to make sure that it was not gold, but silver, after which, with a careless movement of his hand, he removed this wallet from the table and handed it to de Trabuson Jr.
“When your father and your wise mother return, having completed the task entrusted to them both, I ask them to come to me with a report,” he said to the young man. - As soon as there is news, inform me of it without the slightest delay, no matter what time it happens.

After the young man left, Colbert sat down at the table, took a pen and a small sheet of thin paper and began to write in a neat hand in his corner:

“The prisoner whom d'Artagnan is escorting is to be recaptured and delivered to Paris alive, excluding communication with anyone. I allow Captain d'Artagnan to be killed. TO".

After cutting out the scribbled fragment from a piece of paper, Colbert rang the bell. He said to the secretary who came in:
- Lucien, bring me a dove with a red thread on its leg.

Chapter 355

At noon, as usual, Colbert was at a reception with the King to resolve the most important state issues. But he met not Louis, but Philip, which he did not notice. Formally and officially, the King did not disappear anywhere, the King remained where he was in the evening, in the eyes of all the nobles, the entire court, the King was the same. Therefore, to simplify further presentation, from now on I myself will call Prince Philip the King, who he essentially became, and for how long, this will be shown by the further narration.
“Is there any news about Captain d’Artagnan’s mission?” - King Colbert asked, signing another document, which he had carefully read before.
“ I don’t know anything about this, Your Majesty,” Colbert lied. “But if Your Majesty orders that Captain d’Artagnan be traced to the Pignerol fortress and back, I will give instructions on this matter.”
- For what purpose? - asked King Philip.
“To make sure that the arrested person does not escape, but is taken to his destination,” Colbert said.
“I entrusted this matter to Captain d’Artagnan, Monsieur Colbert, therefore this matter will be done,” objected the King. “Checking Captain d’Artagnan’s diligence is as pointless as checking whether the Seine has changed its course, whether it is in the same place, or has disappeared somewhere.” Leave it alone.


- Indeed? - the King asked calmly. “I can’t refute this statement of yours, nor can I confirm it.” I only asked a few brief questions to this prisoner, and from his answers I could conclude that it was, in fact, Monsieur d'Herblay, although, after some reflection, I am ready to agree that similar answers could have been given by another person if he had been carefully prepared to that. But why, pray tell, would another person want to impersonate the Bishop of Van?
“Such psychological incidents are known in history, Your Majesty, when some fanatic tried to impersonate another person, even knowing that this did not promise him any benefits, and, on the contrary, sometimes even threatened with severe punishment,” Colbert answered.
— Do you intend to understand this mysterious situation in detail? - the King asked indifferently.
“I have already begun my little investigation, Your Majesty,” Colbert replied with a bow.
— Without receiving my sanction? - asked the King. - Well, by God, but don’t spend too much money on satisfying your curiosity. I remind you that I did not appoint you as intendant of finance so that you could spend public finances according to your whims, as your predecessor M. Fouquet did, but for precisely the opposite purpose, so that you would help strengthen the public financial system. There will no longer be a superintendent of finance in France, since the functions of final planning of the largest expenses will now be controlled by me myself, and for those large expenses that it will be difficult for me to understand on my own, a financial council with advisory functions will be provided.
“I ask you to forgive me the unauthorized expenses for this investigation, Your Majesty, however, I note that these expenses fit into the minimum under my control, agreed with Your Majesty, necessary for organizing the rule of law and maintaining law and order in the financial part of the state,” Colbert replied.
— Do you link the activities of Captain d'Artagnan with the financial problems of the state? - asked the King completely dispassionately.
“Very large sums have been allocated for the maintenance of the prisoner of the Pignerol fortress, as a result of which I considered it necessary to carry out an audit of these expenses,” Colbert answered meekly.
“Mr. Colbert,” the King remarked as dispassionately as before, “I appreciate your zeal, but in future I would ask you to moderate it somewhat.” The fortress on the island of Saint-Marguerite was specially chosen by me to contain prisoners of high position. Persons having the right to be addressed with the title "Monsignor" retain this right for life, unless they are deprived of this title by my royal decision, and in no other cases. This title gives them the right to appropriate maintenance even if, for the good of the state, I decide to limit the circle of communication of such persons with other people, who are or are not citizens of my country. If I find the incarceration of such persons to be the only proper course of action, I also reserve the right to decide what level of welfare I shall provide for such prisoners.
- Your Majesty forbids me to control the accuracy of the execution of your orders by the captain of the royal musketeers d'Artagnan? Colbert asked.
“I didn’t say that,” the King objected. “I just wanted to remind you that such activities are not part of your duties and were not entrusted to you with the exception of that small episode when I sent him to the Belle-Ile fortress. But this matter is over long ago, so I strongly suggest that you return to your main responsibilities in my government, Mr. Colbert.
“I will not fail to do just that, Your Majesty,” Colbert replied with a bow.
“You should know, Mister Colbert, that I myself decide who I trust to lead the musketeers, that is, my main bodyguards,” the King continued. “At the moment I have no reason to doubt the loyalty of M. d'Artagnan. I remind you that it was he who carried out the arrest of your predecessor, Mr. Fouquet, and, if necessary, it is he who will also carry out your arrest. Probably, the understanding of this fact prevents the establishment between you and him of a constructive relationship of cooperation between two zealous statesmen. It's very sad for me to see this. My good advice to you, Colbert. Make peace with Monsieur d'Artagnan.
“As you say, Your Majesty,” Colbert agreed and bowed to the King again.
“As for Mr. Bishop of Van,” the King continued, “I’ll tell you a little gossip.” Suppose I had good reason to be angry with one man who had many connections in the highest circles of power in European countries such as Spain, England, Holland, Portugal, Venice and even the Ottoman Empire. My anger was based on the fact that this man had demonstrated intentions to use these connections to the detriment of France.
“Your Majesty’s feelings are completely justified,” Colbert agreed.
“I found a whip on this man, and I used this whip,” continued the King. “I declared this person persona non grata and sharply limited the possibilities of his stay on French territory. After this, the said person realized that the King of France was not a person with whom one could act dishonorably.
“Extremely smart, Your Majesty,” Colbert said.
“At the moment I did not ask you for your approval of my actions, Monsieur Colbert,” Philip answered coldly. “I’m just explaining to you, Mister Colbert, that under certain circumstances, extreme anger can be replaced by mercy, as a result of which my desire to destroy Mister Bishop of Vannes, or at least imprison him in a casemate, may lose its relevance. I can easily reverse my decision if I am presented with evidence of sufficiently effective activities of the Bishop of Vannes for the benefit of France in the past, in the present and, what is much more important, in the future.
Colbert bowed silently, to which the King nodded approvingly and continued.
- Mr. Bishop of Vannes or any other person whom I consider useful in the future for my policy in Europe can be forgiven for those faults that are known to me, or even rewarded for the services that he has provided, is providing or will provide to me, and therefore , and France,” the King concluded. “If I agreed to recognize in the man presented to me as the Bishop of Vannes the person that Monsieur d’Artagnan called him, then such was my will.” If I have ordered that this person be sent to custody on the island of Saint-Marguerite, then this must be carried out. If I ever decide to release this person, or any other person, from custody, then so be it. Let me remind you that the Duke de Beaufort, imprisoned by Cardinal Mazarin, was subsequently pardoned and received the highest confidence from me, your King, also received from me the highest military posts in the state and carried out several successful naval operations. I still mourn his loss and cherish the thought that he did not die, but was only captured, and in this case I will not stop before paying the ransom that the Ottoman Empire will demand for him.
“I will make every effort to carry out a search in this case,” Colbert replied.
“It’s not worth it,” the King waved him off, “I have other services for that.” Take care of finances.
“This has always been and will be the main subject of my concerns, Your Majesty,” Colbert replied.
“I’m glad that you understand my desire so correctly,” the King nodded.

Returning to his office, Colbert picked up his pen again. This time he wrote:

“Kill them both, hide all traces. Remove the performers. TO."

Then he rang the bell again and said to the secretary:
- Lucien, I need a dove with a blue thread.


