I had been to Paris to see how bad the situation was' What I
saw there made me sick. People were dying of hunger. Children
lurrygrlr tw" @aris
"!
My name is D'Artagnan. I was once Captain of the King's
Guard for the present King, Louis XIV, and before that, for
his father, Louis XIII.
You may have heard of my three friends, Athos, Aramis
and Porthos. We were all Musketeers, which means we were
trained to use a musket, a kind of gun. But our favourite
weapon was always the sword. To win a fight with a swold'
yo,, huu. to use your brain, and at the same time, move quickly
and cleverly on your feet. In the old days, when we were young'
some people said that a whole army could not beat us'
It was my job to serve kings, notjudge them, but there are
times in every man's life when he has to make an important
decision, a decision that will not only change his life but the
history of the world. I am going to tell you the story of how I
came to make such a decision.
My story begins in the early summer of 1667' Louis XIV
was on the throne of'l'rance, with his wife, the Queen Marie
Therese, at his sicle. l-lis m<¡ther, Anna of Austria also lived
with him at court, and in a way I felt responsible for the safety
of them all, although my first duty was to the King.
France was ¿lt war with Spain over the Spanish Netherlands'
War is a hungry master. lt needs money to make cannons and
guns and tu buy fixxl lirr its armies. So, all the money and food
that should havc ltctrn uscd to feed the poor of France was
going to the wat'.
ó
were lying in the streets, too weak to cry, too weak even to hold
out their hand for a piece of bread or an apple. They were just
waiting to die. Those who still had strength were breaking into
shops and stealing whatever they could. It was the job of my
Musketeers to protect the shopkeepers, but many of my men felt
bad about fighting the poor¡ Theirjob was also getting more and
more difficult, the people became hungrier and hungrier.
as
The Palace at Versailles is not far from Paris, but it is a long
way from ttre suffering of the people. As I walked into the gardens,
and down the steps past the fountains, I saw the King. Or, should
I say, I saw the King's part/, some twenty or thirty men and
women, beautifully dressed, wearing their fine wigs, which were
long, curled and well-powdered. At the Palace it wasjust another
day ofpleasure. The King was playing a game with some of the
courtiers, while the ladies stood in a circle watching.
The game they were playing is called boules.A small wooden
ball is thrown some distance from the players. Then, each player
throws a metal ball to try to get as close to the wooden ball as
possible. The player who gets his ball closest to the wooden one
wins.
Louis slowly lifted his arm and threw his last ball into the
air. As the ball hit the ground, the King shouted,
"Have I won?"
It was clear to everybtxly that he hadn't, but no one said a word.
A young courtier went up to the group of balls and stood
with his back to the King. He bent down, as if to see more clearly
who had won, and without being seen, pushed the King's ball
with his foot so that it was now closest to the wooden ball.
 Majesty!" shouted the
young "I
have never played before, Your Majesty."
"You have won again' Your "With those hands and that beauty, you have already won
courtier. my heaft, even if you do not win at boLtles."
job is to mafe th¡ King happy'
After all, a courder's
Louis raised hb ;;: "J
t*ltJ ""¿ tnt'ybodv shouted Louise threw the ball carelessly into the air and by pure
luck it landed closest to the wooden ball. A look of anger passed
'Bravo!' briefly over Louis'face, but then he smiled.
can beat me?"
"Is there no man here who he was "I think you do not tell the truth, my dear Louise. you have
*i;;;; say how much better
Louis loved u'
'ht"'o surely played before."
than everYbodY else' the young Louise looked worried.
,,No, your lnta.¡esty, you are unbeamble"' said
"No, no, Your Majesty. It was beginner's luck."
t"lff;"" *., I shall have to find a "Never mind. How about some music and food? Louise,
men are no match fo, you will come with me."
lady who can beat me.'' tht Louis put his arm around her and led her towards the
Louis went tP ;;; young ladv' llrvl¡ w-atcfils
at'g1i':
court pavilion, where the musicians were waiting.
Her name *u' t'uuiJtii'ít
v?ili¿á she had only been
"Your Majesty!" I called out.
for a few weeks' | ^^-^ .ho ha' seeme( seemed
day she came. She had Louis turned.
I had noticed her the frrst to go up "Ah, D'Artagnan. Will you join us?"
frieni]io' r the opportunity then
in need or^ "Your Majesty, we must talk."
'oort r'ttt' tvtu¿tmoiselle?"
to her and say, ";;;t;i"oot
that the Capain of the "Talk, talk. Can't yor¡ see I have better things to do? You
She had l""Lt¿ know Mademoiselle de [,a Valliére, I think?"
'J' '"t'-J""i"it"a
to her'
K;;;t Guard should speakrt^¿'"id' set used to it'
L,,t Ir will get
"But I wondered if the King knew thar I liked her roo.
"I miss *, "Yes, Your Majesty, We have met."
t tLlo."x;;r '*'iii;';ittt "Good. Come then, and eat with us before you go about
w]1h understanding'
you will," I had.said' but I was
time to soeak [o her' your duties."
After that intiátn'' I ¡nade too'
onlv on*;;;;;;'tt';i;;'" TheKins had noticed her "Your Majesty, we nlusl talk. The situation in Paris is serious."
not the her to the bowling "I don't want to heal'¿rbout Paris. Don't the people of Paris
tltt
And now, t't uu'L'i''oi;;i llnd.liled
Therese' trying to hide know we're fighting a w¿rr? Frenchmen are dying to make
green. I could -ti^til:-d;il"''ll"tit France great and thesc l;rzy dogs complain about not having
nttfrTl"ndetl
ball' she looked it:"::-T:rtablv'
enough to eat!"
n
l 'orrisc " favounte'
bcing the King s new
She did nor firxl ii.,,*y
11
10
 At that moment I saw Fouquet, the King's Minister of
Finance, whose job it was to decide how to spend the King's
taxes. He was with Colbert, his Chief Adviser. Fouquet and
Colbert hated each other, but they tried not to show it. Fouquet
was afraid of Colbert's honesty and the fact that Colbert knew
that Fouquet was using a lot of the King's money to build
himself a palace.
"Ah, Fouquet," said Louis seeing the two statesmen coming
towards us. "What is this business about fighting in Paris?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. We know about it. It is quite serious."
"Well, what do you plan to do about it?"
"There are three things we can do for the poor. One, send
less food to our etrtnies in the Netherlands. Two, give them
food from the stores. Or three, we can simply shoot them."
"The army must be f'ed. And I do not want to shoot our
people - unless it is absolutely necessary. So, open the storerooms."
"The food there rnay not be very good, Your Majesty. It
has been there since last year. Most of the fresh food goes
straight to the arnly."
"Give it to the pool'anyway. If they're really hungry, they'll
eat it!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Now, gentlemen. l,ct tls have some music with our meal."
I followed the Kin¡¡ t.o the pavilion, where tables stood
loaded with food fi'on¡ all t¡ver the world, rich meats and exotic
fruits. I couldn't help thirrkin¡; of the people dying of hunger
in Paris. When the lttusic cttded, I watched Louis leave the
pavilion with l,ot¡ise.
And so, it was with ¿r ltcavy heart that I went to my room
that night. I hacl sct'vt:cl l"t'¿tttce lirr nearly thirty years; but I
had very little to show for it. I had thought of asking the King
to let me go, so that I could marry and have a familyÍut now.]
Athos had retired to his farm. Aramis hadjoined rhe church
and Porthos finally had time to enjoy himserf. But I was still
tied to my duty. I would so'n be an ord man and had still not
enjoyed the simple pleasures of being a husband and father.
Now I felt that I never would.
As I entered my oflice to plan the guard duty for the next
day, I found a message on my desk. I opened it and saw at
once that it was from Aramis.
It said,
"Dear D'Artagnan,
I haae called a meeting of'the Four Musheteers
for tomorrow at
5:30 p.m., at the usual place. It is uery impoüant that you come.
Godspeed.
Your friend and companion,
Aramis."
I wondered what it could be about. For Aramis to call a
meeting of the Four Musketeers it must be something important.
I decided to tell the Kin¡¡ that I had urgenr business -in paris
and had to leave early thc next day.
13
 I heard porthos'deep laugh as I reached our
and knocked
softly on the door. Suddenlylhere was
silence.
{ogeiher.@grnirt "Who is it?" Someone called out.
careful. Always suspicious.
It was Aramis. Always

"D'Artagnan," I replied, and at once

the door was thrown
The next day I got up early and rode hard for Paris' I was open.
looking forward to meeting my old fiiends, but the üought of Bef,ore I had a chance to look at my
old friends properly,
seeingiaris and is starving people again did not make me happy' they had their arms around me, laughing
and crying _frhjrí.
uanf people there knew mq by sight' Others recognised my I stood back and looked at each onJ in tu.rr.
uniform or knew me by reputation' At one time, the people of ..
Pgrfos, you are looking good. fhe ladies are
treating you
paris thought of me as one of them. Now I saw nothing but hatred well, I think. And by the loó[ of the colour
in your
r - --- --"'
A..] ío.,
I ve
in their eyás. I was the King's man, and those in my uniform-used still enjoy good food as much as ever.,,
their swords and muskes to keep the people hungry and silent' Porthos laughed and did a brief dance in
IenteredParisthroughoneoftheareaswheretherewasless
^
Soor.
rhe middle of rhe

hunger. It made no dillbrence. Even there, stones and rotten

by
. "tr you get old, I get young," he said, breathing rather
heavily. "Do I look any different f.o-
cabbáges were thrown at me. Usually they were accompanied when you last saw me?,,
the wórds,,,Shame on King L,ouis! Shame on the Musketeers!" "Shall I be honest?"
Our meeting place was in the cellar of a food store owned by "As always."
a kind of
a cousin of Rrimis'. lt was possible to enter through "You have got fatter, I fbar."
door in the pavement, As I went down the steps into the darkness "Nonsense. Nonsense. This is a'muscle."
He hit his sides
undergrouñd, I coulcl hear the voices of my old fiiends and my with the flar of his hands. ,,Hit me. Hir me
here. What d"y;;
heart warmed. feel? It's like rock!,'
I had seen Aramis recently. As a bishop of some importance' I turned to Aramis, who was waiting impatiently
for us to
he was often atcourt, but I hacl not seen the others for some
time' get down to business.
Athos seldom came tf) Paris. since his son was killed in the war, "Aramis, my friend, you rook worried. you
take rife too
his dogs
he had lostall his <tld lOve Ol'lifb. All he lived for now was seriously."
and the sound of silence ()¡ fiis farm. Porthos, I heard, had
tried "No more seriously than you, D'Artagnan.
The difference
marriage, but hacl fbunrl it <liflicult. He was still not ready for the is that I take orders from no one but
myself.,,
quiet life in the cot¡ntry. "I am a soldier, Aramis. Soldiers are táught
to obey orders.,,

