Monsieur le comte has gone on a journey." "A journey!" said D'Artagnan, surprised; "that's a fable, Master Blaisois." "Monsieur, it is no more than the truth.

Monsieur has done me the honor to give me the house in charge; and he added, with his voice so full of authority and kindness--that is all one to me: 'You will say I have gone to Paris.'" "Well!" cried D'Artagnan, "since he is gone towards Paris, that is all I wanted to know! you should have told me so at first, booby! He is then two hours in advance ?" "Yes, monsieur." "I shall soon overtake him.

Is he alone ?" "No, monsieur." "Who is with him, then ?" "A gentleman whom I don't know, an old man, and M.Grimaud." "Such a party cannot travel as fast as I can--I will start." "Will monsieur listen to me an instant ?" said Blaisois, laying his hand gently on the reins of the horse.
"Yes, if you don't favor me with fine speeches, and make haste." "Well, then, monsieur, that word Paris appears to me to be only an excuse." "Oh, oh!" said D'Artagnan, seriously, "an excuse, eh ?" "Yes, monsieur; and monsieur le comte is not going to Paris, I will swear." "What makes you think so ?" "This--M.

Grimaud always knows where our master is going; and he had promised me that the first time he went to Paris, he would take a little money for me to my wife." "What, have you a wife, then ?" "I had one--she was of this country; but monsieur thought her a noisy scold, and I sent her to Paris; it is sometimes inconvenient, but very agreeable at others." "I understand; but go on.

You do not believe the count gone to Paris ?" "No, monsieur; for then M.Grimaud would have broken his word; he would have perjured himself, and that is impossible." "That is impossible," repeated D'Artagnan, quite in a study, because he was quite convinced.