Boy's Cinema (1939-40)

It upon himself to countermand the other executions." Louis turned to Colbert, his eyes glitter- ing, "For what reason?" he wanted to know. Colbert bowed slightly. "I have the honour to inform your Majesty that Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Theresa entered Paris this morning. Surely the arrival of your fiancee should not be made the occasion of hangings." Louis frowned, indicating his extreme displeasure. "Don't they hang people in Spain—or does everyone pay his taxes?" he said sharply. Then he gave a short laugh. "Oh. well, she'll get used to it." Colbert nodded. "Particularly if the tax on salt is not rescinded," he said bitterly. "But Fouquet told me I could raise millions by it," Louis retorted. Then he managed a smile. "It is such a beautiful tax, too. So sure. No one can live with- out salt" "History shows that people have a way of going on living, no matter what hap- pens," Colbert said grimly. Fouquet thought it was time to change the subject. He did not like Colbert, but so far there had never been an open clash between the two men Nevertheless, Fouquet was feeling just a little uneasy. Colbert had counter- manded orders too often, without dire consequences. He was too powerful. He had to be silenced. "Speaking of the salt tax," he said lightly "reminds me that I shall have to adopt severe measures in Gascony. The inhabitants of the town of Tartas have made some ridiculous claim to exemption from all taxes, and have resisted your Majesty's tax-collectors." Louis' eyes again glittered. "Resisted?" he said sharply. "More than resisted." Fouquet was still speaking to Louis, but every now and then he glanced sideways at Colbert. "They actually put your Majesty's repre- sentatives to flight. They were led by a man named—er—D'Artagnp.»." Louis made a gesture of annoyance. "Must we always be troubled by these rebels?" he said. Colbert broke into the conversation. "I know this man D'Artagnan, Sire," he said. "He was captain of your father's musketeers, and for his very great services to the crown your father gave him the village of Tartas free of taxes for life." Fouquet delicately waved a perfumed handkerchief under Colbert's nose. "Such a reward was probably given for some very special service, eh, Colbert?" he said. Colbert did not reply. Louis snapped his fingers. "Collect the taxes in Gascony, Fouquet," he said shortly, "and place the rebels under arrest." Fouquet bowed low, smiling. "I have already anticipated both of your Majesty's commands," he murmured. Louis stared at him for a moment, wondering whether to reprimand him. Then he laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "Clever Fouquet!" he said, and crossed to a writing-table to glance at a small clock. "I believe I have an engagement with Mademoiselle de la Valliere," he went on casually. "I find her very pleasant company. She makes me forget all these tiresome problems of State." Colbert and Fouquet knew that they had been dismissed. They withdrew to the door, bowing as they went, and left the room. When they had closed the door behind them and were alone. Fouquet eaid: •Quite interesting, this Gascony situa- lion. don't you think?" Colbert looked at him levelly. "Fouquet," he said, "I have watched your career with great interest. I knew j'ou to be ambitious, avaricious, and dan- gerous but not until this moment did I November 18th ]0.30. BOY'S CINEMA know you to be entirely without honour." Fouquet scowled, startled out of his usual insolent calm. "Without honour?" he exclaimed. "Me?" "You knew very well the identities of D'Ai'tagnan and the men who were with him." Fouquet recovered. He chuckled. "Oh, yes, certainly I did," he said. "And Philippe, too." Colbert's expression did not change. But inside he felt as though cold fingers had closed around his heart. Philippe was the twin brother of Louis. If Fouquet knew that the situation was a difficult one. But Colbert did not betray that he had been surprised by what Fouquet had said. "And yet, to ciurry favour with the King," he went on levelly, "you would betray a sacred trust—a secret which has been kept up to now." Fouquet raised his eyebrows. " My dear Colbert, how can you say such things?" he said with an effort at sarcasm. "You should know better than anyone that a secret transformed me from a cardinal's messenger to a king's minister. Keeping secrets is my business." "And are your intentions one of your secrets, too?" Colbert inquired. "Not at all." Fouquet laughed gently. "I intend to arrest Philippe and D'Artagnan and to hang them as rebels. It is a compliment to you, my friend. You are a very clever man. You have a habit of always bringing about those things you wish to bring about. This marriage to Maria Theresa, for instance. It is a marriage which does not suit me at all." Colbert frowned at Fouquet's imperti- nence. "The union of France with Spain and Austria is necessary to the security and future of France," he said sharply. Fouquet waved his lace handkerchief under Colbert's nose again. He knew that it annoyed Colbert, and annoying Colbert was one of his pleasures. "I am not interested in the future of France, Colbert," he said. "I am only interested in the future of Fouquet. And who knov/s what might happen? One day .you might have certain plans for Philippe, and that would be most unfortunate for me. But don't worry. I intend keeping this secret. And when I hang Philippe no one will know that I have hung the twin brother of the King." Colbert took an angry step towards him. "Before you hang him the world will know who he is," he snapped. Fouquet put his finger to his lips. "'Ssh!" he muiTnured. 