14
t5
ñ
"Yes, I remember. That is why I left the Musketeers' Come,
gentlemen, let us get down to business."
The cellar was dark, apart from' two candles on a round
wooden table in the middle of the stone floor. It was the perfect
place for our secret meeting. All around us baskets of fruit
stood silently, like sttldiers on guard. I took Athos' arm as we
moved towards the centre of the cellar.
"Athos, you are fhr too thin and you do not look well, even
in this light."
"What is thelc tr¡ live for, D'Artagnan, now that Raoul is
dead?" Athos askc<I, spcaking of his beloved son'
"I underst¿tncl, ttty <lcar friend, but there is always France'"
"Exactly. That is all that keeps me alive. And that is why we
are here t<tday."
We sat dowtr, l)rll'tltos took his sword and, in three perfect
strokes, cut a watcrlnelott in fbur equal parts. Aramis, dressed
all in black, with a lat'gc tlttcifix hanging fiom his neck, patiendy
crossed his hancls otl lht: t.able, waiting for Porthos to sit'
"Gentlemell, li'l'iutt:{: is killing its people with wars and taxes'
Our young metl clic by tlre thousands or come back from the
wars half-dea<I, witltottt lcgs or arms or eyes. The people in
the cities are <lying ol'lttttt¡¡t:r. How long can this go on? Louis
is a young matr, ottly lwt'ttty-trine years old. He could live for
another fifty ycil's, Wlrirt will become of France in that time?
That thief lirur¡rrr:t rrray rlic, bur another will take his place.
What is to be tkrltc', ttty lt'iclrtls?"
We lookecl ¿lt citcll rltllrll'itt;l'tlss the table. Everyone looked
very serious i¡ ttrc lr¿rll-liglrt,lhc candle flames making gigantic
shadows 0n t.ltt' w¿tlls lrt'ltirrrl rrs. Athos'thin face, eaten up with
anger ¿rncl s¿trlttcss, lrt'kl r¡ttt'itllcntion for a moment'
"\,Ve must be rid of Louis. He thinks of nothing but his
pleasures and his ambitions. He knows nothing of government,
yet he calls himself Head of State. He must be removed, or
else France is finished." '
Aramis looked at him hard.
"I know you are angry, Athos, and I am too, but we must
control our anger. If we get rid of the King, another tyrant
will just take his place. No. We must find a way of replacing
him with someone better,"
I laughed. Aramis made it sound so easy.
"Shall we r4ake Porthos King, then?" I joked.
"Oh, yes, I think I would make a very good King. I would
share all the wealth of France with the people. I would cut
taxes in half and stop all wars."
"Porthos, I don't think we can make you King."
"That's France's loss."
"So, Aramis, what your plan? I know you must have one
\
since you have called ús all here," Athos said at last.
"Yes. I have a plan. But I cannot let you know all the details
yet. All I can say is that it is the perfect plan. But firsr I musr
know that you are with me."
"You cannot trust us?" Porthos asked, spitting out a piece
of his watermelon in anger.
"No. But some of us do have other loyalties."
Aramis looked at me ¿rcross the table, his sharp eyes trying
to see into my mind. I said nothing. I was the King's bodyguard
and I was being asked to betray him. Porthos and Athos turned
towards me. I remainecl silent.
"Are you with me?" Al'amis repeated.
17
 "Will there be any fighting?" Porthos said with a look of "f know, and it is. with
a heavy heart that you
excitement on his face. make rhis decision. force me to
r,rn ,lrnpl/u.i,"S,", to wait. In
"There may be a lot of it." two he mav change," a year or
l addlj,
"In that case, I am with you." ";;;:Jri, u.rl"r"s
riom his chair, k;".il;;;;Lack. i, il*rl
"Athos?" -t,fHil:e rr hit the ground

"Do you need to ask? I would give my life to be rid of Louis." of France are dying. ThE
u.r'rffilffople cannotwait. we must
"D'Artagnan?"
There was silence as they waited for my answer. said Aramis, ¿rncl porthos
raised his sword in
"No. I am not with you. Thirty years ago I made a promise
".."1;t...,,,
to God and to Louis XIII, to defend King and country, and I
cannot break that promise. Louis is still young. He will learn That night I took a rooln
in a nearby lavern, but
slept. What *ur r ,o,_o:? I hardlv
from his mistakes."
people I loved most
i."il;.';*;and fight the threá
Athos hit the table angrily with his fist. rn the wr¡rlcl?
"You're wrongl Louis will never learn. He will never change. In the end I decided to wait.
To tell no one, in the
He truly believes he is God." that the King would hooe
end rhc f,i,
my heart of hearrs I knew ""r;;jf..a p.opte. Bur in
"I must believe that hewill change as he grows older," I said. t.1,i, ,"uiJ"lu., rrupp.n.
They were all disappointed in me, especially Aramis.
"Have you forg<ltten, D'Arlagnan? 'One for all and all for
one""
"Have you forgotten that I am the only man on earth that
the King can truly trust?"
"That is why you are so important to us. You can make this
whole thing happen so much more easily. The future of France
is in your hands."
I thought abc¡r¡t what Aramis had just said and for the first
time realised how rrtuch power I had, and the very thought of
it frightened me,
"No, I cannot."
"If you are not wit.h trs, then you are against us."

20 21

áñnn$a,,tA
 The guard's eye appeared at the small grille in the door.
He looked suspiciously at the two priests in their black robes,
'{ürc /Vflrus's ds'm üfuwwt heavy crosses hanging from their necks. Priests always make
us think of death and the life hereafter, and so we treat them
I rrtYw lVflre.$fo with respect. But these guards did not dare to make a
mistake. Their lives depended on it.
prison
ever escaped from the
They say that no man has "What do you want?"
o"ry *uá*t" and those mad
on the island orst rnro''i*tiit' if you Aramis spoke slowly and heavily as priests do.
King are put there' And' "One of the prisoners is to be executed tomorrow. We
enough to plot against"the time
yót'"ttttuittty will be by the
are not mad before ;;; ;t' have been sent to hear his last confession."
you get out'
'l'hlt¡u;;';: t;á" bars of their cold cells' all the "There's going to be an execution? No one told us about
water' For them' dme
prisoners can see tJ'il;ky "td..th.t of it. There's nothing ready."
utt tt'ty have are the cries
go.. on forever' tt""t'tp'""y on the rocks below'
"That is not our concern. We are merely here for his soul."
of the "Your papers!"
birds, the endless '*i'ting laterare foolish enough to
ra$ that
and the scratching ;'itht"ft* Aramis took some documents from beneath his robe and
home' pushed them through the grille. While the guard was
make St Marguerite their
an iron gate is raised to
let
When you enter the prison' lowered
looking at them, Athos said,
The gate is then "Monsieur Fouquet will be here soon and I am sure he
your boat into a I'i"J "f cave' in rhe near
ffiiJ;". nn.r rrrri you climb sripperv steps strong with would want us to have frnished by then."
toul darkn." untii'yl'u lt*n "
tttLiá:t; made "Monsieur Fouquet, here?"
this door a guard'will look
bars of iror,. Thr'iüil;;;ti;ln "As you can see, it is his seal."
tnty have the right signatures Aramis had not told me how they managed to
at your paPers tu 'intt" ""t get
and seals on them' Fouquet's seal on the King's writing paper.
"Fouquet, you say?"
One day, not lottg after
our conversation in the cellar' "Yes. It is to do with the man in the iron mask."
arrived' at the
Aramis, Athos an<l- Portho' and
^lt]1l-U^-tt
"Oh, yes. Monsieur F'ouquet brought him here eight
into the cave' Aramis years ago. I think the prxrr fellow has gone mad."
St Margueri" ¡n n ütlot "ntl 'o*td wearing the
Athos *.r. d"'*"ti'*'
p':i"-ts' *lilt Porthos was "I hope not," Athos said aloud.
the
While Porthos stayed with "What's that?'
heavy clothes ul door'
thick
boat, Aramis an<l ltlt;t- t:lirnbed the steps to the
"'fulu'intan'

23
22
 The only sound that came from behind the mask was that
to hear his confession'
"If he's gone mad' we won't be able of heavy breathing. Aramis wondered what they would see
* when the mask was taken off. Woi¡ld he have teeth? Would
ir he' s goin g to, die, t: 91" "'
t':3ltt
"1' il,'i;, ff [T.-l;t¡.' he have scars? How might eight years imprisoned behind an
iis better t'
n.', gotá mad or not' Maybe before iron mask have changed the man inside?
"Are you going to let ú' in? We need to get back "Philippe, we know who you are. But you yourself don't
know who yo:u really are." Even as he spoke, Aramis thought
"tt+*t:;"rd unlocked the door and
let them in' with his
how strange his words sounded.
flaming torch held iigh'
nt led the,way up the steps torvards "Why?"
'l'h"t of their boo$ on the stone
the prison tell'' ""tnd Athos of the Aramis and Athos heard the man's first word. It sounded
,,n;*, reminding Aramis and
:;"H;i'"-""¿ 'i't'ty put"á one cell door and heard strange from inside the mask.
emptiness of the pf *t"' "Why?" he said again.
inside'
urr'urri*ut-tike sound fir¡m guard' hitting the cell
"Because you are a very important man, Philippe"'
"Mad, .u*pttt"li tuá"' :ii9 'ht "Who?"
cnd of his musket'
door with the wrxttlcn corridor' The man had not spoken for so long, he could only speak
They went ;t;t ;;"p' u"a *.1s a narrow to stay one word at a time.
"P said' "Do you want me
"This is t,is teUjl ti" gua'd "You are the King's twin brother."
with you? He may be tlatrgerous'" .L^-^ t$o nf
^ra t.^,n of rs."
us' For a long moment, therc was silence from the mask.
"We will Ut uff üt'"ntit"t Besides' üere are "The King's...?"
'¡f¡ttt' if you need me'"
"Su1, yot"'elvtI ¡u't shout "Yes, you were taken fiunt your mother when you were a
uénin¿ them' For a moment
The guard Au"ti'ti*t ¿t'nt cell' They baby. Your mother does tlot even know that you are still
thcre was anyone in the
they wonderecl whethct' alive. No one knows, Ilot even the King himself; only
.o,rf¿ ... ,ro,f ing ¡" tltt:,shaLdowy 9::lffi"Jn|,il,T} Fouquet, the two of us, and trow you. You were brought here
they I
,h. rnur, - if y<ltr trrt¡ltl t:all what A because your guardian cottlcln't keep the secret of who you
tli ty ;"ti'it" lt-rted as if he had no head'
were torn were, so he and his lirrnily were killed. Now do you
""d tt¡ask covered it completely'
black, .o,,ghly-maitt i''t"t The understand?"
knew what to do or say'
Neither n'oti*-ilt"' Athos in the corner like The man in the mask tlicl not answer
s¿tt on some straw
man in the iron urask.iust "Your only crime is that you are the King's twin brother.
a frightened dog' And maybe a threat to l,ottis."
Aramis said at last'
"We have ttt't'ttt tt' lttll¡l ytltt"'

25
24
 towards them' "Would you like some bread and cheese before you go?
man in the mask stood up and came
The and Athos We don't see many people here. It'd be nice to hear some news."
unsteadily, t'¡t'utiJ't'"fa ""t' Both Aramis "Thank you, but we must hurry. We have to get back."
he was weak and had
moved towards hi-';h;;-tJd "t "That's a pity," the guard said, his long face growing even
ttqillll.;:tl'lo*;' kill me? Irso' do it and Put me out or longer.
to The guard continued down the steps, turning at times to
-t"Tt::il'; help France'" shine his torch on a broken step. About halfivay down, he
have come to help you.and stopped again and said,
t"if ttl" gi*-u"itt was weak'
"How can you "Why don't you have some bread and cheese with me and
"First, we must get yoY tu: "t ltl:] leather belts my companions? Monsieur Fouquet will be here any minute."
robe' A number tof thick
Aramis took off his "Monsieur Fouquet? So soon?" Aramis had not expected
and around his waist'
were hangi"g f'o*'hi'''"h*td"" Fouquet to arrive at St Marguerite this early.
"Comi let us be¡¡in.'' to Aramis'body'
"Yes, I saw his boat approaching about ten minutes ago.
the man in the mask
Athos helped u' '?'up It should be coming through the iron gate just about now.
"-Wh;the was." "er1on
Luckily, ''."11 '?"-']r}1]-o;l
his robe agarnJ :;['[tffi'.1r "t He will be happy to see his priests, I'm sure."
Aramis Put "Yes, very,"
Lá'" ittt ¿íu"ts no one would
that Philippt *u't'it"ü]it' walking might give Aramis was beginning to panic. He couldn't use his sword
strange new way of
know. Only Aramis' with another man strapped to him, which meant that Athos
him awaY' and Porthos would have to do all the fighting without him.
"Are we readY?" "So, how about it then? It's not every day we have such an
ftom beneath the robe'
Aramis heard a sot¡ncl important man as Monsieur Fouquet here."
Let us out'"
"Guard, we are finished' p'ests "I'm sure Monsieur Fouquet will understand."
The guard tP;;;;;l,.
d,or and saw that the rwo "It's up to you." The guard went on down the steps. "It's
were readY to leave'
" -lJH. nice to see people, even priests."
wasn't dangct'ttrts' then?". went and They reached the thick door and the guard unlocked it
He-is quite mad' He
"No, but ynu *l''tt right' him to come out' with his large key. As they continued down the steps, they
hid under tttt Wt'''u'uldn't even get could see Fouquet's boat coming through the iron gate.
'u'"*'
ot t;il the corridor' suddenlv'
Athos and Aramis hurried to get into their boat, which
ff"::ttla th. wav.bacu q"Il the Porthos had ready to de¡rart.
¡'u'ni*'lt'ul'ntltt" held their breath' while
he turned'
ttft'* them for a moment'
guard's 't*untined
""pitit"t* 27
26
 By the time they got in' FouqueCs boat was pulling up When they were only a few yards from the river bank,
"gtu'd' who was waiting for Monsieur
uforrgriJ. them. rht Fouquet was no more than twenty yards behind them.
pries$ were
;;ü;, -ust have thorrght it strange that thehadtwosent them' "As soon as we reach the bank, run for the horses. Athos
leaving
^-- without euen greJting the man who and I will fight offFouquet and his men."
p.irno, pushed tñe ro*ing boat away' Aramis watched as
"What about me?" said Porthos, who never liked being
the guard spoke tn not'qt'á' Suddenly' Fouquet turned left out of a fight.
towaids them and shouted' "Someone must get Philippe away from here."
"HeYI You! Who areYou?" "You do that, Aramis. You know I can kill three men to
Neiiher Aramis nor Athos rePlied' every two of yours."
ih.r, th. guard shouted to the man at the gate' "Very well. Let's not argue. I'll get the horses."
"Lower the gate! At once!" The boat reached the shore and Aramis and the man in
They were ,ro than five yards from the gate' which the iron mask ran towards the horses. Fouquet and five men
'ot"t would soon block their only jumped out of their boat almost at the same time. Porthos
was slowly .oming Jt'wn and
just enough room
;;tr. túe time tñey reached it' there was and Athos took out their swords, ready to fight. Soon the
for the"y boat to pass unclertreath' with the three Musketeers sound of metal against metal could be heard above the
lying flat in the b<lttottr of it' sounds of the water and the wind, as Athos and Porthos, side
Aramis took off his
When they got out itrto oPen water' by side, held back Fouquet and his men.
free'
robe and ,"ái¿ thc bclts to set Philippe Athos was the first to draw blood. One man fell ro the
"Are you all right, Your Majesty?" ground. Porthos then got two almost together, one through
mask'"
"Yes, but I wisir I coulcl take off this the shoulder, the other in the side. Fouquet was not fighting,
we get somewhere safe"' just shouting at his men, telling them to kill the damned
"I'm afiaid ttrat will havc to wait until
Then Porthos, wlto was rowing' shouted' traitors. Athos and Porth<¡s dealt with the last two men easily.
"They're comitr¡¡ ¿tl[t:t' ttsl" By that time, the horses were ready; Aramis and Philippe were
and saw Fouquet standing
Athos and Ara¡llis ltxrkctl around already mounted and holding the horses for üe other two.
at his men to row faster'
at the fiont of his lxritt, sltotttitlg Soon they were riding off into the darkness towards Paris,
"Here, Porthos, l*t' takJone of the oars"'Athos said' with Fouquet shouting aflcr them,
"t" his weight and
But Porthos wt'rrltl ttot trc¿rr of it' Despite "You will not get away with this! I will hunt you down and
He said he could row
y.u.r, n. was still its sttottg its an ox' kill every last one of youl"
But even so' Aramis
faster than the two t'f'tltt]'lt together' Porthos was the <lnly one who laughed at Fouquet's
was gaining ground'
and Athos c<lttld st't' tltitt t"ottqttet words.

