What, according to all probability, induced him to direct his steps that way, was the splendor of the flambeaux, and the busy air of the pages and domestics. But he was stopped short by a presented musket and the cry of the sentinel. “Where are you going, my friend?” asked the soldier. “I am going to the king’s apartment,” replied the unknown, haughtily, but tranquilly. The soldier called one of his eminence’s officers, who, in the tone in which a youth in office directs a solicitor to a minister, let fall these words: “The other staircase, in front.” And the officer, without further notice of the unknown, resumed his interrupted conversation. The stranger, without reply, directed his steps towards the staircase pointed out to him. On this side there was no noise, there were no more flambeaux. Obscurity, through which a sentinel glided like a shadow; silence, which permitted him to hear the sound of his own footsteps, accompanied with the jingling of his spurs upon the stone slabs. This guard was one of the twenty musketeers appointed for attendance upon the king, and who mounted guard with the stiffness and consciousness of a statue. “Who goes there?” said the guard. “A friend,” replied the unknown. “What do you want?” “To speak to the king.” “Do you, my dear monsieur? That’s not very likely.” “Why not?” “Because the king has gone to bed.” “Gone to bed already?” “Yes.” “No matter: I must speak to him.” “And I tell you that is impossible.” “And yet——” “Go back!” “Do you require the word?” “I have no account to render to you. Stand back!” And this time the soldier accompanied his word with a threatening gesture; but the unknown stirred no more than if his feet had taken root. “Monsieur le mousquetaire,” said he, “are you a gentleman?” “I have that honor.” “Very well! I also am one, and between gentlemen some consideration ought to be observed.” The soldier lowered his arms, overcome by the dignity with which these words were pronounced. “Speak, monsieur,” said he; “and if you ask me anything in my power——” “Thank you. You have an officer, have you not?” “Our lieutenant? Yes, monsieur.” “Well, I wish to speak to him.” “Oh, that’s a different thing. Come up, monsieur.” The unknown saluted the soldier in a lofty fashion, and ascended the staircase; whilst a cry, “Lieutenant, a visit!” transmitted from sentinel to sentinel, preceded the unknown, and disturbed the slumbers of the officer. Dragging on his boots, rubbing his eyes, and hooking his cloak, the lieutenant made three steps towards the stranger. “What can I do to serve you, monsieur?” asked he. “You are the officer on duty, lieutenant of the musketeers, are you?” “I have that honor,” replied the officer. “Monsieur, I must absolutely speak to the king.” The lieutenant looked attentively at the unknown, and in that look, however rapid, he saw all he wished to see—that is to say, a person of high distinction in an ordinary dress.