“Well, Jonathas, from whom do you come?”
“Monseigneur, from those who captured me.”
“Who captured you?”
“You know, Monseigneur, we set out in search of our comrades?”
“Yes,- and afterwards?”
“Well, Monseigneur, within a short league we were captured by a chasse-maree belonging to the King.”
“Ah!” said Aramis.
“Of which King?” cried Porthos. Jonathas started.
“Speak!” continued the bishop.
“We were captured, Monseigneur, and joined to those who had been taken yesterday morning.”
“What was the cause of the mania for capturing you all?” said Porthos.
“Monsieur, to prevent us from telling you.”
Porthos was again at a loss to comprehend. “And they have released you to-day?” asked he.
“That I might tell you they have captured us, Monsieur.”
“Trouble upon trouble!” thought honest Porthos.
During this time Aramis was reflecting. “Humph!” said he; “then I suppose it is a royal fleet blockading the coasts?”
“Yes, Monseigneur.”
“Who commands it?”
“The captain of the King’s Musketeers.”
“D’Artagnan?”
“D’Artagnan!” exclaimed Porthos.
“I believe that is the name.”
“And did he give you this letter?”
“Yes, Monseigneur.”
“Bring the torch nearer.”
“It is his writing,” said Porthos.
Aramis eagerly read the following lines:-
“Order of the King to take Belle-Isle;
“Order to put the garrison to the sword if they resist;
“Order to make prisoners all the men of the garrison.
“Signed: D’ARTAGNAN, who the day before yesterday arrested M. Fouquet that he might be sent to the Bastille.”
Aramis turned pale, and crushed the paper in his hands.
“What is it?” asked Porthos.
“Nothing, my friend, nothing. Tell me, Jonathas.”
“Monseigneur!”
“Did you speak to M. d’Artagnan?”
“Yes, Monseigneur.”
“What did he say to you?”
“That for more ample information he would speak with Monseigneur.”
“Where?”
“On board his own vessel.”
“‘On board his vessel’!” and Porthos repeated, “‘On board his vessel’!”
“Monsieur the Musketeer,” continued Jonathas, “told me to take you both on board my canoe and bring you to him.”
“Let us go at once!” exclaimed Porthos; “dear d’Artagnan!”
But Aramis stopped him. “Are you mad?” cried he. “Who knows that it is not a snare?”
“Of the other King?” said Porthos, mysteriously.
“A snare, in fact,- that’s what it is, my friend!
“Very possibly. What is to be done, then? If d’Artagnan sends for us-”
“Who assures you that d’Artagnan sends for us?”
“Yes, but- but his writing-”
“Writing is easily counterfeited. This looks counterfeited- trembling-”
“You are always right; but in the mean time we know nothing.”
Aramis was silent.
“It is true,” said the good Porthos; “we do not want to know anything.”
“What shall I do?” asked Jonathas.
“You will return on board this captain’s vessel.”
“Yes, Monseigneur.”
“And will tell him that we beg he will himself come to the island.”
“Ah, I comprehend!” said Porthos.
“Yes, Monseigneur,” replied Jonathas; “but if the captain should refuse to come to Belle-Isle?”
“If he refuses, as we have cannon, we will make use of them.”
“What! against d’Artagnan?”
“If it is d’Artagnan, Porthos, he will come. Go, Jonathas, go!”
“Ma foi! I no longer comprehend anything,” murmured Porthos.
“I will make you comprehend all, my dear friend; the time for it is come. Sit down upon this gun-carriage, open your ears, and listen well to me.”
“Oh, Pardieu! I shall listen,- no fear of that.”
“May I depart, Monseigneur?” cried Jonathas.
“Yes; go and bring back an answer. Allow the canoe to pass, you men there!” and the canoe pushed off to regain the fleet.
Aramis took Porthos by the hand, and began the explanations.
Chapter LXXI: The Explanations of Aramis
“WHAT I have to say to you, friend Porthos, will probably surprise you, but it will instruct you.”
“I like to be surprised,” said Porthos, in a kindly tone; “do not spare me, therefore, I beg. I am hardened against emotions; don’t fear, speak out.”
“It is difficult, Porthos, it is- difficult; for in truth- I warn you- again- I have very strange things, very extraordinary things, to tell you.”
“Oh, you speak so well, my friend, that I could listen to you for days together. Speak, then, I beg; and- stop, I have an idea: I will, to make your task more easy, to assist you in telling me such things, question you.”