The Physician.M. Valot entered. The position of the different persons present was precisely the same: the king was seated, Saint–Aignan leaning over the back of his armchair, D'Artagnan with his back against the wall, and Manicamp still standing.
"Well, M. Valot," said the king, "did you obey my directions?"
"With the greatest alacrity, sire."
"You went to the doctor's house in Fontainebleau?"
"Yes, sire."
"And you found M. de Guiche there?"
"I did, sire."
"What state was he in?—speak unreservedly."
"In a very sad state indeed, sire."
"The wild boar did not quite devour him, however?"
"Devour whom?"
"De Guiche."
"What wild boar?"
"The boar that wounded him."
"M. de Guiche wounded by a boar?"
"So it is said, at least."
"By a poacher, rather, or by a jealous husband, or an il
