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366 LOUISA DE LA VALLIERE. certain you have insulted him, since he himself told me you had. Yes, monsieur, you have seriously insulted him, mortally insulted him, I repeat." "It is impossible. Monsieur le Baron, I swear, quite impossible." "Besides," added Perthes, "you cannot be ignorant of the circumstance, since Monsieur de Bragelonne informed me that he had already apprised you of it by a note." "I give you my word of honor, monsieur, that I have received no note whatever." "This is most extraordinary," replied Porthos. "I will convince you," said St. Aignan, "that I have received nothing in any way from him." And he rang the bell. "Basque," he said to the servant who entered, "how many letters or notes were sent here during my absence?" "Three, Monsieur le Comte — a note from Monsieur de Fiesque, one from Madame de Laferte, and a letter from Monsieur de la Fuentes." "Is that all?" "Yes, Monsieur le Comte." "Speak the truth before this gentleman— the truth, you understand. I will take care you are not blamed." "There was a note, also, from — from " "Well, from whom?" "From Mademoiselle de la Val " "That is quite sufficient," interrupted Porthos. "I be- lieve you. Monsieur le Comte." St. Aignan dismissed the valet, and followed him to the door, in order to close it after him; and when he had done so, looking straight before him, he happened to see in the keyhole of the adjoining apartment the paper which De Bragelonne had slipped in there as he left. "What is this?" he said. Porthos who was sitting with his back to the room, turned round. "Oh! oh!" he said. "A note in the keyhole!" exclaimed St. Aignan. "That is not unlikely to be the one we want. Monsieur le Comte," said Porthos. St. Aignan took out the paper. "A note from Monsieur de Bragelonne!" he exclaimed. "You see, monsieur, I was right. Oh, when I say a thing " "Brought here by Monsieur de Bragelonne himself," the comte murmured, turning pale. "This is infamous! How could he possible have come here?"