Chapter 49 Chapter 47: The Rally of the Musketeers

As Athos expected, the bastion was unguarded, and there were only a dozen or thirteen corpses lying there, half of them French and half of them La Rochelle. Gentlemen, said Athos; and when Grimer went to set the table, he took command of the expedition, and we began to gather guns and ammunition, and we could talk while we worked.These gentlemen, he added, pointing to the corpse, will not hear us. After we searched and confirmed that there was nothing in their bags, Porthos said, we can always throw them into the ditch. Yes, said Aramis, but that was Grimmer's job. ah!In that case, said d'Artagnan, let Grimaud search and throw the body over the wall.

Keep these bodies safe, said Athos, they will serve us. Can these dead people serve us too?Ouch, asked Porthos, you are mad, my dear friend. Do not judge rashly, the Gospels and the Cardinals say so, Athos answered: How many muskets, gentlemen? Twelve, said Aramis. How many bullets are there? Bailaifa. That's exactly what we need!Load your guns! All four friends loaded their guns.When they finished loading the last gun, Grimmer signaled that breakfast was ready. Athos always answered with gestures, indicating that the business was well done, and pointing out to Grimer a conical building, where he understood that he should stand guard.But to reduce the boredom of the vigil, Athos allowed him to take a loaf of bread, two chops, and a bottle of wine.

Now, let us dine, said Athos. The four friends sat down together on the ground, each with their legs crossed like a Turk or a tailor. ah!Now, said d'Artagnan, since you no longer worry about being overheard, I wish you would tell us your secret at once, Athos. May I bring joy and glory to all of you, gentlemen, said Athos, I have given you a good trip; here is a most delicious breakfast, there are five hundred people watching, You'll see them through the loopholes of the bunker.These people see us either as lunatics or as heroes, but either way, they are two rather similar types of fools.

But what about the secret?asked d'Artagnan. The secret, said Athos, that I saw Milady last night. D'Artagnan was raising his glass to his lips, but at the name of Milady his hands trembled so violently that he had to put the glass back on the ground so as not to spill its contents. you see your wife Please be merciful!interrupted Athos, have you forgotten, my dear?These two friends, unlike you, do not know the secrets of my family; I saw Milady. Where?asked d'Artagnan. It's about two leagues from here, at the Red Dovecote Inn. If so, I'm screwed.said d'Artagnan.

No, not quite so, continued Athos, for at that moment she would have left the coast of France. D'Artagnan breathed a sigh of relief. But after all, asked Porthos, who was that Milady? A charming woman, said Athos, tasting the froth on the face of the wine, bastard shopkeeper!Suddenly he exclaimed that he was filling our Anjou with champagne, thinking we were being deceived!Yes, he went on, a charming witch, who once loved our friend d'Artagnan, who, somehow, disgraced her, tried to avenge him Come on, a month ago she tried to have him shot with a musket, a week ago she tried to poison him, and yesterday she asked the cardinal for his head.

how!She asked the cardinal for my head?D'Artagnan cried out pale with terror. It is true, said Porthos, as it is in the Gospel; I have heard it myself. I have heard it too, said Aramis. So, said d'Artagnan despondently, it would be useless to fight any longer, and I might as well shoot myself in the head and kill it all! Never do such follies till the end, said Athos: for there is no remedy for a thing that has been done. With such an enemy, said d'Artagnan, I can never escape.First, the Merne I don't know; then Walder, whom I stabbed three times; then Milady, whose secret I exposed; and finally the Cardinal, whose vengeance I have stranded.

all right!Athos said that there were four of them all together, and we were also four, exactly one to one.Notice!If we believe Grimmer's gestures to us, we shall soon be at war with a great number of men.What's the matter, Grimmer?Given the gravity of the situation, I allow you to speak, my friend, but please be brief.What do you see? A group of teams. how many people? Twenty people. Who are they? Sixteen engineers and four infantrymen. How far is it from here? Five hundred steps. Well, we still have time to finish this chicken, a toast to your health, d'Artagnan! wish you health!Bordeaux and Aramis also spoke in unison.

Then I will take it, wish me health!Although I don't believe that your wishes are of any use to me. How can you say that!Athos said that Mohammedans said well that God is great and the future is in His hands. After finishing speaking, Athos drank the wine in the glass in one gulp, put the empty glass beside him, stood up lazily, picked up a gun, and walked to a gun in the bunker. Porthos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan followed suit.Grimmer was ordered to wait behind the four friends to reload. A moment later, they saw the party appear, walking along the winding traffic trench between the bastion and the city.

