ides, Bazin is ambitious and learned; Bazin has read history,
gentlemen, he knows that Sixtus the Fifth became Pope after having kept
pigs. Well, as he means to enter the Church at the same time as
myself, he does not despair of becoming Pope in his turn, or at least
a cardinal. You can understand that a man who has such views will never
allow himself to be taken, or if taken, will undergo martyrdom rather
than speak."

"Very well," said d'Artagnan, "I consent to Bazin with all my heart,
but grant me Planchet. Milady had him one day turned out of doors, with
sundry blows of a good stick to accelerate his motions. Now, Planchet
has an excellent memory; and I will be bound that sooner than relinquish
any possible means of vengeance, he will allow himself to be beaten
to death. If your arrangements at Tours are your arrangements, Aramis,
those of London are mine. I request, then, that Planchet may be chosen,
more particularly as he has already been to London with me, and knows
how to speak correctly: London, sir, if you please, and my master, Lord
d'Artagnan. With that you may be satisfied he can make his way, both
going and returning."

"In that case," said Athos, "Planchet must receive seven hundred livres
for going, and seven hundred livres for coming back; and Bazin, three
hundred livres for going, and three hundred livres for returning--that
will reduce the sum to five thousand livres. We will each take a
thousand livres to be employed as seems good, and we will leave a fund
of a thousand livres under the guardianship of Monsieur Abbe here, for
extraordinary occasions or common wants. Will that do?"

"My dear Athos," said Aramis, "you speak like Nestor, who was, as
everyone knows, the wisest among the Greeks."

"Well, then," said Athos, "it is agreed. Planchet and Bazin shall
go. Everything considered, I am not sorry to retain Grimaud; he is
accustomed to my ways, and I am particular. Yesterday's affair must have
shaken him a little; his voyage would upset him quite."

Planchet was sent for, and instructions were given him. The matter had
been named to him by d'Artagnan, who in the first place pointed out the
money to him, then the glory, and then the danger.

"I will carry the letter in the lining of my coat," said Planchet; "and
if I am taken I will swallow it."

"Well, but then you will not be able to fulfill your commission," said
d'Artagnan.

"You will give me a copy this evening, which I shall know by h