"You are going mad, my good fellow! Of what use can these dead men be?"
"Don't judge hastily, say the gospel and the Cardinal," replied Athos. "How many guns have we got?"
"Twelve," said Aramis.
"How many charges?"
"A hundred."
"That will do. Now let us load."
They set to work; and as they finished loading the last gun, Grimaud made a sign that breakfast was ready.
By a gesture Athos replied that they were ready also, and then pointed out a pepper-box turret, where Grimaud was to keep watch. To help him pass the time Athos allowed him to take some bread, two cutlets, and a bottle of wine....
"Now," said D'Artagnan, "that there is no chance of our being overheard, I hope you will tell us your secret."
"I trust, gentlemen, to give you both pleasure and glory at once," replied Athos. "I have made you take a charming walk, and now here is an excellent breakfast; while below, as you may see through the loop-holes, are five hundred persons, who consider us to be either lunatics or heroes,—two classes of idiots who have much in common...."