28 29
 ''l',l.Le
f'ffi u¿3'
(D r:r:í'rl i'l tfl'
"The King wishes to see you, Sir."
André, my lieutenant, had just entered my oflice with this
message from the King.
"Any idea what it's about, André?"
"No, Sir, except ..."
"Except what?"
"He is with Monsicur Fouquet, who seems to be very
angry. I have nevcl scen his face so red."
"Perhaps he shot¡lcl open a vein or two. Losing a little
blood might do hirn good."
André did n<¡t srnilc at my joke. I got up from my desk
and went straight to thc King's rooms.
Fouquet was in<krr:<l in a bad state. He was sweating and
pacing angrily u¡r :rrr<l rlown the room. The King was half-
dressed, his wi¡¡ slightly crooked and his shirr unbutroned.
He looked very ¡rirlt,, ¿rs if'he had not had enough sleep.
"Ah, D'Arta¡¡lr;rrr," Louis said, yawning. "Monsieur
Fouquet is aborrt to lr¿rvc an apoplexy. He tells me that
someone war)l.s l.o f irkr. rrry throne from me. Can you believe
ir?"
The King <lirl rrot s(:orr) to be too worried. Fouquet
stopped his angly ¡rr<'irrg, :rnrl approached the King.
"Your Majt:sly, I rlolr't tlrink you understand how serious
this mattel is, Wlrt.¡r I tr.ll you who this man is, I think you
will see thclc lr t'(':rs()lt l<¡ lrr: worried."

32
 "Well, speak then, for goodness sake! I know I am not
going to be able to stop you. You've already disturbed my
sleep, now disturb my mind."
Louis sat down in a large armchair and rested his feet on
a stool. His eyes were half-closed.
"The man is your twin brother, Your Majesty."
Louis'eyes suddenly opened wide.
"What nonsense is this, Fouquet! I have no twin brother."
"But you do, Your Majesty, alqhough you were told that
Philippe had died at birth. In fact, Philippe was taken away
and brought up by a certain gentleman near Nimes. Your
father believed that to have both sons sharing the throne
would have caused conflict and decided that one must be
removed from court. Your father made me swear to keep it
secret - not even your mother knows that this other twin is
still alive. It would, perhaps, have been better if he wasn't."
Louis thought for some moments.
"I have another brother, but that is excellent news!"
"Not so excellent, Your Majesty. Your brother has
ambitious friends who wish to place him on the throne."
"Indeed, that is not so excellent. So, this fellow thinks he
can take my throne, does he?"
Louis stood up, wide awake now, and began walking
nervously up and clowh the room, just as Fouquet had done
earlier.
"No, Your Majesty. I'hilippe is a gentle fellow. He has no
wish to be King. But there are those who would like to use
him to get power firr their {rwn purposes."
"We must stop thenr. Who is behind all this?"
Fouquet looked across at me and pointed a finger
accusingly.
"You know them well, Captain D'Artagnan. You were old
friends."
"You can't mean Aramis, Athos and Porthos?" I said,
trying to sound as if such a thing was simply not possible.
"The very same,"
"But how do you know this?"
"Only they would dare to break into the prison on
St Marguerite, and only they could put five of my men out of
action in less than two minutes. I have never seen swords
move so quickly. Besides, I recognised the big fellow. What's
his name? Porthos?"
I tried to appear shocked, but it certainly sounded like my
friends.
"Are you sure, Monsieur Fouquet? They are all well-
respected men. It would be wrong to accuse them of
something they did not do. I think we should have proof
before we act."
"'We cannot wait for pro<lf'! I say we arrest them at once
and have them executed, along with Philippe. I told your
father all those years ago that it was a mistake to let him live."
Louis turned his back r¡n us for a moment and then said,
"No, kill the Musketeers, but not my twin brother. I have
only one of those."
"That may not be wise, Your Majesty. As long as he lives,
your throne is in dangerl"
"Not if he is in the Bastille."
"As you wish, Your Majesty."

34 35
 Louis stood in front of me and looked me straight in the eye.
"So, D'Artagnan, now is the time to see how loyal a
servant you really are. Can yoü hunt down those traitors who
were once your friends and bring me their heads on a plate?"
"If they are truly traitors, Your Majesty, they will surely
answer for their crimes."
"Good man. But do you doubt the truth of what Monsieur
Fouquet is saying?"
"I wish to find out for sure, Your Majesty."
Fouquet stamped angrily on the floor.
"We do not have time for that! We must hunt them down
now. If D'Artagnan will not do it, I will lead an army against
them myself. I think I know where to find them."
"Do as you wish, Fouquet. In the meantime, there is no
harm in D'Artagnan asking questions."
At that moment, l,ouise opened the door of the King's
room. She was about to enter, when she saw us'
"I am sorry, Your Majesty. I did not realise you were
busy."
"I am never too busy for you, my dear! So, Fouquet,
D'Artagnan, I leave my life and the safety of my throne in
your hands."
Louis looked at Fouquet, who didn't dare say another
word.
"Louise, I have gtxxl news. I have found another brother."
"Really, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, a twin brother, wh<l appears to have friends, traitors
to their King, who wish to place him on my throne. But I
believe he is just ¿r cotttltry boy. He may be good at feeding
hens and milkin¡¡ firws, ltut I doubt he would make a good
3ó
king. I am not concerned. Anyway, soon my loyal Captain
will bring me the heads of those traitors. I will have those
heads spiked on the gates of the city to Show the people how
traitors are dealt with. But my brother will be kept in the
Bastille."
Louise looked at me, but I did not look back, for fear of
showing my feelings for her.
On the way to my office, I wondered about what Aramis,
Athos and Porthos had done. I still knew norhing of ho1ll
they had entered the fearsome prison on St Marguerite and
escaped with the King's brother. I had no doubt they were
behind it, but what was their plan?
"D'Artagnan, you look worried."
I turned and saw Colbert standing under a flowering
cherry tree talking to the King's motlier, Anna of Austria.
They looked as if they were in the middle of a secrer
discussion. Although I believed he was an honesr man,
Colbert was as good as the rest of them at making secrer plans.
"Ah, Monsieur Colbert, and Your Majesty.'?
Colbert welcomed me with a smile, ihough his dark eyes
told me he wanted information. The Queen, Louis'mother,
now in her fifties, was still beautiful. I knew she did not like
her son's ways. She believed a king should be an example to
his people, suffering for them if necessary. And Louis neither
set a good example nor suflered for his people,
Colbert placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Tell us, D'Artagnan. Why was Fouquet so upser earlier?
He looked as if someone had just robbed him of his purse."
37
 "Much worse than that, Monsieur Colbert. Someone
wants to rob him of his King."
They both looked at me in surprise. Their smiles had
disappeared.
"Tell us more, D'Artagnan."
I thought for a moment, bttt decided to tell them as little
as possible. I have always believed that a secret should
remain a secret.
'Just another plot, Motrsiettr Colbert. But we will deal
with it."
Colbert knew I was not tclling them everything I knew.
"You are a dark horse, I)'Artagnan - always the King's
man. Well, I have to admirc yotr fbr it. But I will get the truth
out of you befbre the day is ottt."
I promised myself th¿rt lrc would not.

I did not go immediatcly to rny office. I needed to think.

{ So, I continued to walk thrrrtrgh the gardens.
I knew Athos would ¡¡o slraight to his farm in Blois' He
llr
would think himself saf'c llrct'c. Fouquet knew that too and
llr would go there to arresl. llirll ¿nd the others.
-fhe time had come li¡t'ttrc to make up my mind. Should
I remain a Musketeer itrr<l keep the promise I had macle
thirty years ago, or bc l i t:c-thinking man and decide lirr
f

myself what was best lir liratrce and its people? Wh2rt w¿ts
this Philippe like after all? Would he be a worse tyrant than
his brother?
I decided to set ofl'f i¡r' lllois immediately and find otrt l<¡r
myself. Fouquet and his trrcn would probably leave the llcxl

39
day. So, if I set off that afternoon, it would give me almost
twenty-four hour head start. : "Have you not seen anything in his?"
As I was coming back'up the path, I saw Louise sitting
alone on a garden seat. I thought she was crying. I was
surprised to see her there, as I expected her to be with the
King.
"Mademoiselle de la Valliére," I said quietly, not wanting
to frighten her. "Are you all right?"
"Ah, D'Artagnan. You always appear when I am in need
of a friend." ' "I hope so."
"I will certainly be that, if you will let me."
"Please sit with me fbr a while. I feel you are my only
friend here at court. May I talk to you?"
I didn't know what to say. I did not want the King to see
us together. He was a very jealous man. But at the same time,
I did not want to miss this chance to be alone with Louise.
When I sat down she said, "I do not love the King,
D'Artagnan. What should I do?"
"Every lady in France dreams of being in your position.
The King will give you anything you want. Can't you try and
love him?"
"I see you are a practical man, D'Artagnan. But, no, I
cannot. I am in love with another."
My heart sank.
"I am sorry to heat'it,"
"You shouldn't be, l)'Artagnan."
"May I ask who thc lrrcky man is?"
"I hope to tell you onc clay. But not now. You see, I'm not
sure that he loves tnc,"
"Does he know tlral you l<¡ve him?"
'"a,l,rn¡rt)¡"g*\"
40
a "I think he may have seen it in my eyes, but I'm not sure."
"I think so, but I cannot be sure."
"Is he someone here at cóurt?"
Y CS.
"I see. And now that the King is so fond of you, it..."
"You see now why I am sad."
"[ do, Mademoiselle. But I am sure things will turn out
well in the end."
Louise looked at me warmly and placed her hand on
mine. I stood up at once.
"I must see to my duties, Mademoiselle de la Valliére."
"Yes, of course. And, please, call me Louise."
"Very well - Louise."
I kissed her hand briefly and left.
As I walked quickly up the path, past the sea of colour in
the flowerbeds, I felt more in love than ever, even though I
knew she loved another. I wondered who he could be since
I had not seen her talking to anyone in particular.
As I entered my office I thought about how foolish I waS,
a man of forty and five years, in love with a lady of just
twenty and two. I told myself'that I must try and forget her,
or else I might forget all rny duties to the King.
That afternoon I left A¡rdré in charge and set out f<rr Blois
to find my friends and perhaps see this Philippe that
Fouquet was talking about..
41

