”

“An order?”

“Yes; but it cannot concern you — a simple measure of police.”

“What is it, captain? — what is it?”

“To forbid all horses or boats to leave Nantes, without a pass, signed by the king.”

“Great God! but — ”

D’Artagnan began to laugh.

“All that is not to be put into execution before the arrival of the king at Nantes. So that you see plainly, monseigneur, the order in nowise concerns you.”

Fouquet became thoughtful, and D’Artagnan feigned not to observe his preoccupation.