ince one more of us is caught in Mazarin's mousetrap."

"Which is far too strong for two of us, but not strong enough for three
of us," returned D'Artagnan.

"I don't understand," said Porthos.

"Never mind; let's sit down to table and take something to strengthen us
for the night."

"What are we to do, then, to-night?"

"To travel--perhaps."

"But----"

"Sit down, dear friend, to table. When one is eating, ideas flow easily.
After supper, when they are perfected, I will communicate my plans to
you."

So Porthos sat down to table without another word and ate with an
appetite that did honor to the confidence that was ever inspired in him
by D'Artagnan's inventive imagination.

84. Strength and Sagacity--Continued.

Supper was eaten in silence, but not in sadness; for from time to time
one of those sweet smiles which were habitual to him in moments of
good-humor illumined the face of D'Artagnan. Not a scintilla of these
was lost on Porthos; and at every one he uttered an exclamation which
betrayed to his friend that he had not lost sight of the idea which
possessed his brain.

At dessert D'Artagnan reposed in his chair, crossed one leg over the
other and lounged about like a man perfectly at his ease.

Porthos rested his chin on his hands, placed his elbows on the table and
looked at D'Artagnan with an expression of confidence which imparted to
that colossus an admirable appearance of good-fellowship.

"Well?" said D'Artagnan, at last.

"Well!" repeated Porthos.

"You were saying, my dear friend----"

"No; I said nothing."

"Yes; you were saying you wished to leave this place."

"Ah, indeed! the will was never wanting."

"To get away you would not mind, you added, knocking down a door or a
wall."

"'Tis true--I said so, and I say it again."

"And I answered you, Porthos, that it was not a good plan; that we
couldn't go a hundred steps without being recaptured, because we were
without clothes to disguise ourselves and arms to defend ourselves."

"That is true; we should need clothes and arms."

"Well," said D'Artagnan, rising, "we have them, friend Porthos, and even
something better."

"Bah!" said Porthos, looking around.

"Useless to look; everything will come to us when wanted. At about what
time did we see the two Swiss guards walking yesterday?"

"An hour after sunset."

"If they go out to-day as they did yesterday we shall have the honor,
then, of seeing them in half an h