"No, no, dear D'Artagnan," said the figure, "'tis not the devil, 'tis
Aramis; gallop fast, Planchet, and when you come to the end of the
village turn swiftly to the left."

And Planchet, with Aramis behind him, set off at full gallop, followed
by D'Artagnan, who began to think he was in the merry maze of some
fantastic dream.

9. The Abbe D'Herblay.

At the extremity of the village Planchet turned to the left in obedience
to the orders of Aramis, and stopped underneath the window which
had light in it. Aramis alighted and clapped his hands three times.
Immediately the window was opened and a ladder of rope was let down from
it.

"My friend," said Aramis, "if you like to ascend I shall be delighted to
receive you."

"Ah," said D'Artagnan, "is that the way you return to your apartment?"

"After nine at night, pardieu!" said Aramis, "the rule of the convent is
very severe."

"Pardon me, my dear friend," said D'Artagnan, "I think you said
'pardieu!'"

"Do you think so?" said Aramis, smiling; "it is possible. You have
no idea, my dear fellow, how one acquires bad habits in these cursed
convents, or what evil ways all these men of the church have, with whom
I am obliged to live. But will you not go up?"

"Pass on before me, I beg of you."

"As the late cardinal used to say to the late king, 'only to show you
the way, sire.'" And Aramis ascended the ladder quickly and reached the
window in an instant.

D'Artagnan followed, but less nimbly, showing plainly that this mode of
ascent was not one to which he was accustomed.

"I beg your pardon," said Aramis, noticing his awkwardness; "if I had
known that I was to have the honor of your visit I should have procured
the gardener's ladder; but for me alone this is good enough."

"Sir," said Planchet when he saw D'Artagnan on the summit of the ladder,
"this way is easy for Monsieur Aramis and even for you; in case of
necessity I might also climb up, but my two horses cannot mount the
ladder."

"Take them to yonder shed, my friend," said Aramis, pointing to a low
building on the plain; "there you will find hay and straw for them; then
come back here and clap your hands three times, and we will give you
wine and food. Marry, forsooth, people don't die of hunger here."

And Aramis, drawing in the ladder, closed the window. D'Artagnan then
looked around attentively.

Never was there an apartment at the same time more warlike and more
elegant. At each cor