D'Artagnan had judged correctly; Mordaunt felt that he hadno time to lose, and he lost none. He knew the rapidity ofdecision and action that characterized his enemies andresolved to act with reference to that. This time themusketeers had an adversary who was worthy of them.

After closing the door carefully behind him Mordaunt glidedinto the subterranean passage, sheathing on the way his nowuseless sword, and thus reached the neighboring house, wherehe paused to examine himself and to take breath.

"Good!" he said, "nothing, almost nothing - scratches,nothing more; two in the arm and one in the breast. Thewounds that I make are better than that - witness theexecutioner of Bethune, my uncle and King Charles. Now, nota second to lose, for a second lost will perhaps save them.They must die - die all together - killed at one stroke bythe thunder of men in default of God's. They must disappear,broken, scattered, annihilated. I will run, then, till mylegs no longer serve, till my heart bursts in my bosom but Iwill arrive before they do."

Mordaunt proceeded at a rapid pace to the nearest cavalrybarracks, about a quarter of a league distant. He made thatquarter of a league in four or five minutes. Arrived at thebarracks he made himself known, took the best horse in thestables, mounted and gained the high road. A quarter of anhour later he was at Greenwich.

"There is the port," he murmured. "That dark point yonder isthe Isle of Dogs. Good! I am half an hour in advance ofthem, an hour, perhaps. Fool that I was! I have almostkilled myself by my needless haste. Now," he added, risingin the stirrups and looking about him, "which, I wonder, isthe Lightning?"

At this moment, as if in reply to his words, a man lying ona coil of cables rose and advanced a few steps toward him.Mordaunt drew a handkerchief from his pocket, and tying aknot at each corner - the signal agreed upon - waved it inthe air and the man came up to him. He was wrapped in alarge rough cape, which concealed his form and partly hisface.

"Do you wish to go on the water, sir?" said the sailor.

"Yes, just so. Along the Isle of Dogs."

"And perhaps you have a preference for one boat more thananother. You would like one that sails as rapidly as - - "

"Lightning," interrupted Mordaunt.

"Then mine is the boat you want, sir. I'm your man."

"I begin to think so, particularly if you have not forgottena certain signal."

"Here it is, sir," and the sailor took from his coat ahandkerchief, tied at each corner.

"Good, quite right!" cried Mordaunt, springing off hishorse. "There's not a moment to lose; now take my horse tothe nearest inn and conduct me to your vessel."

"But," asked the sailor, "where are your companions? Ithought there were four of you."

"Listen to me, sir. I'm not the man you take me for; you arein Captain Rogers's post, are you not? under orders fromGeneral Cromwell. Mine, also, are from him!"

"Indeed, sir, I recognize you; you are Captain Mordaunt."

Mordaunt was startled.

"Oh, fear nothing," said the skipper, showing his face. "Iam a friend."

"Captain Groslow!" cried Mordaunt.

"Himself. The general remembered that I had formerly been anaval officer and he gave me the command of this expedition.Is there anything new in the wind?"

"Nothing."

"I thought, perhaps, that the king's death - - "

"Has only hastened their flight; in ten minutes they willperhaps be here."

"What have you come for, then?"

"To embark with you."

"Ah! ah! the general doubted my fidelity?"

"No, but I wish to have a share in my revenge. Haven't yousome one who will relieve me of my horse?"

Groslow whistled and a sailor appeared.

"Patrick," said Groslow, "take this horse to the stables ofthe nearest inn. If any one asks you whose it is you can saythat it belongs to an Irish gentleman."

The sailor departed without reply.

"Now," said Mordaunt, "are you not afraid that they willrecognize you?"

"There is no danger, dressed as I am in this pilot coat, ona night as dark as this. Besides even you didn't recognizeme; they will be much less likely to."

"That is true," said Mordaunt, "and they will be far fromthinking of you. Everything is ready, is it not?"

"Yes."

"The cargo on board?"

"Yes."

"Five full casks?"

"And fifty empty ones."

"Good."

"We are carrying port wine to Anvers."

"Excellent. Now take me aboard and return to your post, forthey will soon be here."

"I am ready."

"It is important that none of your crew should see me."

"I have but one man on board, and I am as sure of him as Iam of myself. Besides, he doesn't know you; like his mateshe is ready to obey our orders knowing nothing of our plan."

"Very well; let us go."

They then went down to the Thames. A boat was fastened tothe shore by a chain fixed to a stake. Groslow jumped in,followed by Mordaunt, and in five minutes they were quiteaway from that world of houses which then crowded theoutskirts of London; and Mordaunt could discern the littlevessel riding at anchor near the Isle of Dogs. When theyreached the side of this felucca, Mordaunt, dexterous in hiseagerness for vengeance, seized a rope and climbed up theside of the vessel with a coolness and agility very rareamong landsmen. He went with Groslow to the captain's berth,a sort of temporary cabin of planks, for the chief apartmenthad been given up by Captain Rogers to the passengers, whowere to be accommodated at the other end of the boat.

