beginning for me. Never mind, you know when monsieur le
comte will return, at least?"

"As little, monsieur, as the place of his destination."

"Come, Blaisois, come, search."

"Monsieur doubts my sincerity? Ah, monsieur, that grieves me
much."

"The devil take his gilded tongue!" grumbled D'Artagnan. "A
clown with a word would be worth a dozen of him. Adieu!"

"Monsieur, I have the honor to present you my respects."

"Cuistre!" said D'Artagnan to himself, "the fellow is
unbearable." He gave another look up to the house, turned
his horse's head, and set off like a man who has nothing
either annoying or embarrassing in his mind. When he was at
the end of the wall, and out of sight, -- "Well, now, I
wonder," said he, breathing quickly, "whether Athos was at
home. No; all those idlers, standing with their arms
crossed, would have been at work if the eye of the master
was near. Athos gone a journey? -- that is incomprehensible.
Bah! it is all devilish mysterious! And then -- no -- he is
not the man I want. I want one of a cunning, patient mind.
My business is at Melun, in a certain presbytery I am
acquainted with. Forty-five leagues -- four days and a half!
Well, it is fine weather, and I am free. Never mind the
distance!"