The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-06
THE THREE GUARDSMEN
By ALEXANDRA DUMAS

S
 Master Jackson" said he, Ego in stantly to the lord chancellor and tel him that desire him to execute thes. orders. I wish them to be promul gated immediately" .
 "Rut my lord, if the lord chancello interrogates me upon the motive which may have led your grace t adopt such an extraordinary measure what reply shall I makeg'
 ''That such is my pleasure"
 ''Will that be the answer" replie, the secretary, smiling, which he mus transmit to his majesty if by chance his majesty should have the curiosit. to know why no vessel Is to leave an, of the ports of Great Britain?"
 "You are right, Master Jackson" re piled Buckingham. 'sHe will say, il that case, to the king that am deter mined on war and that this measure il my first act of hostility agains France"
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 eve are safe on that side" saii Buckingham, turning toward D'Arta gnan. s'If the studs are not yet gon, to Paris they will not arrive till aftel you. have just placed an embargo or all vessels at present in his majesty ports, and without particular permis sion not one can lift an anchor" A ko at h{vvn vvfk s<r pefaction.
 "Yes," said he. ives, Anne of Austrit is my true queen. Upon word from her l. would betray my country, would betray my king"
 The goldsmith entered. He was ar Irishman, one of the most skillful o1 his craft. Master O'ReiIly," said the duke t him, leading him into the chapel, '1ooh at these diamond studs and tell mt what they are worth apiece"
 Fifteen hundred pfstcles each, ID, lord.''
 "How many days would it require ts make two studs exactly like them You see, there are two wanting.'
 A week, my lord"
 'T will give you 5000 pistoles eacl for two if I can have them by the day after tomorrow"
 'My lord, you shall have them"
 You are a jewel of man, Master O'Reilly, but that is not all-thess studs cannot be trusted to anybody-i must be effected in the palace"
 Impossible, my lord. There is nt one but myself can execute them ss that the new may not be distinguishes from the old"
 Therefore, my dear Master O'Reilly you are my prisoner. Name to ID. such of your workmen as you stand il need of and point out the tools the, must bring.'
 The goldsmith wrote to his wife charging her to send his most skillfu apprentice, an assortment of diamonds of which he gave the names and thu weight, and the necessary tools.
 Buckingham led the goldsmith to thu chamber destined for him and which at the end of half an hour, was trans formed into workshop. Then h. placed a sentinel at each door, witl an order to admit nobody upon any pretense but his valet de chambre, Pat rick
 Buckingham assigned D'Artagnan !, chamber adjoining his own. He wish ed to have the young man at hand, no that he at all mistrusted him, but fol the sake of having some. one to whom he could constantly talk about tn, queen.
 In one hour after the ordinance wal published in London that no vesse bound for France should leave th' ports not even the packet boat witt letters. In the eyes of everybody tht was a declaration of war between tn two kingdoms.
 On the day after the morrow, by l o'clock, the two diamond studs wer finished. They were initiated perfect ly to look like the others.
 Buckingham immediately calle' D'Artagnan.
 "Here," said he to him, "are the dia mond studs that you came to fetcl and be my witness that have done al that human power could do.'
 s'Be satisfied, milord; I will tell al that I have seen. But does your grac mean to give me the studs without tn casket?'
 ''The casket would only incumbe you. Besides, the casket is the nor precious from being all that is left t me- You will say that keep 1t. Ant now, how shall ever acquit mysel of the debt I owe you?''
 D'Artagnan colored up to the eyes "Let us understand each other, mi lord," replied he. What have dom has been for the queen and not at al for your grace. And, still further, fo one who is my lady, as the queen yours.''
 "I understand" said the duke, smil ing, "and even believe that know that other person. It is"-
 Milford, have not named her"
 .'That is true," said the duke, "ant 1t is to this person am bound to dis charge my debt of gratitude"