Chapter 29

Chapter XXIX
Planchet’s Inventory
Athos, during the visit to the Luxembourg by Raoul, had gone to Planchet’s residence to inquire after d’Artagnan. On arriving at the Rue des Lombards he found the shop of the grocer in great confusion; but it was not the confusion attending a lucky sale, or that of an arrival of goods. Planchet was not throned, as usual, upon sacks and barrels. No; a young man with a pen behind his ear, and another with an account-book in his hand, were setting down a number of figures, while a third counted and weighed. An inventory was being taken. Athos, who had no knowledge of commercial matters, felt himself a little embarrassed by the material obstacles and the majesty of those who were thus employed. He saw several customers sent away, and asked himself whether he, who came to buy nothing, would not be more properly deemed importunate. He therefore asked very politely if he could see M. Planchet. The reply, pretty carelessly given, was that M. Planchet was packing his trunks. These words surprised Athos. “How! his trunks?” said he; “is M. Planchet going away?”

“Yes, Monsieur, directly.”

“Then, if you please, inform him that M. le Comte de la Fere desires to speak to him for a moment.”

At the mention of the count’s name, one of the young men, no doubt accustomed to hear it pronounced with respect, immediately went to inform Planchet. It was at this moment that Raoul, after his painful scene with Montalais and De Guiche, arrived at the grocer’s house. Planchet, as soon as he received the count’s message, left his work and hastened to meet him.

“Ah, Monsieur the Count,” exclaimed he, “how glad I am to see you! What good star brings you here?”

“My dear Planchet,” said Athos, pressing the hand of his son, whose sad look he silently observed, “we are come to learn of you- But in what confusion do I find you! You are as white as a miller; where have you been rummaging?”

“Ah, diable! take care, Monsieur; don’t come near me till I have well shaken myself.”

“What for? Flour or dust only whitens.”

“No, no; what you see on my arms is arsenic.”

“Arsenic?”

“Yes; I am making my provision for the rats.”

“Ah! I suppose in an establishment like this the rats play a conspicuous part.”

“It is not with this establishment I concern myself, Monsieur the Count. The rats have robbed me of more here than they will ever rob me of again.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why, you may have observed, Monsieur, they are taking my inventory.”

“Are you leaving trade, then?”

“Eh,