"Oh, I will not dwell on such a thought." "I do not tell you to dwell on it; I only suggested it for you to make what use you liked of." "Hush," said Gaston, "some one is coming." "Have you asked for anything?" "No." "Then the time allowed for your visit is out," and La Jonquiere threw himself quickly on his bed. The bolts creaked, the door opened, and the governor appeared. "Well, monsieur," said he to Gaston; "does your companion suit you?" "Yes, particularly as I know Captain la Jonquiere." "That makes my task more delicate; but, however, I made you an offer, and I will not draw back. I will permit one visit daily, at any hour you please: shall it be morning or evening?" Gaston looked at La Jonquiere. "Say five in the evening," said La Jonquiere, quickly. "In the evening at five o'clock, if you please." "The same as to-day, then?" "Yes." "It shall be as you desire, monsieur." Gaston and La Jonquiere exchanged a glance, and the chevalier was taken back to his chamber. CHAPTER XXIX. THE SENTENCE. It was half-past six, and quite dark; the chevalier's first act on being left in his room was to run to the chimney. "Chevalier," said he. Dumesnil replied. "I have paid my visit." "Well?" "I have found an acquaintance, if not a friend." "A new prisoner." "Of the same date as myself." "His name?" "Captain la Jonquiere." "What?" "Do you know him?" "Yes!" "Then do me a favor: what is he?" "Oh, an enemy of the regent's." "Are you sure?" "Quite; he was in our conspiracy, and only withdrew because we preferred abduction to assassination." "Then he was--?" "For assassination." "That is it," murmured Gaston; "he is a man to be trusted." "If it be the same I mean, he lives in the Rue Bourdonnais, at the Muids d'Amour." "The same." "Then he is a safe man." "That is well," said Gaston, "for he holds the lives of four brave gentlemen in his hands." "Of whom you are one." "No, I put myself aside, for it seems all is over with me." "How all is over?" "Yes, I am condemned." "To what?" "To death." There was a moment's silence. "Impossible!" cried the Chevalier Dumesnil, at length. "Why impossible?" "Because, if I be not mistaken, your affair is attached to ours." "It follows on it." "Well?" "Well." "Our affairs prospering, yours cannot go wrong." "And who says you are prospering?" "Listen, for with you I will have no secrets." "I am listening." "Mademoiselle de Launay wrote me this yesterday. She was walking with Maison-Rouge, who, as you know, loves her, and at whom we both laugh, but who is useful to us. On pretext of illness, she asked, as you did, for a doctor; he told her that the prison doctor was at her orders. I must tell you that we have known this doctor intimately; his name is Herment.