I-hrr. ,,f{íng;'s
$rother
Before I left for Blois, I told Louis that I wished to go to
Paris to begin my investigations. Again, he told me that he
had complete trust in me. I began to wish that there was
someone I could share my burden with, but there was no
one. Colbert had his own inteiests at heart, as he hoped to be
promoted to a higher position and might give away my
secret. And the Queen, although she didn't like the way
Louis behaved, could not be expected to turn against him in
order to put Philippe in his place. Philippe - the son she had
not seen for twenty-nine years! Besides, how would she take
the news that her second son was still alive?
And so it was that al<lne, and with a heavy heart, I set out
for Blois, where I knew I would find Athos, Aramis and
Porthos, and finally meet the King's twin brother.
Things in Paris were worse than ever. The food in the
stores had been given out, but a lot of it was rotten and the
people became sick. 'l'his made them even angrier and my
Musketeers were lindirtg it more and more diflicult to
control the crowcls ol' starving people, who were now
carrying sticks, stones antl pitchforks. Their numbers alone
were enough to fli¡¡hten even the bravest soldier.
The days were lott¡¡, and it was still light when I saddled
a fresh horse and s(:l oul li¡r' Blois. Athos' farm was some way
from the village antl by lhc time I arrived, it was quite dark.
42
Aramis, ñhos and Porthos were eating a late supper as I
was shown into the dining room. When they saw me, they
immediately reached for their swords.
"Have no fear, gentlemen! I come as a friend."
"That is good, D'Artagnan," said Athos. "I would not like
to have to kill you in my own house."
"I hope you would not like to kill me in anybody's house."
"That depends on whether you are with us or against us,
D'Artagnan. I hope you are here to tell us what we want to
hear."
"I am with you enough to come all the way from
Versailles to warn you that Fouquet and at least thirty of his
men are on their way and will be here by tomorrow
afternoon at the latest."
"So, you left the comfort <¡f the Palace to come all that way
and tell us that. Have you eaten, my friend?" Athos asked,
getting up and embracing me.
"The truth is I haven't eaten since this morning. I could
eat a horse."
"I cannot offer you a horse, I'm afraid, but we have
chicken and turkey as well as cheese made with my own
hands. Come. Sit with us and have something to eat. But first
you must meet Philippe."
I looked down the table and saw rhe King sitting beside
Aramis.
"Your Majesty!"
Aramis laughed.
"Not yet, D'Artagnan. llut very soon."
43

The man who stood up to shake my hand was the exact
image of Louis. It could have been the same man, if he were
not so pale and thin.
"I am pleased to meet you, D'Artagnan. It is a great
honour to meet someone of your fame."
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I cannot help feeling
that I am talking to my King."
Athos patted me on the back.
"But you are,D'Artagnan. If he is not the King today, he
will be shortly. If you had seeir him yesterday though, you
would have taken him fbr a beggar. His hair and beard were
nearly touching his knees."
"A fine piece of hair," said Porthos. "I've asked Philippe if
I can keep it to make myself a wig. My own has started to get
very thin lately."
"Well, D'Artagnan, is he not the living image of the King?
Sit down now and eat with us."
I sat down and helped myself to bread, meat and cheese.
I asked them to tell me of their adventure on St Marguerite,
about which I had so lar only heard from Fouquet's lips.
"One second later and we would have been trapped
inside the prison," Pr¡rthos said.
"Porthos saved us with his rowing," Aramis said. "He
rowed faster than tht'ee nren put together."
"Even if I am klsing nry hair," Porthos added sadly.
At that moment a p¡'elty country girl came in bringing us
some fruit. Porthos' cyes lit up when he saw her.
"Marie, you are always lcady to serve us."
Marie put the things shc was carrying next to Porthos,
who touched her hnnrl, 'l'his did not seem to upset her.
44
"Monsieur Porthos, you are very naughty."
"I know. It is my only weakness!"
Marie laughed and slapped him plafrlly on the arm.
When Marie had left, I looked at Porthos and said,
"I can see üat you are losing nothing but your hair, Porthos'"
"But I am getting old. The fire is just as bright but it needs
more wood to keep it burning."
He said this with such seriousness that I had to laugh.
"Now, gentlemen," I said. "Tell me your plan before I fall
asleep."
There was silence, while they looked at each oüer.
"What? Are you not going to tell me?"
"Are you with us or against us?" Athos said looking hard at
me.
I thought of Paris. I thought of Louis. And I thought of
Louise.
"Gendemen, I am with you."
"How can we be sure?"
"My word as a Musketeer."
"You have also given that wórd to the King."
I did not know what else to say. How could I prove to üem
that I was with them?
"He is with us," Philippe said, wiü such certainty that I
thought the King himself had spoken.
They all looked at Philippe in surprise and then Porthos
cheered.
'oSo, we are togeüer again. All for one and one for all.'Very
good, D'Artagnan," said Athos. "Our plan is simple. We will get
rid of the present King and put the new one in his place. And no
one will know the difference,"
45
 "You make it sound very simple," I said, "but you have
forgotten something. Excuse me, Your Majesty'"
I opened Philippe's shirt and saw the red birthmark on
his shoulder, in exactly the same place that Louis had his.
"Don't worry, D'Artagnan. They are exactly the same in
every way. Philippe is thinner, perhaps, but we are trying to
fatten him up. Comc on, Philippe. You have only eaten one
chicken tonight."
We all laughed.'l'ltctr, Athos explained to me exactly how
they planned to reJrlat:c Louis with Philippe. It was going to
take place during thc King's tiirthday party.
After I had heiu'tl thc whole plan, I said,
"How do you plittr lo get a set of clothes for Philippe? You
are all wanted mctt. l'lvcry soldier in France will soon have
orders to kill yorr."
"That is a goo<l ¡roittt.," said Aramis. "And this is where
you can be very trst'lirl."
"Me?"
"Yes, Louis still trrrsts you. You can help us by ordering a
second set of clotllt's fi¡l' thc King."
"But what wottltl I lrt: <loing ordering a set of clothes for
the King?"
"D'Artagnar), yoll ltitvc been a soldier for too long. It's
time you learllctl l() lts(' yorrt'imagination."
"I'll do my bcsl, lrttl wltclc are you going to hide?"
Porthos' eycs lit rr¡r.
"Where wc ttsttitlly r lo. ltl the cellar' There are at least two
full baskets ol'lixrrl llrt'lt';rll the time, and the stairs lead to
the pleasurcs ttl' l'itt is,"

4ó
 "Porthos, that cellar is no longer safe. I suggest you hide
under the church of St John.'
"But it's full of dead bodies!"
"So, you will have plenty of company - and they won't
talk."
"I prefer living company."
"D'Artagnan is ri¡;ht, Porthos. I can trust my priests and
they will look after us," Aramis said.
Porthos looked vcry sad.
"Think of it as a ncw experignce, Porthos. Sleeping with
skeletons."
"It's an experient:t: I can do without. Well, the night is
young, gentlemen. I aln off to have fun."
"Remember, ltrrlhos," I said. "You must be up with the
lark. You don't wi¡nl t.o nleet Fouquet and his men in your
nightshirt."
"And why not? I'tl ¡n'cli:r to fight fifty of Fouquet's men in
my nightshirt than lo s¡rcnd even one night with a single
skeleton."
When Porthos lrirrl gonc, I told the others that I would
leave alone. If wortl got out that I was with them, I would be
finished with the Kirrg :rrrrl then I too would be on the run.

I woke up tlrt: n(.xl lllorning to the sound of swords

clashing. I c¡uit:kly li¡ur¡<l rnine and went to the window
expecting to scc lrry tlrn:t: fi'iends fighting Fouquet's men,
but it was only Atl¡os ¡¡iving Philippe a lesson in the art of
swordplay. I corrlrl st'r' lrt. still h¿rd a lot to learn: Athos' sword
kept touching l'hililr¡rt"s slrr¡ulder.

48
 "No, no, no! You must not be so heavy on your feet,
Philippe! You should feel as light as a feather."
It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny. However, I was
not looking forward to the ride back to Paris. I opened the
window and called down to the teacher and pupil.
"Bravo, Your Majesty! Don't let him frighten you! Just
because he was once the greatest swordsman in France."
"Why do you say once, D'Artagnan?" Athos replied. "I can
still take on the best of them.Why don't you come and let me
show you? Or has life in the Palace made you soft?"
Athos's words made me angry and I ran down the stairs,
half-dressed, sword in hand. When Athos saw me coming
towards him he said,
"Well, at least he has not lost his courage."
Our swords clashed and I pushed him back in the
direction of the small lake where ducks were swimming. My
plan was to push him in, but he came at me with such force
that I sensed his sword flying past my nose. Out of the corner
of my eye, I tried to see where he was pushing me. It was
towards a place where the geese liked to paddle. He wanted
me to fall into the mud! Our swords were moving like
lightning. If we were not such good swordsmen, one of us
would surely have been dead already.
li Porthos appeared at a window, and Aramis had come
ir
outside to watch us,
I'
"Aramis, I wager ten ¡gold louis that Athos will end up in
.the duck pond."
I heard Aramis' voir:e, ¿rs serious as usual.
50
"This is no time for wagers or fights. Someone might get
hurt. But, if you insist, I wager ten gold louis rhat
D'Artagnan will end up lying with the geese."
The fight went on for at least twenty minutes. Athos must
have been practising, for he was not as easy to beat as I had
expected. Slowly I pushed him back rowards the lake. I had
him on the edge, when I called out,
"Do you give up?"
"Certainly not!"
"Take this then!" I said, and made him fall backwards into
the water.
I could hear Porthos'laughter from the open window. I
leaned forward to pull Athos out of the lake. He was a sorry
sight, with his long hair dripping and his mousrache hanging
down. I pulled him up onto dry land.
"So, who do you say is the better of us now?" I said,
laughing.
Athos was nor huppy.
"It was just luck, DArtagnan. You always were the lucky
one."
"Never mind," I said. "Let us have breakfast and be on
our way."
At that moment, a young man on horseback came
galloping into the yard, breathing heavily and shouring,
"An army of men, sir ... About thirty-five of them ... On
their way here ... They stopped. to ask for directions at the
miller's house ... Their leacler is a Monsieur Fouquet."
Athos looked around at his fiiends.
51
 "It's time to go, gentlemen'"
"Without breakfast?" said Porthos' horrified'
have a good breakfast and'then fight
them all"'
"I say we
-ñ h2¿.ws¿ [:r¡ ü{,ar:
-áffjtrw's'
"Even you cannot fight ten men alone' Porthos' No' Get {'r-{,{,{,il {-
cheese for all of us'
Marie ,o ÉilI .o.n. b,euá with meat and
The miller. is a Porthos took his time saying goodbye to Marie.
We'll have to eat on the way' And hurry'
business' he will delay "You are the love of my life. Never before have I seen
friend of mine. If he guesses Éouquet's
be here such beauty in a woman. Never."
fri* ur long as possibie' All the sarne' Fouquet could "Oh, Monsieur Porthos, I krve you too, but you must
at any moment with his armY'"
leave now."
"I want to die in your arms, Marie."
Athos was trying to pull him away.
"Porthos, if you don't hurry, we will all die. You ¿ril/ see
Marie again as soon as Philippc is King."
I rode off alone, not knowillg fbr sure whether I would
ever see my friends alive again.

There was only one road fi'om Blois to Paris, so Fouquet

and I had to pass each other ?rt some point. I just hoped that
I would see him first and have tiine to go into a field or a
farmhouse until he and his rnen had passed. A horse,
however, is not easy to hidc, nor is a Captain of the King's
Guard, whose uniform is known throughout France.
After I had gone about a rnile, I had an idea. I noticed a
carriage some way behin<l rne, so I got off my horse and
waited by the side of the loa<l. When the carriage reached
me, I made a signal for it to st.op.
"What's the matter, Oa¡rtirin?" said the driver, a man with
a scar down one side ol'his lirce. He was most probably a
soldier back from the w¿u'.

