I only warn you that if you allow anything of this supposition to appear, I shall be forced to crack your skulls immediately, in the manner most convenient to me.

You are not ignorant, gentlemen, that state secrets are like a mortal poison: as long as that poison is in its box and the box is closed, it is not injurious; out of the box, it kills.

Now draw near, and you shall know as much of this secret as I am able to tell you." All drew close to him with an expression of curiosity.

"Approach," continued D'Artagnan, "and let not the bird which passes over our heads, the rabbit which sports on the downs, the fish which bounds from the waters, hear us.

Our business is to learn and to report to monsieur le surintendant of the finances to what extent English smuggling is injurious to the French merchants.