Louis XIV. began to laugh. "You are a true Gascon, Monsieur d'Artagnan; you will draw my heart's secret from me."
"Bah! has your majesty a secret, then?"
"Yes, monsieur."
"Well! then I accept the twenty thousand livres, for I will keep that secret, and discretion is above all price, in these times. Will your majesty speak now?"
"Boot yourself, Monsieur d'Artagnan, and to horse!"
"Directly, sire."
"Within two days."
"That is well, sire: for I have my affairs to settle before I set out; particularly if it is likely there should be any blows stirring."
"That may happen."
"We can receive them! But, sire, you have addressed yourself to avarice, to ambition; you have addressed yourself to the heart of M. d'Artagnan, but you have forgotten one thing."
"What is that?"
"You have said nothing to his vanity; when shall I be a knight of the king's orders?"
"Does that interest you?"
"Why, yes, sire. My friend Athos is quite covered with orders, and that dazzles me."
"You shall be a knight of my order a month after you have taken your commission of captain."
"Ah! ah!" said the officer, thoughtfully, "after the expedition."
"Precisely."
"Where is your majesty going to send me?"
"Are you acquainted with Bretagne?"
"No, sire."
"Have you any friends there?"
"In Bretagne? No, ma foi!"
"So much the better. Do you know anything about fortifications?"
"I believe I do, sire," said D'Artagnan, smiling.
"That is to say you can readily distinguish a fortress from a simple fortification, such as is allowed to chatelains or vassals?"
"I distinguish a fort from a rampart as I distinguish a cuirass from a raised pie-crust, sire. Is that sufficient?"
"Yes, monsieur. You will set out, then."
"For Bretagne?"
"Yes."
"Alone?"
"Absolutely alone. That is to say, you must not even take a lackey with you."
"May I ask your majesty for what reason?"
"Because, monsieur, it will be necessary to disguise yourself sometimes, as the servant of a good family. Your face is very well known in France, M. d'Artagnan."
"And then, sire?"
"And then you will travel slowly through Bretagne, and will examine the fortifications of that country."
"The coasts?"
"Yes, and the isles; commencing by Belle-Ile-en-Mer."