t of treachery!"

Porthos pressed his friend's hand, and answered, "Yes; all is fair in
war--stratagem as well as force. Look yonder!"

The squadron, which ought to have protected the king, was advancing to
meet the English regiments.

The king, who was entirely surrounded, walked alone on foot. He caught
sight of Athos and Aramis, and greeted them.

"Farewell, messieurs. The day has been unfortunate, but it is not your
fault, thank God! But where is my old friend Winter?"

"Look for him with Strafford," said a voice.

Charles shuddered. He saw a corpse at his feet. It was Winter's.

That hour messengers were sent off in every direction over England and
Europe to announce that Charles Stuart was now the prisoner of Oliver
Cromwell. D'Artagnan not only accomplished the release of the prisoners,
he also joined with his friends in a bold attempt to rescue Charles from
his captors.

D'Artagnan at first naturally assumed they would all four return to
France as quickly as possible; but Athos declared that he could not
abandon the king, and still meant to save him if it were possible.

"But what can you do in a foreign land; in an enemy's country?" said
D'Artagnan. "Did you promise the queen to storm the Tower of London?
Come, Porthos, what do you think of this business?"

"Nothing good," said Porthos.

"Friend," said Athos, "our minds are made up! Ah, if we had you with us!
With you, D'Artagnan, and you, Porthos--all four, and reunited for the
first time for twenty years--we would dare, not only England but the
three kingdoms together!"

"Very well," cried D'Artagnan furiously, "very well, since you wish it,
let us leave our bones in this horrible land, where it is always cold,
where the fine weather comes after a fog, and the fog after rain; in
truth, whether we die here or elsewhere matters little, since we must
die sooner or later."

"But your future career, D'Artagnan? Your ambition, Porthos?" said
Athos.

"Our future, our ambition!" replied D'Artagnan bitterly. "What do we
need to think of that for, if we are to save the king? The king saved,
we shall assemble our friends together, reconquer England, and place him
securely on the throne."

"And he shall make us dukes and peers," said Porthos joyfully at this
cheerful prospect.

"Or he will forget us," added D'Artagnan.

"Then," said Athos, offering his hand to D'Artagnan, "I swear to you, my
friend, by the God who hears us, I believe there is a powe