“Well, I must confess, that sad idea occurred to me likewise.”
“Do not blind yourself, monsieur, in the name of Heaven! Listen attentively to me,—I return to D’Artagnan.”
“I am all attention.”
“Under what circumstances did you see him?”
“He came here for money.”
“With what kind of order?”
“With an order from the king.”
“Direct?”
“Signed by his majesty.”
“There, then! Well, D’Artagnan has been to Belle-Isle; he was disguised; he came in the character of some sort of an intendant, charged by his master to purchase salt-mines. Now, D’Artagnan has no other master but the king: he came, then, sent by the king. He saw Porthos.”