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The Vicomte De Bragelonne
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The Vicomte De Bragelonne 84 at Prostate Health
isthe sum worth the trouble to which you expose yourself? Doyou even believe that it can be in the place where you leftit?""It is there, monsieur, I do not doubt.""That is a reply to one question; but to the other. I askedyou if the sum was so large as to warrant your exposingyourself thus.""It is really large; yes, my lord, for it is a million Iinclosed in two barrels.""A million!" cried Monk, at whom this time, in turn, Athoslooked earnestly and long. Monk perceived this, and hismistrust returned."Here is a man," said he, "who is laying a snare for me. Soyou wish to withdraw this money, monsieur," replied he, "asI understand?""If you please, my lord.""To-day?""This very evening, and that on account of the circumstancesI have named.""But, monsieur," objected Monk, "General Lambert is as nearthe abbey where you have to act as I am. Why, then, have younot addressed yourself to him?""Because, my lord, when one acts in important matters, it isbest to consult ones instinct before everything. Well,General Lambert does not inspire me with so much confidenceas you do.""Be it so, monsieur. I shall assist you in recovering yourmoney, if, however, it can still be there; for that is farfrom likely. Since 1648 twelve years have rolled away, andmany events have taken place." Monk dwelt upon this point tosee if the French gentleman would seize the evasions thatwere open to him, but Athos did not hesitate."I assure you, my lord," he said firmly, "that my convictionis, that the two barrels have neither changed place normaster." This reply had removed one suspicion from the mindof Monk, but it had suggested another. Without doubt thisFrenchman was some emissary sent to entice into error theprotector of the parliament; the gold was nothing but alure; and by the help of this lure they thought to excitethe cupidity of the general. This gold might not exist. Itwas Monks business, then, to seize the Frenchman in the actof falsehood and trick, and to draw from the false stepitself in which his enemies wished to entrap him, a triumphfor his renown. When Monk was determined how to act, --"Monsieur," said he to Athos, "without doubt you will do methe honor to share my supper this evening?""Yes, my lord," replied Athos, bowing, "for you do me anhonor of which I feel myself worthy, by the inclinationwhich drew me towards you.""It is so much the more gracious on your part to accept myinvitation with such frankness, as my cooks are but few andinexperienced, and my providers have returned this eveningempty-handed; so that if it had not been for a fisherman ofyour nation who strayed into our camp, General Monk wouldhave gone to bed without his supper to-day; I have, then,some fresh fish to offer you, as the vendor assures me.""My lord, it is principally for the sake of having the honorto pass another hour with you."After this exchange of civilities, during which Monk hadlost nothing of his circumspection, the supper, or what wasto serve for one, had been laid upon a deal table. Monkinvited the Comte de la Fere to be seated at this table, andtook his place opposite to him. A single dish of boiledfish, set before the two illustrious guests, was moretempting to hungry stomachs than to delicate palates.Whilst supping, that is, while eating the fish, washed downwith bad ale, Monk got Athos to relate to him the lastevents of the Fronde, the reconciliation of M. de Conde withthe king, and the probable marriage of the infanta of Spain;but he avoided, as Athos himself avoided it, all allusion tothe political interests which united, or rather whichdisunited at this time, England, France and Holland.Monk, in this conversation, convinced himself of one thing,which he must have remarked after the first words exchanged:that was, that he had to deal with a man of highdistinction. He could not be an assassin, and it wasrepugnant to Monk to believe him to be a spy, but there wassufficient finesse and at the same time firmness in Athos tolead Monk to fancy he was a conspirator. When they hadquitted table, "You still believe in your treasure, then,monsieur?" asked Monk."Yes, my lord.""Quite seriously?""Seriously.""And you think you can find the place again where it wasburied?""At the
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