I will recall him, and do you question him in your turn." "Agreed." "But I assure you it is quite useless.

He has been with me for the last twenty years, and has never made the slightest mistake, and yet," added Fouquet, laughing, "it has been easy enough." "Still, call him back.

This morning I fancy I saw that face in earnest conversation with one of M.Colbert's men." "Where was that ?" "Opposite the stables." "Bah! all my people are at daggers drawn with that fellow." "I saw him, I tell you, and his face, which I ought not to have recognized when he entered just now, struck me in a disagreeable manner." "Why did you not say something, then, while he was here ?" "Because it is only at this very minute that my memory is clear upon the subject." "Really," said Fouquet, "you alarm me." And he again rang the bell.
"Provided that it is not already too late," said Aramis.
Fouquet once more rang impatiently.

The valet usually in attendance appeared.

"Toby!" said Fouquet, "send Toby." The valet again shut the door.
"You leave me at perfect liberty, I suppose ?" "Entirely so." "I may employ all means, then, to ascertain the truth." "All." "Intimidation, even ?" "I constitute you public prosecutor in my place." They waited ten minutes longer, but uselessly, and Fouquet, thoroughly out of patience, again rang loudly.