"They say," replied Aramis, taking up his book, "that they have all taken to the deep sea, since the Cardinal built that dike."
"That is not what I was asking," replied Athos. "Were you quite free and at your ease, or did any one pay attention to you?"
"Oh, nobody paid any attention to me. And if that is your object, Athos, Parpaillot's will suit us very well."
"Let us go at once then," said Athos, "for these walls are like paper."
On the way they met Grimaud [the valet of Athos], whom Athos beckoned silently to follow them. Grimaud, according to his custom, obeyed without a word. The poor fellow had almost forgotten how to speak!
It did not take them long to reach Parpaillot's, but unluckily the hour was ill chosen for a private conference. The réveille had just been sounded, and the sleepy soldiers were all pouring into the inn. This state of matters delighted the landlord, but was hardly so agreeable to the four friends, who merely nodded sulkily at the salutations of the crowd.
"If we are not careful," said Athos, rousing himself, "we shall find ourselves landed in some quarrel, which would be highly inconvenient at this moment. D'Artagnan, tell us about your night's work, and then we will tell you about ours."
"Ah yes," said a light-horse soldier, who was slowly sipping a glass of brandy, "you were down at the trenches last night, I think, and I believe you had a brush with the Rochellois."
D'Artagnan looked at Athos, to see if he ought to answer or not.
"My dear fellow," replied Athos, "I don't think you are aware that M. De Busigny did you the honor to address you! Since these gentlemen are interested in last night's affair, tell them about it."