t go."

"Good, my friend, good!" said Athos. "It is excellent advice. I was
about to give it when you anticipated me."

"That, then, is your opinion?" asked Aramis.

"Yes. They will think we are trying to leave England and will search for
us at the ports; meanwhile we shall reach London with the king. Once in
London we shall be hard to find--without considering," continued Athos,
throwing a glance at Aramis, "the chances that may come to us on the
way."

"Yes," said Aramis, "I understand."

"I, however, do not understand," said Porthos. "But no matter; since it
is at the same time the opinion of D'Artagnan and of Athos, it must be
the best."

"But," said Aramis, "shall we not be suspected by Colonel Harrison?"

"Egad!" cried D'Artagnan, "he's just the man I count upon. Colonel
Harrison is one of our friends. We have met him twice at General
Cromwell's. He knows that we were sent from France by Monsieur Mazarin;
he will consider us as brothers. Besides, is he not a butcher's son?
Well, then, Porthos shall show him how to knock down an ox with a blow
of the fist, and I how to trip up a bull by taking him by the horns.
That will insure his confidence."

Athos smiled. "You are the best companion that I know, D'Artagnan," he
said, offering his hand to the Gascon; "and I am very happy in having
found you again, my dear son."

This was, as we have seen, the term which Athos applied to D'Artagnan in
his more expansive moods.

At this moment Grimaud came in. He had stanched the wound and the man
was better.

The four friends took leave of him and asked if they could deliver any
message for him to his brother.

"Tell him," answered the brave man, "to let the king know that they have
not killed me outright. However insignificant I am, I am sure that his
majesty is concerned for me and blames himself for my death."

"Be easy," said D'Artagnan, "he will know all before night."

The little troop recommenced their march, and at the end of two hours
perceived a considerable body of horsemen about half a league ahead.

"My dear friends," said D'Artagnan, "give your swords to Monsieur
Mouston, who will return them to you at the proper time and place, and
do not forget you are our prisoners."

It was not long before they joined the escort. The king was riding in
front, surrounded by troopers, and when he saw Athos and Aramis a glow
of pleasure lighted his pale cheeks.

D'Artagnan passed to the head of the column, and