The captain and his sailor, again crossing the pavement, regained the walk on the right.
"See, captain," said Sans-Plume, "he turns tack with us."
"Let him go, and let us watch his steps."
The man who followed the two sailors, a large, jolly-looking fellow in a blue blouse and cap, went beyond them a few steps, then stopped and looked up at the stars, for the night had fully come.
The captain, after saying a few words in a low tone to the sailor who had hidden himself behind the trunk of one of the large trees of the boulevard, advanced alone to meet his disagreeable observer, and said to him:
"Comrade, it is a fine evening."
"Very fine."
"You are waiting for some one here?"
"Yes."
"I, also."