the kindness also to awaken Monsieur du Vallon and to
say 'tis by his eminence's order, and that I shall await him at the
stables."

The officer went off with an eagerness that showed the Gascon that he
had some personal interest in the matter.

Porthos was snoring most musically when some one touched him on the
shoulder.

"I come from the cardinal," said the officer.

"Heigho!" said Porthos, opening his large eyes; "what have you got to
say?"

"That his eminence has ordered you to England and that Monsieur
d'Artagnan is waiting for you in the stables."

Porthos sighed heavily, arose, took his hat, his pistols, and his cloak,
and departed, casting a look of regret upon the couch where he had hoped
to sleep so well.

No sooner had he turned his back than the officer laid himself down in
it, and he had scarcely crossed the threshold before his successor, in
his turn, was snoring immoderately. It was very natural, he being the
only person in the whole assemblage, except the king, the queen, and the
Duke of Orleans, who slept gratuitously.

54. In which we hear Tidings of Aramis.

D'Artagnan went straight to the stables; day was just dawning. He found
his horse and that of Porthos fastened to the manger, but to an empty
manger. He took pity on these poor animals and went to a corner of the
stable, where he saw a little straw, but in doing so he struck his
foot against a human body, which uttered a cry and arose on its knees,
rubbing its eyes. It was Mousqueton, who, having no straw to lie upon,
had helped himself to that of the horses.

"Mousqueton," cried D'Artagnan, "let us be off! Let us set off."

Mousqueton, recognizing the voice of his master's friend, got up
suddenly, and in doing so let fall some louis which he had appropriated
to himself illegally during the night.

"Ho! ho!" exclaimed D'Artagnan, picking up a louis and displaying it;
"here's a louis that smells confoundedly of straw."

Mousqueton blushed so confusedly that the Gascon began to laugh at him
and said:

"Porthos would be angry, my dear Monsieur Mousqueton, but I pardon
you, only let us remember that this gold must serve us as a joke, so be
gay--come along."

Mousqueton instantly assumed a jovial countenance, saddled the horses
quickly and mounted his own without making faces over it.

Whilst this went on, Porthos arrived with a very cross look on his face,
and was astonished to find the lieutenant resigned and Mousqueto