Obediently!Athos said, twenty men with picks, hammers, and shovels against us, is it worth the effort!All Grimmer has to do is signal them to fuck off, and I'm sure they'll make us all right. I doubt it, said d'Artagnan, observing carefully, because they are coming this way with arrogance.And in addition to engineers, there are four infantrymen and a squad leader, all of whom are armed with muskets. Because they did not see us, said Athos. well!Frankly, said Aramis, I hate to shoot at these poor townspeople. What a poor priest, said Porthos, to pity the heretics! To tell the truth, said Athos, Aramis is right, and I will inform them.

What stupid thing are you doing?d'Artagnan sternly said, you're going to let yourself be shot for nothing, my dear. But Athos ignored this advice, and with a gun in one hand and a hat in the other, he climbed up the gap in the wall. Gentlemen, Athos called out to the soldiers and sappers, who were very surprised at his presence, and stopped one by one about fifty paces from the bastion. Gentlemen, my fellows Friends and myself, are having breakfast in the bastion.If you are sensible, there is nothing more unpleasant than being interrupted for breakfast; therefore, if you are here on business, we ask you to wait until we have finished breakfast, or come back later, unless your conscience suddenly finds out , intending to break away from the rebel party, come and join us in a toast to the health of the King of France.

Beware, Athos!cried d'Artagnan, did you not see them aiming at you? I see, I see, replied Athos, they are philistines who can't take aim, and they will never hit me. Sure enough, while he was pitching, the four guns fired at the same time, and the flat lead bullets fell around him, but none of them hit him. Almost at the same time, the four guns here also fired back at the opponent. They were more accurate than the provocateur. Three soldiers fell to the ground, and one engineer was injured and died. Grimmer, get another gun!Athos insisted on the gap and ordered. Grimmer executed immediately.The other three friends also loaded their guns; the first volley was followed by a second volley, the enemy squad leader and two engineers fell to the ground, and the rest of the team fled. Hey, gentlemen, strike out, said Athos. The four friends rushed out of the fortifications, went deep into the field, and collected the four muskets of the enemy and the commanding lance of the squad leader; believing that the fleeing soldiers would not stop until they reached the edge of the city, they took the spoils. back to the fort. Grimer, reload your guns, ordered Athos, and we will have breakfast, gentlemen, and continue our conversation.Where were we talking then? I remember, said d'Artagnan; he was very concerned about the course Milady was going to take. She is going to England, said Athos. What is the purpose? The purpose is to personally assassinate or send someone to assassinate Buckingham. D'Artagnan uttered an exclamation mingled with surprise and anger. How despicable!he yelled. oh!As for the matter, said Athos, I beg you to believe that I am not worried.Grimaud, he went on, you have loaded your guns, now fetch the commander's lance, tie a napkin on it, and set it up on the top of the bastion, so that the rebels of La Rochelle can see, They were fighting against the king's brave and loyal warriors. Grimme obeyed.A moment later, a white flag was unfurled over the four friends; a thunderous applause greeted the flying white flag; half the camp was watching from the railing. how!D'Artagnan went on, Milady will kill Buckingham herself or send for it, you don't worry about it; but the duke is our friend. The duke is English, the duke is going to hit us, she can do what she wants with the duke, and I treat him like this empty wine bottle. As he spoke, Athos poured the wine bottle in his hand into his own glass without a drop, and then threw the empty bottle fifteen or six steps away from him. Wait a minute, said d'Artagnan, I cannot give up Buckingham like this; he has sent us many good horses. And Especial sent a very fine saddle, added Porthos; at the moment he was fastening the lace of his own on the cloak. Besides, Aramis went on to say, what God wants is conversion, not the sinner's death. Amen, said Athos, if you are interested in the matter, we shall discuss it later; but at that time my chief concern, and I am sure you will understand my actions, d'Artagnan, was to take that The woman forced the blank certificate signed by the cardinal; otherwise she would have it and kill you, and maybe us, with impunity. So, is that woman a monster?Porthos said and handed his plate to Aramis who was cutting the chicken. That blank certificate, d'Artagnan asked, is that blank certificate still in her hand? No, it's in my hands; and I won't say I got it without trouble, because I'd be bragging to say so. Dear Athos, said d'Artagnan, I cannot count how many times you have saved my life. At