Chapter 61 Chapter 59: The Murder at Portsmouth, August 23, 1628

Felton kissed Milady's hand farewell as a brother bids farewell to his sister on an excursion. Felton had his usual self-possession about him, except that there was an unusual gleam in his eyes, as of those reflected in a fever; his brow was paler than usual; His teeth were clenched; his words were short and staccato, suggesting that something unspeakable must have stirred his whole being. From the moment he got into the boat that brought him ashore he had been watching Milady over his shoulder, and Milady had been watching him from the deck.They were too sure to fear being followed, for no one ever entered Milady's room before nine o'clock; and it took three hours to get from the Castle to London.

Felton disembarked from the boat, climbed the ridge path leading to the top of the cliff, said goodbye to Milady one last time, and strode toward the city. After walking a hundred paces, the road gradually descended, and he could no longer see the mast of the sloop. He walked impatiently in the direction of Portsmouth, and about half a mile ahead of him he could see the bell towers and houses of Portsmouth Harbor lined up in the morning mist. On the side of Portsmouth, the sea is densely covered with ships, and there are many sails. The masts are like bare poplar forests whose leaves have been stripped by the severe winter, rustling and shaking under the strong sea wind.

In his haste, Felton turned over the ten years of ascetic silent prayer, and the tribute to Jacques IV (Note: Jacques IV (14721513) : King of Scotland.) and Charles I (Note: Charles I (16001649): King of England and Scotland; 16251649 is also the king of Ireland.) All kinds of accusations of favorite celebrities. Felton compared the Minister's undisclosed crime, the crime of carrying the staff with open flames, the crime known, if you may say so, to all Europe, with the unknown crime which Miladyga committed to his privateer. After a comparison, he felt that Buckingham had shielded the most guilty of the two, the one whose life the public knew little about.It was Felton's love, so strange, so new, and so hot, that he saw that the accusations against Lady Winter were base and fabricated, just as one looks at an ant with a magnifying glass The imperceptible particles on the surface are regarded as extremely terrible monsters.

His hurried footsteps ignited his boiling blood: he hid in the back of his head and risked his life to carry out a terrible idea of ​​revenge, the woman he loved or worshiped like a saint, the passion of the past, the passion of the present Exhaustion, all this stirred his soul beyond normal human emotion. It was nearly eight o'clock in the morning when he entered Portsmouth Harbour.The citizens of the whole city have come to cheer, the streets, alleys, docks and ports, the sound of drums is loud, and the troops on board are ready to go. Felton, dusty and sweaty, arrived at the Admiralty building; his normally pale cheeks were flushed with heat and irritation.The sentry on duty tried to turn him away, but Felton called the captain of the watch, who took the letter he had brought from his pocket.

This is an urgent letter from Lord Winter, he said. As soon as Lord Winter's name was heard, everyone knew that he was one of your lordship's most intimate friends. The captain of the watch ordered Felton to be released, not to mention that he was wearing the uniform of a naval officer. Felton ran to the Naval Headquarters building. Just as he walked into the front hall, another person walked in at the same time.This man, too, was dusty and out of breath, and he had left the stage-horse at the door, which fell on its hind legs from exhaustion as soon as it arrived. Felton and the man went to the Duke's confidant at the same time to speak to Ben Patrick.Felton announced the name of Lord Winter, but the stranger would not mention anyone, claiming that he could only be told who he was to the Duke alone.Both insisted on going in first.

Patrick knew that Lord Winter had official and personal relations with the Duke, so he let Felton advance in the name of Lord Winter.The other was forced to wait, and it was obvious that he was displeased with the delay. The Duke's confidant led Felton through a hall. , he colluded with Buckingham to fall into the hands of the British army. In the end he died in the British.) The representatives of the city of La Rochelle led by him were waiting for the duke's audience there.The valet took him into an office in Buckingham, when Buckingham had just come out of the room after bathing.This person has always loved dressing up, and this time he paid more attention to it on purpose.

