“Ah, sir!  I must first tell you that Monsieur de Rochefort is ——­ "

Planchet hesitated.

“Egad, I know where he is,” said D’Artagnan.  “He’s in the Bastile.”

“That is to say, he was there,” replied Planchet.  “But in returning thither last night, when fortunately you did not accompany him, as his carriage was crossing the Rue de la Ferronnerie his guards insulted the people, who began to abuse them.  The prisoner thought this a good opportunity for escape; he called out his name and cried for help.  I was there.  I heard the name of Rochefort.  I remembered him well.  I said in a loud voice that he was a prisoner, a friend of the Duc de Beaufort, who called for help.  The people were infuriated; they stopped the horses and cut the escort to pieces, whilst I opened the doors of the carriage and Monsieur de Rochefort jumped out and soon was lost amongst the crowd.  At this moment a patrol passed by.  I was obliged to sound a retreat toward the Rue Tiquetonne; I was pursued and took refuge in the house next to this, where I have been concealed between two mattresses.  This morning I ventured to run along the gutters and ——­ "

“Well,” interrupted D’Artagnan, “I am delighted that De Rochefort is free, but as for thee, if thou shouldst fall into the hands of the king’s servants they will hang thee without mercy.  Nevertheless, I promise thee thou shalt be hidden here, though I risk by concealing thee neither more nor less than my lieutenancy, if it was found out that I gave one rebel an asylum.”

“Ah! sir, you know well I would risk my life for you.”

“Thou mayst add that thou hast risked it, Planchet.  I have not forgotten all I owe thee.  Sit down there and eat in security.  I see thee cast expressive glances at the remains of my supper.”

“Yes, sir; for all I’ve had since yesterday was a slice of bread and butter, with preserves on it.  Although I don’t despise sweet things in proper time and place, I found the supper rather light.”

“Poor fellow!” said D’Artagnan.  “Well, come; set to.”

“Ah, sir, you are going to save my life a second time!” cried Planchet.

And he seated himself at the table and ate as he did in the merry days of the Rue des Fossoyeurs, whilst D’Artagnan walked to and fro and thought how he could make use of Planchet under present circumstances.  While he turned this over in his mind Planchet did his best to make up for lost time at table.  At last he uttered a sigh of satisfaction and paused, as if he had partially appeased his hunger.

“Come,” said D’Artagnan, who thought that it was now a convenient time to begin his interrogations, “dost thou know where Athos is?”

“No, sir,” replied Planchet.

“The devil thou dost not!  Dost know where Porthos is?”

“No —­ not at all.”

“And Aramis?”

“Not in the least.”

“The devil! the devil! the devil!”