that time, you left us just to find that woman?asked Aramis. Exactly. Now do you have the cardinal's paper?d'Artagnan asked again. Here I am, said Athos. He took the precious piece of paper from his coat pocket. D'Artagnan opened it with unconcealed trembling hands and read: The holder of the article is subject to my secret order, and the activities he engages in are related to the interests of the country, and he is hereby allowed to act cheaply. Richelieu 3rd December 1627 Indeed, Aramis said, this is a formal pardon document. This document must be torn up, cried d'Artagnan, who seemed to be reading his death sentence. On the contrary, said Athos, it should be kept so precious that I would not give it to someone who piled it with gold coins. What will happen to Milady now?asked the young man. now?Athos casually remarked that she might write to the cardinal that some damned musketeer named Athos had robbed her of her safe-pass; Instigate the cardinal not only to get rid of me Athos, but also get rid of his two friends Porthos and Aramis at the same time.The cardinal must have thought again that these were the people who would always stand in his way; so one day he would first send someone to arrest d'Artagnan, and then, in order not to leave d'Artagnan alone, Lock us up in the Bastille to keep him company. aha!said Porthos, I think you are playing some unlucky joke, my dear. I am not joking, replied Athos. You know, said Porthos, that to kill that damned Milady would be no less sinful than to kill those wretched Huguenots who have done nothing but sing hymns like us, but They sang hymns in French, we sang hymns in Latin. Does the priest think so?asked Athos unhurriedly. I will say that I agree with Porthos, said Aramis. And I!said d'Artagnan. It was a good thing Milady was at a distance, declared Porthos, because, I frankly, I would be very uncomfortable if she were here. Whether she is in England or in France, I am not comfortable.said Athos. I am not comfortable with her anywhere, continued d'Artagnan. But if you have her, said Porthos, why don't you drown her, strangle her, hang her?Only the dead will not return the sun. You think that's it, Porthos?Athos said with a sad smile, which only d'Artagnan could understand. I have an idea, said d'Artagnan. Say it, said the musketeers in unison. take the dick!Grimmer cried. Immediately the young man stood up and ran towards the gun. This time a detachment of twenty or twenty-five men approached, and they were no longer engineers but garrison soldiers. Let's go back to camp, said Porthos, I think the power gap between the two sides is too great. impossible!There are three reasons for this, Athos said, first, we have not finished our breakfast; second, we have important things to discuss; third, there are still ten minutes short of an hour. Thus, said Aramis, a plan of battle must be drawn up. It is very simple, said Athos, as soon as the enemy comes within range we fire; Just let them go all the way into the trench, and then we'll push down the miraculously balanced wall over their heads. wonderful!Porthos cried: "It is true, Athos, you are a natural general, the cardinal thinks he is a great strategist, and you are a piece of cake compared with you." Gentlemen, said Athos, I beseech you, be less vain; each aim his aim well. I aimed mine, said d'Artagnan. I take care of mine, said Porthos. So do I, said Aramis. fire!Athos ordered. Four shots were fired, and four enemy soldiers fell to the ground. Immediately, the enemy's war drum sounded, and a small group of troops rushed up with a charging pace. At this time, the four muskets rang out one after another, and each bullet hit the target without missing a beat.However, these La Rochelle people seemed to see that these friends were weak, and they continued to attack by running. Three more shots brought down two enemies; but those who were alive did not slow down. At the base of the bastion there were twelve or fifteen of the enemy; the last burst of fire fell upon them, but did not check their charge.They jumped down the ditch, ready to climb up the gap. Hello friends!cried Athos, finish them at once, and push the wall!Push the wall! Four friends, with Grimmer's help, pushed the thick wall against the barrels of their guns; There was a scream, and a cloud of dust rose to the sky, everything was a foregone conclusion. Were they all crushed to death by us from the first to the last?asked Athos. That's right, it looks like they were all crushed to death by us.replied d'Artagnan. No, said Porthos, two or three were limping away. Sure enough, three or four of these unlucky ghosts were fleeing to the city in a panic, covered in blood, and they were the few remnants of the small team who were defeated. Athos looked at his watch. Gentlemen, he said, we've been here an hour, and now we've won the bet.But we're going to be smart winners: and d'Artagnan hasn't spoken his mind yet. With that said, the musketeer sat down