“But you are not the men to allow sword wounds to be inflicted upon you thus,” said the cardinal. “Come, be frank, gentlemen, you have settled accounts with somebody! Confess; you know I have the right of giving absolution.” “I, monseigneur?” said Athos. “I did not even draw my sword, but I took him who offended me round the body, and threw him out of the window. It appears that in falling,” continued Athos, with some hesitation, “he broke his thigh.” “Ah, ah!” said the cardinal; “and you, Monsieur Porthos?” “I, monseigneur, knowing that dueling is prohibited—I seized a bench, and gave one of those brigands such a blow that I believe his shoulder is broken.” “Very well,” said the cardinal; “and you, Monsieur Aramis?” “Monseigneur, being of a very mild disposition, and being, likewise, of which Monseigneur perhaps is not aware, about to enter into orders, I endeavored to appease my comrades, when one of these wretches gave me a wound with a sword, treacherously, across my left arm. Then I admit my patience failed me; I drew my sword in my turn, and as he came back to the charge, I fancied I felt that in throwing himself upon me, he let it pass through his body. I only know for a certainty that he fell; and it seemed to me that he was borne away with his two companions.” “The devil, gentlemen!” said the cardinal, “three men placed _hors de combat_ in a cabaret squabble! You don’t do your work by halves. And pray what was this quarrel about?” “These fellows were drunk,” said Athos, “and knowing there was a lady who had arrived at the cabaret this evening, they wanted to force her door.” “Force her door!” said the cardinal, “and for what purpose?” “To do her violence, without doubt,” said Athos. “I have had the honor of informing your Eminence that these men were drunk.” “And was this lady young and handsome?” asked the cardinal, with a certain degree of anxiety. “We did not see her, monseigneur,” said Athos. “You did not see her? Ah, very well,” replied the cardinal, quickly. “You did well to defend the honor of a woman; and as I am going to the Red Dovecot myself, I shall know if you have told me the truth.” “Monseigneur,” said Athos, haughtily, “we are gentlemen, and to save our heads we would not be guilty of a falsehood.” “Therefore I do not doubt what you say, Monsieur Athos, I do not doubt it for a single instant; but,” added he, “to change the conversation, was this lady alone?” “The lady had a cavalier shut up with her,” said Athos, “but as notwithstanding the noise, this cavalier did not show himself, it is to be presumed that he is a coward.” “‘Judge not rashly’, says the Gospel,” replied the cardinal. Athos bowed. “And now, gentlemen, that’s well,” continued the cardinal. “I know what I wish to know; follow me.” The three Musketeers passed behind his Eminence, who again enveloped his face in his cloak, and put his horse in motion, keeping from eight to ten paces in advance of his four companions.