52 53
 in Paris by "To the Duchess of Vareme," said the fine lady, putting
"My horse has'injured its leg and I have to be her head out of the carriage window. "I found her lying by
with you'"
,rightfutt.
o"I I wus wonáering if you wouldlet me ride the side of the road. Her horse was frightened by a rat and
Lady'"
don't know, sir. I shall have to ask my threw her off."
King's business'"
"I beg you to do so' I am on the Fouquet, always suspicious, tried to look in.
"Well, if it's the King's business"'" "Please, my dear sir, do not bother her. She is not at all
and I could
The driver spoke to"someone in the carriage well."
hear a lady's voice from within' Then' a
pretty head
I lay in the corner of the carriage, covering myself as best
appeared, which reminded me.of Louise' as I could with the cloak. Luckily, it was edged with fur
- -*Are
sir?"
You in trouble, around the top, which hid my moustache.
horses comrng ln
At that moment I heard the sound of "My Lady, do you need any help?" said Fouquet trying to
our direction. see around the lady, who was doing her best to hide me.
"Yes, Madame, I am' Could I tie my horse
to the back of
"Perhaps one of my men..."
r.,,,r'.'nr'riuge and ride some of the way
with you?"
"You are too kind, sir," said the lady. "But all she needs is
She had a beautiful smile' rest. Isn't that so, My Lady?"
"Of course, sir. I would be happy to have the protecüon I nodded my head.
of an Oflicer of the Musketeers"' "In that case, we will be on our way," said Fouquet. "By
and got
iquickly tied the horse to the back of the carriage the way, who do I have the pleasure of talking to?"
in. "The Countess de la Valliére, Monsieur."
round the
At that moment' Fouquet and his men came "Good heavens! Not the mother of Louise de la Vallibre?"
when I
.o*.r. The lady looked at me wiih some surprise hers' I also I think'I may have let out a small cry of surprise.
,""f. .ff my own hat and asked if I could borrow "Yes, indeed! Do you know her?"
asked for her cloak and, with her
permission' wrapped it
"She is a great success at court, Your Ladyship. The
around me' King's favourite, at the moment."
"You must be in trouble' my dear sir'" "So, I have heard. You also spend time at court,
"A little, My Lacly' tlut it will pass' I hope"' Monsieur?"
us' Wh.en thV
By now Fouquet ancl his men had passed ¡aw "Yes, I am the King's Chief Minister. We are looking for
the carriage to stop'
th. horr. tied tothe track, l'ouquet ordered some traitors hereabouts. You haven't seen three men,
"Driver, whose htlrse is that?" carrying swords, with another man that looks very much like
"It belongs..." the King, have you?"

55
54
 "If I had seen anyone looking like the King, I assure you
I would have noticed. No. It's been very quiet this morning,
apart from the Duchess'little ¿rr:cident."
"Ah, yes. The Duchess."
"Well, we had better be <¡n ollr way. We have a long
journey ahead of us and we n)usl visit my personal doctor so
that he can take a look at the l)uchess."
"I see. I see. Well, have a good.journey, Countess. I wish
you good day."
At last Fouquet moved away fiom the carriage and
ordered his men to move firrw¿u'cl.
After a few hundred yards, when the sound of horses had
faded, I felt it was safe to takr: ofl'my disguise.
"I don't know how to th¿rnk you, Oountess."
"I only hope I did the light thing. Although I must say
you don't look like a traitor."
"I'd like to think I am not., (lountess."
"You'd lihe to think you ¿u'c tx)t. Well, I hope you are not
going to put your sword thrrru¡¡h my heart. That would be
most unfortunate."
I laughed.
"So, who are you, sir?"
"I am Captain of tllr: King's Guard at the Palace.
D'Artagnan at your servi<;c, My Lady."
"At the Palace? Monsicul l)'Altagnan! It is indeed a pleasure
to meet you at last. How vt:t y cxciting this day has been! My
daughter has told me so rnrr<:lr irbout you in her letters."
"Is that so?"
"In fact, she talks aborrt vt't v little else, apart fiorn thc King,
who seems to have takcn rr lrrrrt:y to her. More's the pity!"

57

l-'-"'=T
The Countess examined me more closely.
"Now that I see you more clearly, I understand."
"What is it that you understand?" I said.
"Why my daughter writes about you all the time. I think
she is very fond of you, Captain D'Artagnan ... Oh dear, you
have gone quite red in the face! Who would have thought
that a Captain of the Musketeers could blush?"
I did not wish to continue this conversation.
"I must be on my way, Countess. I have a great deal to do
before the King's birthday parü.WilI I have the pleasure of
seeing ybu there?"
"Yes, of course. I look forward to it."
I looked out of the carriage window to make sure Fouquet
and his men were no longer in sight.
"Thank you, Countess, and au revoir."
"Be careful, Captain. My daughter would be very
unhappy if anything should happen to you. Please give her
my love when you next see her."
I untied my horse, mounted, and set off at a gallop for
Paris. Throughout the.journey all I could think about was
how Aramis, Athos, Porthos and Philippe would get past
Fouquet and his men. (h had they already been caught and
arrested?
The King's tailor, Percerin, walked with small steps and
had a high-pitched voice. His long fingers moved up and
down as he spoke, as if'hc was playing a musical instrument,
and his eyelids were likc butterflies, fluttering over a flower.
He took me by the h¿r¡rcl and led me into a large room filled
with half-finished co¿rts ancl .jackets.
58
lr
il
"I am so happy to see you, Captain D'Artagnan. To think
l that you have at last come to me to have me make a suit for
you."
"No, Monsieur Percerin, it is not for me. It is for the King."
"For the King? But I've already made the King a new suit
for his birthday party."
"That is why I am here. He needs another."
"Another?"
,, "A second set, exactly the same."
"Why, this is absurd, my dear fellow! Even the King
cannot wear two suits at the same time."
"No, but we are going to surprise him by making him a
present of a portrait showing him wearing the same suit he
will have on at the party."
"I see. And you need anc¡ther suit for the man posing for
the painter? Oh, dear, oh dear, oh dear!" The King's tailor
walked up and down, waving his arms like a peacock shaking
its wings.
"You have no idea how busy I am, Captain. I have to
finish the King's suit and Monsieur Fouquet wants a suit and
now... How can I possibly...?"
"The portrait will make the King very huppy."
"Of course, of course, but I am only human." On the
word'human' Percerin squeaked.
"And you will be very well paid for your work."
"Well paid! Well paidl 'fhis..." said Percerin, pointing to
the coat nearest him. ",.. is a work of genius. Can such a
garment be paid for with mere money?"
"No, Monsieur Percel'in. It cannot. But I can only make
the offer."
59
 I poured thirty gold louis onto the table. Percerin's eyes
became bigger and the butterfly eyelids went quite mad, as
he took in the shining gold pieces that lit up the darkest
shadows of the room.
"When did you say you wanted this second suit, Captain
D'Artagnan?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow! But the party is not for ten days!"
"Tomorrow evening."
Percerin waved his hancls rnadly in front of his face to cool
himself down.
5 o"(ienius, Captain D'Arta¡¡nan, is a curse, not a blessing.
All right. I will have it ready by tomorrow evening."
"Excellent, Monsieur Pclt:erin! I will send someone to
pick it up at seven o'clock."
I bent down to pick up tlte tnoney again. But, as I did so,
Percerin laid his hand on t¡tinc.
"I will take payment now, if'you don't mind, Captain. It's
not that I don't trust you, lrtrt you know how things are.
Times are hard, Captain. 'l'itnes are hard."
Then,.just as I was about to leave, Fouquet came in with
two of his soldiers. My h:rncl reached instinctively lbr my
sword.
"D'Artagnan. What a sut'¡lrise! Is this where you ltxrk ftrr
traitors? Or is Monsieur Pctr:crin making you a suit, ttxr?"
"'fhe Captain wants nlc to ..."
"The man is a genius," I interrupted quickly. "'He t:ittt rl<r
anything."
"So, D'Artagnan, what l)l'of+-ess have you to report.?"
 "V.ry little, Monsieur Fouquet, though I am told Athos is at
his home in Blois."
Percerin had taken offFouqueCsjacket and was helping him
to put on his new suit, a very rich garment, all in gold. I
wondered whether Fouquet had forgotten that he was the King s
minister and not the King himself.
"I could have told you that two days ago. I have just been
there. I missed them by a matter of minutes' However, I am
hard on their heels."
"Is that so?" j your 'friends' are most likely to hide. So, forget about the
"They will be somewhere in Paris, I am sure'"
"I see.tt
Percerin held up Fouquet's arm and pushed in a pin, which
made Fouquet shout.
"Ouch! Percerin, please take care! I am not a pin-cushion,
you know!"
"Forgive me, Monsieur Fouquet, but I am under such stress."
"Very well! Very well! ... But we will catch them, D'Artagnan.
There aren't many places where they can hide. I have every spy
in Paris looking and have offered five thousand gold louis for
each of them. I would not be surprised if by tonight their heads
are grinning down on the people from the gates of the city -
three of them at least. The other will be on his way down the
Seine."
"That is very good news, Monsieur Fouquet."
"Yes, indeed. I have certainly been more successful than
you in this matter. I trust yoü are still the King's loyal servant,
D'Artagnan?"
Fouquet turned impatiently to the tailor, who was Putting
in more pins.
62
"Percerin, haven't you finished yet?"
"Very soon, very soon, Monsieur Fouquet. I am only
human, you know."
"Do you doubt me, .Monsieur Fouquet?" I said,
wondering if he thought that I was involved in the plot.
"I trust no one. That is why I am still alive, and still the
King's Chief Minister. I hope to see results very soon,
D'Artagnan, or else I may not be so trusting in the future. If
anyone knows Paris well, it is you, and you also know where
King's party and start hunting. Percerin, Percerin! You are
like a mother hen. Cluck, cluck, cluck! Will you ever be
finished?"
"That is the price you pay for the best tailor in France,
Monsieur Fouque¡."
"Get on with it, then!"
I left Percerin fussing over Fouquet and hurried to my
friends'new hiding place, hoping they had managed to get
there without being seen.
ó3

'ffirrr&ordr-egn
A cart carrying large baskets offruit arrived at the palace
gates at about nine o'clock on the morning of the Party.
Driving the cart was a red-faced man with a long blond
moustache. Under his wide hat, which hid much of his face,
fiery blue eyes could be seen peering out.
One of the Musketeers guarding the gate came up to the
cart and looked up at him.
"Your business, master?"
"I have baskets of the finest fruit for the King's party,"
said the driver, who spoke in a rough local accent.
"Your pass,"
"Pass? Nobody told me about a Pass. Just bring the
baskets here, that's what I was told."
"No one can get in without a pass."
The driver grunted and stood up, showing his great size
and enormous stomach.
"This is the best fruit in all France," he said slapping one
of the baskets with his hand. "What do you think is in here,
oflicer? An army?"
"I have my orders, master."
"And what will the King eat tonight then? Bread?"
The way the driver's face twisted when he said 'bread', it
was clear he did not think much of bread himself.
"I want to see my friend Captain D'Artagnan. He'll surely
let me in."
64
The Musketeer looked at the driver as if to say, .How
could a man such asylu be a friend of the Captain's?'
But the guard called me anyway, and of course, I knew at
once that the driver of the cart was none other than porthos.
I was glad to see that he was still alive.
"My dear Captain," said porthos; throwing his arms
around me. "We have not seen you at the tavern for ages."
"I know this man," I said to the Musketeer. ,,Let him in."
I watched the cart as it rumbled through the gates, and
wondered how Aramis, Athos and philippe could breathe
inside the baskets under all that fruit. Then, I saw an eye
appear at a hole ar the back ofrhe second basket.
I had not been told the details of the plan. All I knew was
that one of the many secret passages that led to the King,s
rooms came from the cellar. At some time during the
evening, the four of them would enter the King's rooms, tie
Louis up and take him down ro rhe cellar, leaving philippe
in his place. It sounded easy, but the King was not often
alone, even in his own rooms, and he was well-guarded.
The people who worked in the palace were all very busy
preparing for the King's party. The kitchen sraff were rhe
busiest, cooking food and making the enormous birthday
cake, which would hold thirty candles. The gardeners were
cutting flowers to put in the ballrooms and dining halls, as
well as along the corridors. Ir promised to be a grand
occasion. Noblemen and noblewomen were coming from all
over France to be there. lt would be the event of the year.
I ir+l^ did
Little lil +l-^-, l.-^,-. rL^. :¿ -.---- r r r nr .r'
they know rhar ir would be philippe's birthday party
and not Louis'.
ó5
 At about six o'clock in the evening, André knocked at my I looked around. It was André again.
office door. I.went straight.to the King's ,oúrrr, wondering
"What is it, André?" if it had
anyrhing to do with the driver_less
carr. The Kiig looked
"Something very strange, Captain." nervous, despite his proud air.
aar 7
I CSI "Your Majesty? Monsieur Fouquet?,;
"A man came to the palace this morning with baskets of I said, expecting the
worst.
fiuit. The guard at the gate said you knew him." "D'Artagnan. I am worried. you have not yet caught
"ThaCs right. He works for a tavern I used to visit. What's these traitors. And Fouquet is afraid
that something is going
the matter?" : to happen tonight.,'
"Well, the cart is still outside the cellar, but the driver is "Tonighr, your Majesty? With all
these people about?,,
nowhere to be seen." "The perfect time for someone to
kill _. urr¿ escapeinto
I pretended to laugh. ,h"..:.or-d, DArtagnan! I want you to
be extra careful.,,
"Ah, that doesn't surprise me. He is either in the kitchen or "As always, your Majesty. I
have just finished checking
asleep somewhere. Don't worry aboutJacques. He's harmless." security for the third time tonight.,,
"If you say so, Captain. But I thought I ought to inform Fouquet moved towards me.
you"' "D1A.rtagnan. Why have you
not caught these traitors?,,
"Absolutely, André. You did the right thing." "They are clever men, Monsieur
Fouquet. And well
I was worried about André. Could Fouquet be paying him trained. I should know."
to keep an eye on me? Every man has his price after all. He "Th-at is exactly why you should
, have found them. you
would certainly suspect something. He knew how careful I was, know them. I don't believe you are
trying hard enough!,,
and normally I would havc made sure the man was found and Fouquer, I am rhe fing,s lóyal servant.;
thrown out. I was soon lo discover ifAndré was Fouquet's man ..Y*i:rr
"I.r, D'Artagnan, and it is your joÉ to dnd trairors.
or not. ,_ Every
Musketeer in France knr¡ws ih.irl fu..r.
Why haven,, yoí
caught them yer?,'
About an hour latr:r, I was checking security around the "f am doing my best."
palace, in order to makr: surc that no one but the invited guests "Your best is not gtxr<l enough, it
seems!,, shouted
could get anywhere nr:¿u' tlrc King. There were many people in Fouquet.
France at that time wlur worrld have paid a lot to have the King Fou_quet was angry an<r nt:r'vous,
as much for his own skin
killed. as the King's.
"The King and Mr¡nsit'rrr l,iruquet wish to see you, Captain."

