ou were getting on horseback."

"More than that,--I am mounted,--as you see."

"It is fortunate I have met with you."

"Were you looking for me, then?"

"_Mon Dieu!_ yes."

"On the part of the king, I will wager?"

"Yes."

"As I, three days ago, went in search of M. Fouquet?"

"Oh!"

"Nonsense! It is of no use being over-delicate with me; that is all
labor lost. Tell me at once you are come to arrest me."

"To arrest you?--Good heavens! no."

"Why do you come to accost me with twelve horsemen at your heels, then?"

"I am making my round."

"That isn't bad! And so you pick me up in your round, eh?"

"I don't pick you up; I meet with you, and I beg you to come with me."

"Where?"

"To the king."

"Good!" said D'Artagnan, with a bantering air; "the king is disengaged."

"For Heaven's sake, captain," said M. de Gesvres, in a low voice to the
musketeer, "do not compromise yourself! these men hear you."

D'Artagnan laughed aloud, and replied:

"March! People who are arrested are placed between the six first guards
and the six last."

"But as I am not arresting you," said M. de Gesvres, "you will march
behind, with me, if you please."

"Well," said D'Artagnan, "that is very polite, duke, and you are
right in being so; for if ever I had had to make my rounds near your
_chambre-de-ville_, I should have been courteous to you, I assure you,
on the word of a gentleman! Now, one favor more; what does the king want
with me?"

"Oh, the king is furious!"

"Very well! the king, who has thought it worth while to be angry, may
take the trouble to grow calm again; that is all. I shan't die of that,
I will swear."

"No, but--"

"But--I shall be sent to keep company with unfortunate M. Fouquet.
_Mordioux!_ That is a gallant man, a worthy man! We shall live very
sociably together, I will be sworn."

"Here we are at our place of destination," said the duke. "Captain, for
Heaven's sake be calm with the king!"

"Ah! ah! you are playing the brave man with me, duke!" said D'Artagnan,
throwing one of his defiant glances over Gesvres. "I have been told
that you are ambitious of uniting your guards with my musketeers. This
strikes me as a splendid opportunity."

"I will take exceeding good care not to avail myself of it, captain."

"And why not, pray?"

"Oh, for many reasons--in the first place, for this: if I were to
succeed you in the musketeers after having arrested you--"

"Ah! then you admit you have a