fortune befalls you when you leave."

"I thank your majesty," said Aramis, "but under these robes I have a
coat of mail, a pistol and a dagger."

"Go, then, sir, and God keep you!"

The king accompanied him to the door, where Aramis pronounced his
benediction upon him, and passing through the ante-rooms, filled with
soldiers, jumped into his carriage and drove to the bishop's palace.
Juxon was waiting for him impatiently.

"Well?" said he, on perceiving Aramis.

"Everything has succeeded as I expected; spies, guards, satellites, all
took me for you, and the king blesses you while waiting for you to bless
him."

"May God protect you, my son; for your example has given me at the same
time hope and courage."

Aramis resumed his own attire and left Juxon with the assurance that he
might again have recourse to him.

He had scarcely gone ten yards in the street when he perceived that he
was followed by a man, wrapped in a large cloak. He placed his hand
on his dagger and stopped. The man came straight toward him. It was
Porthos.

"My dear friend," cried Aramis.

"You see, we had each our mission," said Porthos; "mine was to guard you
and I am doing so. Have you seen the king?"

"Yes, and all goes well."

"We are to meet our friends at the hotel at eleven."

It was then striking half-past ten by St. Paul's.

Arrived at the hotel it was not long before Athos entered.

"All's well," he cried, as he entered; "I have hired a cedar wherry, as
light as a canoe, as easy on the wing as any swallow. It is waiting for
us at Greenwich, opposite the Isle of Dogs, manned by a captain and four
men, who for the sum of fifty pounds sterling will keep themselves at
our disposition three successive nights. Once on board we drop down the
Thames and in two hours are on the open sea. In case I am killed,
the captain's name is Roger and the skiff is called the Lightning. A
handkerchief, tied at the four corners, is to be the signal."

Next moment D'Artagnan entered.

"Empty your pockets," said he; "I want a hundred pounds, and as for my
own----" and he emptied them inside out.

The sum was collected in a minute. D'Artagnan ran out and returned
directly after.

"There," said he, "it's done. Ough! and not without a deal of trouble,
too."

"Has the executioner left London?" asked Athos.

"Ah, you see that plan was not sure enough; he might go out by one gate
and return by another."

"Where is he, then?"

"In the cellar.