“Monsieur the Cardinal!” cried the stupefied musketeer.

“Your name?” cried his Eminence, for the third time.

“Athos,” said the musketeer.

The cardinal made a sign to his attendant, who drew near. “These three musketeers shall follow us,” said he, in an undertone. “I am not willing it should be known I have left the camp; and if they follow us we shall be certain they will tell nobody.”

“We are gentlemen, monseigneur,” said Athos; “require our parole, and give yourself no uneasiness. Thank God, we can keep a secret.”

The cardinal fixed his piercing eyes on this courageous speaker.