again with his usual calm before the rest of the breakfast. Want to listen to my ideas?asked d'Artagnan. Yes, you said you had an idea, replied Athos. ah!I will tell you, said d'Artagnan, that I will go to England again to see Mr. Buckingham, and to inform him of the plot to kill him. You cannot, d'Artagnan, said Athos coldly. Why?Haven't I already done it once? True, but then, we were not at war; then, Mr Buckingham was an ally, not an enemy, and what you try to do now would be accused of treason. D'Artagnan understood the weight of this truth, and he said no more. Well, said Porthos, I think I have a good idea. Please listen to Mr. Porthos's good idea!said Aramis. What excuse do you have, I asked Mr. Treville for a leave of absence, I am not capable of making excuses.Milady didn't know me, she wouldn't be afraid if I approached her, and if I found that woman I'd strangle her. Well, said Athos, I am inclined to adopt the idea of ​​Porthos. Pooh!Aramis said contemptuously, go and kill a woman!can not be like this!Hey, listen to me, I really have a great idea. Just look at your idea, Aramis!said Athos with deep respect for the young musketeer. The queen should be informed first. ah!It is a good idea to tell the truth, exclaimed Porthos and d'Artagnan in chorus, and I believe it is on point. Notify the queen first?Porthos asked, how to notify?Are we related in the palace?Can we send someone to Paris so that the camp doesn't know?Paris is a hundred and forty leagues from here, and before our letter reaches Angers we are in prison. As for the safe delivery of the letter to the queen, Aramis suggested with a blushing face, "I know a capable man in Tours." Aramis stopped talking when he saw Athos smiling. It seems you have taken this course, Athos?asked d'Artagnan. I am not entirely against it, said Athos, but I only want to remind Aramis of a few things: first, that he must not leave the camp; second, that no one but us can be trusted; In an hour, all the Capuchins of the Cardinal, all the police officers, all the priests have learned your letter by heart, and at last you and your able man are taken away. Whether or not the Queen will come to Mr Buckingham's aid, argued Porthos, will never come to the rescue of us. Ladies and gentlemen, said d'Artagnan, Porthos's warning is quite reasonable. ah!ah!Listen, what's going on in town?said Athos. Beating the emergency muster drum. The four friends listened carefully, and they really heard the sound of drums. You see, they will send us a whole regiment at once, said Athos. Are you going to resist a whole regiment?asked Porthos. why not?The musketeer replied that I felt the spirits were on the rise; if we had taken the heart to bring an extra dozen bottles, I could have held off an army. I'm sure the drums are coming closer, said d'Artagnan. Let it come nearer, said Athos, it is a quarter of an hour's walk from here to the city, so it will be a quarter of an hour from the city to here.This is more time than we need to determine the deployment; if we walk away from here, we will never find such a suitable place again.Hey guys, I just had another brilliant idea. Speaking. Please allow me to give Grimer some necessary orders. Athos beckoned his servant to come. Grimer, said Athos, pointing to the corpses lying in the bastion, go and carry these gentlemen away, and set them up against the wall one by one, and put a cap on each of them, Put a gun in your hand. Oh great character!cried d'Artagnan, I understand you. Do you understand?asked Porthos. And you, do you understand, Grimmer?asked d'Artagnan. Grimmer gestured that he understood. Everything is ready, said Athos, and let me speak of my thoughts. But I still want to know, Porthos thought. no need. Yes, yes, Athos, say what you think, said d'Artagnan and Aramis. That Milady, that woman, that slut, that devil, she has a brother-in-law, you told me, I think so, D'Artagnan? Yes, even knowing him well, I believe that he doesn't like his sister-in-law very much. It is not bad to be disliked, said Athos, it would be better if he hated her. If so, we will have our wish. But, says Porthos, I still want to find out what Grimmer did. Silence, Porthos!said Aramis. What's that uncle's last name? Lord Winter. Where is he now? He was back in London when he heard the first shots of the battle. Well, that's just the man we want, said Athos, and we'd better inform him first, and we'll send to tell him that his sister-in-law is about to assassinate a man, and we'll ask him to follow her.I wish there was a reformatory for women run by nuns in London, or a convent for sluts, and let him send his sister-in-law there, and we'd be in peace. Yes, said d'Artagnan, she will be restless again if she comes out again. oops!Tell the truth, said Athos, you ask too much, d'Artagnan, I tell you all I have, I have spoken to you before, and I have nothing to offer. As for me, I think it is best to do so, said Aramis: We will inform the Queen and Lord Winter