He then turned to the left, down a corridor which had escaped the attention of the two friends, but as he opened the door he paused, as if in thought.
"Ah! Diavolo!" he exclaimed, "I forgot the recommendation of De Comminges, who advised me to take a guard and place it at this door, in order not to put myself at the mercy of that four-headed combination of devils." And with a movement of impatience he turned to retrace his steps.
"Do not give yourself the trouble, my lord," said D'Artagnan, with his right foot forward, his beaver in his hand, a smile on his face, "we have followed your eminence step by step and here we are."
"Yes -- here we are," said Porthos.
And he made the same friendly salute as D'Artagnan.
Mazarin gazed at each of them with an affrighted stare, recognized them, and let drop his lantern, uttering a cry of terror.
D'Artagnan picked it up; by good luck it had not been extinguished.
"Oh, what imprudence, my lord," said D'Artagnan; "'tis not good to be about just here without a light. Your eminence might knock against something, or fall into a hole."
"Monsieur d'Artagnan!" muttered Mazarin, unable to recover from his astonishment.
"Yes, my lord, it is I. I have the honor to present to you Monsieur du Vallon, that excellent friend of mine, in whom your eminence had the kindness to interest yourself formerly."
And D'Artagnan held the lamp before the merry face of Porthos, who now began to comprehend the affair and be very proud of the whole undertaking.
"You were going to visit Monsieur de la Fere?" said D'Artagnan. "Don't let us disarrange your eminence. Be so good as to show us the way and we will follow you.
Mazarin was by degrees recovering his senses.
"Have you been long in the orangery?" he asked in a trembling voice, remembering the visits he had been paying to his treasury.
Porthos opened his mouth to reply; D'Artagnan made him a sign, and his mouth, remaining silent, gradually closed.
"This moment come, my lord," said D'Artagnan.
Mazarin breathed again. His fears were now no longer for his hoard, but for himself. A sort of smile played on his lips.
"Come," he said, "you have me in a snare, gentlemen. I confess myself conquered. You wish to ask for liberty, and -- I give it you."
"Oh, my lord!" answered D'Artagnan, "you are too good; as to our liberty, we have that; we want to ask something else of you."
"You have your liberty?" repeated Mazarin, in terror.
"Certainly; and on the other hand, my lord, you have lost it, and now, in accordance with the law of war, sir, you must buy it back again."
Mazarin felt a shiver run through him -- a chill even to his heart's core. His piercing look was fixed in vain on the satirical face of the Gascon and the unchanging countenance of Porthos. Both were in shadow and the Sybil of Cuma herself could not have read them.
"To purchase back my liberty?" said the cardinal.
"Yes, my lord."
"And how much will that cost me, Monsieur d'Artagnan?"
"Zounds, my lord, I don't know yet. We must ask the Comte de la Fere the question. Will your eminence deign to open the door which leads to the count's room, and in ten minutes all will be settled."
Mazarin started.
"My lord," said D'Artagnan, "your eminence sees that we wish to act with all formality and due respect; but I must warn you that we have no time to lose; open the door then, my lord, and be so good as to remember, once for all, that on the slightest attempt to escape or the faintest cry for help, our position being very critical indeed, you must not be angry with us if we go to extremities."
"Be assured," answered Mazarin, "that I shall attempt nothing; I give you my word of honor."
D'Artagnan made a sign to Porthos to redouble his watchfulness; then turning to Mazarin:
"Now, my lord, let us enter, if you please."