Page:The Vicomte de Bragelonne 2.djvu/364

 "In Bretagne? No, ma foi!"

"So much the better. Do you know anything about fortifications?"

"I believe I do, sire," said D'Artagnan, smiling.

"That is to say, you can readily distinguish a fortress from a simple fortification, such as is allowed to chatelaines or vassals?"

"I distinguish a fort from a rampart as I distinguish a cuirass from a raised pie-crust, sire. Is that sufficient?"

"Yes, monsieur. You will set out, then,"

"For Bretagne?"

"Yes."

"Alone?'

"Absolutely alone. That is to say, you must not even take a lackey with you."

"May I ask your majesty for what reason?"

"Because, monsieur, it will be necessary to disguise yourself sometimes as the servant of a good family. Your face is very well known in France, Monsieur d'Artagnan."

"And then, sire?"

"And then you will travel slowly through Bretagne, and will examine carefully the fortifications of that country."

"The coasts?"

"Yes, and the isles; commencing by Belle-Isle-en-Mer."

"Ah! which belongs to Monsieur Fouquet?" said D'Artagnan, in a serious tone, raising his intelligent even to Louis XIV.

"I fancy you are right, monsieur, and that Belle-Isle does belong to Monsieur Fouquet, in fact."

"Then your majesty wishes me to ascertain if Belle-Isle is a good place?"

"Yes."

"If the fortifications of it are new or old?"

"Precisely."

"And if the vassals of Monsieur Fouquet are sufficiently numerous to form a garrison?"

"That is what I want to know; you have placed your finger on the question."

"And if they are not fortifying, sire?"

"You will travel about Bretagne, listening and judging."

"Then I am a king's spy?" said D'Artagnan bluntly; twisting his mustache.

"No, monsieur."

"Your pardon, sire; I spy on your majesty's account."

"You go on a discovery, monsieur. Would you march at