But he feigned not to observe anything, and was about to put his horse in motion.

Gesvres rode up to him.

"Monsieur d'Artagnan!" said he, aloud.
"Ah, Monsieur de Gesvres! good evening!" "One would say you were getting on horseback." "More than that,--I am mounted,--as you see." "It is fortunate I have met with you." "Were you looking for me, then ?" "_Mon Dieu!_ yes." "On the part of the king, I will wager ?" "Yes." "As I, three days ago, went in search of M.Fouquet ?" "Oh!" "Nonsense! It is of no use being over-delicate with me; that is all labor lost.

Tell me at once you are come to arrest me." "To arrest you ?--Good heavens! no." "Why do you come to accost me with twelve horsemen at your heels, then ?" "I am making my round." "That isn't bad! And so you pick me up in your round, eh ?" "I don't pick you up; I meet with you, and I beg you to come with me." "Where ?" "To the king." "Good!" said D'Artagnan, with a bantering air; "the king is disengaged." "For Heaven's sake, captain," said M.de Gesvres, in a low voice to the musketeer, "do not compromise yourself! these men hear you." D'Artagnan laughed aloud, and replied: "March! People who are arrested are placed between the six first guards and the six last." "But as I am not arresting you," said M.de Gesvres, "you will march behind, with me, if you please." "Well," said D'Artagnan, "that is very polite, duke, and you are right in being so; for if ever I had had to make my rounds near your _chambre-de-ville_, I should have been courteous to you, I assure you, on the word of a gentleman! Now, one favor more; what does the king want with me ?" "Oh, the king is furious!" "Very well! the king, who has thought it worth while to be angry, may take the trouble to grow calm again; that is all.

I shan't die of that, I will swear." "No, but--" "But--I shall be sent to keep company with unfortunate M.Fouquet.
_Mordioux!_ That is a gallant man, a worthy man! We shall live very sociably together, I will be sworn." "Here we are at our place of destination," said the duke.