Monk invited the Comte de la Fere to be seated at this table, and took his place opposite to him.

A single dish of boiled fish, set before the two illustrious guests, was more tempting to hungry stomachs than to delicate palates.
Whilst supping, that is, while eating the fish, washed down with bad ale, Monk got Athos to relate to him the last events of the Fronde, the reconciliation of M.de Conde with the king, and the probable marriage of the infanta of Spain; but he avoided, as Athos himself avoided it, all allusion to the political interests which united, or rather which disunited at this time, England, France and Holland.
Monk, in this conversation, convinced himself of one thing, which he must have remarked after the first words exchanged: that was, that he had to deal with a man of high distinction.

He could not be an assassin, and it was repugnant to Monk to believe him to be a spy, but there was sufficient finesse and at the same time firmness in Athos to lead Monk to fancy he was a conspirator.

When they had quitted table, "You still believe in your treasure, then, monsieur ?" asked Monk.
"Yes, my lord." "Quite seriously ?" "Seriously." "And you think you can find the place again where it was buried ?" "At the first inspection." "Well, monsieur, from curiosity I shall accompany you.

And it is so much the more necessary that I should accompany you, that you would find great difficulties in passing through the camp without me or one of my lieutenants." "General, I would not suffer you to inconvenience yourself if I did not, in fact, stand in need of your company; but as I recognize that this company is not only honorable, but necessary, I accept it." "Do you desire we should take any people with us ?" asked Monk.
"General, I believe that would be useless, if you yourself do not see the necessity for it.