"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."