at the same time. Yes, but who to send to Tours and London? I recommend Bazin, said Aramis. I propose Planchet, continued D'Artagnan. Indeed, says Porthos, if we cannot leave the camp, our servants may. There is no doubt, said Aramis, that from this day we will write, give them some money, and let them go. Give them some money?Athos said, Have you any money? The four friends looked at each other, their brows, which had been clear for a while, were covered with cloud again. Notice!cried d'Artagnan, I see red and black dots swaying there; what did you say was a mass, Athos?It was a veritable army. Indeed, said Athos, they are.Look at these sinister fellows, sneaking in without drum or trumpet.Hello!Hello!Are you done, Grimmer? Grimmer gestured to finish the job, and he pointed to the twelve corpses he placed, all of them with lifelike demeanor, some holding guns, some seeming to be aiming, and some holding long swords. awesome!Athos says your imagination adds to your splendor. It's not the same, said Porthos, and I'm still trying to find out. Let us retreat first, interrupted d'Artagnan, and you will understand later. Wait a minute, gentlemen, wait a minute!Give Grimmer some time to clear the dishes. ah!Look at those black and red spots, said Aramis, growing very distinctly, and I agree with d'Artagnan; I don't think we should waste any more time in hurrying back to camp. To tell the truth, said Athos, I have no objection to retreat: our bet is fixed at an hour, and we have been half an hour, and have nothing more to say; go, gentlemen, let us go! Grimmer, with his basket and the leftovers, was already ahead. The four friends followed Grimmer out of the bastion, and walked a dozen or so steps forward. Hey!cried Athos, what have we done, gentlemen? What did you forget?asked Aramis. Forgot that flag, damn it!A flag should not be allowed to fall into enemy hands, even if it is just a napkin. Saying this, Athos rushed into the bastion, mounted the platform, and took down the flag; and at that moment the men of La Rochelle, having reached the range of their muskets, opened fire on the hard man, As if for fun, Athos stood up to meet the attack of firepower. However, Athos seemed to be covered by magic, and the bullets whizzed around him, but none of them hit him. Athos turned his back on the soldiers in the city, and waved a flag to salute his friends in the camp.There were loud shouts on both sides, angry roars on one side and enthusiastic cheers on the other. After the enemy's first volley, followed by the second volley, three bullets pierced the napkin, turning the napkin into a banner.A call was made throughout the camp: come down, come down! Athos climbed down from the bastion; his companions, who waited impatiently at last, saw him coming cheerfully. Quick, Athos, quick!D'Artagnan said, let's go, let's go, let's go, now we have found everything except money, and it would be foolish to be beaten to death again. No matter what reminders his companions could give him, Athos still walked steadily.His companions saw that any reminder would be useless, and could only follow him to adjust his pace and move forward together. Grimmer was far ahead with his basket, and he was already out of range with the basket. A moment later they heard another frantic salvo. How is this going?What were they shooting at, asked Porthos?I neither heard the whistling of bullets nor saw a soul. They are firing on our dead, d'Artagnan replied. But our dead will not fight back. That's right; when they think it's an ambush, they think about it; they send a negotiator; and by the time they find out it's a joke, we're out of bullet range.So why are we rushing out of a helperitis? oh!I understand now, exclaimed Porthos admiringly. It makes me so happy!said Athos, shrugging his shoulders. The French on this side of the camp cheered enthusiastically when they saw the four friends marching home in triumph. At last there was another volley of musketry, and the bullets fell on the rocks all about the four friends, and whistled mournfully in their ears.The people of La Rochelle soon recaptured the bastion. Those are fools, said Athos: How many of them shall we kill?Twelve or three? Maybe fifteen or sixteen. How many of them did we crush? Eight or ten. We don't have a single one who is injured?ah!some!D'Artagnan, what is the matter with your hand?I think it's blood, right? Trifle, said d'Artagnan. Hit by a stray bullet? Not even stray bullets. What the hell is going on? We have said that Athos loved d'Artagnan as his son, and his deep and persistent feelings often showed paternal care for this young man. It was a scrape, said d'Artagnan: my finger was caught between two stones, the stone of the wall, and the jewel of my ring, so that the skin parted. That is the advantage of diamonds, my sir, said Athos contemptuously. aha!There is another diamond, cried Porthos, and since there is a diamond, why complain about having no money?Hell! Hey, finally