Part 152 (2/2)

”Ah!” said La Mole, ”it seems that he had something from both of us.”

”Did you pay him too?”

”I gave him a hundred crowns.”

”So much the better.”

”One can do everything with money, and I trust that we shall not lack for it.”

”Do you know what has happened to us?”

”Perfectly; we have been betrayed.”

”By that scoundrelly Duc d'Alencon. I should have been right to twist his neck.”

”Do you think our position serious?”

”I fear so.”

”Then there is likelihood of the torture?”

”I will not hide from you the fact that I have already thought of it.”

”What should you do in that case?”

”And you?”

”I should be silent,” replied La Mole, with a feverish flush.

”Silent?” cried Coconnas.

”Yes, if I had the strength.”

”Well,” said Coconnas, ”if they insult me in any such way I promise you I will tell them a few things.”

”What things?” asked La Mole, quickly.

”Oh, be easy--things which will prevent Monsieur d'Alencon from sleeping for some time.”

La Mole was about to reply when the jailer, who no doubt had heard some noise, appeared, and pus.h.i.+ng each prisoner into his respective cell, locked the doors again.

CHAPTER LV.

THE FIGURE OF WAX.

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