o."

"The queen, do you say?"

"To inspire us with confidence she has even placed in Mazarin's hands
that famous diamond--you remember all about it--that I once sold to
Monsieur des Essarts and of which, I don't know how, she has regained
possession."

"But it seems to me," said Porthos, "that she would have done much
better if she had given it back to you."

"So I think," replied D'Artagnan; "but kings and queens are strange
beings and have odd fancies; nevertheless, since they are the ones who
have riches and honors, we are devoted to them."

"Yes, we are devoted to them," repeated Porthos; "and you--to whom are
you devoted now?"

"To the king, the queen, and to the cardinal; moreover, I have answered
for your devotion also."

"And you say that you have made certain conditions on my behalf?"

"Magnificent, my dear fellow, magnificent! In the first place you have
plenty of money, haven't you? forty thousand francs income, I think you
said."

Porthos began to be suspicious. "Eh! my friend," said he, "one never has
too much money. Madame du Vallon left things in much disorder; I am not
much of a hand at figures, so that I live almost from hand to mouth."

"He is afraid I have come to borrow money," thought D'Artagnan. "Ah, my
friend," said he, "it is all the better if you are in difficulties."

"How is it all the better?"

"Yes, for his eminence will give you all that you want--land, money, and
titles."

"Ah! ah! ah!" said Porthos, opening his eyes at that last word.

"Under the other cardinal," continued D'Artagnan, "we didn't know enough
to make our profits; this, however, doesn't concern you, with your forty
thousand francs income, the happiest man in the world, it seems to me."

Porthos sighed.

"At the same time," continued D'Artagnan, "notwithstanding your forty
thousand francs a year, and perhaps even for the very reason that you
have forty thousand francs a year, it seems to me that a little coronet
would do well on your carriage, hey?"

"Yes indeed," said Porthos.

"Well, my dear friend, win it--it is at the point of your sword. We
shall not interfere with each other--your object is a title; mine,
money. If I can get enough to rebuild Artagnan, which my ancestors,
impoverished by the Crusades, allowed to fall into ruins, and to buy
thirty acres of land about it, that is all I wish. I shall retire and
die tranquilly--at home."

"For my part," said Porthos, "I desire to be made a baron."