Raoul took the arm of his old friend, who led him along the Rue Saint-Honore.

"I an conducting you to the abode of the god Plutus," said D'Artagnan to the young man; "prepare yourself.

The whole day you will witness the piling up of crowns.

Heavens! how I am changed!" "Oh! what numbers of people there are in the street!" said Raoul.
"Is there a procession to-day ?" asked D'Artagnan of a passer-by.
"Monsieur, it is a hanging," replied the man.
"What! a hanging at the Greve ?" said D'Artagnan.
"Yes, monsieur." "The devil take the rogue who gets himself hung the day I want to go and take my rent!" cried D'Artagnan.

"Raoul, did you ever see anybody hung ?" "Never, monsieur--thank God!" "Oh! how young that sounds! If you were on guard in the trenches, as I was, and a spy! But, pardon me, Raoul, I am doting--you are quite right, it is a hideous sight to see a person hung! At what hour do they hang them, monsieur, if you please ?" "Monsieur," replied the stranger respectfully, delighted at joining conversation with two men of the sword, "it will take place at about three o'clock." "Aha! it is now only half-past one; let us step out, we shall be there in time to touch my three hundred and seventy-five livres, and get away before the arrival of the malefactor." "Malefactors, monsieur," continued the _bourgeois_; "there are two of them." "Monsieur, I return to you many thanks," said D'Artagnan, who as he grew older, had become polite to a degree.