Four horsemen rode up to the Gray Fox tavern and, throwing the reins of their horses to two grooms who approached, went inside.
“Innkeeper, we need two rooms for the night, serve food in them, and also take care of our horses,” said the senior rank. “Tomorrow we’ll leave at first light!” We are in a hurry.
“Jacques will show you the rooms, Mr. Officer, dinner will be brought to you in twenty minutes.”
“Okay,” the officer replied. “Tell me, my dear, how long ago has a carriage passed here, blue with the count’s coat of arms, on which eagles are depicted on the blue fields located diagonally, and on the other two yellow fields a fortress wall with two towers is depicted?”
“You are talking about the coat of arms of Count d'Artagnan,” answered the innkeeper. “The count’s carriage passed this afternoon, but the travelers did not leave it. They moved on.
- Wonderful! - the officer answered, and turning to his companions, he added in a low voice. - Tomorrow we will catch up with them.
After this, taking one of the horsemen by the hand, the said officer went, accompanied by Jacques, to inspect the proposed rooms. Having chosen a room to his taste, he occupied it with his companion, and the other two guardsmen were placed in another room.
- And since when did women start dressing up as guardsmen and riding around on horseback, accompanied by three men? - the innkeeper asked himself. - And where is the husband looking?
Then the innkeeper felt that someone was quietly pulling his sleeve.
“Monsieur d'Art!..” the innkeeper exclaimed, but did not have time to finish, because the officer, who had quietly entered after the four, put his hand over his mouth.
- Quiet, buddy! - D'Artagnan whispered. - Do not be noisy. What kind of people are these?
“It looks like they are catching up with you, Mr. Captain,” the innkeeper answered in a whisper. - Or they are following your carriage.
- Great, Revial, I know that. Thank you. - answered d'Artagnan, for it was he.
“It seemed to me that one of the riders was a woman in disguise,” said the innkeeper.
“It didn’t seem like it, Revial, that’s how it is,” the captain agreed. - Tell me, buddy, is there a way to listen to what they are talking about?
“Next to the room in which I put two junior officers, there is a small closet for storing tools. Maybe you'll hear something from there. The room of the senior officer and the woman has thick walls, I can hardly help you in this matter.
- Great, Revial! While senior officers are making grandiose strategic plans, junior officers are discussing tactics. It suits me! Take me there.
The innkeeper escorted d'Artagnan to the door of the closet and said in a whisper:
“Don’t make any noise here, Mr. Captain, because thin partitions allow sound to pass in both directions.”
The captain nodded, quietly opened the doors and disappeared into the closet. D'Artagnan heard a conversation between two guardsmen, from whose voices he recognized them as senior lieutenant d'Elsorte and lieutenant de Lortie.
“I think they’re just making fun of us,” said de Lortie. “We have to chase Captain d’Artagnan again, tracking down his carriage!” Of course, tracking him in a carriage is easier than chasing him on horseback, but we had simpler instructions that time.
“And at the same time we lost du Cloy,” said d’Elsorte. “It’s still not known what happened to him.”
“And instead of the captain, we chased in vain after some of his young doubles!” - continued de Lortie. “If these two had not come to his aid, we would have seized him and disemboweled him until he confessed for what purpose he was impersonating d’Artagnan!” There is clearly some kind of conspiracy behind all this. The captain started some kind of game.
- Someone taller is intriguing! - responded D'Elsorte. “If it had been necessary to capture Captain d’Artagnan, it could have been done two days ago, when he openly walked around Paris and even went to the Louvre and met with the King and Colbert!”
“If he wasn’t captured, then there was some reason,” de Lortie replied. - And now we have to tag along after him again! Although tracking down a carriage is much easier than chasing a horseman.
“But they imposed a commander on us that was not to our liking,” D’Elsorte said angrily. - For what merits did this yesterday’s junior lieutenant de Trabuson today become a captain and command us? And he drags his wife along with us!
“This is beyond my understanding,” de Lortie agreed. “I’ll just say that I’m extremely annoyed, and I think you are too.”
“I’m even more annoyed that I have to chase after a man whom I always respected, but now I hate because he caused us a lot of trouble!” - answered the senior lieutenant. “There is only one thing that pleases me in this whole situation. De Trabuson gave permission to shoot both travelers as soon as we caught up with them, even if they did not resist. That's fine with me, since I wouldn't want to cross swords with d'Artagnan! It's better to shoot him right away!
“I completely agree with this,” confirmed de Lortie. — Captain d'Artagnan's sword is one of the deadliest swords in France, despite the age of its owner. He shoots very accurately, but here we can get ahead of him.
- Not only can we, but we must! D'Elsorte agreed. “De Trabuson said that while he distracts the captain with conversations, we must, without wasting time, shoot both of them.” This is, of course, an effective tactic, but I am disgusted by such meanness.
“If such tactics are the only way to save our lives, I have nothing against it,” de Lortie objected. “Fighting even three of us against d’Artagnan is not a very joyful prospect, and considering that one cannot expect agility from de Trabuson, as far as I know his so- called courage and his fencing style, it turns out that there are only two of us against the captain.” This doesn't give us the best chance.
“That’s the only reason I didn’t tell de Trabuson to go to hell when he proposed this plan to us,” agreed d’Elsorte. — When I have to choose between nobility at the risk of my life and some deviations from the code of honor while guaranteeing its preservation, I choose the second option.
- How will we look our children in the eyes after such things? - De Sorti asked sadly.
- Who forces you to tell them about your affairs? “Let’s go to sleep, buddy,” replied D’Elsorte, who seemed uncomfortable with the topic being raised. “Tomorrow we have to leave at first light, today we rode without rest, I’m literally falling off my feet.”
Making sure that he would no longer hear anything important, d'Artagnan quietly left the closet and went to the stables. Having entered there, the captain thought about hammering small sharp stones between the horses' horseshoes and hooves, but abandoned this idea because he loved horses too much. Therefore, he limited himself to emptying the powder bags tied to the saddles and filling them with powder received from an Indian acquaintance, which in appearance and even in smell was exactly like gunpowder with the only difference that it was non-flammable. After that, he trimmed the lines on the saddles so that they would burst by mid-day or evening. Then he left the stable, paid the innkeeper generously, and carefully led out his horse, tied in the neighboring yard, adjacent to the inn at the back. Taking him at a pace to a distance from which the clatter of hooves could no longer be heard in the tavern, he took off the rags with which the horse's hooves were wrapped, jumped on his horse and rushed after his carriage.

Meanwhile, de Trabuson communicated with his wife in a way that would have left no doubt in the innkeeper Revial about the correctness of his guess, if he could observe this type of communication. Fortunately for both, the walls were soundproof, the doors were strong and the bolts on them were reliable, and besides, the innkeeper would not risk disturbing his guests without a call from them.
Having satiated and tired each other with communication closer than friendship, the worthy spouses switched to verbal communication.
“You’re so hot today, Olivia!” - de Trabuson noted with delight.
“You weren’t bad either, Didier,” Olivia replied. “I’m so excited by the thought of the dangerous adventure we’ve gotten ourselves into!”
“Only you got involved in it, and no one asked me,” Didier replied.
- One might think that you are dissatisfied with the assignment! - Olivia exclaimed. — Do you know many assignments, completing which you can skip two ranks?
“Mr. Colbert gave me these titles not for future merits, but for past ones,” Didier answered proudly.
- Don't be an ass, honey! Olivia laughed. - Where have you met nobles who generously pay for past services on the condition that they do not need future even more complex and important services? There are no such people, and not only in France, but throughout the world, I believe!
“But he already gave me a captain’s patent!” - Didier disagreed.
“He has already shown how easily he can tear such papers, hasn’t he?” - Olivia did not let up. “He gave you a way to carry out his new assignment, nothing more.” I am sure that if you do not carry out his instructions properly, he will take away both this patent and the junior lieutenant’s patent from you, and will send you to serve as a simple guardsman.
“I remember now that that’s exactly what he said,” Didier agreed sadly.
- Here you see! - Olivia said triumphantly. “You're lucky to have a wife who can foresee things and give you some useful advice.”
- And what advice will you give me this time? - Didier asked.
“The main thing is not that Colbert is satisfied with what you have already done, but that he needs you because of what you can still do for him,” Olivia replied. “Therefore, now you need to think not only about how to carry out the assignment given to you, but also about demonstrating to Colbert that only you could carry it out as accurately as he would like, and, perhaps, even more.” more precisely. You should also think about how you will report on the results of the trip.
- How can you fulfill an order more accurately than it was given? - Didier asked.
- Think and answer, what will confuse Colbert most after the assignment is completed? - Olivia asked, and without giving her husband time to think, she added. “The most unpleasant thing for him will be that several people know too much about this assignment. Therefore, it will be pleasant for him if those of your subordinates who carry out the double murder will not be able to tell anyone anything, and you, for your part, will tell him that the death of those whom we are pursuing occurred by accident. It will be better if you have evidence that you made every effort to save both the persecuted and the pursuers, but you failed.
- Who will believe in such a fairy tale? Do you think that Monsieur Colbert can believe that two of my guards killed two pursued people and died themselves, while not a single scratch appeared on me? — Didier was surprised.
“Firstly, people don’t believe in what is more likely, but in what is more profitable for them to believe,” Olivia answered, “and secondly, I didn’t say at all that you wouldn’t have a single scratch on you.” A small wound, not life-threatening, will confirm your heroism and bring you closer to the rank of major.
- My good girl! - Didier exclaimed. - Your advice is very valuable to me. It's great that you give them to me sometimes.
- Of course, wonderful! - Olivia agreed. “You would have been good if you had not listened to me and challenged D’Aunay to a duel, as you were planning to do.” Then I might already be a widow, since you are not the best swordsman. And so the task was completed, and you returned alive, without a single wound, and you were given a new rank, and there is not a single person in the world who could make accusations against you. I hope no one saw how you dealt with him?
“Nobody, it was empty,” Didier reassured Olivia.
“That’s great,” Olivia replied. - Let's go to bed already, we won't be able to sleep tomorrow.

