The Slasher having crossed a little lobby, on which opened the governor's room, entered the apartment where Germain was seated.
"Wait for me here," said the keeper to the Slasher; "I am going to learn what the governor decides to do with the Skeleton, and I will return directly for you. There is our young man quite recovered; he wishes to thank you, and he has reason too, for without you all had been finished for him." The keeper retired. Slasher's features were radiant with delight. He advanced joyfully, saying:
"Thunder! how happy I am at saving you!" And he extended his hand to Germain.
He, from a feeling of involuntary repulsion, at first drew back slightly, instead of taking the hand offered by the Slasher; then, recollecting that, after all, he owed his life to this man, he wished to make amends for this first movement of repugnance. But the Slasher had perceived it; a gloom spread over his face, and drawing back in his turn, he said, with much bitterness, "Ah! it is right. Pardon me, sir."
"No, it is I who should ask your pardon. Am I not a prisoner like you? I should only think of the service you have rendered me--you have saved my life. Your hand, friend, I entreat you. I pray you, your hand."
"Thank you; now it is useless. The first movement is everything. If you had at first given me your hand, that would have given me pleasure; but, on reflection, it is I who do not wish it. Not because I am a prisoner, like you, but," he added, in a hesitating and gloomy manner, "because, before I was here, I was--"
"The keeper has told me all," replied Germain, interrupting him; "but you have none the less saved my life."
"I have done but my duty and pleasure, for I know who you are, M. Germain."
"A little, my boy; I talk to you like a father," said the Slasher, resuming his tone of habitual carelessness; "and you would be very wrong to place my arrival at La Force on the back of chance. If I had not known you, I should not have been here."
Germain looked at the Slasher with the utmost surprise.
"I wish to say that it is impossible for me to comprehend how it can be that I have anything to do with your imprisonment."
"Have anything to do? You have everything."
"A misfortune! On the contrary, it is I who am indebted to you; and very much, that is more."