The king rang his bell violently, and his valet de chambre appeared."Monsieur Colbert is just gone; he cannot be far off. Let him be calledback!" exclaimed he.
The valet was about to execute the order, when the king stopped him.
"No," said he, "no, I see the whole scheme of that man. Belle-Islebelongs to M. Fouquet; Belle-Isle is being fortified: that is aconspiracy on the part of M. Fouquet. The discovery of that conspiracyis the ruin of the superintendent, and that discovery is the result ofthe correspondence with England: this is why Colbert wished to have thatcorrespondence. Oh! but I cannot place all my dependence upon that man;he has a good head, but I must have an arm!" Louis, all at once, uttereda joyful cry. "I had," said he, "a lieutenant of musketeers!"
"Yes, sire--Monsieur d'Artagnan."
"He quitted the service for a time."
"Yes, sire."
"Let him be found, and be here to-morrow the first thing in themorning."
The valet de chambre bowed and went out.
"Thirteen millions in my cellar," said the king; "Colbert carrying mypurse and D'Artagnan my sword--I am king."
CHAPTER 51. A Passion
Ten Years Later Page 55