"They will have nothing to do, then at this end?" saidMordaunt.

"Nothing at all."

"That's a capital arrangement. Return to Greenwich and bringthem here. I shall hide myself in your cabin. You have alongboat?"

"That in which we came."

"It appeared light and well constructed."

"Quite a canoe."

"Fasten it to the poop with a rope; put the oars into it, sothat it may follow in the track and there will be nothing todo except to cut the cord. Put a good supply of rum andbiscuit in it for the seamen; should the night happen to bestormy they will not be sorry to find something to consolethemselves with."

"Consider all this done. Do you wish to see thepowder-room?"

"No. When you return I will set the fuse myself, but becareful to conceal your face, so that you cannot berecognized by them."

"Never fear."

"There's ten o'clock striking at Greenwich."

Groslow, then, having given the sailor on duty an order tobe on the watch with more than usual vigilance, went downinto the longboat and soon reached Greenwich. The wind waschilly and the jetty was deserted, as he approached it; buthe had no sooner landed than he heard a noise of horsesgalloping upon the paved road.

These horsemen were our friends, or rather, an avant garde,composed of D'Artagnan and Athos. As soon as they arrived atthe spot where Groslow stood they stopped, as if guessingthat he was the man they wanted. Athos alighted and calmlyopened the handkerchief tied at each corner, whilstD'Artagnan, ever cautious, remained on horseback, one handupon his pistol, leaning forward watchfully.

On seeing the appointed signal, Groslow, who had at firstcrept behind one of the cannon planted on that spot, walkedstraight up to the gentlemen. He was so well wrapped up inhis cloak that it would have been impossible to see his faceeven if the night had not been so dark as to renderprecaution superfluous; nevertheless, the keen glance ofAthos perceived at once it was not Rogers who stood beforethem.

"What do you want with us?" he asked of Groslow.

"I wish to inform you, my lord," replied Groslow, with anIrish accent, feigned of course, "that if you are lookingfor Captain Rogers you will not find him. He fell down thismorning and broke his leg. But I'm his cousin; he told meeverything and desired me to watch instead of him, and inhis place to conduct, wherever they wished to go, thegentlemen who should bring me a handkerchief tied at eachcorner, like that one which you hold and one which I have inmy pocket."

And he drew out the handkerchief.

"Was that all he said?" inquired Athos.

"No, my lord; he said you had engaged to pay seventy poundsif I landed you safe and sound at Boulogne or any other portyou choose in France."

"What do you think of all this?" said Athos, in a low toneto D'Artagnan, after explaining to him in French what thesailor had said in English.

"It seems a likely story to me."

"And to me, too."

"Besides, we can but blow out his brains if he provesfalse," said the Gascon; "and you, Athos, you know somethingof everything and can be our captain. I dare say you knowhow to navigate, should he fail us."

"My dear friend, you guess well. My father meant me for thenavy and I have some vague notions about navigation."

"You see!" cried D'Artagnan.

They then summoned their friends, who, with Blaisois,Musqueton and Grimaud, promptly joined them, leaving Parrybehind them, who was to take back to London the horses ofthe gentlemen and of their lackeys, which had been sold tothe host in settlement of their account with him. Thanks tothis stroke of business the four friends were able to takeaway with them a sum of money which, if not large, wassufficient as a provision against delays and accidents.

Parry parted from his friends regretfully; they had proposedhis going with them to France, but he had straightwaydeclined.

"It is very simple," Musqueton had said; "he is thinking ofGroslow."

It was Captain Groslow, the reader will remember, who hadbroken Parry's head.

D'Artagnan resumed immediately the attitude of distrust thatwas habitual with him. He found the wharf too completelydeserted, the night too dark, the captain too accommodating.He had reported to Aramis what had taken place, and Aramis,not less distrustful than he, had increased his suspicions.A slight click of the tongue against his teeth informedAthos of the Gascon's uneasiness.

"We have no time now for suspicions," said Athos. "The boatis waiting for us; come."

"Besides," said Aramis, "what prevents our being distrustfuland going aboard at the same time? We can watch theskipper."

"And if he doesn't go straight I will crush him, that'sall."

"Well said, Porthos," replied D'Artagnan. "Let us go, then.You first, Musqueton," and he stopped his friends, directingthe valets to go first, in order to test the plank leadingfrom the pier to the boat.

The three valets passed without accident. Athos followedthem, then Porthos, then Aramis. D'Artagnan went last, stillshaking his head.

"What in the devil is the matter with you, my friend?" saidPorthos. "Upon my word you would make Caesar afraid."

"The matter is," replied D'Artagnan, "that I can see uponthis pier neither inspector nor sentinel nor exciseman."

"And you complain of that!" said Porthos. "Everything goesas if in flowery paths."

"Everything goes too well, Porthos. But no matter; we musttrust in God."

As soon as the plank was withdrawn the captain took hisplace at the tiller and made a sign to one of the sailors,who, boat-hook in hand, began to push out from the labyrinthof boats in which they were involved. The other sailor hadalready seated himself on the port side and was ready torow. As soon as there was room for rowing, his companionrejoined him and the boat began to move more rapidly.

