Part 91 (1/2)
”I want time for reflection,” said Porthos
”You will remain here, then?”
”Until fresh orders,” said Aramis, with vivacity
”Until we have an idea,” resu, for I have one already”
”Let us say adieu, then,” said Arao”
”No,” said the latter, laconically
”As you please,” replied Aramis, a little wounded in his susceptibilities at the morose tone of his companion ”Only I anan, an idea I fancy I have divined”
”Let us see,” said thehis ear near Aramis's mouth
The latter spoke several words rapidly, to which D'Artagnan replied, ”That is it, precisely”
”Infallible!” cried Ara the first emotion this resolution will cause, take care of yourself, Aramis”
”Oh! don't be afraid”
”Now, nan to the officer, ”thanks, a thousand thanks! You have made yourself three friends for life”
”Yes,” added Ara, buttenderly embraced his two old friends, left Belle-Isle with the inseparable companion hom M Colbert had saddled him Thus, with the exception of the explanation hich the worthy Porthos had been willing to be satisfied, nothing had changed in appearance in the fate of one or the other, ”Only,” said Aranan did not return on board without profoundly analyzing the idea he had discovered Noe know that whatever D'Artagnan did exaht was certain to illuain, he had full ti his foot on board his vessel, moored within cannon-shot of the island, the captain of the ether all his means, offensive and defensive
He immediately asse under his orders These were eight in nu the artillery; an engineer, the officer we are acquainted with, and four lieutenants Having assenan arose, took of his hat, and addressed them thus:
”Gentlemen, I have been to reconnoiter Belle-Ile-en-Mer, and I have found in it a good and solid garrison; moreover, preparations are made for a defense that may prove troublesome I therefore intend to send for two of the principal officers of the place, that weseparated them from their troops and cannon, we shall be better able to deal with the with theentlemen?”
The major of artillery rose
”Monsieur,” said he, with respect, but fir to make a troublesome defense The place is then, as you know, deternan was visibly put out by this reply; but he was not the man to allow himself to be subdued by a trifle, and resumed:
”Monsieur,” said he, ”your reply is just But you are ignorant that Belle-Isle is a fief of M Fouquet's, and that forneurs of Belle-Isle to arm their people” The major nan ”You are going to tell lish was not a right to ar But it is not M Fouquet, I suppose, who holds Belle-Isle at this moment, since I arrested M Fouquet the day before yesterday Now the inhabitants and defenders of Belle-Isle know nothing of this arrest You would announce it to the so unheard-of and extraordinary, so unexpected, that they would not believe you A Breton serves his master, and not his masters; he serves his master till he has seen him dead Now the Bretons, as far as I know, have not seen the body of M Fouquet It is not, then, surprising they hold out against that which is neither M
Fouquet nor his signature”
The major bowed in token of assent