So Gamgès related to Frodia all that had happened, beginning with his engagement to Rosédès and ending with his imprisonment.
"So," remarked the abbé, "Sacqueville-Danglars knew about the letter entrusted to you by your captain, and he had cause to be envious of you; was he acquainted with Pippand, your rival in love?"
"No... Yes! They dined together at Le pony prançant with Buttrbeurrousse... They had pens and paper... Oh! What a ninnihammier I have been not to see it! Infâmes! Infâmes! But... how could they have arranged that I be condemned without trial to imprisonment in this noisome pit?"
"This is grave," said Frodia. "But let us return to your account. You say that M. de Villefaramir burnt the incriminating letter before your eyes?"
"Yes," replied Gamgès. "He incinerated it, saying 'Now m... your secret is safe.'"
"This conduct is too sublime to be natural," observed the abbé. "To whom was this letter addressed?"
"To M. de Dénéthoirtier, rue Coq-Hurin-les-Clefs, n° 13, à Annuminas," replied Samouard.
