h which the alleys were covered deadened the sound
of footsteps.

He then turned to the left, down a corridor which had escaped the
attention of the two friends, but as he opened the door he paused, as if
in thought.

"Ah! Diavolo!" he exclaimed, "I forgot the recommendation of De
Comminges, who advised me to take a guard and place it at this door, in
order not to put myself at the mercy of that four-headed combination
of devils." And with a movement of impatience he turned to retrace his
steps.

"Do not give yourself the trouble, my lord," said D'Artagnan, with his
right foot forward, his beaver in his hand, a smile on his face, "we
have followed your eminence step by step and here we are."

"Yes--here we are," said Porthos.

And he made the same friendly salute as D'Artagnan.

Mazarin gazed at each of them with an affrighted stare, recognized them,
and let drop his lantern, uttering a cry of terror.

D'Artagnan picked it up; by good luck it had not been extinguished.

"Oh, what imprudence, my lord," said D'Artagnan; "'tis not good to
be about just here without a light. Your eminence might knock against
something, or fall into a hole."

"Monsieur d'Artagnan!" muttered Mazarin, unable to recover from his
astonishment.

"Yes, my lord, it is I. I have the honor to present to you Monsieur du
Vallon, that excellent friend of mine, in whom your eminence had the
kindness to interest yourself formerly."

And D'Artagnan held the lamp before the merry face of Porthos, who
now began to comprehend the affair and be very proud of the whole
undertaking.

"You were going to visit Monsieur de la Fere?" said D'Artagnan. "Don't
let us disarrange your eminence. Be so good as to show us the way and we
will follow you."

Mazarin was by degrees recovering his senses.

"Have you been long in the orangery?" he asked in a trembling voice,
remembering the visits he had been paying to his treasury.

Porthos opened his mouth to reply; D'Artagnan made him a sign, and his
mouth, remaining silent, gradually closed.

"This moment come, my lord," said D'Artagnan.

Mazarin breathed again. His fears were now no longer for his hoard, but
for himself. A sort of smile played on his lips.

"Come," he said, "you have me in a snare, gentlemen. I confess myself
conquered. You wish to ask for liberty, and--I give it you."

"Oh, my lord!" answered D'Artagnan, "you are too good; as to our
liberty, we have that; we want to ask something el