TEN YEARS LATER. 145 D'Artagnan pressed Athos' hand warmly. "TSTo, no; renounce everything without fear. Raoul can get on without you; I am at Paris." "In that case, I shall return to Blois. We will take leave ^f each other to-night; to-morrow at daybreak I shall be on my horse again." "You cannot return to your hotel alone; why did you not bring Grimaud with you?" "Grimaud takes his rest now; he goes to bed early, for my poor old servant gets easily fatigued. He came from Blois with me, and I compelled him to remain within doors; for if, in retracing the forty leagues which separate us from Blois, he needed to draw breath even, he would die with- out a murmur. But I don't want to lose Grimaud." "You shall have one of my musketeers to carry a torch for you. Hola! some one there," called out D'Artagnan, leaning over the gilded balustrade — the heads of seven or eight musketeers appeared — ^"I wish some gentleman who is so disposed to escort the Comte de la Fere," cried D'Ar- tagnan. "Thank you for your readiness, gentlemen," said Athos; "I regret to have occasion to trouble you in this manner." "I would willingly escort the Comte de la Fere," said some one, "if I had not to speak to Monsieur d'Artagnan," "Who is that?" said D'Artagnan, looking into the darkness. "I, Monsieur d'Artagnan." "Heaven forgive me if that is Monsieur Baisemeaux's voice!" "It is, monsieur," "What are you doing in the courtyard, my dear Baisemeaux?" "I am waiting your orders, my dear Monsieur d'Artagnan. " "Wretch that I am," thought D'Artagnan; "true, you have been told, I suppose, that some one was to be arrested, and have come yourself, instead of sending an officer?" "I came because I had occasion to speak to you." "l"ou did not send to me?" "I waited until you were disengaged," said M. Baise- meaux timidly. "I leave you, D'Artagnan," said Athos. "Not before I have presented Monsieur Baisemeaux de Montlezun, the governor of the Bastile." Baisemeaux and Athos saluted each other. "Surely you must know each other?" said D'Artagnan. Dumas— Vol. XY. ' 7
