“Monseigneur,” said Pellisson, “you must speak to his majesty.”
“The king, my dear Pellisson, himself signed the order for the execution.”
“Well!” said the Comte de Chanost, “the execution must not take place, then; that is all.”
“Impossible,” said Gourville, “unless we could corrupt the jailers.”
“Or the governor,” said Fouquet.
“This night the prisoners might be allowed to escape.”
“Which of you will take charge of the transaction?”
“I,” said the abbe, “will carry the money.”
“And I,” said Pellisson, “will be the bearer of the words.”
“Words and money,” said Fouquet, “five hundred thousand livres to the governor of the conciergerie, that is sufficient, nevertheless, it shall be a million, if necessary.”