Chapter 356

Having caught up with his carriage, which was carrying Louis and Francois, accompanied by twenty musketeers, d'Artagnan got into it, handing the reins of his horse to one of the musketeers.
- Francois, son, I don’t know much about your trips! - he said. “It turns out that you didn’t just drive back and forth between Pierrefonds and Blois, you distracted several scoundrels who were supposed to be watching me, but they were watching you!”
“This is a story that is unlikely to interest you,” said Francois with embarrassment, which d’Artagnan unmistakably identified as ostentatious.
“He doesn’t want to talk,” d’Artagnan realized. - Shy about the King"
“Don’t be afraid, tell me, Francois, don’t be ashamed of His Majesty,” said d’Artagnan. “He is also interested in hearing what His Minister is doing, and he is busy sending His Majesty’s guards to spy on the captain of His Majesty’s musketeers, who is carrying out His Majesty’s most secret assignment.” Your Majesty, I must inform you that we are talking about the case when I delivered the most secret prisoner on your secret mission to the very place where we are now heading. I am deeply convinced that if these same spies had not carried out this order, with the permission of the Minister, then Your Majesty and I would not be traveling now in this carriage to where neither you nor we want to go at all. Therefore, this story, I believe, will be very instructive. Francois, my boy, tell me everything as it happened, and we will listen. And then I'll tell you something else. Your Majesty, you are also curious to hear about these adventures?
Louis nodded.
“Your Majesty, allow me to free you from the gag that is bothering you, so that you can be a full-fledged interlocutor during such a wonderful conversation,” said d’Artagnan, removing the gag from Louis’ mouth. - It’s only when I’m not around that you need to keep quiet. And in front of me you will behave quietly, won’t you? You understand perfectly well that if you decide to call for help, no one will listen to you, the musketeers have been warned that we are carrying a madman, and that they should not pay attention to the screams, no matter what you say. Well, if I have to fear your escape, then I will have to resort to such drastic measures that I would not like to talk about. Do you agree, Your Majesty, to listen quietly?
Louis nodded.
“Tell me, Francois,” said d’ Artagnan .
“I’ll start with the fact that you instructed me to shuttle between Blois and Pierrefonds, and I should have started with Pierrefonds, which I did,” Francois began. “Having reached Pierrefonds, I, as you told me, turned back without entering the estate. Since I took the same road that I had taken to Pierrefonds, I very soon saw three guardsmen, who, it seemed to me, were very embarrassed that I was coming towards them. I was wearing a travel mask, as you ordered, my hair and mustache were powdered with flour, which I grabbed on your orders from the shop of our good...
“I understand, no need for extra names, Francois, what difference does it make in which store you bought the flour?” - D'Artagnan interrupted him.
“Yes, I bought it in a shop along the road, I don’t remember which one,” Francois continued. So, I was like you, and since they, seeing me from afar, suddenly braked, and then drove off the road into a forest where there was no road, I realized that they simply did not want to meet me. But they could simply drive by, pretending that they were going about their business. Consequently, I thought that they were afraid that I would recognize them, and since they took me for you, I decided that these were some people whom you knew by sight. Of course, they also knew your face, otherwise why would I wear a mask, trying to pretend that I was you?
- So, they turned into the woods, and you drove straight, as if nothing had happened? - asked d'Artagnan.
“Of course,” answered Francois. “I drove past the place where they turned into the forest, and noted that there was no road or even a path there, so they went there not because they had to go there, but only so as not to meet me. So I drove on, pretending not to pay any attention to them. Driving further, I soon arrived at an inn, which I also passed on the way to Pierrefonds. Suddenly, a huge man, as fat as three of me, jumped out of this tavern.
The king twitched animatedly.
“No, Your Majesty, it could not be Baron du Valon,” answered d’Artagnan. “I know for sure that he was far from these places.” But I think I can guess who it was. After all, he was of normal height, like you and me, wasn’t he?
“Perfectly normal height,” confirmed Fran;ois. - And his thickness was not from muscles, but from fat, this man seemed to really love tasty and satisfying food, and probably did it three or four times a day.
- Of course, this is Muston! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - Potato nose, wart on the right cheek, blue eyes, thin beard, scar above the left eyebrow.
- That's exactly what he looked like! - exclaimed Francois. — Are you saying Muston? Strange name.
“Thirty-five years ago he bore the proud military name of Mousqueton, and was very dexterous and agile in many matters, and quite a smart guy, I’ll tell you!” He was a servant of Monsieur du Valon, and it often happened that he went to bed on an empty stomach, and instead of breakfast he received cuffs for not being able to prepare it for his master. But since Baron du Valon became rich, and loved his faithful servant as a friend, a comrade in military exploits and almost a family member, he began to pamper him. And Mousqueton discovered a talent for gastronomy, and not as a cook, but as an eater. Well, he gorged himself on the baron's grub. And the baron had many people, so Mousqueton was now the boss of them all, since the baron made him manager of his three estates - Pierrefonds, Valon and Brassier! At this point Mousqueton began to put on so much air that the name Mousqueton seemed too rude to him, and he decided to soften and shorten it. That's how he became Muston. But we digress, continue your story.
“When I drove past the tavern, this same Muston jumped out of it and waved his arms,” continued Francois. “He ran so fast that I had no idea that such a fat creature was capable of such rapid movements.”
- Mr. Captain, wait! - he shouted. - It's me, Muston! Three spies are on your trail!
- Since he called me “Mr. Captain”, at first I thought that he was addressing someone else, but when I looked around, I saw that there was no one nearby, so he was addressing me. Then I remembered that I looked like you, so he took me for you, father. Then I stopped and turned to him.
- You should know that you are being chased! - shouted this same Muston.
Then I stopped my horse, turned around and rode up to him.
- What did you want to tell me, sir? - I asked.
Muston realized with surprise that it was not you, and I realized that he was no master.
“Forgive me, for God’s sake, I mistook you for someone else,” he said and turned around, intending to return to the tavern, but then he turned back and turned to me again. “Do you know, sir, that three armed horsemen are following you, probably spies or robbers?”
- Oh, these! - I said, guessing that we were talking about those three guardsmen. - Empty. I know about them. However, thank you, but I have to go!
After that, I spurred my horse and rode on. I understood perfectly well who I was dealing with. I understood that these three guardsmen, mistaking me for you, father, would try to arrest me, and maybe kill me. Going to bed, I pushed the bolt on the door, additionally propped the doors with a poker, placed a chamber pot under the doors, poured olive oil on the windowsill of the only window, put the sword next to me, turned off the light and went to bed without undressing. The eldest of the spies, the lieutenant, decided to burst into the room through the doors, while he ordered his comrade to climb through the window so as not to allow me to leave this way. For some reason the third one was not with them. The lieutenant probably sent him to keep an eye on Muston, or even to arrest him or kill him.
Unfortunately, I made a mistake. There was a gap in the door where there was a bolt. So the lieutenant, having inserted the blade of the dagger into this gap, little by little managed to move the latch, sticking the dagger into it and moving it to the side. He did all this silently, so that when he realized that the bolt was open, he decided to open the doors with one jerk and burst into the room, using the surprise of the attack as a significant advantage. But he didn’t know about the poker, so he didn’t manage to open the doors with a jerk and silently. On the contrary, he made a noise, woke me up and opened the doors only after the fifth kick in the door, after which the poker moved slightly to the side, which allowed the doors to open.
As soon as the lieutenant opened the door of the room, he tripped over the poker, which fell on his foot with a crash. The attacker cursed that a surprise attack would not work, and decisively burst into the room. Stumbling over a chamber pot, he made even more noise; luckily for him, the pot was empty.
He did not have time to get up because I put the tip of my sword to his neck.
- Lie where you lie, my dear, otherwise your slightest movement will be your last! - I warned him.
At that moment, the window of the room opened, and a guardsman appeared in the window with a musket in his hand.
- You are under arrest! Surrender or I'll shoot! - he shouted and grabbed the window sill with his free hand, however, his hand slipped and he fell down, only managing to shoot as he fell into the ceiling of the room.
“My dear, I don’t know what to call you,” I said to the lieutenant. “Tell your friends to lay down their weapons and get away, or I will stab you in the throat.”
The defeated lieutenant seemed to be thinking about my proposal. This confused me because I didn't know where the third one was or what he would do. Without removing the sword from the lieutenant's throat, I walked sideways to the door, closed it, pushed the bolt and jammed the bolt with a dagger so that it could not be opened in the way the lieutenant opened it.
It seems that the guard who fell from the second floor, unfortunately, did not break his legs, so he burst into the inn and ordered the innkeeper to gather his men to arrest me, convincing him that I was a state criminal. Apparently, he had some orders for this. The innkeeper had three strong grooms whom he called for help. The five of these men armed themselves with whatever they could, and then the guardsman shouted:
- In the name of the King, Monsieur d'Artagnan, you are under arrest!
“You want me to pierce your boss’s throat?” - I asked.
“Then we will not arrest you, but kill you,” exclaimed the guardsman.

Chapter 357

Louis listened to Francois's story with interest and did not interrupt him, while d'Artagnan was both surprised and delighted by Francois's resourcefulness, but also for the first time experienced an unfamiliar feeling of a father's concern for his son. Although the story was about events that had already passed, so it was clear to d'Artagnan that Francois had come out of this mess alive, he still experienced it as if all this was really happening.
- Six for one! Too much! - he exclaimed. “But you’re alive, Francois, which once again proves to me that you are my son, and I’m proud of you, son!”
“Yes, I’m alive, but this is not only my merit,” answered Francois. “When I was offered to surrender, I already thought that I was going to die, but I did not give up hope and, of course, decided to fight to the end, as much as I could.” The guard behind the doors threatened me that he would kill me, and he would break down the doors if they had enough time.
“It’s not my plan to die,” I answered him, “but to give up in such an advantageous position even though there are five of you, I’m too offended, because is your boss worth anything?” I propose a compromise. You get out of here, I leave him alive and leave another way, for example, through a window. Is this option right for you? Just don't interfere with me, otherwise the lieutenant will die.
- In the name of the King you will be killed, d'Artagnan! - exclaimed the second of the spies, who gathered an improvised militia from the innkeeper and his three grooms. Obviously, he did not value the life of his lieutenant too much, and maybe even hoped for it to take his place.
- Not this time, gentlemen! - the voice of a man I didn’t know rang out behind them, who, although not at all rude, was filled with such determination that it left no seriousness in his statement. - D'Artagnan, kill your own, and go out to deal with these, I'm here! I am Aramis!
- Aramis! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - How did he end up there?
“At that moment I didn’t bother to find out,” Francois replied. “I just realized that someone came to my aid, mistaking me for you.” I realized that it was your friend, and therefore mine.
- Of course, Francois! - confirmed d'Artagnan. - If Aramis came to help, consider it a done deal! Well, you have to! Aramis! And where? In some God-damned tavern!
“Precisely “God-forgotten,” since these five were certainly not messengers of God,” agreed Francois. “But with regard to this Aramis, I wouldn’t vouch for it!” The Lord himself sent him, I have no doubt about it!
Yes, Francois was not mistaken in his story, it was me. So next I will talk about what happened, not by retelling Francois’ story, but by remembering what happened next.

