“We must remain at Belle-Isle,” said Aramis, resolutely; “and I assure you, for my part, I will not surrender easily.” Porthos said nothing.
D’Artagnan remarked the silence of his friend. “I have another trial to make of this officer, of this brave fellow who accompanies me, whose courageous resistance makes me very happy,- for it denotes an honest man, who, although an enemy, is a thousand times better than a complaisant coward. Let us try to learn from him what he has the right of doing, and what his orders permit or forbid.”
“Let us try,” said Aramis.
D’Artagnan came to the parapet, leaned over towards the steps of the pier, and called the officer, who immediately came up. “Monsieur,” said d’Artagnan, after having exchanged the most cordial courtesies, natural between gentlemen who know and appreciate each other worthily,- “Monsieur, if I wished to take away these gentlemen from this place, what would you do?”
“I should not oppose it, Monsieur; but having direct orders, formal orders, to take them under my guard, I should detain them.”
“Ah!” said d’Artagnan.
“It is all over,” said Aramis, gloomily. Porthos did not stir.
“But still take Porthos,” said the Bishop of Vannes; “he can prove to the King, I will help him in doing so, and you also can, M. d’Artagnan, that he has had nothing to do in this affair.”
“Hum!” said d’Artagnan. “Will you come? Will you follow me, Porthos? The King is merciful.”
“I beg to reflect,” said Porthos, nobly.
“You will remain here, then?”
“Until fresh orders,” said Aramis, with vivacity.
“Until we have had an idea,” resumed d’Artagnan; “and I now believe that will not be a long time, for I have one already.”
“Let us say adieu, then,” said Aramis; “but in truth, my good Porthos, you ought to go.”
“No!” said the latter, laconically.
“As you please,” replied Aramis, a little wounded in his nervous susceptibility at the morose tone of his companion. “Only I am reassured by the promise of an idea from d’Artagnan,- an idea I fancy I have divined.”
“Let us see,” said the musketeer, placing his ear near Aramis’s mouth. The latter spoke several words rapidly, to which d’Artagnan replied, “That is it precisely.”
“Infallible, then!” cried Aramis.
“During the first emotion that this resolution will cause, take care of yourself, Aramis.”
“Oh, don’t be afraid!”
“Now, Monsieur,” said d’Artagnan to the officer, “thanks, a thousand thanks! You have made yourself three friends for life.”
“Yes,” added Aramis. Porthos alone said nothing, but merely bowed.
D’Artagnan, having tenderly embraced his two old friends, left Belle-Isle with the inseparable companion M. Colbert had given him. Thus, with the exception of the explanation with which the worthy Porthos had been willing to be satisfied, nothing apparently was changed in the condition of the one or of the other. “Only,” said Aramis, “there is d’Artagnan’s idea.”
D’Artagnan did not return on board without examining to the bottom the idea he had discovered. Now, we know that when d’Artagnan did examine, he was accustomed to see through. As to the officer, become mute again, he left him full leisure to meditate. Therefore, on putting his foot on board his vessel, moored within cannon-shot of the island, the captain of the Musketeers had already got together all his means, offensive and defensive.
He immediately assembled his council, which consisted of the officers serving under his orders. These were eight in number,- a chief of the maritime forces; a major directing the artillery; an engineer; the officer we are acquainted with; and four lieutenants. Having assembled them in the chamber of the poop, d’Artagnan arose, took off his hat, and addressed them thus: “Gentlemen, I have been to reconnoitre Belle-Isle-en-Mer, and I have found in it a good and solid garrison; moreover, preparations are made for a defence that may prove troublesome. I therefore intend to send for two of the principal officers of the place that we may converse with them. Having separated them from their troops and their cannon, we shall be better able to deal with them,- particularly with good reasoning. Is this your opinion, gentlemen?”
The major of artillery rose. “Monsieur,” said he, with respect, but with firmness, “I have heard you say that the place in preparing to make a troublesome defence. The place is, then, as you know, determined upon rebellion?”