"Perhaps even I may be prevented from coming back to fetch you."
"How so?"
"Peste, chevalier; it is easy to see that this is your first visit to Paris."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that in Paris there are three distinct bodies of police, who all unite to torment those honest people who only desire to substitute what is not for what is. First, the regent's police, which is not much to be feared; secondly, that of Messire Voyer d'Argenson—this has its days, when he is in a bad humor, or has been ill received at the convent of the Madeleine du Tresnel; thirdly, there is Dubois's police; ah! that is a different thing. Dubois is a—"
"A wretch," cried Gaston; "I am well aware of that."
Dubois smiled his sinister smile.
"Well, to escape these three police?" said Gaston.
"One must be prudent, chevalier."