TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.

Chapter Four.

Previously:

d'Artagnan had told Tréville and his brothers about the morning he had left Constance and began his walk to the garrison for muster. He had found himself in a strange womans bed, and had now been arrested for rape and attempted murder. The Gascon was now confined to the Bastille awaiting sentence. Tréville and his brothers having a matter of days to find those responsible for the conspiracy against him.

oOo

Bastille.

"This woman Madame Jenelle...d'Artagnan, have you ever come across her before, is she known to you? asked Tréville.

The young musketeer shook his head in frustration, his face looking fraught and enraged at the question put to him.

"No...I have never seen her before in my life captain...HELL knows how I got there."

Aramis patted his younger brothers shoulder with caring assurance.

"These men you spoke to about harassing the woman...have you ever encountered them before? asked Athos.

d'Artagnan sighed as he took a swig of wine from the skin.

"Never...but the house is the end one near to Rue La Huchette. It stands the tallest in the street."

Aramis' features was that of musing thoughts as he quirked a brow and stirred.

"I know that house, it was once used as a brothel, Madame Evette Marsille was the owner."

Porthos rolled his eyes.

"Don't tell me...one of your many beguilin' encounters?

Aramis smirked at his big friend.

"Never had that pleasure mon ami...she was a one man woman who loved her husband most dearly."

"It once was?...then prey who resides there now? asked Tréville suddenly.

Aramis shot a glance to the older man and shook his head.

"That...I do not know." he replied. "I believe it may be rented lodgings."

"We should pay this house a visit captain." murmered Athos. "Ask some questions."

Tréville nodded as he thought.

"We have to start somewhere...Go now...keep me informed."

The three men nodded the order.

"We will be back brother...do not fret." reassured Aramis.

d'Artganan stood up and forced a sad smile, he moved towards his brothers and embraced them. A lump had formed in his throat.

"Thank you." he said hoarsly.

Athos had sensed his brothers anguish in his voice and squeezed the back of his neck gently. The Gascon met his brothers his eyes.

"We will clear your name mon ami...if it takes us well into the night, we will find those responsible for this mockery."

The others nodded.

Porthos clappped his younger brother on the back and winked.

"That's a pledge!

Aramis followed suit as he and the Gascon clapped hands together.

"We will be back...do not give up hope." he murmered. "Stay strong mon ami."

d'Artganan nodded, tears had welled in his eyes, he swallowed the lump in his throat as he watched his brothers disappear down the dimly lit passageway.

Tréville eyed the Gascon, he could see the despair in the young mans eyes, the sparkle had diminished, his features had manifested into that of someone older than his years. But he knew his men would do anything for each other, they were afterall akin to brothers, a family.

"You do know they will do their upmost to set you free." murmered Tréville.

d'Artagnan lifted his face up to the older man as he sat in his corner and pulled the blanket around his shoulders.

"I know...I know! he murmered.

d'Artagnan's mind wandered for a moment as he mused.

"Now I know how Athos must have felt when he was arrested for my fathers murder."

Tréville eyed the musketeer and stayed silent. He prayed silently that his three other men would indeed find some clue to whatever this scheme was becoming and why, and why d'Artagnan, but then again why not, it could have been anyone of his men. Tréville began to muse, he still had the Cardinal in his mind, the past few months since he had become First Minister had not been amiable by any means, he made it clear from the start that he did not care for the musketeers. But he had no proof, that was what they indeed needed swiftly.

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The three musketeers meandered down the lane, prostitutes smiled as the three men walked past the brothels, their eyes wandering over each man as they went.

"Lookin' for a delightful mornin then 'andsome? smiled one of the women to Athos, her eyes wandering over his leather clad body.

Aramis and Porthos grinned at one another as they watched their friends iritated repsonse.

The swordsman paused in his tarcks as the woman stood in his path, he rolled his eyes upward and sighed.

"Mademoiselle...If you would stand aside and allow me to pass? I have more pressing matters to attend to."

The woman frowned and turned her attentions to Aramis and Porthos, the two musketeers stifling their mirth.

"Well he is not very friendly is he? she sneered as she watched the swordsman walk on with a disapproving stare.

She leered over both men promiscuously as they stood side by side.

"You two seem rather friendly...I 'ave never entertained a musketeer before."

Aramis raised his hat in his usual charming and gallant manner, he smiled into the womans face.

