the head of your musketeers, with your sword in your hand, to observe any spot whatever, or an enemy's position?"
At this word D'Artagnan started.
"Do you," continued the king, "imagine yourself to be a spy?"
"No, no," said D'Artagnan, but pensively; "the thing changes its face when one observes an enemy; one is but a soldier. And if they are fortifying Belle-Isle?" added he quickly.
"You will take an exact plan of the fortifications,"
"Will they permit me to enter?"
"That does not concern me; that is your affair. Did you not understand that I reserved for you a supplement of twenty thousand livres per annum, if you wished for it?"
"Yes, sire; but if they are not fortifying?"
"You will return quietly, without fatiguing your horse."
"Sire, I am ready."
"You will begin to-morrow by going to Monsieur le Surintendant to take the first quarter of the pension I give you. Do you know Monsieur Fouquet?"
"Very little, sire; but I beg your majesty to observe that I don't think it very urgent that I should know him.
"I ask your pardon, monsieur; for he will refuse you the money I wish you to take; and it is that refusal I look for."
"Ah!" said D'Artagnan. "Next, sire?"
"The money being refused, you will go and seek it at Monsieur Colbert's. Apropos, have you a good horse?"
"An excellent one, sire."
"How much did it cost you?"
"A hundred and fifty pistoles."
"I will buy it of you. Here is a note for two hundred pistoles."
"But I want my horse for my journey, sire."
"Well?"
"Well, and you take mine from me."
"Not at all. On the contrary, I give it you. Only, as it is now mine, and not yours, I am sure you will not spare it."
"Your majesty is in a hurry, then!"
"A great hurry."
"Then, what compels me to wait two days?"
"Reasons known to myself."
"That's a different affair. The horse may make up the two days in the eight he has to do; and then there is the post."
"No, no; the post compromises, Monsieur d'Artagnan. Be gone, and do not forget you are mine."
