THE ilAK IN" THE IROliT MASK. 95
ments; his perseverance in mixing himself up with all ths surintendant's affairs; his visits to Baisemeaux — all this suspicious singularity of conduct had excessively troubled and tormented D'Artagnan during the last several weeks.
- With men of Aramis stamp/' he said, *'one is never
the stronger except sword in hand. So long as Aramis con- tinued a soldier, there was hope of getting the better of him; but since he has covered his cuirass with a stole, we are lost. But what can Aramis' object possibly be?" And D'Artagnan plunged again into deep thought. ^'What does it matter to me, after all, he continued, if his only object is to overthrow Monsieur Colbert? And what else can he be after?" And D'Artagnan rubbed his forehead — that fertile land whence the plowshare of his nails had turned up so many and such admirable ideas in his time. He at first thought of talking the matter over with Colbert, but his friendship for Aramis, the oath of earlier days, bound him too strictly. He revolted at the bare idea of such a thing, and, besides, he hated the financier too cordially. Then, again, he wished to unburden his mind to the king; but yet the king would not be able to understand the suspicions which had not even a shadow of reality at their base. He resolved to address himself to Aramis, direct, the first time he met him. I will take him," said the musketeer, be- tween a couple of candles, suddenly, and when he least ex- pects it, I will place my hand upon his heart, and he will tell me — What will he tell me? Yes, he will tell me something, for, mordioux! there is something in it, I know,"
Somewhat calmer, D'Artagnan made every preparation for the journey, and took the greatest care that the military household of the king, as yet very inconsiderable in num- bers, should be well officered and well disciplined in its meager and limited proportions. The result was that, through the captain's arrangements, the king, on arriving at Melun, saw himself at the head of the musketeers, his Swiss guards, as well as a picket of the French guards. It might almost have been called a small army. M. Colbert looked at the troops with great delight; he even wished there had been a third more in number.
"But why?" said the king.
"In order to show greater honor to Monsieur Fouquet," replied Colbert.
"In order to ruin him the sooner," thought D'Artagnan.
When this little army appeared before Melun, the chief magistrates came out to meet the king, and to present hira