"You will have to excuse my friend mademoiselle...he is rather shy when it comes to the fairer sex. And we have a task we need to fulfill for a comrade, so we need to go on our way."

The woman eyed both musketeers up and down and grinned.

"You know where you can find me musketeers...thats when your not to too busy."

Aramis glanced at Porthos and grinned.

"We bid you good day mademoiselle."he said as he replaced his hat on his head.

Both musketeers smiled and carried on swiftly to catch up Athos.

The swordsman was standing in front of the tallest house as the others joined him.

"I assume this is the house." he asked without looking at his two friends.

Aramis nodded.

"Yeah...looks to me as through its some sought of residence now."

Athos scanned upward suddenly noticing a face looking down onto the street below.

"Someone is watching from above, top window." murmered the swordsman.

Aramis and Porthos discreetly observed, both noticing what seemed like an old mans features.

"We need to get in there." growled Porthos.

Athos turned to his big friend.

"You stay down here Porthos, see if anything transpires...Aramis and myself will pay a visit, see if we can speak to our watcher.

Porthos nodded as he watched his two friends walk towards the house and rap on the door.

Porthos found himself a large stone wall to lean against as he observed, he glanced up to the top window, the face still remained.

The door was opened by an elderly woman, she looked both Athos and Aramis up and down, her bonnet sat on her head, greying hair tied into plaits as they hung down her back.

"What be your business? she asked, her voice sounding more like a childs than a woman of her years.

Athos and Aramis swapped discreet glances.

"Our humble apologies madame." smiled Aramis removing his hat. "We have a friend whom lodged here a day ago, he spoke very highly of your establishment mon cher, we would be most grateful if we could take a look at your very fine rooms."

Athos side glanced his friend as he spoke. The marksman could charm the birds from the trees.

The woman stared up at the two musketeers as they towered over her tiny frame.

"So you be wantin' lodgings then? she asked.

"That I may madame." replied Aramis with a slight bow of the head.

He caught Athos slight shake of the head as he rolled his eyes.

"You had better come in then gentlemen." murmered the woman ushering the two musketeers over the threshold.

"Thank you." said Athos removing his own hat.

The aroma of stewing vegatables filled the hall as both men walked into a living chamber. A wooden staircase spiralled up into the apex of the tall roofing, landings on each floor.

Athos and Aramis caught each others glance as a silent conversation took place between the two friends.

"May I ask madame, does Madame Jenelle still reside within your lodgings? asked Athos in low tones.

Aramis was watching her response carefully as his friend asked the question.

The elderly woman frowned. "I am not aquainted with a Madame Jenelle gentlemen, I know everyone who resides here, that name does not ring any bells with me."

Athos felt suddenly down hearted as he thought of d'Artagnan's plight.

"No matter...may we take a look at your fine rooms madame? he asked.

The woman nodded.

"I will just take my stew off the flames...I will follow you up musketeers." she murmered.

Aramis and Athos exchanged glances as they began to ascend the staircase, their footfalls reverberated off the walls as they climbed in single file. They both paused on the first landing noticing fours different chambers.

Athos turned to his friend and murmered quietly.

"Didn't d'Artagnan say he was on the second floor?

Aramis who was scanning his surroundings nodded.

"Yeah...he thinks it was the second, he was dragged down the stairs when he was arrested."

Athos moved slowly towards one of the doors and turned the handle. It was locked. He watched as Aramis tried another and shook his head.

"Im going up to the top floor where we noticed the figure." said Athis suddenly.

Aramis looked at his friend and quirked both brows.

"Athos...she said she would follow us up...she's bound to wonder where you are."

Athos was half way up the stairs as he paused and looked down at the marksman.

"I'm certain you will use your charm my friend and think of something." replied the swordsman as he continued up the heights.

Aramis watched after him and shrugged his shoulders, sighing with iritation he tried another door to no avail.

Athos paused in his tracks as he reached the top floor, he noticed how the room had been built into the apex of the roof. This was the room he had seen the face watching them from below. Athos rapped softly on the door and waited for a response, he got none. He rapped once more.

A hoarse voice yelled out. "COME!

Porthos's eyes wandered up to the top of the house as he stood observing. The face had gone, whoever was up there had moved away from the window.

The large musketeer frowned to himself.

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TBC...

Hi Guys,

Sorry for the cliffy, I know you like them really.

Thank you for your comments, your all very kind, you all know I appreciate them.

Speak soon

Pippa xxxx

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