The king could not overcome his surprise, and looked sometimes at thesmiling face of the musketeer, and sometimes at the dark window whichopened into the night. But before he had fixed his ideas, eight ofD'Artagnan's men, for two had remained to take care of the bark, broughtto the house, where Parry received him, that object of an oblong form,which, for the moment inclosed the destinies of England. Before he leftCalais, D'Artagnan had had made in that city a sort of coffin, large anddeep enough for a man to turn in it at his ease. The bottom and sides,properly upholstered, formed a bed sufficiently soft to prevent therolling of the ship turning this kind of cage into a rat-trap. Thelittle grating, of which D'Artagnan had spoken to the king, like thevisor of a helmet, was placed opposite to the man's face. It was soconstructed that, at the least cry, a sudden pressure would stifle thatcry, and, if necessary, him who had uttered that cry.
D'Artagnan was so well acquainted with his crew and his prisoner, thatduring the whole voyage he had been in dread of two things: either thatthe general would prefer death to this sort of imprisonment, and wouldsmother himself by endeavoring to speak, or that his guards would allowthemselves to be tempted by the offers of the prisoner, and put him,D'Artagnan, into the box instead of Monk.
D'Artagnan, therefore, had passed the two days and the two nights of thevoyage close to the coffin, alone with the general, offering him wineand food, which the latter had refused, and constantly endeavoringto reassure him upon the destiny which awaited him at the end of thissingular captivity. Two pistols on the table and his naked sword madeD'Artagnan easy with regard to indiscretions from without.
When once at Scheveningen he had felt completely reassured. His mengreatly dreaded any conflict with the lords of the soil. He had,besides, interested in his cause him who had morally served him aslieutenant, and whom we have seen reply to the name of Menneville. Thelatter, not being a vulgar spirit, had more to risk than the others,because he had more conscience. He believed in a future in the serviceof D'Artagnan, and consequently would have allowed himself to be cut topieces, rather than violate the order given by his leader. Thus it wasthat, once landed, it was to him D'Artagnan had confided the care ofthe chest and the general's breathing. It was he, too, he had orderedto have the chest brought by the seven men as soon as he should hear thetriple whistle. We have seen that the lieutenant obeyed. The cofferonce in the house, D'Artagnan dismissed his men with a gracious smile,saying, "Messieurs, you have rendered a great service to KingCharles II., who in less than six weeks will be king of England. Yourgratification will then be doubled. Return to the boat and wait for me."Upon which they departed with such shouts of joy as terrified even thedog himself.
D'Artagnan had caused the coffer to be brought as far as the king'sante-chamber. He then, with great care, closed the door of thisante-chamber, after which he opened the coffer, and said to the general:
"General, I have a thousand excuses to make to you; my manner of actinghas not been worthy of such a man as you, I know very well; but I wishedyou to take me for the captain of a bark. And then England is a veryinconvenient country for transports. I hope, therefore, you will takeall that into consideration. But now, general, you are at liberty to getup and walk." This said, he cut the bonds which fastened the arms andhands of the general. The latter got up, and then sat down with thecountenance of a man who expects death. D'Artagnan opened the doorof Charles's study, and said, "Sire, here is your enemy, M. Monk; Ipromised myself to perform this service for your majesty. It is done;now order as you please. M. Monk," added he, turning towards theprisoner, "you are in the presence of his majesty Charles II., sovereignlord of Great Britain."
Monk raised towards the prince his coldly stoical look, and replied: "Iknow no king of Great Britain; I recognize even here no one worthy ofbearing the name of gentleman: for it is in the name of King CharlesII. that an emissary, whom I took for an honest man, came and laid aninfamous snare for me. I have fallen into that snare; so much the worsefor me. Now, you the tempter," said he to the king, "you the executor,"said he to D'Artagnan; "remember what I am about to say to you; you havemy body, you may kill it, and I advise you to do so, for you shall neverhave my mind or my will. And now, ask me not a single word, as from thismoment I will not open my mouth even to cry out. I have said."
And he pronounced these words with the savage, invincible resolutionof the most mortified Puritan. D'Artagnan looked at his prisoner likea man, who knows the value of every word, and who fixes that valueaccording to the accent with which it has been pronounced.
