“Either the king’s or the queen’s. Are we not their Majesties’ servants?”
At that moment Porthos entered. “Pardieu!” said he, “here is a strange thing! Since when, I wonder, in the Musketeers, did they grant men leave of absence without their asking for it?”
“Since,” said D’Artagnan, “they have friends who ask it for them.”
“Ah, ah!” said Porthos, “it appears there’s something fresh here.”
“Yes, we are going—” said Aramis.
“To what country?” demanded Porthos.
“My faith! I don’t know much about it,” said Athos. “Ask D’Artagnan.”
“To London, gentlemen,” said D’Artagnan.
“To London!” cried Porthos; “and what the devil are we going to do in London?”
“That is what I am not at liberty to tell you, gentlemen; you must trust to me.”