by Alexandre Dumas

“ At that voice, that mocking tone, and that familiar gesture, accenting voice and tone, Athos made a bound of surprise.
"D'Artagnan! Porthos!" he exclaimed.
"My very self, dear friend."
"Me, also!" repeated Porthos.
"What means this?" asked the count.
"It means," replied Mazarin, trying to smile and biting his lips in the attempt, "that our parts are changed, and that instead of these gentlemen being my prisoners I am theirs; but, gentlemen, I warn you, unless you kill me, your victory will be of very short duration; people will come to the rescue."
"Ah! my lord!" ”

“ Mazarin shuddered.
"Listen," he said; "at the end of yonder corridor is a door, of which I have the key, it leads into the park. Go, and take this key with you; you are active, vigorous, and you have arms. At a hundred steps, on turning to the left, you will find the wall of the park; get over it, and in three leaps you will be on the road and free."
"Ah! by Jove, my lord," said D'Artagnan, "you have well said, but these are only words. Where is the key you speak of?" ”

“ Mazarin pretended to laugh.
"Are you there?" asked Porthos.
"Yes, my friend; and now - - "
"Now, what?" asked Porthos.
"Now give me the cardinal up here; if he makes any noise stifle him."
Mazarin wished to call out, but Porthos held him tight and passed him to D'Artagnan, who seized him by the neck and made him sit down by him; then in a menacing tone, he said:
"Sir! jump directly down, close to Monsieur de la Fere, or, on the honor of a gentleman, I'll kill you!"
"Monsieur, monsieur," cried Mazarin, "you are breaking your word to me!"
"I - did I promise you anything, my lord?" ”