“Exactly; so they were.”
“Oh! M. Fouquet allows his friends to be hanged, then,” said Porthos.
“And why not?” said Aramis.
“Why, it seems to me — ”
“If these culprits were hanged, it was by order of the king. Now M. Fouquet, although superintendent of the finances, has not, I believe, the right of life and death.”
“That may be,” said Porthos; “but in the place of M. Fouquet — ”
Aramis was afraid Porthos was about to say something awkward, so interrupted him. “Come, D’Artagnan,” said he; “this is quite enough about other people, let us talk a little about you.”