me, and whose courageous resistance makes me very happy: for
it denotes an honest man, who, although an enemy, is a thousand times
better than a complaisant coward. Let us try to learn from him what he
has the right of doing, and what his orders permit or forbid."

"Let us try," said Aramis.

D'Artagnan came to the parapet, leaned over toward the steps of the
mole, and called the officer, who immediately came up. "Monsieur," said
D'Artagnan, after having exchanged the most cordial courtesies,
natural between gentlemen, who know and appreciate each other
worthily--"monsieur, if I wished to take away these gentlemen from this
place, what would you do?"

"I should not oppose it, monsieur; but having direct orders, formal
orders, to take them under my guard, I should detain them."

"Ah!" said D'Artagnan.

"That's all over," said Aramis, gloomily. Porthos did not stir.

"But still take Porthos," said the bishop of Vannes; "he can prove to
the king, I will help him in doing so, and you also can, M. d'Artagnan,
that he has had nothing to do in this affair."

"Hum!" said D'Artagnan. "Will you come? Will you follow me, Porthos? The
king is merciful."

"I beg to reflect," said Porthos, nobly.

"You will remain here, then?"

"Until fresh orders," said Aramis, with vivacity.

"Until we have had an idea," resumed D'Artagnan: "and I now believe that
will not be long first, for I have one already."

"Let us say adieu, then," said Aramis; "but in truth, my good Porthos,
you ought to go."

"No!" said the latter, laconically.

"As you please," replied Aramis, a little wounded in his nervous
susceptibility at the morose tone of his companion. "Only I am reassured
by the promise of an idea from D'Artagnan, an idea I fancy I have
divined."

"Let us see," said the musketeer, placing his ear near Aramis' mouth.
The latter spoke several words rapidly, to which D'Artagnan replied,
"That is it precisely."

"Infallible, then!" cried Aramis.

"During the first emotion that this resolution will cause, take care of
yourself, Aramis."

"Oh! don't be afraid."

"Now, monsieur," said D'Artagnan to the officer, "thanks, a thousand
thanks! You have made yourself three friends for life."

"Yes," added Aramis. Porthos alone said nothing, but merely bowed.

D'Artagnan having tenderly embraced his two old friends, left Belle-Isle
with the inseparable companion M. Colbert had given him. Thus, with the
exception of the explanation wi