'Secrets, my dear Colbert—secrets!" A few weeks later, far away in the south- west corner of the country, in the village of Tartas, five men were seated around a table. At the head of it was D'Artagnan him- self, and with him were three of the old Musketeers—Porthos, fat and noisy; AramLs, short but very wiry; and Athos. quiet and dangerous. And opposite to D'Artagnan was Philippe. The likeness of Philippe to Louis was startling. They had the same features, the same build, the same colour of hair. But there the resemblance ended. Philippe was upright and clear of eye, while Louis was flabby and effeminate—a rake. The five of them were at a meal. Sud- denly Philippe stood up, a pewter tankard of wine in his hand. "Gentlemen!" he said. "Musketeers!" A gentle snore came from fat Porthos. Athos dug him in the ribs. 'He means you, too," he said loudly. Porthos woke with a start and almost fell off his chair. The others laughed. ' Gentlemen, according to the tradition governing these occasions," Philippe went on, "I wish to express my pleasure and the honour of having you help me arrive at the ripe old age of twenty-two." Evef^ Tuesday "Hear, hear!" shouted Ai-amis. Philippe held the tankard of wine above his head. "To France, and to my four godfathers who have reared me so carefully that I may serve her!" he said, and drank deeply. As he sat down D'Artagnan rose. "I claim the next toast," he announced. "To our very accomplished godson, the best swordsman in France." He raised his tankard to di-ink, then paused. "Next to me, of course," he added. The others roared with laughter. Aramis jumped up. "And to the most brilliant pupil in lan- guages and the sciences that I have ever tutored!" he shouted. Porthos also jumped up. "And whose skill in wrestling is excelled only by one other man in the world— myself!" he roared. The musketeers broke into a yell of laughter. But suddenly it died as the door slammed back and an officer strode in, eight men behind him. It was the King's guard! TO PARIS ! PHILIPPE drew his sword and tui'ned and faced the intruders. "I can't remember inviting any other guests," he said. The captain of the guard ignored him. "Captain D'Artagnan, formerly of the King's Musketeers?" he inquired, and looked at the others. "I am DArtagnan. I am also Lord of Tartas, by the warrant of Louis XIII." The ofiicer um-oUed a document and held it out. "By order of his Majesty Louis XIV, I arrest you for high treason and for assault on his Majesty's officers." Porthos let out a loud guffaw. D'Artagnan waved to him to be quiet. "You mean, his Majesty's robbers," he said. The officer rolled up the document and put it into his tunic. "I order you to surrender, in the name of the King!" he shouted. D'Artagnan smiled grimly. "Softly, my friend," he said. "Some- body outside might hear you and then there would be trouble. You see, in Tartas I administer all justice. I also make the arrests." Porthos looked at the King's guard con- temptuously. "The King must be getting mean," he said. "Only nine men!" "There are ninety more outside," said the officer shortly. Porthos beamed delightedly. "Flatterer!" he said provocatively. The ofiicer lost his temper. He pointed at the musketeers and Philippe angrily. "Seize them!" he shouted. "All of them!" In an instant steel blades screamed as they were drawn from scabbards, and the clash commenced. D'Artagnan and the others formed a line, the table at their backs, and met the onslaught of the King's guard. Thi-ust—parry! Thrust—parry! Tem- pered blades clashed as more men, alarmed by the sounds of conflict, crowded in from outside and began to circle round behind the defenders. "We can't hold them this way!" roared D'Artagnan, and neatly flicked an oppo- nent's sword out of his hand. "To the staircase!" The five launched a heavy attack on their foes, and sent three of them crash- ing to the floor as they- broke through. They gained the broad staii-case and formed a solid line across it. Some of the guard tried to climb the banisters behind them, but Philippe sent them hurtling downwards again. But the pressure became too much and they had to retreat upwards, step by step, fighting desperately. Every time they sent a man to the ground with a wound two more men were available to take his place. Some of the guard down below piled