The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-22
CHAPTER V.

His Majssty King Louis XII. {" HIS affair made great noise.
 M. de Treville scolded his
 musketeers in public and con . gratulated them in private. In the evening M. de !Treville attended the kings play table. The king was winning and was in an excellent hu- nor.
 ''Come here, monsieur le capitaine,- . said he, 'teome here. that I may scold you. Do you know that his eminence has just been here to make fresh com plaints against your musketeers? ? Why, they are very devils!''
 'sNo, sire," replied Trevilla, who saw 1t the first glance which way things would take-ssno, sire; on the contra v, they are good creatures, as meek as lambst and have but one desire, I'll be their warranty, and that is that their swords may never leave their scabbards but in your majesty's serv- ice"
 Listen to M. de Treville,' said the king, "isten to him! Would not one say he was speaking of a religious community? La Vieuville, take my place. I must speak to M. de Treville on an affair of importance" Then, turning toward M. de Treville and walking with him toward the embras ure of window:
 ''How tid the thing happen? Let us see, for you know, my dear captain, a judge must hear both sides.''
 Good Lord! Tn the most simple and natural manner possible. Three of my best soldiers, whom your maj esty knows by name. NM. Athos, Por- thos and Aramis, had made g! party of pleasure with young cadet from .Gascony whom I had introduced to them the same morning. The party was to take place at St. Germain, I believe, and they had appointed to meet at the Carmes- -Deschaux when they were disturbed by M. de Jussac, NM. Cahusac, Bicarat and two other guards, who certainly did not go there in such numerous company without some i'll intention against the edicts.''
 "You say, then, that the cardinals guards sought quarrel with the mus keteers?' ?''
 ''I say that it is probable that things have fallen out so, but I will not swear to it, sire"
 ''You are right, Treville, but they were not alone, your musketeers. They had a youth with themY'
 ''Yes, sire, three, so that three of the kings musketeers, one of whom was wounded and youth, not only main tained their ground against five of the most terrible of his eminence's guards, but "a absolutely brought four of them to the earth.''
 'swhy, this is q victory" cried the king, glowing with delight, "a com plete victory! Four men. one of them wounded, and youth, say you?"
 "One scarcely attained the age of a young man, but who, however, behav- ed himself so admirably on this occa- sion that I will take the liberty of recommending him to your majesty"
 What is his nameY fa
 "D'Artagnan, sire"
 AHU you say CndC CulS yUuuS mdH behaved himself we'll? should like to see this young man, Treville; I should like. to see him. And if any thing can be done-weIl, we will make it our business. Tomorrow at midday, Treville."
 Shall bring him aloneY
 "No; bring me all four together. wish to thank them all at once. De- voted men are so rare, Treville, we must recompense devotedness."
 That evening the three musketeers were informed of the honor which was granted them. As they had long been acquainted with the king, they were not much excited by the circumstances, but D'Artagnan, with his Gascon imag ination, saw fin it his future fortune and passed the night in golden dreams As early, then, as 8 o'clock he was at the apartment of Athos
 D'Artagnan found the musketeer dressed and ready to go out. As the hour to wait upon the king was not till 12, Athos had made a party with Porth0s and Aramis to play game