elligence of you. She lives; she is in safety
in a convent; she is at Bethune! Where is Bethune, Athos?"

"Why, upon the frontiers of Artois and of Flanders. The siege once over,
we shall be able to make a tour in that direction."

"And that will not be long, it is to be hoped," said Porthos; "for they
have this morning hanged a spy who confessed that the Rochellais were
reduced to the leather of their shoes. Supposing that after having eaten
the leather they eat the soles, I cannot see much that is left unless
they eat one another."

"Poor fools!" said Athos, emptying a glass of excellent Bordeaux wine
which, without having at that period the reputation it now enjoys,
merited it no less, "poor fools! As if the Catholic religion was not
the most advantageous and the most agreeable of all religions! All the
same," resumed he, after having clicked his tongue against his palate,
"they are brave fellows! But what the devil are you about, Aramis?"
continued Athos. "Why, you are squeezing that letter into your pocket!"

"Yes," said d'Artagnan, "Athos is right, it must be burned. And yet
if we burn it, who knows whether Monsieur Cardinal has not a secret to
interrogate ashes?"

"He must have one," said Athos.

"What will you do with the letter, then?" asked Porthos.

"Come here, Grimaud," said Athos. Grimaud rose and obeyed. "As a
punishment for having spoken without permission, my friend, you will
please to eat this piece of paper; then to recompense you for the
service you will have rendered us, you shall afterward drink this glass
of wine. First, here is the letter. Eat heartily."

Grimaud smiled; and with his eyes fixed upon the glass which Athos
held in his hand, he ground the paper well between his teeth and then
swallowed it.

"Bravo, Monsieur Grimaud!" said Athos; "and now take this. That's well.
We dispense with your saying grace."

Grimaud silently swallowed the glass of Bordeaux wine; but his eyes,
raised toward heaven during this delicious occupation, spoke a language
which, though mute, was not the less expressive.

"And now," said Athos, "unless Monsieur Cardinal should form the
ingenious idea of ripping up Grimaud, I think we may be pretty much at
our ease respecting the letter."

Meantime, his Eminence continued his melancholy ride, murmuring between
his mustaches, "These four men must positively be mine."

52 CAPTIVITY: THE FIRST DAY

Let us return to Milady, whom a glance thrown upon th