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Rh 440 THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK. '^Because the king will be beaten by sea if he has not the English with him, and that when beaten by sea he will be soon invaded, either by the Dutch in his ports, or by the Spaniards by land." "Neutral as long as the king shall be the stronger," re- joined D'Artagnan. Colbert admired that sagacity which never touched a question without enlightening it thoroughly. Aramis smiled, as he had long known that in diplomacy D'Ar- tagnan acknowledged no master. Colbert, who, like all proud men, dwelt upon his fantasy with a certainty of suc- cess, resumed the subject: no navy?" captain. "I am but a middling sailor. Like all nervous people, I hate the sea; and yet I have an idea that with ships, France being a seaport with two hundred heads, we might have sailors." Colbert drew from his pocket a little oblong book divided into two columns. On the first were the names of vessels, on the other the figures recapitulating the number of can- non and men requisite to equip these ships. "1 have had the same idea as you," said he to D*Artag- nan, **and I have had an account drawn up of the vessels we have altogether — thirty-five ships." ^'Something like two thousand pieces of cannon," said Colbert. **That is what the king possesses at this moment. With thirty-five vessels we can make three squadrons, but I must have five." men; the king will have fifty ships of the line. We may venture on a contest with them, may we not?" possible. As to arming them, how is that to be done? In France there are neither foundries nor military docks." tuted all that this year and a half past; did you not know it? Don't you know Monsieur d'Imfreville?" "D'lmfreville?" replied D'Artagnan. "No.' a man of genius — he knows how to set men to work. It is
 * 'And Spain neutral?" asked Aramis.
 * Who told you. Monsieur d'Artagnan, that the king had
 * '0h! I have taken no heed of these details," replied the
 * 'Thirty-five ships! that is impossible!" cried D'Artagnan.
 * 'Five!" cried Aramis.
 * 'They will be afloat before the end of the year, gentle-
 * 'To build vessels," said D'Artagnan, '*is diflBcult, but
 * 'Bah!" replied Colbert, with a gay tone. '*I have insti-
 * He is a man I have discovered; he has a specialty; he ig