It appears that he had met with disagreeableness, likewise, on his journey.

Unfortunately, he is more nimble than his master; so that for the sake of his master, he puts us all under his feet, and as he thinks we might refuse what he asked for, he takes all he wants without asking at all." "The fact is," said d'Artagnan, "I have always observed a great degree of intelligence and devotedness in Mousqueton." "That is possible, monsieur; but suppose I should happen to be brought in contact, even four times a year, with such intelligence and devotedness--why, I should be a ruined man!" "No, for Porthos will pay you." "Hum!" said the host, in a doubtful tone.
"The favorite of a great lady will not be allowed to be inconvenienced for such a paltry sum as he owes you." "If I durst say what I believe on that head--" "What you believe ?" "I ought rather to say, what I know." "What you know ?" "And even what I am sure of." "And of what are you so sure ?" "I would say that I know this great lady." "You ?" "Yes; I." "And how do you know her ?" "Oh, monsieur, if I could believe I might trust in your discretion." "Speak! By the word of a gentleman, you shall have no cause to repent of your confidence." "Well, monsieur, you understand that uneasiness makes us do many things." "What have you done ?" "Oh, nothing which was not right in the character of a creditor." "Well ?" "Monsieur Porthos gave us a note for his duchess, ordering us to put it in the post.

This was before his servant came.

As he could not leave his chamber, it was necessary to charge us with this commission." "And then ?" "Instead of putting the letter in the post, which is never safe, I took advantage of the journey of one of my lads to Paris, and ordered him to convey the letter to this duchess himself.

This was fulfilling the intentions of Monsieur Porthos, who had desired us to be so careful of this letter, was it not ?" "Nearly so." "Well, monsieur, do you know who this great lady is ?" "No; I have heard Porthos speak of her, that's all." "Do you know who this pretended duchess is?
"I repeat to you, I don't know her." "Why, she is the old wife of a procurator* of the Chatelet, monsieur, named Madame Coquenard, who, although she is at least fifty, still gives herself jealous airs.