rtagnan, fixing his eyes upon Aramis, "it is that
Porthos is not in his apartment."

"Indeed," said Aramis calmly; "are you sure?"

"_Pardieu!_ I came from his chamber."

"Where can he be, then?"

"That is what I am asking _you_."

"And have you not inquired?"

"Yes, I have."

"And what answer did you get?"

"That Porthos, often walking out in a morning, without saying anything,
had probably gone out."

"What did you do, then?"

"I went to the stables," replied D'Artagnan, carelessly.

"What to do?"

"To see if Porthos had departed on horseback."

"And?" interrogated the bishop.

"Well, there is a horse missing, stall No. 3, Goliath."

All this dialogue, it may be easily understood, was not exempt from
a certain affectation on the part of the musketeer, and a perfect
complaisance on the part of Aramis.

"Oh! I guess how it is," said Aramis, after having considered for a
moment, "Porthos is gone out to give us a surprise."

"A surprise?"

"Yes; the canal which goes from Vannes to the sea abounds in teal and
snipes; that is Porthos's favorite sport, and he will bring us back a
dozen for breakfast."

"Do you think so?" said D'Artagnan.

"I am sure of it. Where else can he be? I would lay a wager he took a
gun with him."

"Well, that is possible," said D'Artagnan.

"Do one thing, my friend. Get on horseback, and join him."

"You are right," said D'Artagnan, "I will."

"Shall I go with you?"

"No, thank you; Porthos is a rather remarkable man: I will inquire as I
go along."

"Will you take an arquebus?"

"Thank you."

"Order what horse you like to be saddled."

"The one I rode yesterday, on coming from Belle-Isle."

"So be it: use the horse as your own."

Aramis rang, and gave orders to have the horse M. d'Artagnan had chosen
saddled.

D'Artagnan followed the servant charged with the execution of this
order. When arrived at the door, the servant drew on one side to allow
M. d'Artagnan to pass; and at that moment he caught the eye of his
master. A knitting of the brow gave the intelligent spy to understand
that all should be given to D'Artagnan he wished. D'Artagnan got into
the saddle, and Aramis heard the steps of his horse on the pavement. An
instant after, the servant returned.

"Well?" asked the bishop.

"Monseigneur, he has followed the course of the canal, and is going
towards the sea," said the servant.

"Very well!" said Aramis.

In fact, D'Artagnan, dismissing all