d suffices. In addition to
that word you bring actions. General, have the goodness to follow me.
Come with us, M. d'Artagnan."

D'Artagnan, considerably surprised, prepared to obey. Charles II. went
out, Monk followed him, D'Artagnan followed Monk. Charles took the path
by which D'Artagnan had come to his abode; the fresh sea breezes soon
caressed the faces of the three nocturnal travelers, and, at fifty paces
from the little gate which Charles opened, they found themselves upon
the down in the face of the ocean, which, having ceased to rise, reposed
upon the shore like a wearied monster. Charles II. walked pensively
along, his head hanging down and his hand beneath his cloak. Monk
followed him, with crossed arms and an uneasy look. D'Artagnan came
last, with his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Where is the boat in which you came, gentlemen?" said Charles to the
musketeer.

"Yonder, sire, I have seven men and an officer waiting me in that little
bark which is lighted by a fire."

"Yes, I see; the boat is drawn upon the sand, but you certainly did not
come from Newcastle in that frail bark?"

"No, sire; I freighted a felucca, at my own expense, which is at anchor
within cannon-shot of the downs. It was in that felucca we made the
voyage."

"Sir," said the king to Monk, "you are free."

However firm of his will, Monk could not suppress an exclamation. The
king added an affirmative motion of his head, and continued: "We
shall waken a fisherman of the village, who will put his boat to sea
immediately, and will take you back to any place you may command him. M.
d'Artagnan here will escort your honor. I place M. d'Artagnan under the
safeguard of your loyalty, M. Monk."

Monk allowed a murmur of surprise to escape him, and D'Artagnan a
profound sigh. The king, without appearing to notice either, knocked
against the deal trellis which inclosed the cabin of the principal
fisherman inhabiting the down.

"Hey! Keyser!" cried he, "awake!"

"Who calls me?" asked the fisherman.

"I, Charles the king."

"Ah, my lord!" cried Keyser, rising ready dressed from the sail in which
he slept, as people sleep in a hammock. "What can I do to serve you?"

"Captain Keyser," said Charles, "you must set sail immediately. Here is
a traveler who wishes to freight your bark, and will pay you well; serve
him well." And the king drew back a few steps to allow Monk to speak to
the fisherman.

"I wish to cross over into England," said