The Appreciation By King LOUIS

M.de Treville hastened to report the king. The king was closeted with the cardinal and M.de Treville was informed that the king could not receive him at the moment.

In the evening M.de Treville attended the king's gaming table. The king told him that his Eminence has been making complaints against the musketeers.

Treville related him to the entire incident.

"Why this is a victory!" cried the king, all radiant, and "a complete victory! Four men, one of them wounded, and a youth who fought brilliantly? What's his name?"

"D'Artagnan, sire; he is the son of my oldest friends-- the son of a man who served under the king your father, of glorious memory, in the civil war."

The king instructed Treville to bring all four together the next day.

When the four musketeers met the King the next day, he commended them for their loyalty, D'Artagnan in particular, and gave the Gascon a large sum of forty pistoles to show his gratitude. He ordered D'Artagnan to be placed in the company of the Guards of Monsieur Dessessart.

The four friends decided to order a good dinner. Porthos engaged a servant named Planchet from Picardyfor D'Artagnan. Soon, M.de Treville becomes very fond of D'Artagnan and begins recommending him to the king.

One fine morning the king commanded M.de Chevalier Dessessart to admit D'Artagnan as a cadet in his company of Guards. M.de Treville promised to take him as a musketeer after two years. Upon this promise, D'Artagnan began service. Life continues normally. The friends, very attached to D'Artagnan, spend all their time together and eventually end up having solicited free meals when their money runs out. Then, one day, D'Artagnan arrives home to find a stranger in his house.

To be continued