And you not insist ?" "On the contrary, I did insist, almost impertinently so, even." "And she persisted in her denial ?" "Unhesitatingly." "And she did not contradict herself once ?" "Not once." "But, in that case, then, you have left our letter in her hands ?" "How could I do otherwise ?" "Oh! it was a great mistake." "What the deuce would you have done in my place ?" "One could not force her, certainly, but it is very embarrassing; such a letter ought not remain in existence against us." "Oh! the young girl's disposition is generosity itself; I looked at her eyes, and I can read eyes well." "You think she can be relied upon ?" "From my heart I do." "Well, I think we are mistaken." "In what way ?" "I think that, in point of fact, as she herself told you, she did not receive the letter." "What! do you suppose-- ?" "I suppose that, from some motive, of which we know nothing, your man did not deliver the letter to her." Fouquet rang the bell.

A servant appeared.

"Send Toby here," he said.

A moment afterward a man made his appearance, with an anxious restless look, shrewd expression of the mouth, with short arms, and his back somewhat bent.

Aramis fixed a penetrating look upon him.
"Will you allow me to interrogate him myself ?" inquired Aramis.
"Do so," said Fouquet.
Aramis was about to say something to the lackey, when he paused.
"No," he said; "he would see that we attach too much importance to his answer, question him yourself; I will pretend to write." Aramis accordingly placed himself at a table, his back turned toward the old attendant, whose every gesture and look he watched in a looking-glass opposite to him.
"Come here, Toby," said Fouquet to the valet, who approached with a tolerably firm step.