Lieutenant Felton asked to see him outside, and Patrick reported that Lord Winter had sent him. It was sent by Lord Winter!Buckingham replied, invite him in. Felton walked into the office.At this moment Buckingham was throwing a rich gilt dressing-gown over a settee, and throwing on again a blue velvet tunic fully studded with beads. Why doesn't the baron come himself?asked Buckingham, for whom I have been expecting all this morning. He sent me to report to your lord, and Felton replied that he regretted not having received this honor, because he was prevented from coming in person because of the duty of guarding the castle.

Yes, yes, said Buckingham, I know the situation, and he has a prisoner in his possession. I've come to report to your lord about the female prisoner, Felton continued. That's all right, let's talk. Only you may hear what I have to say to you, my lord. Patrick, you go out, said Buckingham, but you will stand near the bell; I will call you later. Patrick walked out. Now just the two of us, said Buckingham, please speak. My lord, said Felton, Lord Winter wrote to you one day to ask you to issue a sea release for a young woman named Charlotte Baxon. Yes, sir, I have written back to him, asking him to send me or send me the decree, and I will issue it.

Here is the order, my lord. Give it to me, said the duke. So he took the order from Felton and quickly glanced at the paper.He found that it was the official document that had been reported to him, so he put it on the desk, holding a goose feather pole in his hand, ready to issue it. Excuse me, my lord, interrupted Felton, but do you know, my lord, that the name Charlotte Baxon is not the real name of the young woman. Yes, sir, I know, replied the Duke, dipping in his ink. So, does your lord know her real name?Felton asked directly. I know. The Duke picked up his pen and moved to the order.

Now that you know the real name, said Felton, will your lord sign it? Of course, Buckingham said, even two signings would do. I can't believe that Felton's voice is getting shorter and more incoherent, I can't believe your lordship knows it's Lord Winter's wife I know it like the back of my hand, though it astonishes me that you know it! Don't you feel guilty if you sign this decree? Buckingham looked down upon the young man. Oh, that, sir, you know, he said to the young man, you are asking me strange questions, and I cannot answer them casually. "Answer, my lord," said Felton, "it may be more serious than you think."

