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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