At the first serious attempt upon your lock, an invisible plate will open of itself and vomit forth a pretty copper bullet the weight of a mark--which will knock down the intruder, and not with a loud report.
What do you think of it ?" "I think it very ingenuous," cried D'Artagnan; "the little copper bullet pleases me mightily.

So now, sir mechanic, the terms ?" "A fortnight for the execution, and fifteen hundred livres payable on delivery," replied the artisan.
D'Artagnan's brow darkened.

A fortnight was delay enough to allow the thieves of London time to remove all occasion for the strong box.

As to the fifteen hundred livres--that would be paying too dear for what a little vigilance would procure him for nothing.
"I will think of it," said he; "thank you, sir." And he returned home at full speed; nobody had yet touched his treasure.

That same day Athos paid a visit to his friend and found him so thoughtful that he could not help expressing his surprise.
"How is this ?" said he, "you are rich and not gay--you, who were so anxious for wealth!" "My friend, the pleasures to which we are not accustomed oppress us more than the griefs with which we are familiar.