"At last we are off!" exclaimed Porthos.

"Alas," said Athos, "we depart alone."

"Yes; but all four together and without a scratch; which isa consolation."

"We are not yet at our destination," observed the prudentD'Artagnan; "beware of misadventure."

"Ah, my friend!" cried Porthos, "like the crows, you alwaysbring bad omens. Who could intercept us on such a night asthis, pitch dark, when one does not see more than twentyyards before one?"

"Yes, but to-morrow morning - - "

"To-morrow we shall be at Boulogne."

"I hope so, with all my heart," said the Gascon, "and Iconfess my weakness. Yes, Athos, you may laugh, but as longas we were within gunshot of the pier or of the vesselslying by it I was looking for a frightful discharge ofmusketry which would crush us."

"But," said Porthos, with great wisdom, "that wasimpossible, for they would have killed the captain and thesailors."

"Bah! much Monsieur Mordaunt would care. You don't imaginehe would consider a little thing like that?"

"At any rate," said Porthos, "I am glad to hear D'Artagnanadmit that he is afraid."

"I not only confess it, but am proud of it," returned theGascon; "I'm not such a rhinoceros as you are. Oho! what'sthat?"

"The Lightning," answered the captain, "our felucca."

"So far, so good," laughed Athos.

They went on board and the captain instantly conducted themto the berth prepared for them - a cabin which was to servefor all purposes and for the whole party; he then tried toslip away under pretext of giving orders to some one.

"Stop a moment," cried D'Artagnan; "pray how many men haveyou on board, captain?"

"I don't understand," was the reply.

"Explain it, Athos."

Groslow, on the question being interpreted, answered,"Three, without counting myself."

D'Artagnan understood, for while replying the captain hadraised three fingers. "Oh!" he exclaimed, "I begin to bemore at my ease, however, whilst you settle yourselves, Ishall make the round of the boat."

"As for me," said Porthos, "I will see to the supper."

"A very good idea, Porthos," said the Gascon. "Athos lend meGrimaud, who in the society of his friend Parry has perhapspicked up a little English, and can act as my interpreter."

"Go, Grimaud," said Athos.

D'Artagnan, finding a lantern on the deck, took it up andwith a pistol in his hand he said to the captain, inEnglish, "Come," (being, with the classic English oath, theonly English words he knew), and so saying he descended tothe lower deck.

This was divided into three compartments - one which wascovered by the floor of that room in which Athos, Porthosand Aramis were to pass the night; the second was to serveas the sleeping-room for the servants, the third, under theprow of the ship, was under the temporary cabin in whichMordaunt was concealed.

"Oho!" cried D'Artagnan, as he went down the steps of thehatchway, preceded by the lantern, "what a number ofbarrels! one would think one was in the cave of Ali Baba.What is there in them?" he added, putting his lantern on oneof the casks.

The captain seemed inclined to go upon deck again, butcontrolling himself he answered:

"Port wine."

"Ah! port wine! 'tis a comfort," said the Gascon, "since weshall not die of thirst. Are they all full?"

Grimaud translated the question, and Groslow, who was wipingthe perspiration from off his forehead, answered:

"Some full, others empty."

D'Artagnan struck the barrels with his hand, and havingascertained that he spoke the truth, pushed his lantern,greatly to the captain's alarm, into the interstices betweenthe barrels, and finding that there was nothing concealed inthem:

"Come along," he said; and he went toward the door of thesecond compartment.

"Stop!" said the Englishman, "I have the key of that door;"and he opened the door, with a trembling hand, into thesecond compartment, where Musqueton and Blaisois werepreparing supper.

Here there was evidently nothing to seek or to apprehend andthey passed rapidly to examine the third compartment.

This was the room appropriated to the sailors. Two or threehammocks hung upon the ceiling, a table and two benchescomposed the entire furniture. D'Artagnan picked up two orthree old sails hung on the walls, and meeting nothing tosuspect, regained by the hatchway the deck of the vessel.

"And this room?" he asked, pointing to the captain's cabin.

"That's my room," replied Groslow.

"Open the door."

The captain obeyed. D'Artagnan stretched out his arm inwhich he held the lantern, put his head in at the halfopened door, and seeing that the cabin was nothing betterthan a shed:

"Good," he said. "If there is an army on board it is nothere that it is hidden. Let us see what Porthos has foundfor supper." And thanking the captain, he regained the statecabin, where his friends were.

Porthos had found nothing, and with him fatigue hadprevailed over hunger. He had fallen asleep and was in aprofound slumber when D'Artagnan returned. Athos and Aramiswere beginning to close their eyes, which they half openedwhen their companion came in again.

"Well!" said Aramis.

"All is well; we may sleep tranquilly."

On this assurance the two friends fell asleep; andD'Artagnan, who was very weary, bade good-night to Grimaudand laid himself down in his cloak, with naked sword at hisside, in such a manner that his body barricaded the passage,and it should be impossible to enter the room withoutupsetting him.