consciences.
"Humph!" said D'Artagnan, "my tenants are communicating. That, no doubt,
now, is some amateur in hanging matters." At the same moment the cries
and disturbance in the upper chambers ceased. Silence, under such
circumstances, surprises more than a twofold increase of noise.
D'Artagnan wished to see what was the cause of this sudden silence. He
then perceived that this man, dressed as a cavalier, had just entered
the principal chamber, and was haranguing the tipplers, who all listened
to him with the greatest attention. D'Artagnan would perhaps have heard
his speech but for the dominant noise of the popular clamors, which made
a formidable accompaniment to the harangue of the orator. But it was
soon finished, and all the people the _cabaret_ contained came out, one
after the other, in little groups, so that there only remained six
in the chamber; one of these six, the man with the sword, took the
_cabaretier_ aside, engaging him in discourse more or less serious,
whilst the others lit a great fire in the chimney-place--a circumstance
rendered strange by the fine weather and the heat.

"It is very singular," said D'Artagnan to Raoul, "but I think I know
those faces yonder."

"Don't you think you can smell the smoke here?" said Raoul.

"I rather think I can smell a conspiracy," replied D'Artagnan.

He had not finished speaking, when four of these men came down into the
court, and without the appearance of any bad design, mounted guard at
the door of communication, casting, at intervals, glances at D'Artagnan,
which signified many things.

"_Mordioux!_" said D'Artagnan, in a low voice, "there is something going
on. Are you curious, Raoul?"

"According to the subject, chevalier."

"Well, I am as curious as an old woman. Come a little more in front; we
shall get a better view of the place. I would lay a wager that view will
be something curious."

"But you know, monsieur le chevalier, that I am not willing to become a
passive and indifferent spectator of the death of the two poor devils."

"And I, then--do you think I am a savage? We will go in again, when it
is time to do so. Come along!" And they made their way towards the front
of the house, and placed themselves near the window which, still more
strangely than the rest, remained unoccupied. The two last drinkers,
instead of looking out at this window, kept up the fire. On seeing
D'Artagnan and his friend enter:--"Ah! ah! a reinforcement," murmured
t