"I don't see that woman," said Sans-Cravate; "it's very strange! Where the devil has she gone to?"
"Was it really Bastringuette that you saw turn into this street? You ain't sure of it, are you?"
"No."
"What are we going to do now?"
"As long as we're in the Marais, let's go to Rue Barbette, where my traitor's cousin lives."
"All right, let's inspect the Marais, I'm willing; perhaps we may meet somebody else. But we don't need to run any more, that don't help us any. Let's walk along quiet now, arm in arm."
"Did I run just now?"
"Oh, no! of course not! not any faster than a steam engine. I'm willing to go with you and help you in your search; for I'm your friend—and when anyone insults you, d'ye see, it makes me madder than if it was me. Bless my soul! a friend's a friend—that's enough for me. But that's no reason for your breaking my wind. Besides, you know, you can find things out much better by going slow than by running like a bullet. Look you, I'll give you a comparison. Have you ever been on the railroad?"
"Yes; I went to Saint-Germain once, with Bastringuette."
"Well, what did you see, what did you notice on the way?"