At nine o'clock d'Artagnan was at the Hotel des Gardes; he found Planchet all ready.

The fourth horse had arrived.
Planchet was armed with his musketoon and a pistol.

D'Artagnan had his sword and placed two pistols in his belt; then both mounted and departed quietly.

It was quite dark, and no one saw them go out.

Planchet took place behind his master, and kept at a distance of ten paces from him.
D'Artagnan crossed the quays, went out by the gate of La Conference and followed the road, much more beautiful then than it is now, which leads to St.Cloud.
As long as he was in the city, Planchet kept at the respectful distance he had imposed upon himself; but as soon as the road began to be more lonely and dark, he drew softly nearer, so that when they entered the Bois de Boulogne he found himself riding quite naturally side by side with his master.