"And are prepared to prove your zeal for him?"
"On every occasion."
"How luckily this comes about! such meetings as this never happen except on the high-road."
"What do you mean?" queried the tradesman, beginning to eye Cauvignac with some uneasiness.
"I mean, monsieur, that you must come with us."
The tradesman almost leaped out of his saddle in surprise and terror.
"Go with you! Whither, monsieur, in God's name?"
"I am not altogether sure, myself; wherever we go."
"Monsieur, I travel only with people whom I know."
"That is quite right, and shows you to be a prudent man; so I will proceed to tell you who we are."