The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-05
THE THREE GUARDSMEN

horse rejoined them. and galloped by the side of his companions,
 They continued at their best speed for two hours, but at Crevecoeur Ara. mis declared he could proceed no far. ther. Tn fact, it required all the cour. age which he concealed beneath his elegant form and polished manners to bear him so far. He every minute grew more pale, and they were obliged to support him on his horse. They lifted him off at the door of cabaret left Bazin with him and set forward again in the hope of sleeping at AmienS
 Well" said Athos as coon as they were again in motion, reduced to two masters and Grimaud and Planchetr'
 The travellers arrived at Amiens al midnight and aIighted at the inn of the Golden Lily.
 The host had the appearance of al honest a man as any on earth. He wished to lodge the two travellers each in a charming chamber, but rnfortu- nately these charming chambers were at the opposite extremities of the ho. tel, and D'Artagnan and Athos declin- ed them. They declared they would sleep in the common chamber, each upon : mattress, which might be thrown upon the ground.
 They had just prepared their beds and barricaded their door within when some one knocked at the yard shutter
 In fact. it was Plahchet and Gri- maud.
 "Grimaud can take care of the horses" said Planchet. eff you are willing, gentlemen, will sleep across your doorway upon a bundle of straw. and you will then be certain that no body can come to you.''
 2 Planchet installed himself across the doorway, while Grimaud went and shut himself up in the stable, under taking that by 5 o'clock in the morn ing be and the four horses should be ready.
 At 4so'clock in the morning there was a terrible riot in the stables. Grimaud had tried to waken the sta bie boys, and the stable boys had set upon him and beaten him. When they opened the window they saw the poor lad lying senseless !.
 Planchet went down, into the yard and proceeded to saddle the horses. But the horses were all knocked up. Mousqueton's horse. which had trav- eled for i've or six hours without a rider the day before, alone might have been able to pursue the journey. But by an inconceivable error veterinary surgeon, who had been sent for, as t appeared, to bleed one of the hosts horses. had bled Mousqueton's.
 This began to be annoying. Athos and D'Artagnan went out, while Planchet was sent to inquire if there were not three horses to be sold in the neighborhood At the door stood two horses, fresh. strong. and fully equipped. These would just have suit ed them. He asked where the mas ters of them were and was informed that they had passed the night in the auberge and were. then settling with the master.
 Athos went down to pay the reckon. ing, while D'Artagnan and Planchet stood at the street door. The host was in q lower and back chamber, to which Athos was requested to. go.
 Athos entered without the least dis trust and took out two pistoles to pay the bill The host took the money which Athos offered to him and, after turning 1t over and over in his hands, suddenly cried out that it was bad and that he would have him and hia companions arrested as coiners.
 You scoundrel," cried Athos, step ping toward him, "I'll cut your earu offv'
 But the host stopped, took two pis- tols from a drawer, pointed them at Athos and called out for help.
 At the same instant four men armed to the teeth entered by lateral doors and rushed upon Athos.
 T am taken!" shouted Athos with all the power of his lungs. "Go on, D'Artagnan! Spur, spur!' and he fired two pistols.
 DArtagnan and Planchet did not re Quire twice bidding. They unfastened the two horses that were waiting at the door, leaped upon them, buried their spurs in their sides and set of at full gallop.
 Do you know what has become of Athos" asked D'Artagnan of Plan chet as they galloped on.
 "Ah, monsieur said Planchet, "I saw one fall at each of his shots, and he appe9red to me through the glass door to be fighting with his sword with the others''
 Brave Athos!" murmured D'Arta- gnan. Forward, Planchet, forward! You are a brave fellow"
 Both. with free use of the spur, ar rived at St. Omer without drawing bit. At St. Omer they breathed their horses with their brides passed under their arms, for fear of accident, and ate a morsel in their hands, standing in the