"Arnauld du Thill!" exclaimed the constable, "that's a different matter. Show him in."
The valet bowed and withdrew.
"This fellow Arnauld," the constable reflected, "is clever, cunning, and avaricious,—more than that, he has no scruples and conscience. Oh, if he could only help me to be revenged on all these people! To be revenged, do I say? But what should I gain by that? He might possibly help me to make my way back into favor! He knows many things. It has already occurred to me to make use of my knowledge of this Montgommery affair; but it would be much better if I might learn something from Arnauld which would enable me to dispense with doing that."
At this moment Arnauld du Thill was ushered into the room.
Joy and impudence were struggling for the mastery in the rascal's expression. He bowed to the ground before the constable.
"I thought you were a prisoner," said Montmorency.
"So I was, Monseigneur, just as you were."
"But you seem to have got out of the difficulty," rejoined the constable.
"Yes, Monseigneur; I paid them in my money,—that is to say, I laughed at them instead. You used your money and I used my wits; and here we are both at liberty."
"Ah, you are an impudent scoundrel," said the constable.