“If you slowly raise your hands up, I’ll let you turn around,” I continued, Aramis, d’Artagnan’s friend, who, like the attackers, believed that it was he who was behind the door.
The faithful Bazin was with me.
“When you look around, you will see that I still have my man with me, and that each of us has one loaded pistol in each hand,” I said. “I think it wouldn’t be amiss to remind you that both of us, me and my man, hit a one sou coin from a distance of a hundred paces, and with our left hand, perhaps, from fifty paces.” Now there are five or six steps between us, and the heart of each of you is much larger than a one sou coin. Continue? With the first salvo we will kill four of you, while d'Artagnan will pierce the throat of the fifth. The survivor will be left alone against the three of us. Are you happy with this option? So, slowly raise your hands up, then throw your weapons on the floor, whatever you have - swords, knives, frying pans or skewers. Yes, you are not an army, but some kind of rabble, all except one.
The grooms and innkeepers immediately threw down their improvised weapons, but the guardsman still hesitated.
“As I said, there is only one warrior among you,” I continued. “Let him also throw down his weapon.” Keep in mind, I'm not kidding. On the count of three we shoot. Come on, come on! One! … Two!
- Stop! Do not shoot! We give up! - said the innkeeper. - Mr. Officer, drop your sword, I ask you, otherwise they will shoot us all because of you! We surrender, gentlemen, you see, we are simple people, I am the innkeeper, and these three are grooms. We surrender, we surrender, we have no weapons! Do you want us to tie each other's hands with our belts?
“Yes, I want to,” I answered, because in my life I have already seen enough traitors, spies pretending to be grooms or innkeepers, claiming to be unarmed, but at the same time having a dagger or pistol in their belt or pocket.
“First you two tie these two up, then you tie him up,” I ordered.
The two grooms allowed themselves to be tied by the third groom and the innkeeper, after which the innkeeper tied the third groom. After this, the guardsman, whom I recognized as de Lortie, had no choice but to surrender. He threw the sword on the floor.
“Tie up the guardsman,” I ordered the innkeeper.
When this was done, I ordered Bazin to also tie up the innkeeper and search them all.
“Come out, d’Artagnan, Bazin and I have disarmed them all!” - I shouted.
- We're not finished yet! - the one I wanted to save shouted back.
His voice was similar to d' Artagnan's, but it was still a different person. I tried to open the doors, but they were closed quite tightly.
Picking up an ax that one of the grooms had thrown to the floor, I quickly cut the door in the place where the bolt held it and kicked it open. I saw two fighting, one of whom was very similar to d'Artagnan, only much younger, almost a youth.
At that moment, with a deft blow, he knocked the sword out of his opponent’s hands.
“You have won, I surrender,” said this man, whom I recognized as Lieutenant D’Elsorte.
- But it seems you are not d'Artagnan! — I exclaimed, turning to the winner.
“You’re not the first to tell me this,” he replied, “so with great regret I have to believe your words, you convinced me, sir!” And thank you for your help, whoever you are.
-Who the hell are you? - I asked.
“I could ask you the same question, but I’ll refrain,” the young man answered with a smile. “Whoever you are, you came on time, and I will tell Monsieur d’Artagnan that you showed extreme courage and exceptional timeliness in helping me, believing that you were helping him!”
- So you know him! - I concluded. “I suppose your resemblance to him is not accidental.” It misled not only these fools, but also some more discerning ones!
“That was his goal, as far as I can tell,” confirmed the young man. “This means that I did not take on this matter in vain.” But since you have informed these gentlemen that they are mistaken about my name, there is absolutely no use in hiding it any further. So, gentlemen, I declare with all frankness that my name is not d'Artagnan, as gentleman just told you.
- Damn it! They tricked us! - exclaimed D'Elsorte. “We walked into a trap, and we weren’t hunting the right people!”
- Glad to hear it! - answered. “Well, young man, as I understand it, you have done Captain d’Artagnan some favor that he asked of you!” Therefore, you are his friend, which means you are mine too. Your hand!
“Fran;ois Perrin is at your service,” answered the young man, extending his hand, the fencing skill of which he had already demonstrated.
“Henri-Ren; d’Herblay, Bishop of Vannes,” I introduced myself, firmly shaking Francois’ hand. - Why did you fight with him, because, as far as I heard, your sword was already put to his throat?
“I would only stab an unarmed man as a last resort,” answered Fran;ois. - Well, either if there were too many of them against me alone, or if I was in a hurry, for example, out of need. Since I had no such reasons, I gave him a chance to defend himself with a weapon in his hand, but not by treacherously attacking me from behind, but by meeting me face to face. He jumped at the chance, expecting to win. But I was mistaken, it seems, in this too. So, Mr. Lieutenant, you not only made a mistake, but you also poorly assessed my fencing art.
- Gascon bluster, Gascon accent, are you from Gascony, my friend? - I asked.
- From the very best! - Francois answered joyfully. - Lupiac from Occitania - this is my homeland!
“D’Artagnan’s most perfect countryman,” I noted. - What do they cast in one mold for you? After all, you really are very similar to d'Artagnan!
“There are strange connections,” answered Fran;ois. “I was supposed to be like someone?” Why not the captain of the musketeers? Not the worst choice of Fate! I do not mind. Once again I thank you for your help, however, I must continue on my route.
“Are you going to leave me with them without explaining everything that happened here?” - I asked.
- What else should I do? - asked Francois. “I was told to distract the attention of these guys.” However, now this will no longer work, since they know that I am not d'Artagnan. I think I can return to Paris. I just wouldn’t want to go in the company of these gentlemen, but it’s somehow awkward to kill unarmed people, and even those tied up. Monsieur d'Artagnan would not do such a thing.
- I see he is your idol? - I noted with approval. - This is good. Always choose the best people to follow. And regarding these I have my own method. Let's pour a couple of bottles of undiluted wine from this scoundrel's cellar into each of them. This will give us a head start of ten to twelve hours, which is quite enough. Tell me, my friend, were there only two of them?
— There was another one, but he fell behind on the way! - answered Francois.
“Oh, so you were coming from the direction of Pierrefonds,” I said. “Well, we’ll have to come back for the third young man, otherwise the development of the situation will be uncontrollable.” Bazin, search this one too, tie him up, and then pour a couple of bottles of wine down each person’s throat. Since they are already tied up, all that remains is to give them something to drink. However, Mr. Francois, there are too many of them. I'm afraid someone might sneak away in a hurry. Stay and help Bazin deal with them, while I check our rear.
—What wine should we pour down their throats? asked Bazin.
“The best that can be found in this scoundrel’s cellar,” I answered. - Today the innkeeper treats his guests and treats himself. In any case, these people will have no reason to complain about a bad treat.
At this moment the innkeeper let out a pitiful groan.
- Are you unhappy with something, buddy? - I asked.
“You are ruining me, sir, but I just obeyed an order!” - he said with offense. “Besides, we surrendered at your first request.”
“Okay, you’ll get ten pistoles from me for the wine, and you’ll get it from Lieutenant D’Elsorte for the broken doors,” I relented, throwing the money on the bar counter. -What order are you talking about?
“Apparently about this,” replied Bazin, handing me the paper.
I took the document from his hands. It was an order signed by Colbert.
"Order to Lieutenant D'Elsorta
Lieutenant d'Elsorte is instructed to monitor the movements of the captain of the royal mushveteers, Charles d'Artagnan, and, in case of suspicion that he will try to assist Monsieur d'Herblay, to arrest both. In the event of armed resistance on the part of the said d'Artagnan or d'Herblay, or both of them, kill one or both. If the arrest is successful, take him to the Bastille.
All officers and men of the King, as well as civilians, are ordered to provide the necessary assistance to Lieutenant D'Elsorta in carrying out his mission.
Signed: Head of the Cabinet Jean-Baptiste Colbert"

— Isn’t it too early for Mr. Controller of Finance to call himself head of the cabinet of ministers? - I asked. — Or did I miss something in his career? Well, the order hasn't been completed, so I'm canceling it.
I threw the order into the fireplace and waited until it burned completely, then stirred the ashes with a poker.
“Return to Paris empty-handed, D’Elsorte, when you sleep it off,” I said. - Sweet dreams to you all.
I looked at Bazin and made a sign to him by placing my index and thumb fingers on my eyelids and covering my eyes with them. Bazin nodded. He realized that a small dose of sleeping pills should be mixed into the wine to make it work better. An excessively large dose could kill them, which is not what I wanted. Bazin knew perfectly well what dose to mix and had the necessary powders with him, because he was an assistant to the general of the Jesuit Order, after all! Soft means of influencing people are sometimes especially urgently needed.

A quarter of an hour later, all business with these people was completed, you and Bazin mounted your horses and galloped to the inn in the direction of Pierrefonds, where Muston remained and Colbert’s third envoy spying on him.

Chapter 358

Muston was having a sweet dream when suddenly he felt something heavy squeezing his chest. He opened his eyes and found himself firmly tied to the bed on which he slept. In front of him stood a fierce-looking guardsman, who pointed a musket at him, apparently loaded. It was du Cloix, left to keep an eye on Mouston, whom the spies mistook for Porthos.
- Gotcha, scoundrel! - exclaimed du Cloix. - Don't try to escape!
“Okay, I won’t try,” Muston agreed. “It’s not so easy to escape when you’re tied to the bed with such strong ropes.” I can hardly get out of bed even without ropes.
“That’s why don’t try,” the guardsman agreed. “You have committed a terrible state crime and are subject to the death penalty!”
“You know better, Mister Guardsman,” Muston agreed. “ But I’m not your helper in this matter, because you tied me to the bed.” So manage it yourself somehow. It would be better for me not to wake up at all than this morning, especially on Monday! The week is off to a bad start. So, I am subject to execution, you say, good sir?
- There is an order from the King to this effect! - exclaimed du Cloix.
“Well, if so, then that’s probably how it is,” Muston nodded. - Just think about it! The King's order is about me! So, His Majesty knows about my existence? Does he know my name? One cannot be completely sure of this. It is possible that he read the decree without even reading it. Or did you still read it? Whether he knows my name or not, can you answer this question for me?
- Of course he knows, scoundrel! - exclaimed du Cloix. - We are ordered to kill you as soon as we find you, and under pain of death it is forbidden to communicate with you!
- Why are you communicating with me, good man? - asked Muston. - After all, they’ll have to kill you too, won’t they? You yourself said: “On pain of death, it is forbidden to communicate.” And you communicate with me. I must tell you that you are taking a serious risk. If I were you, I would never communicate with me.
- Damn, damn, damn! Shut up and tell me what's your name? Tell me your name! - exclaimed the guardsman.
“You decide for yourself whether to shut up or answer, I can’t do both at the same time,” Muston answered humbly. - After all, if I shut up, I won’t be able to say my name, and if I say my name, then that means that I won’t shut up, and, besides, in this case we will be talking to you, and I already said that you shouldn't do this.
- You must say only your name, and nothing else! - Du Cloix yelled, losing his composure.
“My name is Muston,” answered Muston. “If you don’t mind, I would like to die under this name.” Although I have two other names, one was given to me at baptism, and the other I bore thirty years ago, while among the musketeers. But now everyone calls me Muston.
“That doesn’t tell me anything,” du Cloix waved him off. “I’m asking about your noble name!”
- About my noble name? - Muston was surprised. - ABOUT! ABOUT! My noble name! You know, I’m unlikely to tell you this. After all, if I could tell you a noble name that I could dispose of at my discretion, I would, of course, wear it with pride. But the fact is that there is a certain discrepancy here, connected with the fact that I probably did not choose my parents in the best way. So, excuse me, I cannot tell you my noble name, no matter how much I want, I ask you not to be offended, I myself am very unpleasant to cause you such trouble.
-Will you tell me your name, scoundrel? - the guardsman growled. - Either you speak, or I will cut off your ears, and then something else! Come on! Speak!
“ You told me to be silent, and now you demand that I speak, otherwise you threaten to cut off my ears!” - Muston answered sadly. “How can you execute me if I don’t have ears?” After all, I won’t hear the verdict!
- Speak your noble name quickly, or I will impale you on my sword, like a capon on a spit! - Du Cloix shouted, losing patience.
- Unfortunately, you were mistaken. “I’m not a nobleman,” Muston said modestly. “But I will try to behave with dignity during the execution.”
- Not a nobleman, you say? - exclaimed du Cloy. - You are lying! But you can’t fool me, I recognized you from your description! You are a state criminal, Baron du Valon de Pierrefonds de Brassier!
- Oh, oh! - said Muston. - I don’t dare...
- Shut up, scoundrel! Admit it, that’s your name, isn’t it? — the guardsman was indignant.
- What if it were so, you would kill me? - asked Muston. — Is this name in His Majesty’s order? You are not mistaken? And you will kill me without trial?
“I will kill, no doubt, the very moment I am convinced that you are this same state criminal,” he answered.
“As I understand it, there can be no question of leniency,” Muston sighed.
- Not the slightest chance! - exclaimed the guardsman.
- Well then, at least about a postponement? — asked Muston. - No? Maybe you can at least let me eat a bun with marzipan?
- Order of the King. Kill on sight. - du Cloix snapped. - Without entering into conversations or negotiations. No arrest, just death on the spot!
“What a pity that my master is in such mortal danger,” thought Muston. - But he is so kind, and he has done so much for me! I must save him at the cost of my life! What a blessing that I had the opportunity to repay him with good for good!”
“Tell me, dear sir,” said Muston. - Once you are sure that I am the one you need and kill me, will you go back to Paris to report on the completed mission? You don't need to go to Pierrefonds, do you?
“I’m not here to admire the bucolic landscapes!” - Du Cloix growled. “I’ll finish with you and go straight to Paris!”
“In that case, my dear, I’ll confess to you.” - Muston said calmly. - You are absolutely right. My name is Baron du Valon de Pierrefonds de Brassier.
- In the name of the King! - exclaimed du Cloix and plunged his sword into Muston’s chest.
At this very time I drove up to the tavern. With the blow of my boot I knocked down the doors and saw du Cloix plunging his sword into Muston's chest.
- Scoundrel! - I exclaimed. - Defend yourself!
Du Cloix pulled the sword from Muston's chest and pointed it at me.
“Defend yourself, because I intend to kill you, only in a fair fight,” I shouted and went on the attack.
Du Cloix at first thought that it would be easy for him to defeat me, because he was younger and looked bigger and stronger than me. But the sword in my hands was an extension of my hand. I quickly realized that du Cloix’s sword was longer than mine, and his arms matched his height. Fortunately, I sometimes fencing even trained with Porthos, so I had quite a decent experience in fighting with those who are taller than me, and whose long arms give them a head start. Du Cloix's first attack nearly tore my collar, I parried the second thrust, and the third thrust was deflected upward, so that he knocked off my hat with the very tip of his sword. This made me concentrate, I made a deceptive feint and, bending down, dived below the chest line, after which I plunged the blade from below under the ribs, right into the heart. The scoundrel du Cloix did not even have time to scream, only his eyes widened in horror, and he collapsed on his back.
- Die without remission of sins! - I said and ran up to the dying Muston.
-Can you hear me, my friend? — I asked Muston.
- Monsieur d'Herblay, is that you? - Muston whispered. - What happiness! Will you forgive me my sins?
- Yes, my friend, yes! — I answered, taking Muston by his plump hand. “What sins could such a kind person like you have?”
- Remember how I stole bottles from the innkeeper using a rope loop? - Muston whispered. - After all, this is a sin!
“I forgive you this sin and all the sins of your stormy youth,” I said, taking out a pectoral cross and applying it to the lips of the dying man.
“There is one more sin,” Muston whispered.
- Which one? - I asked.
“Gluttony,” Muston whispered with all his strength.
- The Lord forgives you, my son! - I said. “You have earned this right by your previous faithful and selfless service to Baron du Valon.” Rest in peace, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, amen!
A calm, happy smile froze on Muston’s face, after which he breathed his last.
I closed Muston’s eyes with my fingers, kissed his forehead and said:
- Sleep well, comrade.
This sight tore my heart. It would seem like a simple servant, so why am I so worried? Or have I not seen the death of my comrades before? But this was different! The conversation, which was subsequently retold by the innkeeper's wife, who was listening outside the door, convinced me that my first assumption was correct: Muston sacrificed himself to save Porthos. What a pity that Muston did not have a family; I would reward his heirs for his feat. However, perhaps it was only better that there was no one to pay for it except us, his master’s friends, and our servants, his former friends.
I cut the ropes with which Muston was tied and threw them out the window.
Having searched the killed guardsman, he found in his pocket a copy of the order, the contents of which are already known to me, since I burned the original.
I destroyed this order in exactly the same way .
“A terrible event happened in your inn,” I said to the innkeeper. “I was called to one dying person, but I found two. Apparently they fought and killed each other. This was probably a special duel, without seconds. Bury both of them according to Christian custom.
I was about to leave the inn, but I saw Bazin approaching.
- Bazin, my dear, brace yourself! - I told him. “Today we have to bury a comrade from your military past.” Your old friend, our glorious Bousqueton, who was now called Muston, gave his life to protect his master, Baron du Valon.
Bazin's eyes immediately filled with tears.
“I would do the same,” he said simply, without any pathos or boasting at all.
“I know, Bazin,” I said and hugged him.
I turned to the innkeeper.
“We have identified one of the dead,” I told him. - He was our good friend. We would like to take part in his burial, but we cannot linger. Make an inscription on his grave and order a funeral prayer.
I wrote the following text on a piece of paper:
“Mathias Forgeron, called Muston, known in his youth as Blunderbuss, died heroically in defense of his master.”
“Give me the date of death today, but I don’t know the date of birth,” I said. - Put November 29, St. Matthew's Day, and the year, I think, write down 1709.
With these words, I threw a purse with fifty pistoles on the innkeeper’s table, and Bazin and I left the inn.