Buckingham felt that since the young man had been sent by Lord Winter he was speaking on his behalf, and was not offended. I have no guilt whatsoever, he said, and the Baron knew as well as I did that Mrs Winter was a great criminal, and that she should be lenient enough for extradition. The Duke stylus on the official document. You must not sign this decree, my lord!said Felton, stepping closer to the Duke. I cannot sign this order, Buckingham asked, why? Because you have to think twice, and you have to do justice for Mrs. Winter. To do her justice by sending her to Tyburn, said Buckingham, was that Milady was a mean woman. My lord, Milady is an angel, you know that well, and I beg you to set her free. aha!Buckingham said, Are you mad to speak to me like this? My lord, please forgive me!I speak straight; I restrain myself.But, my lord, consider what you are about to do, and you won't worry about going over your limit! Say it again!Please God forgive me!cried Buckingham, I thought you were threatening me! No, my lord, I beg, and I say to you: a drop of water can make a basin full of water overflow, and a small mistake can bring punishment to a man who has committed many crimes and escaped justice . Mr. Felton, said Buckingham, get out of here, and go to the brig at once! Please hear me out, my lord.You have seduced this young woman, you have insulted her, you have raped her; atone for your sins to her, and set her free, and I ask of you nothing more. Would you not ask?Buckingham looked at Felton in amazement, emphasizing every word he had just said. My lord, Felton grows more and more excited, lord, please take care, the subjects of all England can't bear your indignity; lord, you are abusing the royal power you almost stole; lord, you are already angry; God will come I will punish you, but I will punish you today. snort!What audacity!Buckingham roared and took a step closer to the door. Felton blocked his way. I humbly beseech you, he said, that you sign an order for the release of Lady Milady, Lord Winter; please consider that woman you have defiled. Stand down, sir, said Buckingham, or I will send for you to be handcuffed. You can't be summoned, said Felton, rushing between the Duke and the bell on the silver-inlaid table, please be careful, my lord, you are now in the hands of God. You mean to say in the devil's hand, Buckingham raised his voice aloud, trying to attract the outsider, but did not call directly. Please sign, duke, please sign to restore Lady Milady's liberty," said Felton, pushing a piece of paper towards the duke. Are you going to force me!How ridiculous!Hello, Patrick! Sign it, my lord! Never sign! Never sign! Come on!cried the duke, rushing at the sword. But Felton, without waiting for him to draw his sword, opened the knife with which Milady had killed herself, which was concealed in his jacket, and jumped up to the Duke with a single leap. Just then Patrick came into the hall shouting: Sir, a letter from France! From France!cried Buckingham; and when he thought of whose letter it was, he forgot all about it. Taking this opportunity, Felton raised his knife and stabbed the Duke's waist up to the hilt. ah!traitor!Buckingham cried, you kill me Catch the murderer!Patrick growled. Felton, looking round for his escape, found a door open, and ran into the adjoining room, which, as we have said, was the hall where the delegates from La Rochelle were to be received; and he ran through it, Headed for the stairs; but had just ascended the first section and was confronted by Lord Winter.Seeing his pale, terrified expression, and blood stains on his hands and face, Wen Te immediately grabbed his neck and shouted: I know, I guessed it a long time ago, I came too late, I was a minute late!oh!Damn me! Felton made no protest; Lord Winter handed him over to the guards, led him to a small sea-facing platform to await a new order, and stormed into Buckingham's office. The man Felton had met in the front hall heard the Duke's screams and Patrick's cries for help, and also ran into Buckingham's office. He found the Duke lying on a sofa, a convulsed hand clutched to his wound. Laporte, said the duke in a dying voice, Laporte, she sent you? Yes, my lord, replied the confidant of Princess Anna of Austria, but perhaps it is too late. Don't talk, Laporte!Someone will hear you; Patrick, don't let anyone in!oh!I probably won't know the message she brought me!God, I'm dying! The duke fainted. During this period, Lord Winter, the representatives, the generals on the expedition, and the officers of Buckingham Headquarters all poured into his room; there were cries of hopelessness, and there were voices of mourning and words of pity in the building. Soon it spread like wildfire, and finally caused the whole city to stir up an uproar. A cannon blast announced the unexpected event that had just happened. Lord Winter pulled his hair. One minute late!He shouted hoarsely, a minute late!oh!my God!my God!How unfortunate! It happened thus: at seven o'clock this morning he was told that a rope-ladder was fluttering at one of the windows of the castle; Yes, the railing was sawn, and he remembered the verbal advice sent to him by d'Artagnan's messenger, and he began to worry about the duke.He ran into the stall, and had no time to send someone to prepare the saddle, so he jumped on the horse he had found by hand, galloped, and ran into the headquarters compound in one breath. After dismounting, he hurriedly climbed up the stairs. As mentioned above, he ran into Felton head-on. At this time, the Duke was still alive.He opened his eyes after waking up, and the light of hope rose back in everyone's heart. Guys, he said, please leave me alone with Patrick and Laporte. ah!Lord Winter, it's you!You sent me a queer lunatic early in the morning, look what he's done to me! well!my lord!The baron said loudly, I will regret it all my life! You are mistaken, my dear Winter, said Buckingham, stretching out his hand to him, and I do not know of a man who deserves another's life's regret; please let us stay, I beseech you. The baron walked out with a sob. Only the wounded Duke, Laporte and Patrick