“That prohibition is not for me,” said D’Artagnan. “Have the fugitives been pursued?”
“Yes, my officer; unfortunately, they are well mounted.”
“How many are there?”
“Four, and a fifth whom they carried away wounded.”
“Four!” said D’Artagnan, looking at Porthos. “Do you hear, baron? They are only four!”
A joyous smile lighted Porthos’s face.
“How long a start have they?”
“Two hours and a quarter, my officer.”
“Two hours and a quarter—that is nothing; we are well mounted, are we not, Porthos?”
Porthos breathed a sigh; he thought of what was in store for his poor horses.