do as much, Mr. Humanity, in a
battle. But if you think the king's life is not worth what it must cost
there's an end of the matter and I send to Groslow to say I am ill."

"No, you are right," said Athos.

At this moment a soldier entered to inform them that Groslow was waiting
for them.

"Where?" asked D'Artagnan.

"In the room of the English Nebuchadnezzar," replied the staunch
Puritan.

"Good," replied Athos, whose blood mounted to his face at the insult
offered to royalty; "tell the captain we are coming."

The Puritan then went out. The lackeys had been ordered to saddle eight
horses and to wait, keeping together and without dismounting, at the
corner of a street about twenty steps from the house where the king was
lodged.

It was nine o'clock in the evening; the sentinels had been relieved at
eight and Captain Groslow had been on guard for an hour. D'Artagnan and
Porthos, armed with their swords, and Athos and Aramis, each carrying
a concealed poniard, approached the house which for the time being was
Charles Stuart's prison. The two latter followed their captors in the
humble guise of captives, without arms.

"Od's bodikins," said Groslow, as the four friends entered, "I had
almost given you up."

D'Artagnan went up to him and whispered in his ear:

"The fact is, we, that is, Monsieur du Vallon and I, hesitated a
little."

"And why?"

D'Artagnan looked significantly toward Athos and Aramis.

"Aha," said Groslow; "on account of political opinions? No matter. On
the contrary," he added, laughing, "if they want to see their Stuart
they shall see him.

"Are we to pass the night in the king's room?" asked D'Artagnan.

"No, but in the one next to it, and as the door will remain open it
comes to the same thing. Have you provided yourself with money? I assure
you I intend to play the devil's game to-night."

D'Artagnan rattled the gold in his pockets.

"Very good," said Groslow, and opened the door of the room. "I will show
you the way," and he went in first.

D'Artagnan turned to look at his friends. Porthos was perfectly
indifferent; Athos, pale, but resolute; Aramis was wiping a slight
moisture from his brow.

The eight guards were at their posts. Four in the king's room, two at
the door between the rooms and two at that by which the friends had
entered. Athos smiled when he saw their bare swords; he felt it was
no longer to be a butchery, but a fight, and he resumed his usual good
humor.