Ten Years Later by Dumas, Alexandre. Part one

D’Artagnan that he had surmised rightly.

“Yes, yes,” muttered he; “I thought I knew his person; I

even fancied I knew his voice. Unlucky wretch that I am! Oh!

sire, pardon me! I thought I had so successfully steered my

bark.”

“There is nothing ill in it, sir,” said the king, “except

that the general accuses me of having laid a snare for him,

which is not the case. No, general, those are not the arms

which I contemplated employing with you as you will soon

see. In the meanwhile, when I give you my word upon the

honor of a gentleman, believe me, sir, believe me! Now,

Monsieur d’Artagnan, a word with you, if you please.”

“I listen on my knees, sire.”

“You are truly at my service, are you not?”

“Your majesty has seen I am, too much so.”

“That is well; from a man like you one word suffices. In

addition to that word you bring actions. General, have the

goodness to follow me. Come with us, M. d’Artagnan.”

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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later

D’Artagnan, considerably surprised, prepared to obey.

Charles II. went out, Monk followed him, D’Artagnan followed

Monk. Charles took the path by which D’Artagnan had come to

his abode; the fresh sea breezes soon caressed the faces of

the three nocturnal travelers, and, at fifty paces from the

little gate which Charles opened, they found themselves upon

the down in the face of the ocean, which, having ceased to

rise, reposed upon the shore like a wearied monster. Charles

II. walked pensively along, his head hanging down and his

hand beneath his cloak. Monk followed him, with crossed arms

and an uneasy look. D’Artagnan came last, with his hand on

the hilt of his sword.

“Where is the boat in which you came, gentlemen?” said

Charles to the musketeer.

“Yonder, sire, I have seven men and an officer waiting me in

that little bark which is lighted by a fire.”

“Yes, I see; the boat is drawn upon the sand, but you

certainly did not come from Newcastle in that frail bark?”

“No, sire; I freighted a felucca, at my own expense, which

is at anchor within cannon-shot of the downs. It was in that

felucca we made the voyage.”

“Sir,” said the king to Monk, “you are free.”

However firm of his will, Monk could not suppress an

exclamation. The king added an affirmative motion of his

head, and continued: “We shall waken a fisherman of the

village, who will put his boat to sea immediately, and will

take you back to any place you may command him. M.

d’Artagnan here will escort your honor. I place M.

d’Artagnan under the safeguard of your loyalty, M. Monk.”

Monk allowed a murmur of surprise to escape him, and

D’Artagnan a profound sigh. The king, without appearing to

notice either, knocked against the deal trellis which

inclosed the cabin of the principal fisherman inhabiting the

down.

“Hey! Keyser!” cried he, “awake!”

“Who calls me?” asked the fisherman.

“I, Charles the king.”

“Ah, my lord!” cried Keyser, rising ready dressed from the

sail in which he slept, as people sleep in a hammock. “What

can I do to serve you?”

“Captain Keyser,” said Charles, “you must set sail

immediately. Here is a traveler who wishes to freight your

bark, and will pay you well; serve him well.” And the king

drew back a few steps to allow Monk to speak to the

fisherman.

“I wish to cross over into England,” said Monk, who spoke

Dutch enough to make himself understood.

“This minute,” said the patron, “this very minute, if you

wish it.”

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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later

“But will that be long?” said Monk.

“Not half an hour, your honor. My eldest son is at this

moment preparing the boat, as we were going out fishing at

three o’clock in the morning.”

“Well, is all arranged?” asked the king, drawing near.

“All but the price,” said the fisherman; “yes, sire.”

“That is my affair,” said Charles, “the gentleman is my

friend.”

Monk started and looked at Charles on hearing this word.

“Very well, my lord,” replied Keyser. And at that moment

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