“That will never do,” said Aramis: “M. Lebrun, close your box, and roll up your canvas.”

“But, monsieur,” cried the vexed painter, “the light is abominable here.”

“An idea, M.

Lebrun, an idea! If we had a pattern of the materials, for example, and with time, and a better light — ”

“Oh, then,” cried Lebrun, “I would answer for the effect.”

“Good!” said D’Artagnan, “this ought to be the knotty point of the whole thing; they want a pattern of each of the materials.Mordioux! Will this Percerin give in now?”

Percerin, beaten from his