ajesty Philip IV. is the king of the Spaniards, never
had a penny in his pocket."

"Go on, sir, I see what you wish to get at; and if it is simply what I
think that stops you, I can obviate the difficulty."

"Ah, I knew well," said the Gascon, "that you were a man of talent.
Well, here's the case, here's where the saddle hurts me, as we French
say. I am an officer of fortune, nothing else; I have nothing but what
my sword brings me in--that is to say, more blows than banknotes. Now,
on taking prisoners, this morning, two Frenchmen, who seemed to me of
high birth--in short, two knights of the Garter--I said to myself, my
fortune is made. I say two, because in such circumstances, Monsieur du
Vallon, who is rich, always gives me his prisoners."

Mordaunt, completely deceived by the wordy civility of D'Artagnan,
smiled like a man who understands perfectly the reasons given him, and
said:

"I shall have the order signed directly, sir, and with it two thousand
pistoles; meanwhile, let me take these men away."

"No," replied D'Artagnan; "what signifies a delay of half an hour? I am
a man of order, sir; let us do things in order."

"Nevertheless," replied Mordaunt, "I could compel you; I command here."

"Ah, sir!" said D'Artagnan, "I see that although we have had the honor
of traveling in your company you do not know us. We are gentlemen; we
are, both of us, able to kill you and your eight men--we two only. For
Heaven's sake don't be obstinate, for when others are obstinate I am
obstinate likewise, and then I become ferocious and headstrong, and
there's my friend, who is even more headstrong and ferocious than
myself. Besides, we are sent here by Cardinal Mazarin, and at this
moment represent both the king and the cardinal, and are, therefore,
as ambassadors, able to act with impunity, a thing that General Oliver
Cromwell, who is assuredly as great a politician as he is a general, is
quite the man to understand. Ask him then, for the written order. What
will that cost you my dear Monsieur Mordaunt?"

"Yes, the written order," said Porthos, who now began to comprehend what
D'Artagnan was aiming at, "we ask only for that."

However inclined Mordaunt was to have recourse to violence, he
understood the reasons D'Artagnan had given him; besides, completely
ignorant of the friendship which existed between the four Frenchmen, all
his uneasiness disappeared when he heard of the plausible motive of the
ransom. He decided, ther