the grooms supped, for it was already late, and their two
masters, impatient to return, appointed a place of meeting with them
on the jetty and desired them on no account to exchange a word with
any one. It is needless to say that this caution concerned Blaisois
alone--long enough since it had been a useless one to Grimaud.

Athos and Aramis walked down toward the port. From their dress, covered
with dust, and from a certain easy manner by means of which a man
accustomed to travel is always recognizable, the two friends excited the
attention of a few promenaders. There was more especially one upon whom
their arrival had produced a decided impression. This man, whom they
had noticed from the first for the same reason they had themselves been
remarked by others, was walking in a listless way up and down the jetty.
From the moment he perceived them he did not cease to look at them and
seemed to burn with the wish to speak to them.

On reaching the jetty Athos and Aramis stopped to look at a little boat
made fast to a pile and ready rigged as if waiting to start.

"That is doubtless our boat," said Athos.

"Yes," replied Aramis, "and the sloop out there making ready to sail
must be that which is to take us to our destination; now," continued he,
"if only De Winter does not keep us waiting. It is not at all amusing
here; there is not a single woman passing."

"Hush!" said Athos, "we are overheard."

In truth, the walker, who, during the observations of the two friends,
had passed and repassed behind them several times, stopped at the name
of De Winter; but as his face betrayed no emotion at mention of this
name, it might have been by chance he stood so still.

"Gentlemen," said the man, who was young and pale, bowing with ease and
courtesy, "pardon my curiosity, but I see you come from Paris, or at
least that you are strangers at Boulogne."

"We come from Paris, yes," replied Athos, with the same courtesy; "what
is there we can do for you?"

"Sir," said the young man, "will you be so good as to tell me if it be
true that Cardinal Mazarin is no longer minister?"

"That is a strange question," said Aramis.

"He is and he is not," replied Athos; "that is to say, he is dismissed
by one-half of France, but by intrigues and promises he makes the other
half sustain him; you will perceive that this may last a long time."

"However, sir," said the stranger, "he has neither fled nor is in
prison?"

"No, sir, not at thi