ilosopher."

"Monsieur, in my grocery business I use much printed paper, and that
instructs me."

"Bravo! You know then, in that case--for you have not learnt mathematics
and philosophy without a little history--that after this Cromwell so
great, there came one who was very little."

"Yes; he was named Richard, and he as done as you have, M.
d'Artagnan--he has tendered his resignation."

"Very well said--very well! After the great man who is dead, after the
little one who tendered his resignation, there came a third. This one
is named Monk; he is an able general, considering he has never fought a
battle; he is a skillful diplomatist, considering that he never speaks
in public, and that having to say 'good-day' to a man, he meditates
twelve hours, and ends by saying 'good night;' which makes people
exclaim '_miracle!_' seeing that it falls out correctly."

"That is rather strong," said Planchet; "but I know another political
man who resembles him very much."

"M. Mazarin you mean?"

"Himself."

"You are right, Planchet; only M. Mazarin does not aspire to the throne
of France; and that changes everything. Do you see? Well, this M. Monk,
who has England ready-roasted in his plate, and who is already opening
his mouth to swallow it--this M. Monk, who says to the people of Charles
II., and to Charles II. himself, '_Nescio vos_'--"

"I don't understand English," said Planchet.

"Yes, but I understand it," said D'Artagnan. "'_Nescio vos_' means 'I do
not know you.' This M. Monk, the most important man in England, when he
shall have swallowed it--"

"Well?" asked Planchet.

"Well, my friend, I shall go over yonder, and with my forty men I shall
carry him off, pack him up, and bring him into France, where two modes
of proceeding present themselves to my dazzled eyes."

"Oh! and to mine too," cried Planchet, transported with enthusiasm. "We
will put him in a cage and show him for money."

"Well, Planchet, that is a third plan, of which I had not thought."

"Do you think it a good one?"

"Yes, certainly, but I think mine better."

"Let us see yours, then."

"In the first place, I shall set a ransom on him."

"Of how much?"

"_Peste!_ a fellow like that must be well worth a hundred thousand
crowns."

"Yes, yes!"

"You see, then--in the first place, a ransom of a hundred thousand
crowns."

"Or else--"

"Or else, what is much better, I deliver him up to King Charles, who,
having no longer either a ge