Chapter 359

Bazin and I met Francois not far from the inn. I told him everything that happened this morning. He wanted to look at the dead Muston, but did not advise him to do so.
“The innkeeper was instructed to tell the authorities that both men died as a result of a fight between themselves,” I explained. “Even if he didn’t believe me, then he has every reason to adhere to this version, firstly, in order to avoid trouble himself, and secondly, so that the investigative commission does not seal his tavern, which would lead to significant losses, in -Thirdly, I gave him a wallet full of arguments in order to adhere to my version. But if this place is visited by people unknown to him, this will arouse his suspicions, or even worse - the fear that everything will be revealed and he will be brought to justice as an accomplice. So go to Paris and tell d'Artagnan about everything that happened to you, and also tell him greetings from your old friend Aramis.
-Where are you going? - asked Francois.
“ For more than thirty years now, I have never given an answer to such questions to anyone,” I answered. “More often than not, such a choice is much more useful for those who asked me about it than for myself.” The less you know, young man, the fewer questions you will be asked, the kind that no matter how you answer, it will only get worse.
- I understand you, monsignor! - answered Francois.
- Monsignor? - I asked again. - Why did you call me that?
“I think I heard that you are the bishop of Vannes,” answered Francois. “Old Planchet told me that one of Monsieur d’Artagnan’s friends became the Bishop of Vannes.” As soon as I saw you, I realized that it was you.
- Well, what can I tell you about this? - I answered. “I left my episcopate more than three years ago, and such a position will not remain vacant for too long.”
“There are no former bishops,” answered Francois. - Bless me, monsignor!
I made the sign of the cross over Fran;ois and muttered some prayer according to the situation. Fran;ois looked pleased and we parted, wishing each other good luck.

As soon as Fran;ois finished the story of these events, which I decided to retell in my own words, starting from the place when I entered the stage, d'Artagnan sighed and expressed regret about the tragic outcome of this story.
- Poor Muston! - he said. - Let's remember him in our prayers! Your Majesty, he was a worthy man, of whom there are not many in your kingdom.
“Loyalty is a rarity these days,” Louis answered and, pursing his lips, looked at d’Artagnan.
“I understand that this is a pebble in my garden,” d’Artagnan agreed. “You can call my action a betrayal, but I call it a difficult choice.” If you like, I made a small revolution - bloodless, quiet, almost completely unnoticeable to anyone. I'm not a traitor, I'm a rebel. But when a rebellion succeeds, it is called a liberation movement. I have freed myself from you, Your Majesty, and I hope I will have time to free my friends. What do you say, Francois?
- Is it worth arguing when there was no other choice? - asked Francois. - And once the choice has been made, then it is simply dangerous to speculate, because if doubts arise, then the matter will not work out, and, therefore, all the risks, all the efforts and all the sacrifices were in vain? Retreating halfway is a choice of two evils, both
- Reasonable, my boy! - answered d'Artagnan. “Well, now listen to my story about where I visited while you were calmly riding in the carriage.”
- Are we having a memory party tonight? - Louis asked, not hiding his irony.
“If Your Majesty intends to make us happy with your story, we will be happy to listen to you with all due attention!” - answered d'Artagnan.
“I’m not some La Fontaine to entertain you with my tales,” Louis objected. — A wise monarch listens more than he speaks.
“A wise monarch, Your Majesty, thinks more than he acts, acts more than he listens, and listens more than he speaks, but still he says everything that needs to be said ,” said d’Artagnan. “And we, simple subjects, can only hope not to make a mistake in our choice regarding what we could still remain silent about, what we might not listen to, and what we might not do, since life forces us to listen and do, but to speak – the desire to somehow stand out from the gray crowd in order to somehow get settled in this life.
- A philosopher as a captain! - Louis responded with contempt in his voice. “I’ll fire you as soon as I regain my throne.”
“I dare not doubt it, Your Majesty, and while you have not yet regained your throne and, therefore, I have not yet been dismissed, let me tell you who and for what purpose I visited when I briefly left you in your leisurely traveling in a carriage?
“You will act in your own way anyway, so why do you need the permission of the deposed monarch?” - asked the King.
“Only out of decency,” replied d’Artagnan. “I don’t dare be a burden to you.” Someone once said that you cannot touch the King without his permission and without his desire. The only one who can touch him against his will is the executioner, and not with his hands, but with an ax, and not in any place, but only on his neck.
“If you wanted to joke, you didn’t succeed; if you wanted to intimidate me, you didn’t succeed in that either,” said Louis, who had already completely mastered himself since his abduction, and it was impossible to tell from him whether he had accepted his fate fearlessly, or is planning some cunning move. “You have touched me many times against my will, and I would really like this interference in my life to stop, but I don’t hope so.” So at least stop making jokes about me.
“I obey, although I had no intention of joking with Your Majesty or offending you,” said d’Artagnan. “So, if you allow me, I’ll tell you who I visited and why.”
After this, d'Artagnan began his story, which I will present here in the form in which I subsequently heard it, only I will spare myself and the reader from presenting these events in the first person. I'll just describe what happened.

