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The Vicomte De Bragelonne
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The Vicomte De Bragelonne 69 at Prostate Health
livres, which he will join to the twentythousand already laid down by the Sieur Planchet. He willemploy the said sum of forty thousand livres according tohis judgment in an undertaking which is described below. Onthe day when M. dArtagnan shall have re-established, bywhatever means, his majesty King Charles II. upon the throneof England, he will pay into the hands of M. Planchet thesum of ---- ""The sum of a hundred and fifty thousand livres," saidPlanchet, innocently, perceiving that DArtagnan hesitated."Oh, the devil, no!" said DArtagnan, "the division cannotbe made by half; that would not be just.""And yet, monsieur; we each lay down half," objectedPlanchet, timidly."Yes; but listen to this clause, my dear Planchet, and ifyou do not find it equitable in every respect when it iswritten, well, we can scratch it out again: --`Nevertheless, as M. dArtagnan brings to the association,besides his capital of twenty thousand livres, his time, hisidea, his industry and his skin, -- things which heappreciates strongly, particularly the last, -- M.dArtagnan will keep, of the three hundred thousand livrestwo hundred thousand livres for himself, which will make hisshare two-thirds.""Very well," said Planchet."Is it just?" asked DArtagnan."Perfectly just, monsieur.""And you will be contented with a hundred thousand livres?""Peste! I think so. A hundred thousand for twenty thousand!""And in a month, understand.""How, in a month?""Yes, I only ask one month.""Monsieur," said Planchet, generously, "I give you sixweeks.""Thank you," replied the musketeer, politely; after whichthe two partners reperused their deed."That is perfect, monsieur," said Planchet, "and the late M.Coquenard, the first husband of Madame la Baronne du Vallon,could not have done it better.""Do you find it so? Let us sign it, then." And both affixedtheir signatures."In this fashion," said DArtagnan, "I shall be underobligations to no one.""But I shall be under obligations to you," said Planchet."No; for whatever store I set by it, Planchet, I may lose myskin yonder, and you will lose all. A propos -- peste! --that makes me think of the principal, an indispensableclause. I shall write it: -- `In the case of M. dArtagnandying in this enterprise, liquidation will be consideredmade, and the Sieur Planchet will give quittance from thatmoment to the shade of Messire dArtagnan for the twentythousand livres paid by him into the hands of the saidcompany."This last clause made Planchet knit his brows a little, butwhen he saw the brilliant eye, the muscular hand, the suppleand strong back of his associate, he regained his courage,and, without regret, he at once added another stroke to hissignature. DArtagnan did the same. Thus was drawn the firstknown company contract; perhaps such things have been abuseda little since, both in form and principle."Now," said Planchet, pouring out the last glass of Anjouwine for DArtagnan, -- "now go to sleep, my dear master.""No," replied DArtagnan; "for the most difficult part nowremains to be done, and I will think over that difficultpart.""Bah!" said Planchet; "I have such great confidence in you,M. dArtagnan, that I would not give my hundred thousandlivres for ninety thousand livres down.""And devil take me if I dont think you are right!" Uponwhich DArtagnan took a candle and went up to his bedroom.CHAPTER 21In which DArtagnan prepares to travelfor the Firm of Planchet and CompanyDArtagnan reflected to such good purpose during the nightthat his plan was settled by morning. "This is it," said he,sitting up in bed, supporting his elbow on his knee, and hischin in his hand; -- "this is it. I shall seek out fortysteady, firm men, recruited among people a littlecompromised, but having habits of discipline. I shallpromise them five hundred livres for a month if they return,nothing if they do not return, or half for their kindred. Asto food and lodging, that concerns the English, who havecattle in their pastures, bacon in their bacon-racks, fowlsin their poultry-yards, and corn in their barns. I willpresent myself to General Monk with my little body oftroops. He will receive me. I shall win his confidence, andtake advantage of it, as soon as possible."But without going farther, DArtagnan shook his head andinterrupted himself. "No," said he; "I should not dare torelate this to Athos; the way is therefore not honorable. Imust use violence," continued he, -- "very certainly I must,but without compromising my loyalty. With
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