have commissioned you to tell me what you have just stated ?" "The king charged me with no message for you." "With nothing!" said the superintendent, stupefied.

"But, that order--" "Oh! yes.

You are quite right.

There _is_ an order, certainly;" and these words were pronounced by Aramis in so strange a tone, that Fouquet could not resist starting.
"You are concealing something from me, I see.

What is it ?" Aramis softly rubbed his white fingers over his chin, but said nothing.
"Does the king exile me ?" "Do not act as if you were playing at the game children play at when they have to try and guess where a thing has been hidden, and are informed, by a bell being rung, when they are approaching near to it, or going away from it." "Speak, then." "Guess." "You alarm me." "Bah! that is because you have not guessed, then." "What did the king say to you?
In the name of our friendship, do not deceive me." "The king has not said one word to me." "You are killing me with impatience, D'Herblay.