óó
ó7
 without even looking at her. Then I noticed the way he
is doing his
"That is enough, Fouquet! I trust D'Artagnan walked. Although he stood as straight as Louis, he was
best. Now, l.uu" *"' gtr"lttnt"'
I wish to get ready for the choosing his steps carefully, as if he didn't know where he
way out' tell my dressers not
O"t Ah, D'Artagnu'i t'tt your to have a short rest' first'"
was going. I looked over at Fouquet and felt sure he had
to come for ten mrnutes' *itft seen whatI had seen.
I left, and Fouquet firllowed' The King moved slowly towards the top of the room.
would be the perfect time
The King was now alone' This Everybody was waiting for him to choose his lady. He looked
been able to contact my
to make the exchange' llut I hadn't around trying to find the Queen or his mother, but he
Palace so I didn't know what
friends since they u"iu"tl in the couldn't. Most of the guests were holding masks in front of
their Plans were at this stage' their faces. Philippe could not have known what masks they
said-
"I have my eye t"-' yt"t''b'A'tagnan"' Fouquet would be holding, or what clothes they would be wearing aL
back as I walked away'
I could feel his tyt" l'u'i'"tg intomy the party.
I said nothing' I felt the tension in the air as everybody waited. I saw
Philippe glance about nervously. Fouquet must have been
It The King would soon make his
was now half pzrst ttine' sure by now that this was not Louis. It was as clear as day to
along
upi"urut.". All thc gucsts were waiting' before the Yi'l':h'
King me.
musicians, *tto *t'* ]rlaying light music , Philippe looked at me for help. I was the only person in
The King would be the
arrived and the azrntit't{ o"tiá 'át'' the room he knew, but to call me to his side would be too
n." i. dance' probably with the Qt'"11'l\'{arie T}'"t"t"' :-'
tn dangerous, especially at this moment. The musicians were
his mother, Anna of'Atislria'
or even with Louise' if he was waiting, their violins and bows ready. Philippe looked
and his mother'
a mood to hurt both his wif'e around at the lady nearest thc throne, hoping that she would
which of the royal
I waited nervously lty the door to see be the right one. Unfortunat.ely she was not. Of all the people
brothers would op1it"":' l'ouis
or Philippe' Fouquet was in the room, he chose the lacly who Louis hated most, an old
in gold' He was looking at me
,tundi.tg opposite "i"' tl"'"td favourite he kept at court only because her parents were the
suspiciously. t *t""ttl'c<l il'he
cáuld sense how nervous I Duke and Duchess of Nantes. Louis would sooner have
was' asked a servant girl to shalc the first dance with him than this
.he King aPPeared' I
Suddenly' the doot o¡rcned and-t lady.
or Philippe' but I couldn't
tried to ,"e *hethetl it *tt* l'ouis Fouquet moved towarcls l'hilippe.
tell.
him pass'
"Arrest that manl" llc shouted. "He's an imposter!
back to let
The King smilctl its rltt' ¡rcoplepulled Musketeers! Arrest th¿tt nl¿ul!"
Louise
Then, I knew it *"' t'ltiii¡tfe' bttut"" he passed
ó9
ÓB
fffi"'*"'

.,: . .,*!. ::>::=;;:i

ffi"r' !
 I pretended not to understand and didn't move.
"Captain D'Artagnan, dammit! Arrest that man! "
"But I cannot arrest qhe King, Monsieur Fouquet!,,
"He is not the King. Can't you see that, Captain?"
I had to do as Fouquet said, and ordered two of my men
to arrest Philippe. Fouquet was taking control of the
situation.
"We must find the King! Captain, call all your men and
close offall exits from the palace. They can't have gone far."
I knew where the three trAusketeers and Louis would be,
but I said nothing.
"'D'Artagnan, come with me and take ten of your men.
The traitors will be armed."
We searched every passage and room of the palace. As the
horse and cart were still there, Fouquet suspected they had
not left the palace. Then, as we were looking through the
cellar, we heard a cry. It was Louis.
"\,Ve've found the rats. Arrest them, D'Artagnan!" said
Fouquet.
Within seconds Aramis, Athos, porthos and Louis were
standing before us, my men all around them. Aramis spoke.
"Monsieur Fouquet, how nice to see you! We are sorry for
disturbing the party, You want your King, I suppose."
"You will die for thisl"
"I would give him back to you, but what good is a dead
king?" He was holding Louis by the neck.
"You wouldn't darel"
"Try me," said Aramis, his sword making a small cut on
the side of Louis' neck,
72
"You can't escape. So, what do you want?"
"To leave this place alive and to have a guarantee that
Philippe will not be harmed."
Fouquet thought for a moment. He gould not risk the
King's life.
Louis was trying to speak.
"Let the King speak," said Fouquet.
Aramis took the cloth off Louis' mouth.
"Do as he says, Fouquet!Just let me go!"
"Not yet, Your Majesty. First, we need good horses and
-
all the Musketeers must put down their guns and swords.,'
Soon the horses were ready and the gates of the palace
opened. Louis was released and the three Musketeers rode
offinto the night.
As soon as it was safe, Louis shouted,
"After them!"
We quickly got our horses ready, and rode after them, but
by now they were too far.ahead for us to catch them thank
-
goodness!
73

Vt i¿ tr¡ nhe
(&rs.ssd¿ilflfl,e
I ran in through the wooden door of üe little church of
StJohn, out of the summer rain. It was dark inside. I sat for a
moment to enjoy the peace and silence of the place. The smell
itself made me feel calm, until I remembered why I was there.
I got up and walked towards.a priest who was lighting
candles at the front of the church. When he saw my uniform,
he looked alarmed.
"Don't be afi'aid," I said. "I am a fiiend."
"Is it possible that one of the King's men is a friend?" he
said wittr quiet anger. "The people of Paris are dying in the
streets because of the King."
"I know," I said. "That is why I am here. I have come to see
Aramis."
The priest went white with fear.
"Aramis? I know of nobody by that name."
"I am a friend, Father. My name is D'Artagnan."
"D'Artagnan? I don't know you."
"You must be the only man in France who doesn't. I am he,
I assure you."
"How can I be sure?"
"Here, take my ring. It has the cross of St George on it.
Aramis will know it is mine."
I gave him the ring and he disappeared into the shadows
at the back of the church. Some minutes later he reappeared
and signalled to me with his hand.
74
"This way, Captain."
I followed him into a little room next to the church. There
was a small table in the centre and priests' robes hung on the
back of the door. There was nothing else, except for a large
cross on the wall. The priest pushed back the table to reveal
a small trapdoor underneath. He pulled it up and started to
make his way down some narrow steps. I followed. At the
bottom I saw the dim glow of candlelight.
At one point I slipped and put my hand our, bur ir
touched something round. I wondered what it was and
picked it up. Bringing ir inro the light, I saw the rwo empry
eye-holes of a skull staring back at me.
Aramis and Athos were sitting at a table. porthos was lying
on a heap of straw. Aramis got up when he saw me.
"Welcome, DArtagnan. We are glad to see you. We
thought you had forgorten your old friends."
I greeted them warmly and took a seat ar the table.
"Fouquet has his spies after me all the time. I had to share
a cart with three goats to get here without being seen."
They laughed.
"That explains rhe smell," said Porthos fiom his bed of straw.
"So, what are your plans, gentlemen?"
"Plans?" said Athos hopelessly. "Can't you see? We are
buried alive. We are no better than all these skeletons."
He pointed to the shelvcs of human bones and skulls.
"You are our last hope, D'Artagnan. Tell us what has
happened to Philippe. Is he still alive?"
"He might as well be clead. 'fhe mask is back on and he's
l
in the Bastille."
l
j 75
 ,\
"The Bastille?" said Porthos. "Well, that is that, then. Our
only hope now is to escape to England and spend the rest of
our lives eating cabbage and boiled potatoes! Ugh! I think I
would prefer to die here."
"AIl is not lost," I said, not altogether believing what I was
saying.
Athos and Aramis moved closer and Porthos turned his
head towards me.
"Well, tell us, D'Artagnan. What is your plan?"
"My plan is to get Philippe out of the Bastille."
When they heard this, they looked at me as if I had gone
mad.
"You're crazy, D'Artagnan," said Aramis. "It would be
easier for Porthos to get into heaven."
"No, listen to me. You will be dressed as Musketeers'and
I will be your prisoner. You will put me in the same cell as
Philippe and your order will say that you must take me there
yourselves. As soon as the cell door is open, we tie up the
guards, take Philippe and escape."
Athos laughed.
"And how do we get past the twenty guards?"
"Twenty men against four of the greatest Musketeers that
have ever lived! You have become soft, Athos!"
At the mention of fighting, Porthos jumped up from his
bed and ran over to us.
"D'Artagnan, I love your plan. It's excellent!"
"It's madness!" said Aramis. "But we have no choice. I
would sooner die fighting than rot here or in the English
rain."
Athos thought for a moment.
76
"So be it then, gentlemen."
"Good! And now, I have a surprise for you," I said, turning
out the sack I had been carrying with me. Immediately, they
recognised their old uniforms.
"You keptthem, D'Artagnan?"
"Of course, Aramis! I thought we might need them one
day)'
"And you were right."
They started putting on their uniforms, which they had not
worn for many years. Athos had got thinner and his uniform
hung badly. Porthos had got fatter and he had to hold in his
stomach to do up the buttons. Only Aramis had not changed.
"You look wonderful, gentlemen! How do you feel?"
"stronger!" said Athos.
"Alive!" said Aramis.
"Fatter!" said Porthos. "But I can't wait to take on a few
prison guards!"
When the guards at the Bastille saw the uniforms of the
King's Musketeers, they opened the iron door at once and let
us in, but that was as far as we got without showing papers' By
careful planning I had managed to get the seali I needed'
The head.jailer, a man with greasy hair and a face like a
bulldog, did all the talking.
"What have you got there, gentlemen?"
"A traitor," Athos said, "He tried to kill the King"'
Porthos threw me to the floor, so that I would not show my
face.
"A traitor, eh? Is he here for life, or death?" the jailer said,
making a movement that looked like a knife cutting someone's neck.
77
 "Life, master. Life' He is to go into the cell with that other
"Gentlemen," f said, "This may not be easy, but as the
passages are narrow, it will be hard for them to fight us all at
traitor, the one in the iron mask'"
once. Philippe, stay in the middle. I will be behind you and
The guard kicked me and laughed'
Porthos at the back. Athos and Aramis will go in front."
"We love traitors here, Officer' We'll make him nice and
It was hard finding -our way back through the prison. It
comfortable."
was like a labyrinth. We passed a group of guards, who
"Our orders are to take him to the cell ourselves and see
looked at us in surprise.
him locked in there," said Aramis' "Where is Monsieur Gravier?" one of them said.
The guard said nothing for a moment'
"Locking up," Athos said.
"Are-you saying I don't know my job' Ofñcer?"
We had gone about ten yards when the guard said, "Hey!
"Those were our ordeis, master' Straight from the King
Wait! The governor would not let anyone walk about the
himself."
prison without an escort. Wait!"
"All right, follow me, and bring that dog of a traitor with
I decided not to.
you." "Run!" I said, and we began running up to the next floor.
We went down endless passages, past cell after
cell' and
would bite if At the top of the stairs we met a second group of guards.
groups óf guards, all of whom looked as if they
of filth and unwashed bodies Porthos and I were already fighting with the first group
io,, *.rr, áo close' The smell when Athos and Aramis took on the second group. But the
was sickening.
at last guards were poor swordsmen and we made short work of
When we were a long way underground' we came
the lock them and stárted running again.
to Philippe's cell. The ñead jailer put his key into
For a The next group we met had a musket and they managed to
una op..r.d the door. Porthos pushed me inside'
to leave me there' but it fire before we reached them, but the bullet missed and we had
-o-.rr, I thought they were goingas they saw Phitippe' Porthos
put our swords through them before they had time to reload.
was all part of the act' Á,
'oo" over his We finally reached the entrance. This was the most difficult
took the head jailer by the neck and put one hand
into his part. It was a large open space and there were nine or ten of
mouth. Quickiy they tied him up, putting a cloth
them and only five of us. First, I got the man with the musket,
mouth to keeP him quiet'
l¡ut not before he had fired again. fu I went for the next one,
"Philippe, are you all right?" Aramis said'
I saw Porthos fall to the ground. I didn't have time to see how
Philippe nodded.
badly injured he was, as a man was about to put his sword
Then Porthos handed me one of the swords he was
through him. I jumped towards Porthos, knocking down two
carrying and Athos gave one to Philippe'
guards, just in time to save him from any further injury.