On the edge of a small village stands a windswept shack. D'Artagnan, having overtaken his carriage far, jumped off his horse and entered the shack without knocking.
“Peace be with you, Gotan Kumar,” he addressed the almost completely naked dark and thin old man, who was sitting motionless in a strange position in the center of the room.
The old man looked at d'Artagnan and again plunged into self-contemplation.
“I’m sorry for distracting you from your self-contemplation.” The matter cannot be delayed. It is required to change a person’s face beyond recognition, while acting as delicately as possible, without offending his dignity.
The old man looked at the captain's mustache and beard.
- Thank you, my friend, but this will not do. No, it is not he who wants to hide from people, but it is necessary to make sure that he cannot look like himself and cannot restore his appearance. Therefore, a mustache and beard do not solve the problem, because all this can be shaved off at any time. In addition, he already wears a beard and mustache. About the same as mine.
The old man made a circular movement with his eyes.
— Large warts all over your face? - he laughed. — Infect him with smallpox or something worse? No, perhaps this is too cruel for our case. Doesn't fit. I beg you, we need a more delicate solution. I warn you in advance: we will not cut off ears, lips and noses, we will not pierce cheeks or sew in rings. This is European, French. He has to live with it!
The old man rolled his eyes to the sky and returned his gaze to himself.
— A large round dot above the bridge of the nose? - d'Artagnan thought. “Well, it’s constructive, but I’m afraid it’s not enough.” One can imagine a situation where this measure will only create minor obstacles to something that should never be allowed, but such obstacles can be overcome. No, it doesn’t fit,” d’Artagnan rejected the old man’s new proposal.
The old man moved his eyes from side to side.
— A dot tattoo around the contour of the eyes and lips, if done by a high-class specialist, can significantly change the overall appearance of the face. But I’m afraid this will also not be enough,” d’Artagnan answered again.
The old man made circular movements with his eyes, first in one direction, then in the other.
— Covering your entire face with patterns would, of course, be a solution, but then how can such a person live in an ordinary European country? - asked d'Artagnan.
The old man closed his eyes and opened them again.
- Send to colonial countries. “I’ll think about it,” d’Artagnan agreed doubtfully.
The old man raised one eyebrow.
“I was also glad to see you, but I’m not leaving yet,” d’Artagnan nodded his head. - Still, one idea seemed better to me than all the others. So I need a substance that makes patterns. Well, the same thing that you inject under the skin. I'll take some. Where is it?
The old man pointed with his eyes to one of the shelves in the corner of the room.
- Yes, the devil himself will break your leg here! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. - This? - he asked the old man, pointing his hand at one of the cans. - Or this one? Or that one over there? This one. Clear. That's for sure?
Having opened the jar, which the old man pointed to with some special expression in his eyes, the captain touched the substance in it, smelled it and touched it again.
“I appreciate your humor, dear Gotan Kumar,” he said, “but I’m not in the mood for jokes now, and I’m in a hurry.” Why the hell do I need the most ordinary gunpowder?
The old man closed his eyes and then looked into the captain's eyes with dignity.
- Not gunpowder? How could it not be gunpowder, when the structure, color, and smell,” the captain again sniffed the mysterious powder more carefully, “well, yes, the smell.” No, it's definitely gunpowder! Are you saying that there is nothing like that? Damn it, but I see that this is gunpowder. No, no, I believe you! But I want to check. Just a minute.
The captain turned and headed towards the exit of the hut.
“I don’t advise you to spoil your musket,” the old man said calmly.
- So you didn’t meditate? - exclaimed d'Artagnan.
“No,” answered the one whom the captain called Gotan Kumar.
“Why the hell didn’t you talk to me then?” - the captain was surprised.
“I wanted to once again train you to understand the language of the eyes.”
- Okay, okay, I took yours. So it's not gunpowder? Exactly?
“You were going to load this potion into a musket and try to fire it.” In this case, your musket can then be thrown away. - Gotan Kumar calmly replied.
- But this is impossible! Both the smell and the color! Everything is exactly like gunpowder! - The captain was surprised again.
“And the taste too, if you tried it on your tongue,” the old man clarified. - This is an ancient potion, its properties are specially disguised as gunpowder. It was used at a time when China was at war with India.
- Why do you need it here? - asked the captain.
— There was an opportunity to bring it, I brought it. replied Gotan Kumar.
- How much of this potion do you have? - asked the captain.
“The jar you hold,” answered the old man.
- I'll take everything. You do not mind, do you?
“Krishna sent, Krishna took, Krishna will send what is needed, Krishna will not send if it is not necessary,” the old man calmly answered.
“Well then, Krishna asked me to give you five pistoles,” said d’Artagnan and put the money on the shelf from where he took the potion.
“Sometimes you come to the conclusion that only those events that never happened had true significance, because in comparison with them, all historical achievements seem somehow dull and insignificant,” said the Hindu, after which he changed his position and closed his eyes.
D'Artagnan closed the doors of the hut and left, taking with him a tin can filled to the top with a substance strikingly reminiscent of gunpowder. But still he had doubts. He found a dry stump and poured a handful of a substance on it, which he could have sworn with anything that it was ordinary gunpowder. Then he lit the fuse and carefully brought it to the pile of substance. The wick went out. Not a single spark appeared, the substance similar to gunpowder did not burn. D'Artagnan repeated his experiment twice more, each time the result was the same. Then he touched with his hands the place where he had applied the wick. The powder turned into some kind of sintered mass. Indeed, such a substance can ruin a pistol, musket or shotgun.

- And where is this mysterious substance? - asked the King. - Keep in mind, I will not allow you to apply it to my skin, much less under my skin with needles!
“ I abandoned the idea of tattooing your face, Your Majesty,” d’Artagnan replied. “I can’t show you this substance because I no longer have it.” I used it up completely.
- For what? - Louis inquired.
“To save our lives, Your Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan. “Then, a little behind our carriage, I found out that four people were following our trail. One of them is the captain of the guard de Trabuson, the other two are d'Elsorte and de Lortie, and the fourth is the wife of captain de Trabuson, disguised as a man.
- De Trabuson? - asked Louis. “I don’t have a captain with that name in the guard.”
“He was a junior lieutenant when we left,” answered d’Artagnan. “Obviously, Mister Colbert issued him a patent for the rank of captain.”
- Colbert? - Louis was surprised. - Captain's patents must be agreed with me! Besides, where did some de Trabuson get the money to buy the captain’s patent? And is it really possible to jump through two ranks in a row in one day? Is he a duke? Some small landless nobleman, a chevalier, nothing more! Why such concessions?
“It is obvious that those who cannot take what they have in courage, faithful service or nobility of birth, make up for it with faithful service,” suggested d’Artagnan. “I believe that benefits fell from a cornucopia on the junior lieutenant for the services rendered earlier, that is, for his espionage successes, as well as for those that he strives to provide in the future. So I can tell what kind of service he promised to provide to Monsieur Colbert, since I overheard their conversation.
“It’s not polite to listen to other people’s conversations,” Louis grumbled, although he was eager to find out what d’Artagnan heard.
“I agree that a model of politeness would be to allow yourself to be shot like a squirrel, and at the same time you, Your Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan. “But I know from experience that when two people confer and advise on how best to kill you, it is very useful to hear this conversation, even if it violates the rules of politeness and courtesy.
- So they were going to kill you? - asked Louis. - Again?
- Yes, Your Majesty, again, but not to kill again, but they were going to kill again, as you correctly noted! - confirmed d'Artagnan. - And to our disappointment, they were not going to limit themselves to me. They also intend to kill you. Their plans include killing me and you, or, in extreme cases, killing one of us, and capturing the other and bringing him alive to Colbert.
“Well, if they kill you and take me to Colbert, this solution suits me quite well,” said Louis.
“Let’s count the odds,” suggested d’Artagnan. “If they intend to kill us both, then you have a fifty percent chance that the person killed will not be you, but me.” And there is the same fifty percent chance that you will be killed.
“ This doesn’t make me happy,” said Louis.
“However, I missed something,” d’Artagnan corrected.
- Yeah! Am I more likely to survive than you? - Louis was delighted.
“Not at all,” objected d’Artagnan. — They discussed three outcomes. First, kill me, second, kill you, third, kill both of us. Each outcome is equally likely. So your chances of staying alive are thirty-three and one-third percent.
“But you forgot to consider the outcome in which they don’t kill any of us!” - Louis reminded.
“Colbert’s spies are not considering this outcome,” answered d’Artagnan. “They will shoot until they kill at least one of us, or until we kill them ourselves.” So, as I rightly said, there are only three outcomes. If you survive, Your Majesty, to which I will make the most careful efforts, when and if you regain the throne, immediately dismiss Colbert. After all, he put Your Majesty’s life on the line!
“I’ll send Colbert into retirement, and you to the Place de Greve,” Louis replied.
“Okay, just don’t mix up the sequence of actions, I beg you,” d’Artagnan joked.
“So, I have only a thirty-three percent chance of staying alive,” Louis repeated.
“I have raised your chances to one hundred percent,” replied d’Artagnan.
- How? - Louis asked with animation.
“I poured all the gunpowder from all the saddlebags into the grass, and instead of it I poured the powder of my Indian friend,” answered d’Artagnan.
-But a person can be killed not only with a pistol or a musket! - objected the King.
“A treacherous shot from an ambush is something from which I find it difficult to save Your Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan. - With the invention of firearms, no monarch can be guaranteed to be protected from a bullet fired by some scoundrel or just a maniac. But if a treacherous shot does not threaten us, then in close combat I guarantee us victory. Besides, I have twenty musketeers, have you forgotten? And there are only four of them!
“It can’t be that everything could be so simple,” Louis said, as if reasoning with himself.
- What if some of the gunpowder was not in their saddlebags, but on their person? - asked Francois.
- Thousand devils! This opportunity remains! - exclaimed d'Artagnan. “But soldiers and officers usually do not carry too much gunpowder with them, although they may keep one or two charges with them. In this case, we are faced with the first salvo, and all those who survive after it will be given the opportunity to get even with the help of a saber!
- And you just talk about it like that? - Louis was indignant.
- What to do? - answered d'Artagnan. — I describe the situation without embellishment.
“Your escort of twenty musketeers will not allow anyone to approach the carriage,” said Francois.
“No escort can prevent an ambush shot, so don’t open the curtains of the carriage, don’t look out the window, lean back as much as possible, Your Majesty.”
“Can’t a bullet pierce the wall of a carriage?” - asked the King.
“My carriage is made of oak, it is quite strong,” answered d’Artagnan. “At close range, it probably won’t serve as sufficient protection, but the ambush will be done for security reasons, away from the road, and they will shoot from afar, so as not to be cut down by our convoy.”
“So, you guarantee me complete protection, d’Artagnan?” - asked Louis.
“I guarantee that I will do everything possible and everything impossible for this, Your Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan. “I will also try to make sure that those in ambush have a better chance of hitting me than you, so that your thirty-three percent may well grow to fifty or more.”

Chapter 360

- Listen, d'Artagnan! - Louis exclaimed on the second day of the journey. “I won’t hide the fact that we are each other’s enemies, but I am grateful to you for freeing me from this terrible mask and freeing my hands, however, I am a living person!” I need to take a walk, stretch my limbs, otherwise you will bring not me, but my corpse to the fortress. I want to eat, finally, sitting at the table like a person, and not eating this rubbish that you buy for me at the tavern, washing it all down with wine, while the carriage continues on its way and I risk choking at any moment!
“Your grievances are well founded, Your Majesty, but I cannot allow you to visit the inn,” the captain replied.
“If one of your assistants managed to escort me, and I, as you see, did not run away, then the two of you, undoubtedly, do not have to fear that I will run away, taking advantage of the fact that you allow me to get out of the carriage.”
- But I allow this to you with sufficient regularity, Your Majesty! - D'Artagnan objected. — You regularly take walks in nature.
“I want to go to a decent tavern and eat decent food, damn you!” - Louis demanded in a capricious tone.
“I mourn any manifestation of violence against you, Your Majesty, that is not necessary,” the captain replied. “Show me a way to satisfy your demand without risk to you and me, and I will do what you ask.”
“It’s quite dark now,” Louis said irritably . “If you insist, I’ll put on this stupid iron mask so that no one sees or recognizes me, after which we’ll go to the first decent tavern we meet on the road.” You will rent us a separate room, and we will order decent food in it. On the way back, I'm also ready to put on this disgusting mask.
- Well, that's great! - the captain agreed. — The nearest tavern will be soon.

Finally, the carriage drove up to the inn. D'Artagnan came out and held the doors, inviting Louis to follow his example.
D'Artagnan ordered the musketeers to line up in two rows, forming a human barrier on the way from the carriage to the inn, after which he left, walking to the right of Louis, while Francois walked to his left.
When they were halfway there, a shot rang out from the nearby bushes. Louis, as if knocked down, fell to the ground.
- Crap! Crap! Crap! - D'Artagnan exclaimed and fired from two muskets with both hands at the place in the bushes from where the shot came.
- You, ten! - he said to the ten musketeers who stood to his right. - Take everyone who is there! And you, keep the line and watch out for someone to shoot from the other side!
He himself immediately bent over the fallen Louis, picked him up in his arms and carried him to the hotel.
- Francois, look, is everything clean inside? - he ordered. - Legru, Dusset, back him up!
Two of the musketeers on the left went into the hotel with Francois to make sure there was no ambush there. A couple of minutes later Francois looked out of the door.
- Clean, bring it in! - he said, and d'Artagnan carried the unconscious Louis inside the hotel, while an escort of the remaining eight musketeers surrounded the hotel so that no one could enter it.

