Gourville replied to the surintendant by a look which said: “You were there yourself yesterday.”
“And by what sign do you make out they are in such haste?” added he, for the sake of gaining time.
“By this, monsieur,” said the patron; “these people must have set out a long while after us, and they have already nearly overtaken us.”
“Bah!” said Gourville, “who told you that they do not come from Beaugency or from Moit even?”
“We have seen no lighter of that shape, except at Orleans. It comes from Orleans, monsieur, and makes great haste.”
Fouquet and Gourville exchanged a glance. The captain remarked their uneasiness, and, to mislead him, Gourville immediately said:
“Some friend, who has laid a wager he would catch us; let us win the wager, and not allow him to come up with us.”
The patron opened his mouth to say that it was quite impossible, but Fouquet said with much hauteur,—“If it is any one who wishes to overtake us, let him come.”
“We can try, monseigneur,” said the man, timidly. “Come, you fellows, put out your strength; row, row!”
“No,” said Fouquet, “on the contrary; stop short.”