De Wardes trembled from head to foot, turned pale, but did not move.

D'Artagnan, still with the same smile, took the place which Raoul had abandoned to him.
"Thank you, my dear Raoul," he said.

"M.

de Wardes, I wish to talk with you.

Do not leave us, Raoul; every one can hear what I have to say to M.
de Wardes." His smile immediately faded away, and his glace became cold and sharp as a sword.
"I am at your orders, monsieur," said De Wardes.
"For a very long time," resumed D'Artagnan, "I have sought an opportunity of conversing with you; to-day is the first time I have found it.