remained in the office. Someone went to a doctor but couldn't find one. You will live, you will live, the envoy of Princess Anna of Austria knelt in front of the Duke's sofa and said repeatedly. What did she write me?Platinum asked in a weak Chinese voice; with a bleeding wound, he endured great pain and was thinking about his beloved, what did she write to me?You tell me her beliefs. oh!Sir!Laporte said. Take my orders, Laporte; don't you see, my time is short? Laporte opened the seal and presented the letter to the duke, but Buckingham was unable to decipher the handwriting despite his efforts. Read it, he said, read it, I can't see anything clearly; read it!Because I might lose my hearing immediately, and then I would die without knowing what she wrote to me. Laporte no longer felt embarrassed, he read: Your Excellency, Since I have known you, I have suffered all because of you and for you, and it is for this reason that if you have thought about my peace, I beg you to stop the militarism against France, because it is said openly that religion is The visible cause of this war, and secretly saying you love me is the reason behind this war.This war will not only bring great disasters to France and England, but also to your lord duke, which will bring misfortune to me. Please take care of your life, someone is threatening you, your life is still precious to me until I have to see you as an enemy in the future. your dear anna Buckingham, mobilizing all the remaining energies of his being, listened intently to the emissary's reading, and seemed to feel a poignant despondency in the letter when it was finished. Don't you have any other message for me, Laporte?he asked. Yes, my lord, the queen bade me tell you to take care, for she has been informed that you are to be assassinated. That's all, that's all?asked Buckingham impatiently. She also asked me to tell you that she has always loved you. ah!Buckingham said, thank God!My death was not a foreigner's death to her! Laporte burst into tears. Patrick, said the duke, give me the locket with the diamond pendant. Patrick brought what he wanted, and Laporte recognized at once that it belonged to the Queen. Now you take out the small white satin sachet inside, the pattern embroidered with pearls is her initials. Patrick still followed orders. Here, Laporte, said Buckingham, this silver box, and these two letters, are the only tokens she has given me, and you must return them to your majesty; for the last remembrance (what he seeks about precious items) you take He searched still; but his eyes, darkened at last with death, met only the knife which had fallen from Felton's hand, and the red blood was still steaming on the blade. You can take this knife again, said the Duke, shaking Laporte's hand. He was also able to put the sachet into the locket and put the knife in again, while signaling to Laporte that he could no longer speak; then he convulsed one last time, but this time he had no more strength Struggling, slipped off the couch and onto the floor. Patrick yelped. Buckingham wanted to smile one last time, but the Grim Reaper stopped his thoughts, but the smile he wanted but didn't smile, was like the last kiss of love, deeply engraved on his forehead. At that moment, bewildered, the Duke's personal physician arrived; he had already boarded a naval ship, and people had to go there to find him. He came up to the prince, took his hand, held it in his own for a moment, and then put it down again. It was all useless, he said, the duke was dead. Dead, dead!Patrick cried. At his cry, the crowd poured into the house, full of consternation and commotion. As soon as Lord Winter saw Buckingham doomed, he ran towards Felton's place; he had been guarded by soldiers on the terrace of the headquarters building. asshole!he swore at the young man; since Buckingham's death the young man has regained that composure and composure which should not have allowed him to get carried away, bastard!What did you do? I avenged myself, he said back. you!Says the Baron, You mean you were the instrument of that damned woman; but I swear to you now, her crime was her last. I don't know what you mean, said Felton calmly, and I don't know who you mean, my lord; I killed Mr. Buckingham because he twice refused to let you make me captain, and I punished you. His injustice is nothing more than that. Lord Winter watched in amazement that his subordinates were tying up Felton, and couldn't comprehend how insensitive this man was. Only one thing cast a cloud of suspicion on Felton's shiny brow.Every time he heard a sound, the innocent young man thought it was Milady's footsteps and words, that she came to confess her sins and died with him and fell into his arms. Suddenly, he trembled all over, and his eyes were fixed on a black spot on the sea. From the platform where he stood, he could see everything in a panoramic view; Where there were only seagulls soaring over the waves, he recognized a sloop sailing towards the coast of France. His face was pale, he pinched his hands to touch his heart, his heart was broken, and he suddenly realized that this was a complete betrayal. I ask forgiveness one last time, my lord!He begged the Baron. What forgiveness?asked the Baron. what time is it The Baron took out his pocket watch. Ten to nine, he said. Milady set off an hour and a half early.As soon as she heard the sound of the guns announcing the mourning, she ordered the captain to pull anchor and set sail. The lone boat was cleaving the waves under the blue sky far from the shore. It was God's will, said Felton, with the resignation of a faithful man; yet he could not take his eyes off the boat, and perhaps he thought he could still see the white figure of the woman for whom he was about to give his life. . Winter followed his gaze, trying to figure out his pain, and he finally guessed everything. Punish you alone, bastard, said Lord Winter to Felton, who was always looking out to sea, but I swear to you in memory of my brother whom I loved so much, that your accomplice will not escape. Felton bowed his head in silence. Winter hurried down the stairs and ran to the pier.