"The fact is," said he, in a whisper to the king, "the general is anobstinate man; he would not take a mouthful of bread, nor swallow a dropof wine, during the two days of our voyage. But as from this moment itis your majesty who must decide his fate, I wash my hands of him."
Monk, erect, pale, and resigned, waited with his eyes fixed and his armsfolded. D'Artagnan turned towards him. "You will please to understandperfectly," said he, "that your speech, otherwise very fine, does notsuit anybody, not even yourself. His majesty wished to speak to you, yourefused him an interview; why, now that you are face to face, thatyou are here by a force independent of your will, why do you confineyourself to rigors which I consider useless and absurd? Speak! what thedevil! speak, if only to say 'No.'"
Monk did not unclose his lips, Monk did not turn his eyes; Monk strokedhis mustache with a thoughtful air, which announced that matters weregoing on badly.
During all this time Charles II. had fallen into a profound reverie. Forthe first time he found himself face to face with Monk; with the man hehad so much desired to see; and, with that peculiar glance which God hasgiven to eagles and kings, he had fathomed the abyss of his heart. Hebeheld Monk, then, resolved positively to die rather than speak, whichwas not to be wondered at in so considerable a man, the wound in whosemind must at the moment have been cruel. Charles II. formed, on theinstant, one of those resolutions upon which an ordinary man risks hislife, a general his fortune, and a king his kingdom. "Monsieur," saidhe to Monk, "you are perfectly right upon certain points; I do not,therefore, ask you to answer me, but to listen to me."
There was a moment's silence, during which the king looked at Monk, whoremained impassible.
"You have made me just now a painful reproach, monsieur," continued theking; "you said that one of my emissaries had been to Newcastle to laya snare for you, and that, parenthetically, cannot be understood by M.d'Artagnan, here, and to whom, before everything, I owe sincere thanksfor his generous, his heroic devotion."
D'Artagnan bowed with respect; Monk took no notice.
"For M. d'Artagnan--and observe, M. Monk, I do not say this to excusemyself--for M. d'Artagnan," continued the king, "went to England of hisfree will, without interest, without orders, without hope, like a truegentleman as he is, to render a service to an unfortunate king, and toadd to the illustrious actions of an existence, already so well filled,one glorious deed more."
D'Artagnan colored a little, and coughed to keep his countenance. Monkdid not stir.
"You do not believe what I tell you, M. Monk," continued the king. "Ican understand that,--such proofs of devotion are so rare, that theirreality may well be put in doubt."
"Monsieur would do wrong not to believe you, sire," cried D'Artagnan:"for that which your majesty has said is the exact truth, and the truthso exact that it seems, in going to fetch the general, I have donesomething which sets everything wrong. In truth, if it be so, I am indespair."
"Monsieur d'Artagnan," said the king, pressing the hand of themusketeer, "you have obliged me as much as if you had promoted thesuccess of my cause, for you have revealed to me an unknown friend, towhom I shall ever be grateful, and whom I shall always love." And theking pressed his hand cordially. "And," continued he, bowing to Monk,"an enemy whom I shall henceforth esteem at his proper value."
The eyes of the Puritan flashed, but only once, and his countenance, foran instant, illuminated by that flash, resumed its somber impassibility.
"Then, M
onsieur d'Artagnan," continued Charles, "this is what was aboutto happen: M. le Comte de la Fere, whom you know, I believe, has set outfor Newcastle."
"What, Athos!" exclaimed D'Artagnan.
"Yes, that was his nom de guerre, I believe. The Comte de la Fere hadthen set out for Newcastle, and was going, perhaps, to bring thegeneral to hold a conference with me or with those of my party, when youviolently, as it appears, interfered with the negotiation."
"Mordioux!" replied D'Artagnan, "he entered the camp the very evening inwhich I succeeded in getting into it with my fishermen----"
An almost imperceptible frown on the brow of Monk told D'Artagnan thathe had surmised rightly.
"Yes, yes," muttered he; "I thought I knew his person; I even fancied Iknew his voice. Unlucky wretch that I am! Oh! sire, pardon me! I thoughtI had so successfully steered my bark."
"There is nothing ill in it, sir," said the king, "except that thegeneral accuses me of having laid a snare for him, which is not thecase. No, general, those are not the arms which I contemplated employingwith you as you will soon see. In the meanwhile, when I give you myword 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 tothat word you bring actions. General, have the goodness to follow me.Come with us, M. d'Artagnan."
