ay not be disturbed at our
interview you must conduct him, as I said before, to the pavilion of the
orangery; that, you know, is my daily promenade. Well, while taking my
walk I will call on him and we will talk. Although he professes to be my
enemy I have sympathy for him, and if he is reasonable perhaps we shall
arrange matters."

Comminges bowed, and returned to Athos, who was awaiting with apparent
calmness, but with real anxiety, the result of the interview.

"Well?" he said to the lieutenant.

"Sir," replied Comminges, "it seems that it is impossible."

"Monsieur de Comminges," said Athos, "I have been a soldier all my
life and I know the force of orders; but outside your orders there is a
service you can render me."

"I will do it with all my heart," said Comminges; "for I know who you
are and what service you once performed for her majesty; I know, too,
how dear to you is the young man who came so valiantly to my aid
when that old rogue of a Broussel was arrested. I am entirely at your
service, except only for my orders."

"Thank you, sir; what I am about to ask will not compromise you in any
degree."

"If it should even compromise me a little," said Monsieur de Comminges,
with a smile, "still make your demand. I don't like Mazarin any better
than you do. I serve the queen and that draws me naturally into the
service of the cardinal; but I serve the one with joy and the other
against my will. Speak, then, I beg of you; I wait and listen."

"Since there is no harm," said Athos, "in my knowing that D'Artagnan is
here, I presume there will be none in his knowing that I am here."

"I have received no orders on that point."

"Well, then, do me the kindness to give him my regards and tell him
that I am his neighbor. Tell him also what you have just told me--that
Mazarin has placed me in the pavilion of the orangery in order to make
me a visit, and assure him that I shall take advantage of this honor
he proposes to accord to me to obtain from him some amelioration of our
captivity."

"Which cannot last," interrupted Comminges; "the cardinal said so; there
is no prison here."

"But there are oubliettes!" replied Athos, smiling.

"Oh! that's a different thing; yes, I know there are traditions of that
sort," said Comminges. "It was in the time of the other cardinal, who
was a great nobleman; but our Mazarin--impossible! an Italian adventurer
would not dare to go such lengths with such men as ourselves. Oub