Aramis, who probably had learnt all that he cared to know, replied, "When you like."The young man saw them prepare to leave, and saluted them politely.Baisemeaux replied merely by a nod of the head, while Aramis, with a respect, arising perhaps from the sight of such misfortune, saluted the prisoner profoundly.They left the room, Baisemeaux closing the door behind them.
"Well," said Baisemeaux, as they descended the staircase, "what do you think of it all?""I have discovered the secret, my dear governor," he said.
"Bah! what is the secret, then?"
"A murder was committed in that house."
"Nonsense."
"But attend; the valet and nurse died the same day.""Well."
"And by poison.What do you think?"
"That it is very likely to be true."
"What! that that young man is an assassin?""Who said that? What makes you think that poor young fellow could be an assassin?""The very thing I was saying.A crime was committed in his house," said Aramis, "and that was quite sufficient; perhaps he saw the criminals, and it was feared that he might say something.""The deuce! if I only thought that ---- ""Well?"
"I would redouble the surveillance."
"Oh, he does not seem to wish to escape.""You do not know what prisoners are."
"Has he any books?"
"None; they are strictly prohibited, and under M.de Mazarin's own hand.""Have you the writing still?"
"Yes, my lord; would you like to look at it as you return to take your cloak?
"I should, for I like to look at autographs.""Well, then, this one is of the most unquestionable authenticity; there is only one erasure.""Ah, ah! an erasure; and in what respect?""With respect to a figure.At first there was written: `To be boarded at fifty francs.'""As princes of the blood, in fact?"
"But the cardinal must have seen his mistake, you understand; for he canceled the zero, and has added a one before the five.But, by the by ---- ""What?"
"You do not speak of the resemblance."
"I do not speak of it, dear M.de Baisemeaux, for a very simple reason -- because it does not exist.""The deuce it doesn't."
"Or, if it does exist, it is only in your own imagination;but, supposing it were to exist elsewhere, I think it would be better for you not to speak about it.""Really."
"The king, Louis XIV.-- you understand -- would be excessively angry with you, if he were to learn that you contributed in any way to spread the report that one of his subjects has the effrontery to resemble him.""It is true, quite true," said Baisemeaux, thoroughly alarmed; "but I have not spoken of the circumstance to any one but yourself, and you understand, monseigneur, that Iperfectly rely on your discretion."
"Oh, be easy."
"Do you still wish to see the note?"
"Certainly."
While engaged in this manner in conversation, they had returned to the governor's apartments; Baisemeaux took from the cupboard a private register, like the one he had already shown Aramis, but fastened by a lock, the key which opened it being one of a small bunch of keys which Baisemeaux always carried with him.Then placing the book upon the table, he opened it at the letter "M," and showed Aramis the following note in the column of observations: "No books at any time; all linen and clothes of the finest and best quality to be procured; no exercise; always the same jailer;no communications with any one.Musical instruments; every liberty and every indulgence which his welfare may require, to be boarded at fifteen francs.M.de Baisemeaux can claim more if the fifteen francs be not sufficient.""Ah," said Baisemeaux, "now I think of it, I shall claim it."Aramis shut the book."Yes," he said, "it is indeed M.de Mazarin's handwriting; I recognize it well.Now, my dear governor," he continued, as if this last communication had exhausted his interest, "let us now turn to our own little affairs.""Well, what time for repayment do you wish me to take? Fix it yourself.""There need not be any particular period fixed; give me a simple acknowledgment for one hundred and fifty thousand francs.""When to be made payable?"
"When I require it; but, you understand, I shall only wish it when you yourself do.""Oh, I am quite easy on that score," said Baisemeaux, smiling; "but I have already given you two receipts.""Which I now destroy," said Aramis; and after having shown the two receipts to Baisemeaux, he destroyed them.Overcome by so great a mark of confidence, Baisemeaux unhesitatingly wrote out an acknowledgment of a debt of one hundred and fifty thousand francs, payable at the pleasure of the prelate.Aramis, who had, by glancing over the governor's shoulder, followed the pen as he wrote, put the acknowledgment into his pocket without seeming to have read it, which made Baisemeaux perfectly easy."Now," said Aramis, "you will not be angry with me if I were to carry off one of your prisoners?""What do you mean?"
"By obtaining his pardon, of course.Have I not already told you that I took a great interest in poor Seldon?""Yes, quite true, you did so."
"Well?"
"That is your affair; do as you think proper.I see you have an open hand, and an arm that can reach a great way.""Adieu, adieu." And Aramis left, carrying with him the governor's best wishes.
