thirty sous per diem. D'Artagnan proposed to himself to take
them by surprise in flagrante delicto of wandering life, and
to judge by the first appearance if he could count on them
as trusty companions.

He arrived at Calais at half past four in the afternoon.




CHAPTER 22

D'Artagnan travels for the House of Planchet and Company



The hostelry of "Le Grand Monarque" was situated in a little
street parallel to the port without looking out upon the
port itself. Some lanes cut -- as steps cut the two
parallels of the ladder -- the two great straight lines of
the port and the street. By these lanes passengers came
suddenly from the port into the street, or from the street
on to the port. D'Artagnan, arrived at the port, took one of
these lanes, and came out in front of the hostelry of "Le
Grand Monarque." The moment was well chosen and might remind
D'Artagnan of his start in life at the hostelry of the
"Franc-Meunier" at Meung. Some sailors who had been playing
at dice had started a quarrel, and were threatening each
other furiously. The host, hostess, and two lads were
watching with anxiety the circle of these angry gamblers,