D’Artagnan shook his head. “No one was present at the combat, I repeat; and unless M. de Manicamp was one of the two men who brought him back—”
“Hush!” said the king, “he is coming; remain, and listen attentively.”
“Very good, sire.”
And, at the very same moment, Manicamp and Saint-Aignan appeared at the threshold of the door.
Chapter XVII. The Encounter.
The king signified with an imperious gesture, first to the musketeer, then to Saint-Aignan, “On your lives, not a word.” D’Artagnan withdrew, like a sentinel, to a corner of the room; Saint-Aignan, in his character of a favorite, leaned over the back of the king’s chair. Manicamp, with his right foot properly advanced, a smile upon his lips, and his white and well-formed hands gracefully disposed, advanced to make his reverence to the king, who returned the salutation by a bow. “Good evening, M. de Manicamp,” he said.
“Your majesty did me the honor to send for me,” said Manicamp.
“Yes, in order to learn from you all the details of the unfortunate accident which has befallen the Comte de Guiche.”
“Oh! sire, it is grievous indeed.”
“You were there?”