D'Artagnan hurried to help the King, intending to stop the bleeding and bandage it, but he did not see any traces of blood.
- Your Majesty, forgive me! I didn't save you! - he exclaimed, examining the unconscious Louis.
At this moment Louis began to stir.
- Take off that stupid mask! - he said in a choked voice. - I have a terrible headache. I think I'm injured.
- You are alive! - D'Artagnan exclaimed, taking off his mask. - What happiness! Glory to the Lord in his mercy!
Indeed, Louis was alive. From their ambush, all four shot at him, two aimed at d'Artagnan, and the other two at Louis. But of all four, only Olivia was able to fire a shot; the pistols of three guardsmen, including de Trabuson himself, misfired. Instead of gunpowder, Kumara powder was poured into them.
Olivia shot the King in the head, hoping to kill him with one shot. Fortunately, in the darkness, she did not notice the iron mask on him and shot at the silhouette. The Iron Mask took the bullet, however, the King received a serious blow to the head. Since there were soft rag pads inside the mask so as not to injure the prisoner's head, the King did not receive any wounds, but only slight bruises.
“There is no one in the room, you can take off your mask for now,” said d’Artagnan.
- Damn rubbish! - the King grumbled, tearing off his mask with hatred.
- Don't scold this mask, Your Majesty! - objected the captain. “She just saved your life.”
Seeing the mark of a musket bullet, the King was frightened by the thought of what could have happened to him if he had not been wearing a mask. However, he quickly pulled himself together and declared:
- The Lord protects me! This is proof that you are wrong, captain!
- If so, the Lord sent his blessing to you only on the condition that you still put on this mask. Therefore, we will not tempt him and next time we will also use it.
“Do you think there will be more attacks on us?” - Louis asked anxiously.
“I believe that we will repel them,” answered d’Artagnan. “I’ll go find out how things are going there, while you take care of His Majesty,” said d’Artagnan, turning to Francois. - Master, the best rooms for this guest! Two adjacent! The rest will be placed wherever necessary! There are twenty-three of us here, His Majesty's musketeers. You will receive a decent payment for our stay if you feed us properly. The best food for our guest. And take care of the horses!
Then he whispered to Louis:
“Your Majesty, at least cover your face with a hat, because you don’t want any problems?” Now we will go to your room, there you will rest and have dinner as you wish.

Leaving the hotel, he turned to one of the musketeers.
- Well, what's wrong with him, Legru? - he asked.
“There were two people in the bushes from where the shot was fired; you killed one outright with your shot,” answered the musketeer. “There were also two in the bushes opposite.” We found abandoned pistols. They seemed to be loaded, but only one of them fired. So three disappeared, and one corpse is in our hands. There was only one tied horse left in the bushes; the three were also on horses.
“We must take a look,” said d’Artagnan.
Approaching the dead horseman, he identified Guardsman de Lortie.
“By shooting the one they shot at, they committed a state crime,” said d’Artagnan. “Legrue, bury him as you would an enemy soldier.” A funeral service is not required; a grave and a cross are enough.
After that, he addressed all the musketeers.
“You don’t have to spend the whole night in a hotel.” You will be on duty in turns, ten on duty, ten resting, each half the night. And before that, let half a dozen people follow the tracks, maybe you can catch up with someone and grab them. Be careful, these people are capable of sneaky shots from around the corner or something similar. They no longer had any gunpowder left, but who knows, maybe there were still a few charges left. I do not want losses among my people in peacetime! Proceed carefully. Your task is to capture the criminals, if possible, but it is more important to save your lives, which are precious to me. And the highest priority is the life of our prisoner. Today we almost failed our mission. But everything worked out, praise the Creator.
Then he returned to the hotel.
“Your Majesty, I think it was the lady who shot,” said d’Artagnan. “She shoots quite accurately not only for a woman, but she could give a head start to many men!” In addition, only Madame’s pistol, as you can see, turned out to be working. Obviously, this beast does not leave gunpowder in the powder bags, but takes it with her to the tavern. Well, it's a commendable habit. But we can't risk your life. We will not make such a mistake in the future. In addition, they can buy new pistols and gunpowder, and this will create a new danger for us. I will speak with the owner to give further instructions.
After this, d'Artagnan went down to the innkeeper and said to him:
- My dear, I am the captain of the royal musketeers, carrying out the King’s instructions to escort a dangerous state criminal. Here's the order. A vile attempt had just been made on his life. We shot one of the criminals, three managed to escape. My people will clean up there. After this, they need rest and food, and also take care of our horses and carriage. You can keep the scoundrel's horse, which we found in the bushes, since robbers are outlaws. The rooms you provided us are suitable for me. If anyone lives in the hotel besides us, evict them. Order of the King. Serve the best food you have for the rooms. Place my people. Ten sleeping places are enough, they will sleep in turns. Here is half the payment for the stay, tomorrow morning I will pay the rest.
The innkeeper hastened to carry out the captain's orders.

