“Who assures you that D’Artagnan sends for us?”

“Well, but—but his writing—”

“Writing is easily counterfeited. This looks counterfeited—unsteady—”

“You are always right; but, in the meantime, we know nothing.”

Aramis was silent.

“It is true,” said the good Porthos, “we do not want to know anything.”

“What shall I do?” asked Jonathan.

“You will return on board this captain’s vessel.”

“Yes, monseigneur.”

“And will tell him that we beg he will himself come into the island.”