“You are wounded?” asked Buckingham, as he opened the letter.
“Oh, nothing but a scratch,” said d’Artagnan.
“Just heaven, what have I read?” cried the duke. “Patrick, remain here, or rather join the king, wherever he may be, and tell His Majesty that I humbly beg him to excuse me, but an affair of the greatest importance recalls me to London. Come, Monsieur, come!” and both set off towards the capital at full gallop.