79
78
 Experience of old told us to make a circle around anyone
hurt. in this way, we fought back to back' It took us about
ten
minutes to deal with ihe last eight men'
I immediately turned to Porthos' His eyes wgre c]gse{
and Ifeared the worst. Blood was pouring from his side' I
tried to pick him up, but he was too heavy for one man'
Athos helped me and we got ready to leave'
ny the time we got to ih. doot, Aramis was waiting with
strongest
the horses. We managed tp get Porthos up onto the
one and I got up beÑnd him. We set offat a gallop through
i
üe streets áf paiis, but I feared rhar he would be dead before
ofstJohn'
1
we got back to the church
1
82
'{he .fihrua[,. g$:l u:ew {} & x"
The next'morning, as I expected, the King called me to
his rooms. I had been walking a very fine line and knew that
it was just a matter of time before they realised what my
game was. Fouquet was not there, which surprised me, but
André was.
"D'Artagnan, how long have you been Captain of the
King s Guard?"
"Nearly thirty years, Your Majesty."
"Nearly thirty years! It makes me sad to think that after
thirty years of service you should forget your duty to the
King and become a traitor."
"Your Majesty, I am..."
"Silence, D'Artagnan! Even if you are not a traitor, you
are no longer the Musketeer that you were. However,
everything tells me you are a traitor, or the next best thing.
You could not catch your old friends after the escape from
St Marguerite. And André now tells me that it was you who
let those traitors in on the night of my birthday party. And
don't tell me you just happened to be in Paris when the most
daring escape in the history of the Bastille took place. Also, I
have been told there were three men dressed as Musketeers,
and a fourth, who looked just like you! What do you have to
say to that, D'Artagnan, my disloyal servant?"
"Your Majesty, I swear..."
83
 "Oh, D'Artagnan, you have made me a very unhappy
man. You see, I not only believed you were a loyal servant
but also a loyal friend. Indeed, there were times I thought
you were the. only friend I had in the world. I was planning
to give you an estate and make you a Count. Yes, a Count,
D'Artagnan! Now, you will have nothing! From today, André
will táke your place and you will not be allowed to leave the
palace until they come from Paris to take you to the Bastille.
Give André your sword, D'Artagnan."
I unbuckled my sword and gave it to my lieutenant.
"Naturally, you will be guarded at all times by two
Musketeers until you are taken from here. Goodbye,
D'Artagnan. We will not meet again."
Louis turned his back on me and I left the room. I was
taken by two of my own guards and made to take off my
uniform. It was the saddest day of my life. I felt naked,
empty. Serving France had been my life and without that I
had nothing.
It wasn't long before the whole Palace knew that André
had taken my place and that I was to be taken to the Bastille.
People thought that the King had lost his mind. I did not try
and explain. It would be too difficult.
That afternoon, I was walking through the gardens with
two guards behind me, thinking about what had happened.
We had tried to change history and had failed. And now my
dearest comrade, Porthos, would probably die, all for
nothing.
When we had got him back to the church of St John,
Porthos had been still alive, but only just. I did my best to
84
stop the bleeding, without much success. However, just
beforeI had to leave, he came round and looked weakly into
my face.
"D'Artagnan, is it over?"
"No, my Íiiend," I said, trying to smile. "An old ox doesn't
die that easily!"
He turned his head and he saw he was back with the
skeletons.
"Well, you've brought me to the right place to die." He
looked over at Aramis and smiled.
fu I was leaving, Athos took my arm.
"Should you go, D'Artagnan? It will be dangerous for you
now."
"I must," I said. "How can you get into the palace without
me?"
"But the King will no longer trust you."
"I will have to take that risk. I must go. Look after
Porthos. I will find away."
And that was how it had been when I left.
I looked around at the beauty of the gardens, the flowers,
the trees, the fountains, and wondered what it would be like
to spend the rest of my days in the Bastille - or worse, on
St Marguerite. At least while my friends were free and
Philippe, too, there was still some hope for France.
"Captain D'Artagnan!"
I heard a whisper and turned. It was Louise.
"Louise!" I said, wondering if the guards could hear me
speaking. Only I could see Louise behind the bushes.
"D'Artagnan, what is happening?"
B5
 'l,orrise, you must not be seen talking to lne. My guards
tt'll tlre King everythin¡¡.
I looked back at the gualcls, who thought I was .just
lr'¡rnirre asainst a tree.'fhey had walked a little way offand

'l'lrcn I had an idea.

"l.ouise, can I trust you?"
"l)o vou need to ask?"
"(lould you be a traitol to yoru- King?"
"l could be anything for you, D'Artagnan."
IIel words wartled tny lte:u't.
"(ian you get a message lo lny ll'iends Athos, Aratnis ¿rnd
I'olllros? I will tell you exactly where to find them. But they
rrrt'wanted men. Anyone sccn with them will be considered

"I understand."
"llele is my plan."
l.ouise looked deep eves as she listened carefüllv
cverything I said.
"My mother will help rrs. \'ou rnet her, I think. She hates
wllat. Louis is doing to lir':rn<:t: ¿rnd its people."
"Captain D'Artagnan. Wc ll:ul better be getting back," said
onc ofthe guards.
"Very well," I s¿ricl ¿rkxr<l irntl then whispered, "()ocl be:
with you, Louise. And be <:iu'cfirl."
"t will," she said and witlr lrcr' {ingers put ¿t kiss li'om hel
li¡rs onto mine. I lookcrl ¿rl lrcl fil- an explanation. She sai<l
rrothing, but the answcl' wirs lllclc, in her eycs.

