Thank you for reading and reviewing the last chapter.

In this one, more trouble is brewing ...

CHAPTER 93

I

As anticipated, the Red Guard did not collectively receive the announcement of their new Captain with delight, but they did not burst into voluble objections or derision either.

"Let me speak to them alone, please," Grenouille offered.

Athos briefly considered the request and then nodded. "Very well. Captain Tréville and I have to return to the lodge to question the suspect about Planque's murder."

"You've got someone already?" the Red Guard's eyes widened.

"I try not to waste time," Athos said, his face serious, but then the corners of his mouth twitched, betraying his dry humour. "It's a long story and perhaps, when the time is right, I will be in a position to make things clearer for you."

Grenouille had to be satisfied with that answer and, as he watched the two Captains cross the grass with their long strides in the direction of the lodge, he realised that he was just that – satisfied.

He was still trying to absorb what Athos had done for him and was prepared to do. The prospect of winning back his rank and money was something that he was eager to fulfil for he had not appreciated how much the position meant to him until the ignominious losing of it.

More than that, he had been telling the truth when he told Athos earlier that he liked him. Yes, he was a Musketeer but the ongoing disputes between the two regiments had become something of a legendary yet misguided pass-time. He had heard plenty about Athos and his friends, but had never had anything to do with him, although he had seen him from afar. He knew the stories about the man being partial to the drink but nothing about the Musketeer suggested the drunken sot so heatedly spoken of within the confines of the Cardinal's barracks. Quite the contrary.

In the few short hours that Grenoiulle had seen him operate, Athos had exuded calmness; an intense yet quiet authority that demanded he be heard and obeyed. He reacted to events as they happened but with a carefully thought-out response rather than in the desperation that would have characterised Planque. Already, he had shown himself to be hard but fair, and Grenouille knew he could not ask any more of a man who commanded him.

He was being given a chance to redeem himself, to restore his rank and reputation and he was going to seize that opportunity with both hands. There was something reassuring and trustworthy about the man and it did not take Grenouille long to make a decision.

He would serve as unofficial lieutenant to this young man.

Grenouille would serve him diligently and without question.

II

"What do we have?" asked Tréville as he and Athos met with the other three Inseparables outside the room where Allaire was being held.

"He claims he was too drunk last night to join the hunt this morning, so he remained in his room," Aramis reported. "His friend, L'Hernault, left the party during the picnic and came back to see how he was feeling. They remained together in the room until he was much recovered, and we met them when they decided to go for a walk."

"Kept sayin' they were only takin' the air an' we were behavin' monstrously towards 'em. He says 'e's goin' straight to the King as soon as we release 'im," Porthos added.

"Sounds like he protests a little too much," Tréville commented.

"I don't think he had anything to do with the murder itself," Aramis said. "It's more that he has become involved in the aftermath."

"Yeah. If I 'ear that L'Hernault's his 'good friend 'one more time, I won't be 'eld responsible for my actions," announced the big Musketeer.

Tréville raised an eyebrow. "Pressing home a vain point perhaps. What of L'Hernault?"

"Someone has been with him all the time but not speaking to him," d'Artagnan took up the details. "I stayed with him for a little while myself; I didn't think it a good idea to leave him alone."

"What made you say that?" Athos asked.

"I don't really know. I mean, on the face of it, he has probably just committed murder and he is unlucky enough to be the immediate suspect and held for questioning, but the man is terrified."

"An' you feel sorry for 'im? He was after Athos. It could've been your friend lyin' dead out there," Porthos said brusquely.

D'Artagnan was immediately on the defensive. "I'm not sorry for him, not in the least, but it's just that he is acting very strangely."

"In what way?" Tréville pressed as he and Athos exchanged rapid glances.

"Well," the Gascon was thinking how best to explain. "One minute he's belligerent, demanding to know why he's being kept locked in a room and complaining that he is being unfairly treated. Then he's almost desperate, saying he hasn't done anything, that there's been some kind of mistake."

"Nothin' unusual in declarin' your innocence. Most criminals do that!"

"I agree with you there, Porthos. It's only the denial we would expect, but it's the other things that are a worry. He seems to work himself up into a panic and then he starts crying and rocking in his seat, shaking his head and muttering all the time," d'Artagnan went on.

"What does he say? It is probably too much to hope that it is any kind of confession," said the Captain.

D'Artagnan shook his head. "I can't hear most of it, his voice is so low but the little I have heard seems to be him apologising and saying he'll put it right given time. I'm sure he said 'Papa' too at some point; it's as if he's having a conversation but there's no-one there. He's certainly not talking to me. Anyway, then he suddenly recovers himself and we go through it all again."

"Do you think he's mad?" Aramis wondered, puzzled, and then he saw another look pass between the Captain and Athos. "Why are you doing that?"

"Doing what?" Athos asked.

"You and the Captain, looking at each other as if you know something. That's the second time you've done that in as many minutes."

Tréville sighed, hating that their exchange had been noted. "We have received information that L'Hernault has the propensity to be a very unstable person."

"And where did you hear that?" Aramis persisted.

"It doesn't matter," Tréville said, brushing the question aside. "Suffice it to say, it comes from a reliable source."

"More secrets," Porthos growled, not making any attempt to conceal his ire.

"What?" Tréville retorted.

Porthos glared at Athos as he answered, but it was clear that his grievance was directed at both men. "Somethin' else you're not tellin' us."

"Not know," Aramis urged, taking his arm.

"Yes, now!" Porthos argued, shaking him off. "Ever since this trouble with the nobles began, you've kept things from us, both of you, an' I'm tired of it. You just tell us what you think we ought to know, enough to keep us 'appy. Now, I might be 'appy with that if it weren't for the fact that I'm supposed to watch your back, Athos. An' you know I would if it cost me my dyin' breath, but you're not tellin' us what this is all about. You were spyin' on the nobles an' L'Hernault recognised you as a Musketeer an' he wanted you dead so you couldn't bring the information back to Paris. He nearly succeeded but you got back and brought that list so why is he still intent on killin' you? There's somethin' more goin' on, isn't there? An' now you're Captain of the Red Guard. I'm sorry, but that just isn't right. That's not how it should be. He may've got someone else to 'ave a go at you so how're we supposed to protect you now, huh? Tell me that!" His voice sounded choked and he turned away to head for the nearest exit.

D'Artagnan reached for him.

"No, let me be. My duty must've been over at least an hour ago. I'm goin' back to the camp."

"Porthos!" Athos called after him but was ignored. The lonely figure walked on.

"Leave him," Aramis said sadly. "I'll talk to him. He's tired, probably hungry and he's worried about you, Athos; we all are. Think about what he's just said …. Because he's right. Captain, if you can do without me, I think my duty's also over."

Without waiting for an answer, he, too, turned and walked off. D'Artagnan gave an apologetic nod and followed him.

Athos watched them go, his face a picture of warring emotions.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, he looked at Tréville and saw the man's concern at the sudden tension between them. That, added to the day's events and the realisation that his brothers were hurting because of him, were enough to break him.

One more deep breath and the mask was in place.

"I suggest we leave L'Hernault a little longer and see Allaire first," Athos said, his tone devoid of intonation as he walked towards the room where the nobleman waited.