The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-12
Bv ALEXANDRA DUMAS

though with a foreign accent, that this madman will not allow these good people access to their own wine! Non sensei Let us break open the door, and if he is too far gone in, his mad ness-well, we will kin himw
 Softly, gentlemen" said DArta- gnan, drawing his pistols, from his belt, "there is nobody to be killed. if you please"
 Good, goodv' cried 4Athos from the other side of the door: Let them just come in, these devourers of little chil- dren, and we shall see"
 Brave as they appeared to be, the two English gentlemen looked at each other hesitatingly. There was mo- ment of silence, but at length the two Enslishmen feltashaned to draw, back, and the more angry one descended the five or sfx steps which led to the eel lar and gave a lick against the door enough to split wall. =
 aPlanchst," said. DArtagnan. cock ang his pistols, Y will take. charge of the one at the top; you look to the one below. Now, gentlemen, if it's. battle ySu want you shall have It." : "Ahr' cried the hollow voice of Athos. CT can hear D'Artagnan, I think" '
 "Yes," cried D'Artagnan, 'I am herer'
 The gentlemen had drawn their swords. but they found themselves taken between two fires. They still hesitated an instant, but, as before, pride prevailed, and second kick split the door from bottom to top.
 Stand on one side, D'AEtagnan, stand on one sidev cried Athos. 'I am going to fireT
 'Gentlemen," exclaimed D'Artagnan. whom reflection never abandoned. ''gentlemen, think of what you are about! Patience, Athos! You are run ming your heads into very silly af- fair. You will be riddled. My lackey and win have three shots at you, and you will get as many from the cellar. You will then, have our swords, with which, can assure you, my friend and can play tolerably we'll. Let me conduct your business and my own. You shall soon have something to drink, give you my word.5i Gentle men, return your swords to their scab- bards."
 we will provided you replace your pistols in your belt"
 Willingly.
 : And D'Artagnan set the example. Then, turning toward Planchet, he made him a sign to uncock his muske- toon.
 The Englishmen, overcome by these peaceful proceedings, sheathed their swords grumblingly. The history of Athos' Imprisonment was then relat- ed to them, and as they were really gentlemen they pronounced the host in the wrong.
 "Now, gentlemen" said D'Artagnan, Ego up to your room again and in ten minutes, will answer for it, you shall have all you desire"
 The Englishmen bowed and went up- staAss.
 ~NoIrS.s an alene, any dear AthoR," said D'Artasaan, 'cpen the door. Ebeg Af you"
 An instant after the broken door was removed and the pale face of Athos appeared, who with rapid glance took survey of the environs.
 D'Artagnan threw himself on his neck and embraced him tenderly. He then endeavored to draw him from his moist abode, but to his surprise per ceived that Athos staggered.
 'sWhy, you are woundedr' said he.
 'T? Not at all! I am dead drunk, that's all, and never did a man set about getting so better. Why, my good host, must at least have drunk for my part 15O bottles"
 "Oh,' cried the host. eff the lackey has drunk only half as much as the master<I am a ruined man."
 In the meantime Grimaud appeared in his turn behind his master with his nusketoon on his shoulder, and his head shaking like one of those drunk en satyrs in the pictures of Rubens. He was moistened before and behind with a liquid which, the host recog- nized as his best olive oil.
 The procession crossed the public room and proceeded to take possession of the best apartment in the house, which D'Artagnan occupied by author 1ty.
 In the meantime the host and his wife hurried down with lamps into the cellar. A frightful spectacle awaited them. They found swimming in pud- dies of oil and wine the bones and fragments of all the hams eaten by Athos, while a heaP of broken bottles filled the whole left hand corner of the cellar.
 Then the lamentations of the host and hostess pierced the vault of the cellar. D'Artagnan himself was moved by them; AthOs did not even turn his head, sa sr ~
 But to. grief succeeded rage. The host armed himself, with spit and