ny moment, for you left word that I awaited them?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"Well, don't budge, then; if they come, tell them what has happened. Let
them wait for me at the Pomme-de-Pin. Here it would be dangerous; the
house may be watched. I will run to Monsieur de Treville to tell them
all this, and will meet them there."

"Very well, monsieur," said Planchet.

"But you will remain; you are not afraid?" said d'Artagnan, coming back
to recommend courage to his lackey.

"Be easy, monsieur," said Planchet; "you do not know me yet. I am brave
when I set about it. It is all in beginning. Besides, I am a Picard."

"Then it is understood," said d'Artagnan; "you would rather be killed
than desert your post?"

"Yes, monsieur; and there is nothing I would not do to prove to Monsieur
that I am attached to him."

"Good!" said d'Artagnan to himself. "It appears that the method I have
adopted with this boy is decidedly the best. I shall use it again upon
occasion."

And with all the swiftness of his legs, already a little fatigued
however, with the perambulations of the day, d'Artagnan directed his
course toward M. de Treville's.

M. de Treville was not at his hotel. His company was on guard at the
Louvre; he was at the Louvre with his company.

It was necessary to reach M. de Treville; it was important that he
should be informed of what was passing. D'Artagnan resolved to try
and enter the Louvre. His costume of Guardsman in the company of M.
Dessessart ought to be his passport.

He therefore went down the Rue des Petits Augustins, and came up to
the quay, in order to take the New Bridge. He had at first an idea of
crossing by the ferry; but on gaining the riverside, he had mechanically
put his hand into his pocket, and perceived that he had not wherewithal
to pay his passage.

As he gained the top of the Rue Guenegaud, he saw two persons coming out
of the Rue Dauphine whose appearance very much struck him. Of the two
persons who composed this group, one was a man and the other a woman.
The woman had the outline of Mme. Bonacieux; the man resembled Aramis so
much as to be mistaken for him.

Besides, the woman wore that black mantle which d'Artagnan could still
see outlined on the shutter of the Rue de Vaugirard and on the door
of the Rue de la Harpe; still further, the man wore the uniform of a
Musketeer.

The woman's hood was pulled down, and the man held a handkerchief to his
face. Both, as this double precaution i