Aramis shut the book. “Yes,” he said, “it is indeed M. de Mazarin’s handwriting; I recognize it well. Now, my dear governor,” he continued, as if this last communication had exhausted his interest, “let us now turn to our own little affairs.”
“Well, what time for repayment do you wish me to take? Fix it yourself.”
“There need not be any particular period fixed; give me a simple acknowledgment for one hundred and fifty thousand francs.”
“When to be made payable?”
“When I require it; but, you understand, I shall only wish it when you yourself do.”
“Oh, I am quite easy on that score,” said Baisemeaux, smiling; “but I have already given you two receipts.”
“Which I now destroy,” said Aramis; and after having shown the two receipts to Baisemeaux, he destroyed them. Overcome by so great a mark of confidence, Baisemeaux unhesitatingly wrote out an acknowledgment of a debt of one hundred and fifty thousand francs, payable at the pleasure of the prelate. Aramis, who had, by glancing over the governor’s shoulder, followed the pen as he wrote, put the acknowledgment into his pocket without seeming to have read it, which made Baisemeaux perfectly easy. “Now,” said Aramis, “you will not be angry with me if I were to carry off one of your prisoners?”
“What do you mean?”
“By obtaining his pardon, of course. Have I not already told you that I took a great interest in poor Seldon?”
“Yes, quite true, you did so.”