.

What D'Artagnan went to Paris for.
The lieutenant dismounted before a shop in the Rue des Lombards, at the sign of the Pilon d'Or.

A man of good appearance, wearing a white apron, and stroking his gray mustache with a large hand, uttered a cry of joy on perceiving the pied horse.

"Monsieur le chevalier," said he, "ah, is that you ?" "Bon jour, Planchet," replied D'Artagnan, stooping to enter the shop.
"Quick, somebody," cried Planchet, "to look after Monsieur d'Artagnan's horse,--somebody to get ready his room,--somebody to prepare his supper." "Thanks, Planchet.

Good-day, my children!" said D'Artagnan to the eager boys.
"Allow me to send off this coffee, this treacle, and these raisins," said Planchet; "they are for the store-room of monsieur le surintendant." "Send them off, send them off!" "That is only the affair of a moment, then we shall sup." "Arrange it that we may sup alone; I want to speak to you." Planchet looked at his old master in a significant manner.
"Oh, don't be uneasy, it is nothing unpleasant," said D'Artagnan.
"So much the better--so much the better!" And Planchet breathed freely again, whilst D'Artagnan seated himself quietly down in the shop, upon a bale of corks, and made a survey of the premises.