“I thought, sire, my presence at the Louvre was sufficiently urgent to excuse my presenting myself thus before you.”
“You bring me great news, then, monsieur?”
“Sire, the thing is this, in two words: Belle-Isle is fortified, admirably fortified; Belle-Isle has a double enciete, a citadel, two detached forts; its ports contain three corsairs; and the side batteries only await their cannon.”
“I know all that, monsieur,” replied the king.
“What! your majesty knows all that?” replied the musketeer, stupefied.
“I have the plan of the fortifications of Belle-Isle,” said the king.
“Your majesty has the plan?”
“Here it is.”
“It is really correct, sire: I saw a similar one on the spot.”
D’Artagnan’s brow became clouded.