12 Athos Meets His Old Love

CHAPTER 12 Athos Meets His Old Love A few days later, the three Musketeers were riding back from an inn where they had just eaten dinner. The army was preparing for the battle at La Rochelle and the Musketeers had a few days off before the fight. As they rode, they suddenly heard horses approaching. Athos called out, "Who goes there?" "Who goes there, yourselves?" one of the riders replied. "We are Musketeers," Athos said. "Under

the command of Monsieur de Tréville." "Tell me your name," the rider said sharply and rode forward a few steps into the light so the Musketeers could see who was speaking to them. "Monsieur Cardinal!" Athos said. "Your name," the Cardinal commanded again. "Athos." "I know you," the Cardinal said. "You may not be my friend, but you are brave, loyal, and trustworthy. I would like you and your friends to come on a mission with me tonight. I know I will be safe with you. My mission is secret, but it would be a great favor if you would guard me. It would make the King happy, too." The Musketeers bowed and agreed to guard the Cardinal and his men. They rode back to the inn, where the Cardinal went upstairs. While the Musketeers waited and

wondered what the Cardinal was up to, Athos drew his friends to an old stove. The stovepipe went up the ceiling and into the room where the Cardinal was having his meeting. By listening to the pipe, the Musketeers could hear what was happening in the room above. "You are to go to London tonight," the Cardinal said. "Once there, you must go see the Duke. This is very important, Milady." "Milady!" Athos whispered. She began to speak and Athos's friends noticed that he flinched at the sound of her voice. "What shall I tell him?" Milady asked. "You must convince the Duke to surrender at La Rochelle," the Cardinal said. "Tell him that I will ruin the Queen if he doesn't. Tell him I have evidence against him and the Queen. Tell him that I know everything." "What should I do if he refuses and

continues to threaten France?" she asked. "He is in love with all the passion of a madman," the Cardinal said. "Or the passion of a fool. If he believes the Queen is in danger, he will think twice. If he still doesn't change his mind, then perhaps you can see to it that he is injured and unable to continue his plans of attack." "I understand," Milady said. "Now that I have your instructions about how to deal with your enemies, may I speak to you about mine?" "Your enemies?" the Cardinal asked. "I have many," Milady said. "And I have made them all while working for you. But two of them are especially painful to me, and I want your help in punishing them. First, a woman named Constance Bonacieux." "I know her," the Cardinal said. "You have her held in a convent, do you not? I know she is involved in this business with the

Duke. What will you do with her?" "I will have her moved. I want your men to send her to prison," said Milady. "But it is my other enemy that I truly need your help with. He is even worse than Madame Bonacieux. He is the man who loves her—the scoundrel, D'Artagnan." "I know him well," the Cardinal said. "He is a bold fellow." "He is a danger to us all," Milady replied. "If you can give me proof of his involvement with the Duke, I will have him sent to prison." "Perfect," Milady said. "Although I was hoping for a bit more. My plans—" "I don't know what you mean," the Cardinal interrupted. "And I don't want to know. I will write you a note that will allow you to seek your revenge on D'Artagnan. With this, you won't need me." Athos led his friends away from the stove.

"I must go now," he said. "If the Cardinal asks where I am, tell him I've gone ahead to be a lookout in case the road is unsafe." "Be careful," Aramis said. Athos rode a short distance into the woods. Then he turned and hid among the trees to watch the inn. After a few minutes, he saw the Cardinal leave with his men. Aramis and Porthos followed behind them. Athos waited a while longer and then returned to the inn. He went straight to the room where the Cardinal had met with Milady. She was still there. Athos pulled his hat low so she couldn't see his face clearly. "Who are you?" she cried when he entered the room. "It is you, after all," he said. Athos stepped forward and lifted his hat so she could see him. "Do you recognize me, Madame?" She stepped backward, terrified, as if she