These people, or their leader, understood that there was a pleasure to offer to M.Colbert, in rendering him an account of the fashion in which his name had been pronounced during the rash enterprise of the morning.

D'Artagnan made his appearance just as the chief of the watch was giving his report.

He stood close to the door, behind the archers.

That officer took Colbert on one side, in spite of his resistance and the contradiction of his bushy eyebrows.

"In case," said he, "you really desired, monsieur, that the people should do justice on the two traitors, it would have been wise to warn us of it; for, indeed, monsieur, in spite of our regret at displeasing you, or thwarting your views, we had our orders to execute." "Triple fool!" replied Colbert, furiously shaking his hair, thick and black as a mane; "what are you telling me?
What! that _I_ could have had an idea of a riot! Are you mad or drunk ?" "But, monsieur, they cried '_Vive Colbert!_'" replied the trembling watch.
"A handful of conspirators--" "No, no; a mass of people." "Ah! indeed," said Colbert, expanding.