D'Artagnan, considerably surprised, prepared to obey. Charles II. wentout, Monk followed him, D'Artagnan followed Monk. Charles took the pathby which D'Artagnan had come to his abode; the fresh sea breezes sooncaressed the faces of the three nocturnal travelers, and, at fifty pacesfrom the little gate which Charles opened, they found themselves uponthe down in the face of the ocean, which, having ceased to rise, reposedupon the shore like a wearied monster. Charles II. walked pensivelyalong, his head hanging down and his hand beneath his cloak. Monkfollowed him, with crossed arms and an uneasy look. D'Artagnan camelast, with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Where is the boat in which you came, gentlemen?" said Charles to themusketeer.
"Yonder, sire, I have seven men and an officer waiting me in that littlebark which is lighted by a fire."
"Yes, I see; the boat is drawn upon the sand, but you certainly did notcome from Newcastle in that frail bark?"
"No, sire; I freighted a felucca, at my own expense, which is at anchorwithin cannon-shot of the downs. It was in that felucca we made thevoyage."
"Sir," said the king to Monk, "you are free."
However firm of his will, Monk could not suppress an exclamation. Theking added an affirmative motion of his head, and continued: "Weshall waken a fisherman of the village, who will put his boat to seaimmediately, 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 thesafeguard of your loyalty, M. Monk."
Monk allowed a murmur of surprise to escape him, and D'Artagnan aprofound sigh. The king, without appearing to notice either, knockedagainst the deal trellis which inclosed the cabin of the principalfisherman 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 whichhe slept, as people sleep in a hammock. "What can I do to serve you?"
"Captain Keyser," said Charles, "you must set sail immediately. Here isa traveler who wishes to freight your bark, and will pay you well; servehim well." And the king drew back a few steps to allow Monk to speak tothe fisherman.
"I wish to cross over into England," said Monk, who spoke Dutch enoughto make himself understood.
"This minute," said the patron, "this very minute, if you wish it."
"But will that be long?" said Monk.
"Not half an hour, your honor. My eldest son is at this moment preparingthe 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 they heardKeyser's eldest son, signaling from the shore with the blast of a bull'shorn.
"Now, gentlemen," said the king, "depart."
"Sire," said D'Artagnan, "will it please your majesty to grant me a fewminutes? I have engaged men, and I am going without them; I must givethem notice."
"Whistle to them," said Charles, smiling.
D'Artagnan, accordingly, whistled, whilst the patron Keyser replied tohis son; and four men, led by Menneville, attended the first summons.
"Here is some money in account," said D'Artagnan, putting into theirhands a purse containing two thousand five hundred livres in gold. "Goand wait for me at Calais, you know where." And D'Artagnan heaved aprofound sigh, as he let the purse fall into the hands of Menneville.
"What, are you leaving us?" cried the men.
"For a short time," said D'Artagnan, "or for a long time, who knows? Butwith 2,500 livres, and the 2,500 you have already received, you are paidaccording to our agreement. We are quits, then, my friend."
"But the boat?"
"Do not trouble yourself about that."
"Our things are on board the felucca."
"Go and seek them, and then set off immediately."
"Yes, captain."
D'Artagnan returned to Monk, saying,--"Monsieur, I await yourorders, for I understand we are to go together, unless my company bedisagreeable to you."
"On the contrary, monsieur," said Monk.
"Come, gentlemen, on board," cried Keyser's son.
Charles bowed to the general with grace and dignity, saying,--"You willpardon me this unfortunate accident, and the violence to which youhave been subjected, when you are convinced that I was not the cause ofthem."
Monk bowed profoundly without replying. On his side, Charles affectednot to say a word to D'Artagnan in private, but aloud,--"Once more,thanks, monsieur le chevalier," said he, "thanks for your services. Theywill be repaid you by the Lord God, who, I hope, reserves trials andtroubles for me alone."
Monk followed Keyser, and his son embarked with them. D'Artagnan cameafter, muttering to himself,--"Poor Planchet! poor Planchet! I am verymuch afraid we have made a bad speculation."
CHAPTER 30. The Shares of Planchet and Company rise again to Par
Ten Years Later Page 32