“So much the better.”

Aramis rose. “Certainly,” said he; “I have nothing further to say to a man who mistrusts me as you do.”

“And I, monsieur,” said the prisoner, in the same tone, “have nothing to say to a man who will not understand that a prisoner ought to be mistrustful of everybody.”

“Even of his old friends,” said Aramis. “Oh, monseigneur, you are too prudent!”

“Of my old friends? — you one of my old friends, — you?”

“Do you no longer remember,” said Aramis, “that you once saw, in the village where your early years were spent — ”