The envoy presented himself before the bishop of Vannes.

The darkness was almost absolute, notwithstanding the flambeaux borne at a small distance by the soldiers who were following Aramis in his rounds.
"Well, Jonathan, from whom do you come ?" "Monseigneur, from those who captured me." "Who captured you ?" "You know, monseigneur, we set out in search of our comrades ?" "Yes; and afterwards ?" "Well! monseigneur, within a short league we were captured by a _chasse maree_ belonging to the king." "Ah!" said Aramis.
"Of which king ?" cried Porthos.
Jonathan started.
"Speak!" continued the bishop.
"We were captured, monseigneur, and joined to those who had been taken yesterday morning." "What was the cause of the mania for capturing you all ?" said Porthos.
"Monsieur, to prevent us from telling you," replied Jonathan.
Porthos was again at a loss to comprehend.

"And they have released you to-day ?" asked he.
"That I might tell you they have captured us, monsieur." "Trouble upon trouble," thought honest Porthos.
During this time Aramis was reflecting.
"Humph!" said he, "then I suppose it is a royal fleet blockading the coasts ?" "Yes, monseigneur." "Who commands it ?" "The captain of the king's musketeers." "D'Artagnan ?" "D'Artagnan!" exclaimed Porthos.
"I believe that is the name." "And did he give you this letter ?" "Yes, monseigneur." "Bring the torches nearer." "It is his writing," said Porthos.
Aramis eagerly read the following lines: "Order of the king to take Belle-Isle; or to put the garrison to the sword, if they resist; order to make prisoners of all the men of the garrison; signed, D'ARTAGNAN, who, the day before yesterday, arrested M.
Fouquet, for the purpose of his being sent to the Bastile." Aramis turned pale, and crushed the paper in his hands.
"What is it ?" asked Porthos.
"Nothing, my friend, nothing." "Tell me, Jonathan ?" "Monseigneur ?" "Did you speak to M.d'Artagnan ?" "Yes, monseigneur." "What did he say to you ?" "That for ampler information, he would speak with monseigneur." "Where ?" "On board his own vessel." "On board his vessel!" and Porthos repeated, "On board his vessel!" "M.

le mousquetaire," continued Jonathan, "told me to take you both on board my canoe, and bring you to him." "Let us go at once," exclaimed Porthos.

"Dear D'Artagnan!" But Aramis stopped him.