.

What D'Artagnan went to Paris for.
The lieutenant dismounted before a shop in the Rue des Lombards, at the sign of the Pilon d'Or.

A man of good appearance, wearing a white apron, and stroking his gray mustache with a large hand, uttered a cry of joy on perceiving the pied horse.

"Monsieur le chevalier," said he, "ah, is that you ?" "_Bon jour_, Planchet," replied D'Artagnan, stooping to enter the shop.
"Quick, somebody," cried Planchet, "to look after Monsieur d'Artagnan's horse,--somebody to get ready his room,--somebody to prepare his supper." "Thanks, Planchet.

Good-day, my children!" said D'Artagnan to the eager boys.
"Allow me to send off this coffee, this treacle, and these raisins," said Planchet; "they are for the store-room of monsieur le surintendant." "Send them off, send them off!" "That is only the affair of a moment, then we shall sup." "Arrange it that we may sup alone; I want to speak to you." Planchet looked at his old master in a significant manner.
"Oh, don't be uneasy, it is nothing unpleasant," said D'Artagnan.
"So much the better--so much the better!" And Planchet breathed freely again, whilst D'Artagnan seated himself quietly down in the shop, upon a bale of corks, and made a survey of the premises.