m the Frenchman at first sight. Now, I don't set sufficient
store on the cut of my jerkin to risk being hung at Tyburn or sent for
change of scene to the Indies. I shall buy a chestnut-colored suit. I've
remarked that your Puritans revel in that color."

"But can you find your man?" said Aramis to Athos.

"Oh! to be sure, yes. He lives at the Bedford Tavern, Greenhall Street.
Besides, I can find my way about the city with my eyes shut."

"I wish we were already there," said D'Artagnan; "and my advice is that
we reach London before daybreak, even if we kill our horses."

"Come on, then," said Athos, "for unless I am mistaken in my
calculations we have only eight or ten leagues to go."

The friends urged on their horses and arrived, in fact, at about five
o'clock in the morning. They were stopped and questioned at the gate
by which they sought to enter the city, but Athos replied, in excellent
English, that they had been sent forward by Colonel Harrison to announce
to his colleague, Monsieur Bridge, the approach of the king. That
reply led to several questions about the king's capture, and Athos
gave details so precise and positive that if the gatekeepers had any
suspicions they vanished completely. The way was therefore opened to the
four friends with all sorts of Puritan congratulations.

Athos was right. He went direct to the Bedford Tavern, and the host, who
recognized him, was delighted to see him again with such a numerous and
promising company.

Though it was scarcely daylight our four travelers found the town in a
great bustle, owing to the reported approach of Harrison and the king.

The plan of changing their clothes was unanimously adopted. The landlord
sent out for every description of garment, as if he wanted to fit up his
wardrobe. Athos chose a black coat, which gave him the appearance of
a respectable citizen. Aramis, not wishing to part with his sword,
selected a dark-blue cloak of a military cut. Porthos was seduced by a
wine-colored doublet and sea-green breeches. D'Artagnan, who had fixed
on his color beforehand, had only to select the shade, and looked in his
chestnut suit exactly like a retired sugar dealer.

"Now," said D'Artagnan, "for the actual man. We must cut off our hair,
that the populace may not insult us. As we no longer wear the sword of
the gentleman we may as well have the head of the Puritan. This, as you
know, is the important point of distinction between the Covenanter and
th