ain, "or
I will hamstring your horses."

"Peste!" said Porthos, "it would be a pity; animals which cost me a
hundred pistoles each."

"I will pay you two hundred for them," said Mazarin.

"Yes, but when once they are hamstrung, our necks will be strung next."

"If one of them comes to my side," asked Porthos, "must I kill him?"

"Yes, by a blow of your fist, if you can; we will not fire but at the
last extremity."

"I can do it," said Porthos.

"Come and open, then!" cried D'Artagnan to the man with the scythe,
taking one of the pistols up by the muzzle and preparing to strike with
the handle. And as the man approached, D'Artagnan, in order to have
more freedom for his actions, leaned half out of the door; his eyes were
fixed upon those of the mendicant, which were lighted up by a lantern.
Without doubt he recognized D'Artagnan, for he became deadly pale;
doubtless the musketeer knew him, for his hair stood up on his head.

"Monsieur d'Artagnan!" he cried, falling back a step; "it is Monsieur
d'Artagnan! let him pass."

D'Artagnan was perhaps about to reply, when a blow, similar to that of a
mallet falling on the head of an ox, was heard. The noise was caused by
Porthos, who had just knocked down his man.

D'Artagnan turned around and saw the unfortunate man upon his back about
four paces off.

"'Sdeath!" cried he to the coachman. "Spur your horses! whip! get on!"

The coachman bestowed a heavy blow of the whip upon his horses; the
noble animals bounded forward; then cries of men who were knocked down
were heard; then a double concussion was felt, and two of the wheels
seemed to pass over a round and flexible body. There was a moment's
silence, then the carriage cleared the gate.

"To Cours la Reine!" cried D'Artagnan to the coachman; then turning to
Mazarin he said, "Now, my lord, you can say five paters and five aves,
in thanks to Heaven for your deliverance. You are safe--you are free."

Mazarin replied only by a groan; he could not believe in such a miracle.
Five minutes later the carriage stopped, having reached Cours la Reine.

"Is my lord pleased with his escort?" asked D'Artagnan.

"Enchanted, monsieur," said Mazarin, venturing his head out of one of
the windows; "and now do as much for the queen."

"It will not be so difficult," replied D'Artagnan, springing to the
ground. "Monsieur du Vallon, I commend his eminence to your care."

"Be quite at ease," said Porthos, holding out his hand, whi