"Are you mad ?" cried he.

"Who knows that it is not a snare ?" "Of the other king's ?" said Porthos, mysteriously.
"A snare, in fact! That's what it is, my friend." "Very possibly; what is to be done, then?
If D'Artagnan sends for us--" "Who assures you that D'Artagnan sends for us ?" "Well, but--but his writing--" "Writing is easily counterfeited.

This looks counterfeited--unsteady--" "You are always right; but, in the meantime, we know nothing." Aramis was silent.
"It is true," said the good Porthos, "we do not want to know anything." "What shall I do ?" asked Jonathan.
"You will return on board this captain's vessel." "Yes, monseigneur." "And will tell him that we beg he will himself come into the island." "Ah! I comprehend!" said Porthos.
"Yes, monseigneur," replied Jonathan; "but if the captain should refuse to come to Belle-Isle ?" "If he refuses, as we have cannon, we will make use of them." "What! against D'Artagnan ?" "If it is D'Artagnan, Porthos, he will come.

Go, Jonathan, go!" "_Ma foi!_ I no longer comprehend anything," murmured Porthos.
"I will make you comprehend it all, my dear friend; the time for it has come; sit down upon this gun-carriage, open your ears, and listen well to me." "Oh! _pardieu!_ I will listen, no fear of that." "May I depart, monseigneur ?" cried Jonathan.
"Yes, begone, and bring back an answer.

Allow the canoe to pass, you men there!" And the canoe pushed off to regain the fleet.
Aramis took Porthos by the hand, and commenced his explanations..