usual. Holy Virgin! What a racket he is making.'

"D'Artagnan rose from his seat, and followed by the host and by
Planchet with his cocked carbine, took the direction of the
cellar, whence a tremendous noise was proceeding. The Englishmen
were exasperated; they had just come off a long journey, and were
dying of hunger and thirst.

"'It is perfect tyranny,' cried they in very good French, 'that
this madman will not allow these good people the use of their
wine. But we will break open the door, and if he is too furious,
we will kill him.'

"'Not so fast, gentlemen,' said D'Artagnan, drawing his pistols
from his belt. 'You will kill nobody, if you please.'

"'Let them come,' said Athos, in his usual calm voice, from the
other side of the door, 'let them come in, and we shall see.'

"Brave as they appeared to be, the two Englishmen hesitated and
looked at one another. One might almost have supposed that the
cellar was garrisoned by one of those hungry ogres of the fairy
tale, whose cavern no one could enter with impunity. There was a
moment's silence; but the Englishmen were ashamed to retreat, and
one of them, descending the five or six steps leading to the
cellar, gave the door a kick that made it rattle on its hinges.

"'Planchet,' said D'Artagnan, cocking his pistols, 'you take the
one at the bottom of the stairs; I will take the other. Since you
are for a fight, gentlemen, you shall have a bellyfull.'

"'Is that D'Artagnan's voice?' cried Athos.

"'It is,' replied the Gascon.

"'Very good,' said Athos, 'we will work them a little, these
door-breakers.'

"'A moment's patience, Athos,' said D'Artagnan. 'Gentlemen,' he
continued, turning to the Englishmen, 'you are between two fires.
My servant and myself have three shots to fire, you will receive
as many from the cellar, besides which we have got our swords,
with the use of which, I can assure you, my friend and myself are
tolerably well acquainted. Allow me to arrange matters. I give
you my word that you shall have some wine just now.'

"'If there is any left,' growled Athos in a tone of raillery.

"'What does he mean--if there is any left?' cried the host, who
felt a cold perspiration break out all over him.

"'Nonsense, there will be some left,' replied D'Artag