7 A Dangerous Journey to London

CHAPTER 7 A Dangerous Journey to London "I have sworn to kill that man," D'Artagnan said. "Your life is now devoted to a nobler cause," Madame Bonacieux told him. "I forbid you to face any danger other than your mission for the Queen. Now listen with me. We must hear what they're talking about." "She wanted me to deliver a letter to London," Monsieur Bonacieux said. "Did she mention any names?" Count Rochefort asked.

"Unfortunately she did not," said Monsieur Bonacieux. "Do you think the Cardinal will be interested in this news?" "He would have been happier to see the letter," Rochefort said. "That may still be possible," said Monsieur Bonacieux. "I'll tell her I wish to help her. She will give me the letter and I will bring it to you." D'Artagnan stepped away from the hole in the floor. He was excited to have a mission that would bring him glory and money. More important, he knew this mission would prove his love for Madame Bonacieux. But first he had to tell Monsieur de Tréville what he had learned. "Monsieur, the Queen's honor, perhaps her very life, is at stake," D'Artagnan said when he was admitted to Monsieur de Tréville's office. "I have been told a secret." "Is it your own secret?" asked Tréville.

"It is the Queen's," D'Artagnan said. "Then keep it to yourself. Tell me what you wish me to do, but do not reveal Her Majesty's secret, even to me." "I need two weeks to go to London," D'Artagnan replied. "Will anyone try to stop you?" "The Cardinal would give the world to stop me." "Then you will not survive your journey alone," said Monsieur de Tréville. "Take your friends. I will arrange for all four of you to have two weeks away." Soon after, D'Artagnan told his friends that they had to leave for London immediately. The four men gathered their horses, called for their assistants, and traveled through the night. They didn't stop until they reached an inn the next morning. They went in for some food and saw several men in the dining room. One of the men stopped Porthos and told

him they should have a toast to the Cardinal. Porthos agreed, but said he would also like to have a toast to the King. The stranger said he didn't like the King and Porthos called the man a fool. The stranger quickly drew his sword and challenged Porthos to a duel. "You are foolish," Athos said to Porthos, "but never mind. You can't stop now. Take care of this man and join us afterward." "Why did that man choose Porthos?" Aramis asked as they rode away. "Porthos was speaking louder than the rest of us," D'Artagnan said. "That fellow must have thought Porthos was our leader. I hope Porthos defeats him soon and will be able to catch up with us quickly." Later that day, the men came to a narrow part of the road where workmen were digging and blocking the way. As the Musketeers passed, the workmen suddenly began to throw rocks at them.

"It's an ambush!" D'Artagnan yelled. "We can't waste time here. We must be off!" The Musketeers rode away, but Aramis's shoulder had been hurt badly in the attack. He rode for a few hours before he finally had to stop. "I will be fine, my friends," said Aramis. "There is a priest's school near here. I can catch up on my studies while I recover. I will wait for Porthos." Athos and D'Artagnan continued on with their assistants, leaving Aramis and Bazin behind. After several hours, they stopped at another inn, where they decided to stay until morning. When Athos went to pay, the innkeeper looked at the money and called Athos a counterfeiter. "What are you talking about?" Athos said. "These coins are real." Suddenly several men entered by the side door and attacked Athos.

"I'm trapped!" Athos yelled out to the others. "Run, D'Artagnan!" D'Artagnan and Planchet rode their horses as fast as they could, sad to be the last of the band of travelers. At last, they arrived at the port of Calais. They went to buy tickets to London, and listened as the man in front of them tried to do the same. "I would love to sell you a ticket," the ship's captain told the man. "But I received orders that no one is to sail unless they have permission from the Cardinal." "I have a letter of permission here," said the man. "I must travel to London for my business. I spoke to the Cardinal a few days ago." "Very good," said the captain. "Go show it to the commissioner, in that building there. After he has stamped it, I can sell you a ticket. We're leaving soon, so hurry up."