“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.”
“Ah! which belongs to M. Fouquet!” said D’Artagnan, in a serious tone, raising his intelligent eye to Louis XIV.
“I fancy you are right, monsieur, and that Bell-Isle does belong to M. Fouquet, in fact.”
“Then your majesty wishes me to ascertain if Belle-Isle is a strong place?”
“Yes.”