"I bet you, M. De Busigny, that I and my three friends Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan, will breakfast in the Bastion Saint-Gervais, and will hold it an hour by the clock, against all comers."
Porthos and Aramis looked at each other. They were beginning to understand what Athos had in his head.
"But," objected D'Artagnan, leaning over to whisper to Athos, "we shall be killed without a chance of escape."
"We shall be killed a great deal more certainly if we don't go," replied Athos.
"Ah!" ejaculated Porthos, twirling his mustache, "that is a grand bet."
"I take it," said M. De Busigny; "let us fix the stakes."
"That is easily done," replied Athos. "We are four and you are four. The loser shall give the whole eight a dinner."
"Very well, let us agree to that," said M. De Busigny and the dragoon.
"Your breakfast is ready, gentlemen," broke in the landlord at this instant.