fi 87

r¡'
 "You liked him, didn't you, Louise?"
Bastille' waiting for them
I was in the blackest cell in the "Almost as much as Your Majesty."
to decide whether to l"t iv
th':1.::.i:lg;"li;::;it; "Forget about him now. Soon he will be food for the
contlnue(
Back in the Palace' things gardens' a worms. Come here, Louise, and read to me. You are indeed
after r nua to iotti'e in the palace
night 'poLt" Louise' her mother'
kroking lovely tonight."
carriage arrived "t S^i"t' I" t:.*:lt if 'l'he King got into bed and I ouise sat on the chair next to
nurse and her 'ftt
ti*"t"''' maid' She had asked Louis
her lltc candle.
they could.ornt u"J'iuy
*ith her for a few days' as she was "What shall I read for you tonight, Your Majesty?"
feeling homesick' her "-fhe History of France. I think you had stopped at Henry
on¡ loo\ at Louise and let
The guards at the gate tbok Philippe' IV.''
really Athos' the nurse was
carriage in. The '""'d:;; it l,ouise began to read, but it was not long before Louis' eyes
as Louise's mother' Fortunately'
and Aramis *u' d'o"J faces could be seen
closed. Louise put the book down and blew out the last candle.
was a very au'tt' tig;t u"d
none "I'en minutes later Aramis and Athos, still dressed as
3ltheir
and because of the rain'
the
under their hats i"á ntit'' I.r¡uise's mother and her maid, left Louise's room and very
open any longer than necessary'
;;;t Ji¿"', stay in the rooms next to the King'
He quietly went into the King's rooms. Louis was fast asleep and
Louise, u' *t ttuut sai¿' tra¿ clid not notice these two approach his bed. One had a pillow
her maid t"g tht'l'"ttt-:*1
had agreed that the Countess' not mincl in his hands, üe other a strong piece of rope. Aramis pushed
stay with Louise i" t'"'
rooms' as long as they did thc pillow down on Louis' face to silence his cry, while Athos
to read to the King'
Louise leaving them for somedme tied his hands behind his back. Louis was roughly pulled our
Louis unlock*,'h"
At about .r"*r^oáo.k that night, of'his bed and into Louise's room. Two minutes later, Philippe
uid P-"'out all.tnt -lqlt:'
door which hd;;;i'* 'oo- was in Louis'bed, wearing exactly the same nightshirt that the
of fresh flowers and pertume'
excePt one. His 'oom sm"lled King had been wearing just minutes earlier.
The palace *"' ;;;;'"*o"
ptopt" had gone to bed' only [,ouise, who knew her way around the King's room, lit a
rooms'
*t ñrat on duty' outside the King's r:itndle and when she saw Philippe without his disguise, she
'emait'ed King's Louis liked her to read to
Louise ."t"t"¿it'" 'oorn' was shocked how closely he resembled Louis.
him before he slePt' "Your Majesty!"
my darling Louise?"
"Are you well after your journey' "Louise, we are able to speak at last. I'd like to thank you
"VerY well, and Your MajestY?" firr your help. Now I see why D'Artagnan trusts you and
,.I am still sadlbour o'Ritugrrutt. I really thought he
was
s¡leaks of you so much."
mY loYal friend"' "Is that true?"
'"Á ¿ia I, Your MajestY'"
89
88
 "Itis. I believe he is in love with you."
Louise's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"I do believe so."
At that moment, Aramis and Athos, still dressed as the
Countess and her maid, came back into the King's room with
Louis, who was now dressed as Louise's nurse. His arms were
tied to his sides and he had a scarf around his mouth, so that
all he could do was grunt"
"Which is the door to the cellar?" Athos asked.
Louise ran and pulled a curtain aside revealing a door
leading to the cellar. When they had left, Louise closed the
curtain again and everything was back to normal.
' There was a knock at the door. Philippe was surprised but
said "Come in" with as much of a kingly air as he could.
André opened the door.
"Your Majesty, we heard a noise.'Is everything all right?"
"Perfectly, em..."
"André, Your Majesty."
"Yes, André. I will be fine for the night."
"Good night, Your Majesty."
"Good night, André."
Philippe had passed his first test.
The next morning, Louise's carriage stopped near the cellar
door, where Aramis, Athos and Louis, still wearing their
disguises, were sheltering from the rain. Those who saw them
go were a üttle surprised that they had not stayed longer than
one night. But the King could be a difficult man and he may
not have liked to have three large women sharing a room so
close to his own.
92
During the days that followed, many strange
.happened paris.
things
in On the first day, fresh food arriued i"r,
carts from different parts of the country. It was
said that the
King himself had paid for it.
By that afternoon, all the hungry stomachs in paris
were
filled and there was a holiday atmosphere abour the
place.
People were happy for the first time in years.
They did not know the King had had a meering with
his
ministers ro talk abour the war in rhe Netherrands]and
that
they had decided to make peace with Spain. Soon,
rhe
soldiers would return to their farms arrd ,ro more
money
would be spent on guns and cannons.
Another very strange thing happened that day. The
King
appeared in the streets of paris and, instead of booing
him aná
cursing him, the people cheered and shouted, "
"Long live the King! Long live King Louis!,,
Th: King was pleased to see them happy and waved ro
.
lhem from his carriage.
But that is nor rhe strangest thing rhat happened that
day.
I.nstead of going straight to the palace, tf,. Kirrg
told h'is
rlriver ro rake him to the Bastille.
When he got there, he asked to see the head jailer.
(lravier nearly fell to the ground
when he saw the King"enter
93
 the large hallway, where the terrible fight had taken place
just a few days earlier. The King, of course, knew the Bastille'
He knew the smells and the cries of the prisoners' He also
knew Gravier, who had hit him more than once, but he
pretended to be meeting him for the first time.
"Monsieur Gravier," said the King. Gravier was not the
only one to wonder how the King knew his name, but kings
know things that ordinary people do not.
"Monsieur Gravier, stand up where I can see you' I want
you to take me to the c,ell of Captain D'Artagnan. I want him
set free at once."
Gravier could hardly speak. His dirty grey moustache
trembled and his voicé shook.
"But, Your Majesty, today he is to be executed as a traitor'
Everything is ready."
'Just because everything is ready does not mean we must
execute the man. Take me to him. At once!"
The King and his guards walked along the dark passages
of the Bastille and came to where I was being kept' My cell
door was opened and the King himself came in and put his
arms around me. Gravier nearly fainted when he saw how
the King treated me. It was indeed a very strange day for the
people of Paris, for all of France' and for me.
,ili -
lli After that, the King wanted to know about every man in
the Bastille. By the end of that day half of them had been
released. The news spread fast and everybody said that the
King had changed - if only they knew how much!
The King also gave orders üat Porthos be taken to'the
palace and that the royal doctors take care of him until he
was well again.
9ó
That evening, rhe King held a small private party. At the
party were Aramis, Athos, myself and, of course, porthos,
who was not able to move far from his bed. This, however,
did not stop him from enjoying the rich food.
"What are your plans now, gentlemen?" asked philippe,
who had dropped his role as king, now that we were alone.
Aramis was first to speak.
"I will serve my church and my king, as I have always done."
"In what order?" said Philippe, sounding very much like
a king.
"Now that you are King, Philippe, I will serve them
equally. fu it should be, I think."
"I will serve France in whatever way I can," said Athos.
"But first I would like to spend some time on my farm. I
need a rest after these last few weeks."
We looked at Porthos.
"Do you think she will still love me, Athos?"
"Who?" said Athos.
"Marie, of course!"
"It's been less than two weeks, Porthos. I'm sure she will
still love you."
A look ofjoy spread over Porthos' face.
"Only Marie can make me well again."
We all laughed.
Now it was my turn. The King looked at me, waiting to
hear what I would say.
"Your Majesty, I think you know my wishes."
Philippe laughed and took me in his arms.
97
 "You have my permission to marry Mademoiselle de la
Valliére - if, of course, she wants to marry you."
"f she wants me. That is the question."
"Will you continue to be Captain of my Guard, D'Artagnan?"
"'Well,I was hoping that..."
"All right. All right. I understand' We shall deal wiü all this
tomorrow at Versailles."
"And Louis?" I said.
Philippe looked serious.
"Ah, [,ouis. Yes, he is:a problem, and he is also a risk to the
throne, is he not?"
"He is, Your Majesty."
"Yes, well, let me decide tomorrow, when I really become
King of France. Tonight I am just Philippe."
We cheered and shouted 't ong üve Philippe!'
Along night of food and laughter followed.
lt was another beautiful summer day, as I walked down the
steps into the gardens of Versailles. I saw the King laughing with
a group of ladies and some men. When I got doser, I saw that
üey were playng bou.l¿s. ^fhe first thing I noticed was that
Monsieur Colbert had taken.Fouquet's place by the Kings side'
Fouquet had been arrested that morning and was waiting to be
tried for stealing the King's taxes. Monsieur Colbert was now
Chief Minister and he looked very pleased wiü himself.
I was back in my uniform and, for the time being at least,
Captain of the Kitg. Guard. When the King saw me' he called
me over. He had promised that he would speak to Louise for me'
98
"D'Artagnan, you know Louise de la Valliére, I think. And her
mother too,I believe."
"l¿dies. Good day to you."
I stood waiting as nervous as a young boy.
"D'Artagnan, you are very quiet."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Well, I have good news for you. The Countess has
agreed that you should marry her daughter, if that is what
she wants. Louise, is it your wish?"
I looked at Louise's beautiful face and felt that it could not
be possible that she would want to marry me, an old soldier,
twice her age. Our eyes met. Did I see love there? I waited
anxiously for her answer. No one breathed as we waited.
"Yes, it is my wish."
There was a loud cheer from everybody.
"You may kiss her, D Artagnan. I will not mind."
I took her in my arms and kissed her.
"That's enough, D'Artagnan, until after the wedding,
which I think should be as soon as possible. By the way, how
cloes'Count D'Artagnan' sound to you?"
"Your Majesty, there is no..,"
"Oh, I€s, there is. If you are going to marry a
noblewoman, you must have a title. And land. So, I have
b<lught a little place for you both, close by since I will still
need you to protect me from traitors, Count D'Artagnan."
There was another loud cheer.
"By the way, Count, could you teach me how to play
lwules? I find I am no good at ir ar all."
There was another roar of laughter. I picked up the small
wrnden ball and threw it some distance.
99
 "Well, Your Majesty, you take the ball like this and..." government?"
"No, D'Artagnan, let my wife show me." "He will learn. At least he knows
the needs of the people.,,
He turned to Mariq Therese and handed her the ball. She "But the needs of the people are
not always tt. .r..á, of
looked at him with a smile, the first she had given her King in the country!"
a very long time. I said nothing.
We went through the iron gate into
the cave, which
I got offmy horse and tied it to a tree. My companion got Aramis had described to me.
offhis horse too, and did the same. Then, both of us helped the A voice came from behind the grille in
the thick wooden
third rider fiom his horse and took him towards a small rowing door.
boat waiting on the river.'bank. The third rider had to be "What is your business, Officer?,,
helped, because he was wearing an iron mask, an ugly black "A prisoner."
iron mask, with two holes fior the eyes and a larger hole for the The guard saw the man in the iron
mask.
mouth. "Not him again! And where
-
is my fiiend Monsieur
The man in the iron mask had said little during thejourney. Fouquet?"
He was tired and not used to such harsh treatment. When we "In prison too," I said drily.
got into the boat, he said, "Is that so? That's life, I suppose.
One day at the palace,
"Where are you taking me, D'Artagnan?" the next in prison.',
"To St Marguerite, Your Majesty." The heavy wooden.door was pulled
open and we went up
"I have heard it is a truly terrible place." the slippery sreps unril ,. .u-á ro
rhe cell at rh. u.t ;o;
"I have heard the same, Your Majesty." with the window looking up ro the endless
My companion was rowing. When we had got about halfi,vay
nf.r" ,f.i. d.
could hear rhe sound of water and the
lonely cry of tneiirJs.
to the island prison, Louis said, In the corner was a bed of straw.
"I suppose üere is no way I can persuade you to let me go, As we were about to leave, Louis
began to cry out.
is there?" "You can't leave me! you can't
l.aJe me here! I am the
"No, Your Majesty." King of France! D'Artagnan, my friend,
"Do you really think my brother will be a better king?" my Capta;; ,,
can't!"
"I have to believe that, Your Majesty." The guard looked ar me and shrugged.
"I think you may be making a serious mistake. He is just a "He's gone mad. Mad, mad,
mad.liey att go mad in the
country boy! What does he know about politics and end."
As we rowed the boat back to the
river bank where we had
100
101
 hear Louis' cries echoing across
left our horses, we could still AN ALTERNATIVE ENDING
at each other questioningly'
rhe water. Athos unliroorted
but said nothing' I expect you thought that was the end of the Man in the
Iron Mask. D'Artagnan told a good story, didn't he? And we
for the next forty-eight
King Louis XIV of France ruled all like huppy endings. But in real life, the ending is not often
ruling kii.gt
years, to become one of the longest -t-"t;1::i what we would like it to be.
as a result sometrmes
ffi;;i'; ;ake Francegítgreat' and So, what really happened?
made his people
in his heart he loved his people
"'fft'' Well, Philippe turned out to be very much like his
was his Chief Minister for
many
and they loved him' Colbert in the best brother. He was not a bad man, but when everybody thinks
use the King's taxes
of those years and t"ititdto you are a god, you begin to believe it yourself and you want
possible'
way'Fouquet to have everything, even the woman who is in love with your
' in nrison
died ^-:'^- c^mp vears later' His land and
ren yea
some ten
loyal Captain of the Musketeers. Yes, you've guessed right.
back
sold' aád the money given
houses were tuken fi;;;;' Philippe fell in love with Louise, just as his brother had
to the PeoPle' done. When D'Artagnan realised that his life's dream was
As for myself, Louise and
I are still in love' We have four
not going to come true after all, he asked the King if he could
children, all well aiá ñPy'
I am no longer CTPI" of the
leave the palace. The King agreed of course. He knew that
of time training young
K-i;;"C""rd, but I still'spend a lot things between them could never be the same again.
gre"t,est Sroup of.men ever
men who want to be part or,n. But D'Artagnan was not like Athos, who was happy to
Musketeers' I teach them to
to have existed i"-fá"tt' the spend the rest of his life on a farm. He wanted action, so he
;;;*;,h sword;;J " á"tktt and' above all' I teach them asked the King to make him Chief of the Paris Musketeers.
" King'
i.y"fry to their Capnin and their For the next two years he worked very hard to give Paris a
Athos is still making cheese'
As for my th¿; friends' did human face.
Aramis is still p'"yi"g Porthos is still getting fat' He
""a Then, one day in early summer, as he was leaving the
woman was never enough
not stay with Marie ó'lot'g' one he building where he had his offrces, a madman put a knife into
quite grev now' so perhaps
for him, but his -ot"tutht"is quiet life' I his back and he died three hours later. It was a sad end for
settle áown to a
will soon find his trueiont u"á one of the greatest swordsmen France has ever known.
doubt it, though' It was also one of the worst moments in the history, not
only of Paris, but also of the whole of France. Louise, it is
said, cried for a whole week. The people of Paris didn't smile

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for a month and even the King was not himself for some time house would hear him ralking to himself and shouting
after the event. the
names 'DArtagnan', 'porthos'and Aramis,, as he calleá
As for the others, well, Porthos went on enjoying life for a out
to the trees to put down their swords. He must have thought
while, but rich food and late nights eventually had their he was back with his old friends, fighting for needom
effect on his health. He began to get pains in his legs, which and
.justice.
gradually got worse, until very soon he couldn't even walk. In the end, he went completely mad and someone had to
Having to stay in bed was a nightmare for Porthos. He watch over him all the time. Then one day he just stopped
woke up in a bad mood and went to sleep in a bad mood. It eating, and soon after that he also died.
wasn't long before he lost all interest in life and, two months
after D'Artagnan's tragic death, he fell asleep one night and Perhaps I should.nor have told you this other ending
never woke up. For a. man who had always wanted to die to
the story of the Man in rhe Iron Mask. Bur rhe lives of
fighting, it was a great tragedy indeed. otñers
are just stories and you don't have to berieve them. you
Aramis, as Leader of the French Jesuits, was a very must
choose which ending you wanr to believe. Think about
powerful man, and it wasn't long before he and the King it
carefully before you decide, but I think I know which
became enemies. The King was very much afraid of the one
you will choose.
power of the Jesuits and Aramis did not agree with many of
the things the King was doing, and m there was a lot of bad Am I rightt
blood between them.
In the end, Aramis died a bitter man, believing that he THE VERY END
had not done all he could have done for France and its
people and that he had wasted his life.
After D'Artagnan, Porthos and Aramis had died, Athos no
longer left his farm, not even to go to the village. He spoke
to no one, except for his dogs. Some say he had never
completely recovered from his son's death, others say that he
was sad that Philippe had not been a better king than his
brother.
However, there were days when he seemed to become
young again. He would take his sword and go to the forest'
and fight with the trees. On these days, the servants at the

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