Planchet paid down in double louis, twenty thousand livres to D'Artagnan, on the part of himself (Planchet), and twenty thousand livres, still in double louis, in account with D'Artagnan.

D'Artagnan placed each of the twenty thousand francs in a bag, and weighing a bag in each hand,--"This money is very embarrassing, my dear Planchet," said he.

"Do you know this weighs thirty pounds ?" "Bah! your horse will carry that like a feather." D'Artagnan shook his head.

"Don't tell me such things, Planchet: a horse overloaded with thirty pounds, in addition to the rider and his portmanteau, cannot cross a river so easily--cannot leap over a wall or ditch so lightly; and the horse failing, the horseman fails.

It is true that you, Planchet, who have served in the infantry, may not be aware of all that." "Then what is to be done, monsieur ?" said Planchet, greatly embarrassed.
"Listen to me," said D'Artagnan.