there is help!said Aramis. Well in time, Porthos; this is an idea at once. Of course, Porthos heard Athos's compliment and said proudly, since there is a diamond, let's sell it. But, said d'Artagnan, it was the queen's diamond. That's all the more reason to sell it, said Athos. It is only just that the queen saves her lover, Mr. Buckingham; it is more just that the queen saves us, and we are her friends, so let us sell the diamond.What does Mr. Priest think?I will not ask Porthos for his opinion, since his meaning is already clear. I think, said Aramis, blushing, that since the ring did not come from the hand of the mistress, it is not a token of love, and d'Artagnan can sell it. Dear, you talk like a theologian, so your opinion is Sell ​​it, said Aramis. Well, then, said D'Artagnan cheerfully, we will sell the diamonds, and there is no further talk. The other side's gunfire continued, but the four friends had already walked out of range, and the La Rochelle man raised his gun to shoot just to comfort himself. Truth be told, said Athos, it is time for Porthos' idea; and we are at camp.So, gentlemen, let's not talk about it.Everyone is staring at us, everyone is coming to greet us, we will be lifted up and cheered victorious. Sure enough, as mentioned above, the whole camp was in turmoil; more than two thousand people were watching a performance, competing to see the four friends showing off their happiness, a display of happiness for which no one doubted the real reason.One hears only of Long Live the Praetorian Guard!Long live the Musketeers!cheers.Monsieur Bisigner was the first to step out of the crowd, shook Athos' hand, and admitted that the bet had failed.The dragoon and the Swiss mercenary followed, and all the brothers followed them.There were endless congratulations, endless handshakes, and long-lasting hugs; at the same time, they laughed uncontrollably at the La Rochelle defenders.At last the commotion attracted the attention of Monsieur the Cardinal, who, thinking that there was a commotion, sent his captain of the guard, Monsieur Laoudinier, to inquire about the situation. Someone took the initiative and enthusiastically told the messenger from the beginning to the end. what happened?asked the cardinal as soon as he saw Laoudinier. So, my lord, replied Laoudinier, it was the three musketeers who had bet with a custodian, M. Pisigner, that they were going to have breakfast at the Bastion of Saint-Gervais, and they were having breakfast inside. , while working with the enemy for two hours, and killed some La Rochelle men, but I don't know how many. Have you found out the names of the three musketeers? Yes, my lord. What are their names? These are the gentlemen of Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Always my three brave men!The cardinal muttered to himself, where is the imperial guard? M. d'Artagnan. Always my young monster!In short, these four men must belong to me. That evening the Cardinal spoke to Mr. Treville of the morning's record which had become the talk of the battalion.But M. de Treville had heard the adventures told by the heroes themselves, so he told His Excellency the Cardinal so well that he never forgot the episode where the napkin was the banner. Very well, Monsieur de Treville, said the cardinal, I beg you to send for that napkin.I'll have three golden lilies embroidered on it, and I'll hand it over to you as your company's command flag. My lord, said M. de Treville, it may not be just to the Custodians, since M. d'Artagnan belongs not to me, but to M. Hésarl. Well, you want him here, said the cardinal, since these four brave soldiers are like brothers, it's not right to keep them from serving in the same company. That very evening M. de Treville announced the good news to the three musketeers and d'Artagnan, and invited the four of them to breakfast the next day. D'Artagnan could not restrain his joy.We know that his lifelong dream was to be a musketeer. The other three friends were also very happy. great!You had a proud idea, said d'Artagnan to Athos, which, as you say, honored us, and allowed us to continue our most important conversation. Now we can resume our discussion, and no one will doubt us, for by God's help we shall be regarded as subordinates of the cardinal from now on. Also in the evening of the same day, D'Artagnan went to pay his respects to Mr. Essar and informed him that he had been promoted. Mr. Essar liked d'Artagnan very much, so he expressed his willingness to support him, because after being transferred to a new team, a lot of money would be spent on equipment. D'Artagnan declined.But he felt that the opportunity was rare, so he handed the diamond to him and asked him to find someone to estimate the price. He wanted to exchange the diamond for cash. At eight o'clock the next morning M. Hésarl's servant came to d'Artagnan's house and handed him a bag of gold coins totaling seven thousand livres. This is the value of the queen's diamond.