It was thus conceived: "From the moment M.d'Artagnan shall have manifested the desire of giving in his resignation, he shall no longer be reckoned leader of the expedition, and every officer placed under his orders shall be held to no longer obey him.

Moreover, the said Monsieur d'Artagnan, having lost that quality of leader of the army sent against Belle-Isle, shall set out immediately for France, accompanied by the officer who will have remitted the message to him, and who will consider him a prisoner for whom he is answerable." Brave and careless as he was, D'Artagnan turned pale.

Everything had been calculated with a depth of precognition which, for the first time in thirty years, recalled to him the solid foresight and inflexible logic of the great cardinal.

He leaned his head on his hand, thoughtful, scarcely breathing.

"If I were to put this order in my pocket," thought he, "who would know it, what would prevent my doing it?
Before the king had had time to be informed, I should have saved those poor fellows yonder.