by Alexandre Dumas

“ For one second, D'Artagnan thought the man had some evil design and he put his hand to his sword; but in the movement made by the man in stooping a portion of his face was uncovered and D'Artagnan recognized the coadjutor.
"It is certainly the king," said the man, rising again. "God bless his majesty!"
"Yes," repeated the leader in a whisper, "God bless his majesty!" and all these men, who had entered enraged, passed from anger to pity and blessed the royal infant in their turn.
"Now,', said Planchet, "let us thank the queen. My friends, retire." ”

“ The gate groaned on its hinges, and D'Artagnan, seeing the way clear, whipped his horses, who started at a canter, and five minutes later they had rejoined the cardinal.
"Musqueton!" exclaimed D'Artagnan, "draw up the blinds of his majesty's carriage."
"It is he!" cried Porthos.
"Disguised as a coachman!" exclaimed Mazarin.
"And driving the coadjutor's carriage!" said the queen.
"Corpo di Dio! Monsieur d'Artagnan!" said Mazarin, "you are worth your weight in gold." ”

“ Far beyond the door the heads of those who were not able to enter could be seen, all craning to their utmost height to try and see.
D'Artagnan saw it all through an opening he had made in the curtain, and in the very first man who entered he recognized Planchet.
"Sir," said the queen to him, thinking he was the leader of the band, "you wished to see the king and therefore I determined to show him to you myself. Approach and look at him and say if we have the appearance of people who wish to run away." ”

“ The coachman, as we can well understand, made no resistance; in fact, he was so astonished at what had happened to him that he stammered and reeled like a drunken man; D'Artagnan deposited his clothes under the arm of one of the valets.
"And now, Monsieur du Verger," he said, "shut yourself up with this man until Monsieur Bernouin returns to open the door. The duty will be tolerably long and not very amusing, I know; but," added he, seriously, "you understand, it is on the king's service."
"At your command, lieutenant," replied the musketeer, who saw the business was a serious one. ”

“ And approaching the carriage, he examined the arms on the panels and the livery of the coachman on his box. This scrutiny was so much the more easy, the coachman being sound asleep.
"It is, in truth, monsieur le coadjuteur's carriage," said D'Artagnan; "upon my honor I begin to think that Heaven favors us."
He mounted noiselessly into the chariot and pulled the silk cord which was attached to the coachman's little finger.
"To the Palais Royal," he called out. ”

“ The king, half dressed, the queen and Laporte remained each in the same state and almost in the same place, where they were listening and waiting. Comminges, who was on guard that night at the Palais Royal, ran in. He had about two hundred men in the courtyards and stables, and he placed them at the queen's disposal.
"Well," asked Anne of Austria, when D'Artagnan reappeared, "what does it mean?" ”

“ You must do so.'"
"Certainly, sir; but they tell me that the noise of thunder is the voice of God."
"Well then, sire," continued D'Artagnan, "listen to the noise of the people; you will perceive that it resembles that of thunder." ”

“ The tumult continued to increase and seemed to surround the Palais Royal entirely. Cries were heard from the interior, of which they could not comprehend the sense. It was evident that there was clamor and sedition. ”