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Chapter 41
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In Which the Squirrel Falls, in Which the Adder Flies
It was two o’clock in the afternoon. The King, full of impatience, went to his cabinet on the terrace, and kept opening the door of the corridor to see what his secretaries were doing. M. Colbert, seated in the same place M. de Saint-Aignan had so long occupied in the morning, was chatting in a low voice with M. de Brienne. The King opened the door suddenly, and addressing them, “What do you say?” asked he.
“We were speaking of the first sitting of the States,” said M. de Brienne, rising.
“Very well,” replied the King, and returned to his room.
Five minutes after, the summons of the bell recalled Rose, whose hour it was.
“Have you finished your copies?” asked the King.
“Not yet, Sire.”
“See, then, if M. d’Artagnan is returned.”
“Not yet, Sire.”
“It is very strange!” murmured the King. “Call M. Colbert.”
Colbert entered; he had been expecting this moment all the morning.
“M. Colbert,” said the King, very sharply, “it must be ascertained what is become of M. d’Artagnan.”
Colbert in his calm voice replied, “Where would your Majesty desire him to be sought for?”
“Eh, Monsieur! do you not know to what place I have sent him?” replied Louis, acrimoniously.
“Your Majesty has not told me.”
“Monsieur, there are things that are to be guessed; and you, above all others, do guess them.”
“I might have been able to imagine, Sire; but I do not presume to be positive.”
Colbert had not finished these words when a much rougher voice than the King’s interrupted the interesting conversation thus begun between Louis and his clerk.
“D’Artagnan!” cried the King, with evident joy.
D’Artagnan, pale and in furious humor, cried to the King as he entered, “Sire, is it your Majesty who has given orders to my Musketeers?”
“What orders?” said the King.
“About M. Fouquet’s house?”
“None!” replied Louis.
“Ah, ah!” said d’Artagnan, biting his mustache; “I was not mistaken, then; it was Monsieur here!” and he pointed to Colbert.
“What orders? Let me know,” said the King.
“Orders to turn a house inside out, to beat M. Fouquet’s servants, to force the drawers, to give over a peaceful house to pillage! Mordioux! the orders of a savage I
“Monsieur!” said Colbert, becoming pale.
“Monsieur,” interrupted
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