This illusion lasted three hours; during two of which he went forward in search of his friend--in the last he returned to the house.
"We must have crossed," said he, "and I shall find them waiting for me at table." D'Artagnan was mistaken.

He no more found Porthos at the palace than he had found him on the sea-shore.

Aramis was waiting for him at the top of the stairs, looking very much concerned.
"Did my people not find you, my dear D'Artagnan ?" cried he, as soon as he caught sight of the musketeer.
"No; did you send any one after me ?" "I am deeply concerned, my friend, deeply, to have induced you to make such a useless search; but, about seven o'clock, the almoner of Saint-Patern came here.

He had met Du Vallon, who was going away, and who, being unwilling to disturb anybody at the palace, had charged him to tell me that, fearing M.Getard would play him some ill turn in his absence, he was going to take advantage of the morning tide to make a tour of Belle-Isle." "But tell me, Goliath has not crossed the four leagues of sea, I should think." "There are full six," said Aramis.
"That makes it less probable still." "Therefore, my friend," said Aramis, with one of his blandest smiles, "Goliath is in the stable, well pleased, I will answer for it, that Porthos is no longer on his back." In fact, the horse had been brought back from the relay by the direction of the prelate, from whom no detail escaped.

D'Artagnan appeared as well satisfied with as possible with the explanation.