"Then he will tell it me himself."

"I doubt it, my lord."

"Why do you doubt it?"

"Because the secret does not belong to him; because, as I
have told you, it has to do with a great queen."

"And he was alone in achieving an enterprise like that?"

"No, my lord, he had three colleagues, three brave men, men
such as you were wishing for just now."

"And were these four men attached to each other, true in
heart, really united?"

"As if they had been one man -- as if their four hearts had
pulsated in one breast."

"You pique my curiosity, dear Rochefort; pray tell me the
whole story."

"That is impossible; but I will tell you a true story, my
lord."

"Pray do so, I delight in stories," cried the cardinal.

"Listen, then," returned Rochefort, as he spoke endeavoring
to read in that subtle countenance the cardinal's motive.