do one of us the
honor we shall be truly grateful to him."

"What do you think of this counsel, Winter?" asked the king, looking
with admiration at these two men, whose chief idea seemed to be how they
could take on their shoulders all the dangers that assailed him.

"I think the only chance of saving your majesty has just been proposed
by Monsieur d'Herblay. I humbly entreat your majesty to choose quickly,
for we have not an instant to lose."

"But if I accept, it is death, or at least imprisonment, for him who
takes my place."

"He will have had the glory of having saved his king," cried Winter.

The king looked at his old friend with tears in his eyes; undid the
Order of the Saint Esprit which he wore, to honor the two Frenchmen who
were with him, and passed it around Winter's neck, who received on his
knees this striking proof of his sovereign's confidence and friendship.

"It is right," said Athos; "he has served your majesty longer than we
have."

The king overheard these words and turned around with tears in his eyes.

"Wait a moment, sir," said he; "I have an order for each of you also."

He turned to a closet where his own orders were locked up, and took out
two ribbons of the Order of the Garter.

"These cannot be for us," said Athos.

"Why not, sir?" asked Charles.

"Such are for royalty, and we are simple commoners."

"Speak not of crowns. I shall not find amongst them such great hearts
as yours. No, no, you do yourselves injustice; but I am here to do you
justice. On your knees, count."

Athos knelt down and the king passed the ribbon down from left to right
as usual, raised his sword, and instead of pronouncing the customary
formula, "I make you a knight. Be brave, faithful and loyal," he said,
"You are brave, faithful and loyal. I knight you, monsieur le comte."

Then turning to Aramis, he said:

"It is now your turn, monsieur le chevalier."

The same ceremony recommenced, with the same words, whilst Winter
unlaced his leather cuirass, that he might disguise himself like the
king. Charles, having proceeded with Aramis as with Athos, embraced them
both.

"Sire," said Winter, who in this trying emergency felt all his strength
and energy fire up, "we are ready."

The king looked at the three gentlemen. "Then we must fly!" said he.

"Flying through an army, sire," said Athos, "in all countries in the
world is called charging."

"Then I shall die, sword in hand," said Charles. "Monsie