k," said Aramis.

"In the month of July? The devil!" said Porthos. "Is the doctor afraid
that you may be recognized?"

"I can comprehend that the spy may have been deceived by the person; but
the face--"

"I had a large hat," said Aramis.

"Oh, good lord," cried Porthos, "what precautions for the study of
theology!"

"Gentlemen, gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, "do not let us lose our time in
jesting. Let us separate, and let us seek the mercer's wife--that is the
key of the intrigue."

"A woman of such inferior condition! Can you believe so?" said Porthos,
protruding his lips with contempt.

"She is goddaughter to Laporte, the confidential valet of the queen.
Have I not told you so, gentlemen? Besides, it has perhaps been her
Majesty's calculation to seek on this occasion for support so
lowly. High heads expose themselves from afar, and the cardinal is
longsighted."

"Well," said Porthos, "in the first place make a bargain with the
mercer, and a good bargain."

"That's useless," said d'Artagnan; "for I believe if he does not pay us,
we shall be well enough paid by another party."

At this moment a sudden noise of footsteps was heard upon the stairs;
the door was thrown violently open, and the unfortunate mercer rushed
into the chamber in which the council was held.

"Save me, gentlemen, for the love of heaven, save me!" cried he. "There
are four men come to arrest me. Save me! Save me!"

Porthos and Aramis arose.

"A moment," cried d'Artagnan, making them a sign to replace in the
scabbard their half-drawn swords. "It is not courage that is needed; it
is prudence."

"And yet," cried Porthos, "we will not leave--"

"You will leave d'Artagnan to act as he thinks proper," said Athos. "He
has, I repeat, the longest head of the four, and for my part I declare
that I will obey him. Do as you think best, d'Artagnan."

At this moment the four Guards appeared at the door of the antechamber,
but seeing four Musketeers standing, and their swords by their sides,
they hesitated about going farther.

"Come in, gentlemen, come in," called d'Artagnan; "you are here in my
apartment, and we are all faithful servants of the king and cardinal."

"Then, gentlemen, you will not oppose our executing the orders we have
received?" asked one who appeared to be the leader of the party.

"On the contrary, gentlemen, we would assist you if it were necessary."

"What does he say?" grumbled Porthos.

"You are a simpleton," sai