s conducted Athos and Aramis was
the one assigned to them by General Cromwell and of which they had taken
possession on the previous evening. It was at the corner of two streets
and had in the rear, bordering on the side street, stables and a sort
of garden. The windows on the ground floor, according to a custom in
provincial villages, were barred, so that they strongly resembled the
windows of a prison.

The two friends made the prisoners enter the house first, whilst they
stood at the door, desiring Mousqueton to take the four horses to the
stable.

"Why don't we go in with them?" asked Porthos.

"We must first see what the sergeant wishes us to do," replied
D'Artagnan.

The sergeant and his men took possession of the little garden.

D'Artagnan asked them what they wished and why they had taken that
position.

"We have had orders," answered the man, "to help you in taking care of
your prisoners."

There could be no fault to find with this arrangement; on the contrary,
it seemed to be a delicate attention, to be gratefully received;
D'Artagnan, therefore, thanked the man and gave him a crown piece to
drink to General Cromwell's health.

The sergeant answered that Puritans never drank, and put the crown piece
in his pocket.

"Ah!" said Porthos, "what a fearful day, my dear D'Artagnan!"

"What! a fearful day, when to-day we find our friends?"

"Yes; but under what circumstances?"

"'Tis true that our position is an awkward one; but let us go in and see
more clearly what is to be done."

"Things look black enough," replied Porthos; "I understand now why
Aramis advised me to strangle that horrible Mordaunt."

"Silence!" cried the Gascon; "do not utter that name."

"But," argued Porthos, "I speak French and they are all English."

D'Artagnan looked at Porthos with that air of wonder which a cunning man
cannot help feeling at displays of crass stupidity.

But as Porthos on his side could not comprehend his astonishment, he
merely pushed him indoors, saying, "Let us go in."

They found Athos in profound despondency; Aramis looked first at Porthos
and then at D'Artagnan, without speaking, but the latter understood his
meaningful look.

"You want to know how we came here? 'Tis easily guessed. Mazarin sent us
with a letter to General Cromwell."

"But how came you to fall into company with Mordaunt, whom I bade you
distrust?" asked Athos.

"And whom I advised you to strangle, Porthos," said Aramis.