the day; and
then he added in a low voice, 'Tell your master that his Eminence is
very well disposed toward him, and that his fortune perhaps depends upon
this interview.'"

"The snare is rather MALADROIT for the cardinal," replied the young man,
smiling.

"Oh, I saw the snare, and I answered you would be quite in despair on
your return.

"'Where has he gone?' asked Monsieur de Cavois.

"'To Troyes, in Champagne,' I answered.

"'And when did he set out?'

"'Yesterday evening.'"

"Planchet, my friend," interrupted d'Artagnan, "you are really a
precious fellow."

"You will understand, monsieur, I thought there would be still time, if
you wish, to see Monsieur de Cavois to contradict me by saying you were
not yet gone. The falsehood would then lie at my door, and as I am not a
gentleman, I may be allowed to lie."

"Be of good heart, Planchet, you shall preserve your reputation as a
veracious man. In a quarter of an hour we set off."

"That's the advice I was about to give Monsieur; and where are we going,
may I ask, without being too curious?"

"PARDIEU! In the opposite direction to that which you said I was gone.
Besides, are you not as anxious to learn news of Grimaud, Mousqueton,
and Bazin as I am to know what has become of Athos, Porthos, and
Aramis?"

"Yes, monsieur," said Planchet, "and I will go as soon as you please.
Indeed, I think provincial air will suit us much better just now than
the air of Paris. So then--"

"So then, pack up our luggage, Planchet, and let us be off. On my
part, I will go out with my hands in my pockets, that nothing may
be suspected. You may join me at the Hotel des Gardes. By the way,
Planchet, I think you are right with respect to our host, and that he is
decidedly a frightfully low wretch."

"Ah, monsieur, you may take my word when I tell you anything. I am a
physiognomist, I assure you."

D'Artagnan went out first, as had been agreed upon. Then, in order that
he might have nothing to reproach himself with, he directed his steps,
for the last time, toward the residences of his three friends. No news
had been received of them; only a letter, all perfumed and of an elegant
writing in small characters, had come for Aramis. D'Artagnan took charge
of it. Ten minutes afterward Planchet joined him at the stables of the
Hotel des Gardes. D'Artagnan, in order that there might be no time lost,
had saddled his horse himself.

"That's well," said he to Planchet, when the latte