himself when he hears of your coming! As ill luck will have
it, monsieur le comte left home two hours ago."

D'Artagnan did not trouble himself about such trifles. "Very
good!" said he. "You always speak the best French in the
world; you shall give me a lesson in grammar and correct
language, whilst I wait the return of your master."

"That is impossible, monsieur," said Blaisois; "you would
have to wait too long."

"Will he not come back to-day, then?"

"No, nor to-morrow, nor the day after to-morrow. 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."