ing on both his knees, and his head stretched out
towards the grocer. "Come, explain yourself," he said, "and tell me
how you could possibly utter such a blasphemy. M. d'Herblay, your old
master, my friend, an ecclesiastic, a musketeer turned bishop--do you
mean to say you would raise your sword against him, Planchet?"

"I could raise my sword against my own father, when I see you in such a
state as you are now."

"M. d'Herblay, a gentleman!"

"It's all the same to me whether he's a gentleman or not. He gives you
the blue devils, that is all I know. And the blue devils make people
get thin. _Malaga!_ I have no notion of M. d'Artagnan leaving my house
thinner than when he entered it."

"How does he give me the blue devils, as you call it? Come, explain,
explain."

"You have had the nightmare during the last three nights."

"I?"

"Yes, you; and in your nightmare you called out, several times, 'Aramis,
deceitful Aramis!'"

"Ah! I said that, did I?" murmured D'Artagnan, uneasily.

"Yes, those very words, upon my honor."

"Well, what else? You know the saying, Planchet, 'dreams go by
contraries.'"

"Not so; for every time, during the last three days, when you went out,
you have not once failed to ask me, on your return, 'Have you seen
M. d'Herblay?' or else 'Have you received any letters for me from M.
d'Herblay?'"

"Well, it is very natural I should take an interest in my old friend,"
said D'Artagnan.

"Of course; but not to such an extent as to get thin on that account."

"Planchet, I'll get fatter; I give you my word of honor I will."

"Very well, monsieur, I accept it; for I know that when you give your
word of honor, it is sacred."

"I will not dream of Aramis any more; and I will never ask you again
if there are any letters from M. d'Herblay; but on condition that you
explain one thing to me."

"Tell me what it is, monsieur?"

"I am a great observer; and just now you made use of a very singular
oath, which is unusual for you."

"You mean _Malaga!_ I suppose?"

"Precisely."

"It is the oath I have used ever since I have been a grocer."

"Very proper, too; it is the name of a dried grape, or raisin, I
believe?"

"It is my most ferocious oath; when I have once said _Malaga!_ I am a
man no longer."

"Still, I never knew you use that oath before."

"Very likely not, monsieur. I had a present made me of it," said
Planchet; and, as he pronounced these words, he winked his eye with a
cunning