in any way before Belle-Isle be
surrendered and the prisoners shot. Signed--LOUIS."

D'Artagnan repressed the movement of impatience that, ran through his
whole body, and, with a gracious smile--"That is well, monsieur," said
he; "the king's orders shall be complied with."

CHAPTER CXVIII.

RESULT OF THE IDEAS OF THE KING, AND THE IDEAS OF D'ARTAGNAN.

The blow was direct. It was severe, mortal. D'Artagnan, furious at
having been anticipated by an idea of the king's, did not, however, yet
despair; and, reflecting upon the idea he had brought back from
Belle-Isle, he augured from it a new means of safety for his friends.

"Gentlemen," said he suddenly, "since the king has charged some other
than myself with his secret orders, it must be because I no longer
possess his confidence, and I should be really unworthy of it if I had
the courage to hold a command subject to so many injurious suspicions. I
will go then immediately and carry my resignation to the king. I give it
before you all, enjoining you all to fall back with me upon the coast of
France, in such a way as not to compromise the safety of the forces his
majesty has confided to me. For this purpose, return all to your posts;
within an hour, we shall have the ebb of the tide. To your posts,
gentlemen! I suppose," added he, on seeing that all were prepared to
obey him, except the surveillant officer, "you have no orders to
object, this time?"

And D'Artagnan almost triumphed while speaking these words. This plan
was the safety of his friends. The blockade once raised, they might
embark immediately, and set sail for England or Spain, without fear of
being molested. While they were making their escape, D'Artagnan would
return to the king; would justify his return by the indignation which
the mistrusts of Colbert had raised in him; he would be sent back with
full powers, and he would take Belle-Isle; that is to say, the cage,
after the birds had flown. But to this plan the officer opposed a second
order of the king's. It was thus conceived.

"From the moment M. d'Artagnan shall have manifested the desire of
giving in his resignation, he shall no longer be reckoned leader of
the expedition, and every officer placed under his orders shall be
held to no longer obey him. Moreover, the said Monsieur d'Artagnan
having lost that quality of leader of the army sent against
Belle-Isle, shall set out immediately for France, in com