have that correspondence. Oh! but I cannot place all my
dependence upon that man; he has a good head, but I must
have an arm!” Louis, all at once, uttered a joyful cry. “I
had,” said he, “a lieutenant of musketeers!”
“Yes, sire — Monsieur d’Artagnan.”
“He quitted the service for a time.”
“Yes, sire.”
“Let him be found, and be here to-morrow the first thing in
the morning.”
The valet de chambre bowed and went out.
“Thirteen millions in my cellar,” said the king; “Colbert
carrying my purse and D’Artagnan my sword — I am king.”
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CHAPTER 51
A Passion
The day of his arrival, on returning from the Palais Royal,
Athos, as we have seen, went straight to his hotel in the
Rue Saint-Honore. He there found the Vicomte de Bragelonne
waiting for him in his chamber, chatting with Grimaud. It
was not an easy thing to talk with this old servant. Two men
only possessed the secret, Athos and D’Artagnan. The first
succeeded, because Grimaud sought to make him speak himself;
D’Artagnan, on the contrary, because he knew how to make
Grimaud talk. Raoul was occupied in making him describe the
voyage to England, and Grimaud had related it in all its
details, with a limited number of gestures and eight words,
neither more nor less. He had, at first, indicated by an
undulating movement of his hand, that his master and he had
crossed the sea. “Upon some expedition?” Raoul had asked.
Grimaud by bending down his head had answered, “Yes.”
“When monsieur le comte incurred much danger?” asked Raoul.
“Neither too much nor too little,” was replied by a shrug of
the shoulders.
“But, still, what sort of danger?” insisted Raoul.
Grimaud pointed to the sword; he pointed to the fire and to
a musket that was hanging on the wall.
“Monsieur le comte had an enemy there, then?” cried Raoul.
“Monk,” replied Grimaud.
“It is strange,” continued Raoul, “that monsieur le comte
persists in considering me a novice, and not allowing me to
partake the honor and danger of his adventure.”
Grimaud smiled. It was at this moment Athos came in. The
host was lighting him up the stairs, and Grimaud,
recognizing the step of his master, hastened to meet him,
which cut short the conversation. But Raoul was launched on
the sea of interrogatories, and did not stop. Taking both
hands of the comte, with warm, but respectful tenderness, —
“How is it, monsieur,” said he, “that you have set out upon
a dangerous voyage without bidding me adieu, without
commanding the aid of my sword, of myself, who ought to be
your support, now I have the strength; whom you have brought
up like a man? Ah! monsieur, can you expose me to the cruel
trial of never seeing you again?”
“Who told you, Raoul,” said the comte, placing his cloak and
hat in the hands of Grimaud, who had unbuckled his sword,
“who told you that my voyage was a dangerous one?”
“I,” said Grimaud.
“And why did you do so?” said Athos, sternly.
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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
Grimaud was embarrassed; Raoul came to his assistance, by
answering for him. “It is natural, monsieur that our good
Grimaud should tell me the truth in what concerns you. By
whom should you be loved and supported, if not by me?”
Athos did not reply. He made a friendly motion to Grimaud,
which sent him out of the room, he then seated himself in a
fauteuil, whilst Raoul remained standing before him.
“But is it true,” continued Raoul, “that your voyage was an
expedition, and that steel and fire threatened you?”
“Say no more about that, vicomte,” said Athos mildly. “I set
out hastily, it is true: but the service of King Charles II.
required a prompt departure. As to your anxiety, I thank you
for it, and I know that I can depend upon you. You have not
wanted for anything, vicomte, in my absence, have you?”
“No, monsieur, thank you.”
“I left orders with Blaisois to pay you a hundred pistoles,
if you should stand in need of money.”
“Monsieur, I have not seen Blaisois.”