As he spoke, Colbert entered and handed to the captain of the musketeers an order from the King; then bowed, and went out. D'Artagnan glanced at the paper, and in a sudden burst of wrath crumpled it in his hand. "What is the matter?" asked the prince. "Read it, monseigneur," answered the musketeer. And Philippe read these words, written hastily by the King himself:-- "M. D'Artagnan will conduct the prisoner to the Îles Sainte-Marguerite. He will see that his face is covered with an iron mask, which must never be lifted on pain of death." "It is just," said Philippe; "I am ready." "Aramis was right," whispered Fouquet to D'Artagnan, "this is as good a king as the other." "Better," replied D'Artagnan; "he only needed you and me." A TRICK IS PLAYED ON HENRY III. BY AID OF CHICOT From 'The Lady of Monsoreau' The King and Chicot remained quiet and silent for the next ten minutes. Then suddenly the King sat up, and the noise he made roused Chicot, who was just dropping off to sleep. The two looked at each other with sparkling eyes. "What is it?" asked Chicot in a low voice. "Do you hear that sighing sound?" replied the King in a lower voice still. "Listen!" As he spoke, one of the wax candles in the hand of the golden satyr went out; then a second, then a third. After a moment, the fourth went out also. "Oh, oh!" cried Chicot, "that is more than a sighing sound." But he had hardly uttered the last word when in its turn the lamp was extinguished, and the room was in darkness, save for the flickering glow of the dying embers. "Look out!" exclaimed Chicot, jumping up. "He is going to speak," said the King, shrinking back into his bed. "Then listen and let us hear what he says," replied Chicot, and at the same instant a voice which sounded at once both piercing and hollow, proceeded from the space between the bed and the wall. "Hardened sinner, are you there?" "Yes, yes, Lord." gasped Henri with chattering teeth. "Dear me!" remarked Chicot, "that is a very hoarse voice to have come from heaven! I feel dreadfully frightened; but never mind!" "Do you hear me?" asked the voice. "Yes, Lord," stammered Henri; "and I bow before your anger." "Do you think you are carrying out my will by performing all the mummeries you have taken part in to-day, while your heart is full of the things of this world?" "Well said!" cried Chicot; "you touched him there!" The King's hands shook as he clasped them, and Chicot went up to him. "Well," murmured Henri, "are you convinced now?" "Wait a bit," answered Chicot. "What do you want more?" "Hush! listen to me. Creep softly out of bed, and let me take your place." "Why?" "Because then the anger of the Lord will fall first upon me." "And do you think I shall escape?" "We will try, anyway;" and with affectionate persistence he pushed the King out of bed, and took his place. "Now, Henri," he said, "go and lie on my sofa, and leave all to me."