;
I fancy I must have mended that skull somewhere or other.' And, in fact,
it was that unfortunate Scotchman, Parry's brother, you know, on whom
Groslow amused himself by trying his strength. Well, this man was making
signs to another at my left, and turning around I recognized the
honest Grimaud. 'Oh!' said I to him. Grimaud turned round with a jerk,
recognized me, and pointed to the man in the mask. 'Eh!' said he,
which meant, 'Do you see him?' 'Parbleu!' I answered, and we perfectly
understood one another. Well, everything was finished as you know. The
mob dispersed. I made a sign to Grimaud and the Scotchman, and we all
three retired into a corner of the square. I saw the executioner return
into the king's room, change his clothes, put on a black hat and a
large cloak and disappear. Five minutes later he came down the grand
staircase."

"You followed him?" cried Athos.

"I should think so, but not without difficulty. Every few minutes he
turned around, and thus obliged us to conceal ourselves. I might have
gone up to him and killed him. But I am not selfish, and I thought it
might console you all a little to have a share in the matter. So we
followed him through the lowest streets in the city, and in half an
hour's time he stopped before a little isolated house. Grimaud drew out
a pistol. 'Eh?' said he, showing it. I held back his arm. The man in the
mask stopped before a low door and drew out a key; but before he placed
it in the lock he turned around to see if he was being followed. Grimaud
and I got behind a tree, and the Scotchman having nowhere to hide
himself, threw himself on his face in the road. Next moment the door
opened and the man disappeared."

"The scoundrel!" said Aramis. "While you have been returning hither he
will have escaped and we shall never find him."

"Come, now, Aramis," said D'Artagnan, "you must be taking me for some
one else."

"Nevertheless," said Athos, "in your absence----"

"Well, in my absence haven't I put in my place Grimaud and the
Scotchman? Before he had taken ten steps beyond the door I had examined
the house on all sides. At one of the doors, that by which he had
entered, I placed our Scotchman, making a sign to him to follow the man
wherever he might go, if he came out again. Then going around the house
I placed Grimaud at the other exit, and here I am. Our game is beaten
up. Now for the tally-ho."

Athos threw himself into D'Artagnan's arms.

"Friend," he said, "