Chapter 361

“Your Majesty, your wish has been fulfilled, you have finally received hot food, help yourself,” said d’Artagnan. — Please forgive me that the table setting does not reach the level of the Louvre. You'll have to come to terms with this.
“When I return to the throne, I will have you executed quickly and painlessly, captain,” Louis answered coldly, starting to eat.
“Your Majesty won’t even take into account that the mask he urgently asked you to wear saved your life?” - asked the captain with a smile.
“That’s exactly what I took into account when I said that you will die quickly and painlessly, don’t ask me for a greater favor,” replied Louis.
- It sounds very tempting, but I will try to avoid such mercy from Your Majesty, but for now - bonapeti! - answered d'Artagnan.
Cheerful at the thought that one day he would return to the throne, the deposed King began to eat with great appetite.
- By the way, captain, how did you manage to take the prisoner from the fortress? - he asked, spreading foie gras on the thinnest salty biscuit.
“I took advantage of your order, Your Majesty, which you wrote with my own hand under my dictation while in the Bastille,” answered d’Artagnan.
“ But the order was addressed to de Bezmo!” - exclaimed the King.
“Your Majesty forgot to mention the name of the commandant and the name of the fortress, but I did not remind you,” the captain answered modestly.
- Scoundrel! Now I remember that I wrote everything under your dictation exactly as you dictated! - Louis was indignant, without interrupting his meal. - It turns out that even then you were planning a malicious state crime!?
“I haven’t thought about it yet, but probably, hidden in my subconscious, I didn’t exclude such a turn,” answered d’Artagnan. “Your Majesty greatly offended me by attacking all my friends at once.” I would forgive you for the assassination attempt, not just me. I would forgive d'Herblay, since he himself is to blame. It would be difficult for me to forgive du Valon, but it would be justified, I would try to understand that too. But the Comte de La F;re, whose only guilt is that he is a friend of these two, is just like me and Raoul, who is only guilty of loving the same one you loved! I would not forgive such injustice even to the Lord, and if I could get to him, I would blow him up.
“And my actions were absolutely correct, as is proven by your subsequent actions,” Louis said completely dispassionately, cutting off a perfectly fried goose leg and pouring it with an exquisite garlic sauce. - And what you just said reveals you not only as a rebel, but also as an atheist, a heretic.
“Your Majesty, it’s simple to believe and love someone unknown, because to prove such love you don’t need anything other than words, and sometimes they aren’t even needed, it’s enough to make a Lenten face when you pass by a temple!” - D'Artagnan objected. — Human nature requires concrete love. But the Lord did not send me either a woman whom I could love or children who could love me. I only have friends left!
“You are lying, d’Artagnan, because you were married, and you seem to have two children born in this marriage, don’t you?” - Louis reminded.
“ Separating from your wife by mutual consent is even worse than not having a wife at all, Your Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan. “It’s like an unpaid debt.” Being in debt is worse than having no money, and the same thing happens here. Not only do you not get a woman whom you could love, but, in addition, you also get a woman whom you inevitably hate. However, she also pays you back in kind. As for the children, they stayed with her, she raises them, and, according to the doctrine of her upbringing, all their thoughts about me boil down to the fact that I would quickly go to the other world so that they could receive an inheritance from me. The weirdos don’t know that everything that could have been taken from me was already taken by my wife during the divorce. All I had left was a sword, the position of captain of the musketeers, and a miserable rented apartment of a couple of rooms.
“It seems that your position at court gives you the right to live in this home for free, doesn’t it?” - Louis reminded. - Your home costs you nothing!
“Yes, exactly, this has been the case recently, but I didn’t even notice, since my expenses have recently increased, but my income has remained the same,” answered d’Artagnan. “They are like two musketeers in one row, none of them ever overtakes the other or lags behind, so after paying all the expenses I am left with nothing, or almost nothing.” But I also have nephews who need to be helped!
- Why didn’t you turn to me for help? - Louis asked, starting to dessert. - I would find money for you and help you!
“That’s exactly why I didn’t apply!” - answered d'Artagnan. “Have I served so poorly that I need the help I would ask from my King to resolve my financial issues?” Your Majesty, d'Artagnan almost never asked for anything and will never ask. If he wants something, he either wins it, or deserves it, or takes it. But he doesn't ask. I remember that I asked you only once in my life - I asked you to cancel your order to arrest the Comte de La Fere. It seems to me that I have used all my eloquence to convince you that the Count can never be guilty of anything before you, since this man considers it his duty to serve the King and, if necessary, to give his life for him. I remember how hard it was for me to do this. And I believed that we would never return to this conversation. So what happens? You again order him to be arrested, and in addition also his son, and all this despite the fact that no new guilt has appeared before you, just as there was no previous guilt before that! If I asked you to release the Comte de La F;re again, you would refuse me. As for Raoul, his lack of freedom consists not only of the Bastille, but also of the love taken from him, of the violated sense of justice, of the destroyed faith in his King. In such a situation, I don’t ask, I act.
“You are a bad subject, although you could be an excellent captain of the musketeers, then the second without the first is worth nothing,” said Louis. - Do you want to know what thought comforts me best now? The thought that you, a bad captain of musketeers, will be like that of my brother Philip, usurper of my throne. One of the most important people at his court will be you, a person who cannot be trusted! This is his sentence, God's punishment for his crime. You will remove him just like you removed me!
“That’s unlikely,” objected d’Artagnan. “Unless he, like you, plans to destroy or dishonor my friends.” In this case, your fate will befall him.
—Who will you put in the vacant seat in this case? - Louis grinned. - Bring me back?
— After you promised me a quick and easy death? - asked d'Artagnan. - That would be crazy.
- Then who? Philip of Orleans? - asked Louis.
“He is completely unprepared for this, but he had every right to do this only until you had a son, Your Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan. - In the event of your death, only he has the legal right to the throne of France, he is officially listed as the Dauphin.
“This is understandable, but he will not be able to actually rule the country until he comes of age,” Louis continued. “So there must be a regent or a regency council.”
“The collective mind can only ruin the whole thing,” d’Artagnan objected. - There should be one head, and in this case there can be as many others as you like - two, three, a hundred, a thousand. It doesn't matter at all anymore. The only thing that matters is who is first, in charge, and he is the only one. Whatever the name of the political system - republic, kingdom, empire or anarchy. There is still one person, the actual King.
“Or the Queen,” Louis added, moving away the empty vase, the dessert from which he had completely eaten.
“Yes, or the Queen,” agreed d’Artagnan. “But with regard to the regent the situation is much simpler than with regard to the King. Everyone expects that the one who is closest to the throne by virtue of kinship will be appointed regent, but this is not necessary, this is prejudice. If Richelieu had survived your father, he would have been regent, and no one would have dared to object to it. So someone else may be regent for your son; it will not necessarily be Philip of Orleans.
- So who then? - asked Louis.
“There are two options,” answered d’Artagnan. — Try this wine, it’s great. So there are two options. Firstly, the Duke de Beaufort in the event that he did not die, but was only captured. Nobody knows the truth about him yet. But if he did not die, then there is one person in France who most likely knows about it.
- Who? - Louis asked, tasting the wine. - I know this man?
“Yes and no, Your Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan. “You think you know this person, but you don’t know even a tenth of what you should know about him.”
“You intrigue me, d’Artagnan!” - Louis exclaimed and put the unfinished goblet on the table. - Say his name!
“ Henri-Ren; de Chicot,” answered d’Artagnan.
“I don’t know this name,” Louis replied, taking the goblet again and taking two sips of the wine, the delicate taste of which he only now tasted.
“He has many names,” said d’Artagnan. - Villequier de Divon, Mathias de Gili, Jean d'Artigny, Father Rene, choose whichever you want!
— I’m hearing all these names for the first time! - Louis said in surprise. - Meanwhile, you said that I know this man!
“Even I don’t know all his names, but you’ve probably come across the name of the Duke d’Alameda?” - continued d'Artagnan.
“It seems I’ve heard this name somewhere before,” Louis said thoughtfully.
“You know him under the name of the Chevalier d'Herblay,” said d'Artagnan. “He uses this name most often, and another name that only close friends call him, as well as comrades in arms during the reign of Richelieu. This name is Aramis.
“Judging by the number of names, the former Bishop of Vannes d’Herblay is indeed far from a simple person,” said Louis. Which of these names is real?
“That’s it, Your Majesty,” answered d’Artagnan. “If he united all the estates that he owns personally or through dummies, he could be a marquis or even a duke, but he prefers to remain an inconspicuous person in France. However, in Spain, in less than a month, he acquired the right to be called the Duke of Alameda, and this right is not false, but completely legal. Your cousin, the King of Spain, could confirm this.
“If what you reported is true, then I didn’t know a lot about this man,” Louis said thoughtfully.
“You still don’t know anything about him, and what I said has absolutely no meaning,” answered d’Artagnan. - Just like the information that Goliath had a mole between his index and middle fingers? Does this reveal much about him? Nothing!
“But no matter how huge Goliath was, David was found who killed him with his sling!” - Louis objected.
- What if I hadn’t found it? - asked d'Artagnan. “Or if this David didn’t want to do it?” Or else, what would have happened if David had been at one with Goliath? How do you like this turn of events?
“You compare your d’Herblay to Goliath, a giant who cannot be contained!” - Louis was indignant. - This comparison is an exaggeration.
“Yes, Your Majesty, Goliath does not live up to Aramis, but what can you do, the Bible does not provide more suitable examples,” continued d’Artagnan. - You can remember Samson, whose strength was in his hair. Or about Antaeus, whose strength was in the Earth that gave birth to him. But Aramis’s strength is not in one thing, he combines Antaeus and Samson, Goliath and someone else, he even has some kind of ring, like Solomon. I’m not sure that with its help he can understand the language of animals and birds, but he can certainly negotiate with some of them. In any case, one of the reptiles, the lovely Duchess de Chevreuse, always yields to his pressure.
- And yet, I caught him and put him in the Bastille! - Louis said proudly.
— Could you contain a volcano or a mountain avalanche in the Bastille? - asked d'Artagnan. “A man like d’Herblay could, of course, be killed with a treacherous shot from around the corner, or lured into a trap, tied up and thrown into prison. But destroying such a person may cause processes that you cannot contain. I believe that if d'Herblay had died in the Bastille, after some time the same thing could have begun in France that happened in England at the end of the reign of Charles I. The monarchy would cease to exist. And I’m not sure that it would have been revived again after some time, just as the monarchy in England would not necessarily have been revived. Everything could have gone completely differently if several people had not independently decided to put Charles II on the throne . And there weren’t so many of these people; to be honest, there were two of them, and one of them is now in front of you, and you imprisoned the other in the Bastille along with his son. I assure you that what these two did, d'Herblay could have done alone, without their help, if he had wanted to.
— Former musketeer of de Treville? - Louis asked in disbelief.
- Yes, a former musketeer of de Treville! - D'Artagnan answered proudly. “Under the command of Captain de Treville, we fought like ordinary soldiers, and were accustomed to the idea of dying for the King or Queen at any moment. But those times are over, we have all become different, we have lost something and gained something. The Musketeer d'Herblay could not have done more than the Musketeer d'Herblay did, but the present d'Herblay can do much more than what Paul de Gondi, the Princes of Cond; and Conti, and the Dukes of Beaufort, Marcillac, La Rochefoucauld and Lorraine did. taken together. This person is more inventive than the Duchess de Chevreuse, more cunning than Cardinal de Retz and more influential than Francois Leclerc du Tremblay, who placed the Bishop of Luson in the cardinal's chair and made him the Great Richelieu. You could have killed him, but with him you would have destroyed the monarchy in France. By freeing d'Herblay, I saved the monarchy.
“Even if so, this does not excuse you in connection with your latest crime,” replied Louis. - And why are you telling me this? Are you saying that d'Herblay could become regent under my son?!
“By no means, Your Majesty,” replied d’Artagnan. “D'Herblay would not expose himself to such danger as taking the place of regent in France in our day.” He would simply appoint as regent a person who would obey him. If the Duke de Beaufort had not died, he would have found him and made him regent.
- What if he died? - asked Louis.
“Then he would make Nicolas Fouquet regent,” answered d’Artagnan.
“Fouquet could not rule France,” Louis said dryly.
“Fouquet could rule France, and that is why he is now in Pignerol,” answered d’Artagnan.
“ You are a terrible man, d’Artagnan,” Louis said quietly.
- Because I told you to your face the truth that you did not want to admit to yourself? - asked d'Artagnan. “After what I did, what you call my last crime, telling you the truth to your face is no more dangerous than simply being anywhere in France.” As long as you are in my hands, it is safe, but if you regain your throne, it will be dangerous for me to be anywhere in France, and perhaps in all of Europe. So what's so scary about me?
“You are an oathbreaker, you encroached on your King, to whom you swore allegiance,” said Louis, after which he poured himself a full goblet of wine, which he liked so much, and drank it in one gulp.
“An oath is a kind of contract between the one who swears the oath and the one to whom they swear,” objected d’Artagnan. — If one of the parties violates the contract, the second is released from the obligation to comply with it. I swore allegiance to my King, you have ceased to be my King because you committed a grave crime against one of the best nobles of your kingdom, as well as against his son. This topic is completely closed. I won't let you out, and you can blame me as much as you want. My subsequent actions, Your Majesty, were a completely correct reaction to your actions, it all depends on how you look at these two phenomena. A subsequent action cannot be the cause of a previous one. The cause is responsible for the effect.
“So you are also a philosopher,” the King nodded, taking a large sip of Tokaji. — Philosophers know how to explain any nonsense very smoothly. And I thought that you were just a conspirator.
“Conspiracy is not my profession, Your Majesty, all my life I only wanted to honestly serve my fatherland, but it is impossible to obey some orders without being a philosopher,” answered the captain. - Only after realizing that orders are not given by the smartest people can you calmly experience this situation. Every person has the right to make mistakes, but for some reason many people abuse this right too much.
“You still won’t be able to use your plot, d’Artagnan, since I managed to take some measures,” Louis said with some gloating. - An extremely unpleasant surprise awaits you.
“The profession of an officer teaches you to expect unpleasant surprises at any moment, Your Majesty,” answered the captain. - Any order written by you can be canceled by the order of the one who now occupies your throne.
“Provided that this usurper knows about this order and is aware of the results of its execution,” Louis agreed. “But in this case, these conditions will not be met, so you will soon find out that you have caught not only me, but also yourself, Mister Captain, and then I will laugh to my heart’s content.”
“I have no objection, Your Majesty, to your gaiety,” said d’Artagnan, who, seeing that the King was already sufficiently full, allowed himself to join the meal. - When the King is in a good mood, it is a good sign for his subjects.
“This is not always the case,” Louis answered with a smile, which this time could be called a snake’s. “I think that on St. Bartholomew’s Night, Charles IX was in an excellent mood.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, you made me look at you with a sober look again,” d’Artagnan answered dryly. - Francois, what are you waiting for? Join us for dinner, although His Majesty, out of forgetfulness, did not invite us, we have the right to our share, especially since I am paying for dinner.
Francois did not keep himself waiting, since his young body had long demanded something more significant than table conversations and simple contemplation of the dishes being absorbed by the King.

“Apparently, the King managed to write some kind of order, which, in his opinion, should be a surprise for me,” thought d’Artagnan, lying in bed. “According to his plans, I should find out about him later, and he should be a big nuisance for me.” Well, this is, in all likelihood, an order that is sent to de Saint-Mars. What could it be? This cannot be an order not to accept the prisoner, since Louis could not have known that I would take him there. Therefore, it could have been an order not to extradite the prisoner. But how can such an order harm me if I have already taken Philip from there? It will only be to my advantage, because I am taking Louis back to the fortress under the guise of Philip. So this could be an order directing Saint-Mars to arrest me? Most likely, he is ordered to arrest anyone who comes to Pignerol! After all, he could not know that this person would be me! Well, I was lucky that I managed to pick up Philippe before Saint-Mars received this order. However, I also had the King’s order. In this case, the commandant would have to solve the difficult problem of figuring out which order is the most important, since the first order contradicts the second. There was no date on the order that I brought, and I could always claim that it was written last! So, I have one more problem, and it will arise upon arrival in Pignerol! Thank you, Your Majesty, for warning me! This wine really loosens the tongue, just as Planchet promised!”

(To be continued in the next book)