and thirty more, with the contents of his cellar. Still further; all
these people went away with the conviction that M. de Beaufort only
acted in this manner to prepare for a new fortune concealed beneath the
Arab tents. They repeated to each other, while devastating his hotel,
that he was sent to Gigelli by the king, to reconstruct his lost
fortunes; that the treasures of Africa would be equally divided between
the admiral and the king of France; that these treasures consisted in
mines of diamonds, or other fabulous stones; the gold and silver mines
of Mount Atlas did not even obtain the honor of being named. In addition
to the mines to be worked--which could not be begun till after the
campaign--there would be the booty made by the army. M. de Beaufort
would lay his hands upon all the riches pirates had robbed Christendom
of since the battle of Lepanto. The number of millions from these
sources defied calculation. Why, then, should he who was going in quest
of such treasures set any store by the poor utensils of his past life?
And, reciprocally, why should they spare the property of him who spared
it so little himself?

Such was the position of affairs. Athos, with his investigating glance,
saw what was going on at once. He found the admiral of France a little
exalted, for he was rising from a table of fifty covers, at which the
guests had drunk long and deeply to the prosperity of the expedition; at
which, with the dessert, the remains of the meal had been given to the
servants, and the empty dishes and plates to the curious. The prince was
intoxicated with his ruin and his popularity at the same time. He had
drunk his old wine to the health of his future wine. When he saw Athos
and Raoul--

"There is my aid-de-camp being brought to me!" he cried. "Come hither,
comte; come hither, vicomte." Athos tried to find a passage through the
heaps of linen and plate.

"Ah! step over, step over!" said the duc, offering a full glass to
Athos. The latter took it; Raoul scarcely moistened his lips.

"Here is your commission," said the prince to Raoul. "I had prepared it,
reckoning upon you. You will go on before me as far as Antibes."

"Yes, monseigneur."

"Here is the order." And De Beaufort gave Raoul the order. "Do you know
anything of the sea?"

"Yes, monseigneur; I have traveled with M. le Prince."

"That is well. All these barges and lighters must be in attendance to
form an escort, and carry my provisions. The ar