"Oh, he is a former city boarder," replied the host, laughing, as he gave a suggestive glance in the direction of the Bagnio.
Madame Danglars shuddered.
"Does he know how to drive?" she asked.
"Like Satan. He used to be a driver of the mail coach, but got a few years in the galleys for assisting robbers to plunder the mails. He is now, however, a good, honest man, and you can safely trust yourself to his care."
What was the baroness to do? She patiently sat down, and breathed more freely when the clock struck four, and the expected coachman arrived with two splendid horses.
"So you want to drive me to Beaussuet?" asked Madame Danglars, vivaciously.
"Yes, madame, for five hundred francs."
"Then harness your horses at once."
"But," stammered the ex-convict, scratching his head, "I make it a rule to take money in advance."