Baptiste obeyed dutifully, but the valise almost slipped from his hands. “Ah!” said he laughing, “Monsieur the Baron did not warn me! The devil! Monsieur the Baron has not wasted his time it seems.”
“Just where you’re mistaken, Baptiste! if I didn’t waste all my time, I at least lost a good deal, so I should like to be off again as soon as possible.”
“But Monsieur the Baron will breakfast?”
“I’ll eat a bite, but quickly.”
“Monsieur will not be delayed. It is now two, and breakfast has been ready since ten this morning. Luckily it’s a cold breakfast.”
And Baptiste, in the absence of his master, did the honors of the house to the visitor by showing him the way to the dining-room.
“Not necessary,” said the visitor, “I know the way. Do you see to the carriage; let it be close to the house with the door wide open when I come out, so that the postilion can’t see me. Here’s the money to pay him for the first relay.”
And the stranger whom Baptiste had addressed as Baron handed him a handful of notes.
“Why, Monsieur,” said the servant, “you have given me enough to pay all the way to Lyons!”
“Pay him as far as Valence, under pretext that I want to sleep, and keep the rest for your trouble in settling the accounts.”