he count to be quite
sure that it was he whom the lieutenant thus addressed.

"That name sounds strange to you," said Athos, smiling; "it was my nom
de guerre when Monsieur D'Artagnan, two other gallant friends and myself
performed some feats of arms at the siege of La Rochelle, under the
deceased cardinal and Monsieur de Bassompierre. My friend is still so
kind as to address me by that old and well beloved appellation, which
makes my heart glad when I hear it."

"'Tis an illustrious name," said the lieutenant, "and had one day
triumphal honors paid to it."

"What do you mean, sir?" inquired Raoul.

"You have not forgotten St. Gervais, Athos, and the napkin which was
converted into a banner?" and he then related to Raoul the story of the
bastion, and Raoul fancied he was listening to one of those deeds of
arms belonging to days of chivalry, so gloriously recounted by Tasso and
Ariosto.

"D'Artagnan does not tell you, Raoul," said Athos, in his turn, "that he
was reckoned one of the finest swordsmen of his time--a knuckle of
iron, a wrist of steel, a sure eye and a glance of fire; that's what
his adversary met with. He was eighteen, only three years older than you
are, Raoul, when I saw him set to work, pitted against tried men."

"And did Monsieur D'Artagnan come off the conqueror?" asked the young
man, with glistening eye.

"I killed one man, if I recollect rightly," replied D'Artagnan, with
a look of inquiry directed to Athos; "another I disarmed or wounded, I
don't remember which."

"Wounded!" said Athos; "it was a phenomenon of skill."

The young man would willingly have prolonged this conversation far into
the night, but Athos pointed out to him that his guest must need repose.
D'Artagnan would fain have declared that he was not fatigued, but Athos
insisted on his retiring to his chamber, conducted thither by Raoul.

15. Athos as a Diplomatist.

D'Artagnan retired to bed--not to sleep, but to think over all he had
heard that evening. Being naturally goodhearted, and having had once
a liking for Athos, which had grown into a sincere friendship, he was
delighted at thus meeting a man full of intelligence and moral strength,
instead of a drunkard. He admitted without annoyance the continued
superiority of Athos over himself, devoid as he was of that jealousy
which might have saddened a less generous disposition; he was delighted
also that the high qualities of Athos appeared to promise favorably