“I have performed that same distance in forty hours, and by ten o’clock in the morning I must be in London.”
“Very sorry, Monsieur; but I was here first, and will not sail second.”
“I am sorry, too, Monsieur; but I arrived second, and must sail first.”
“The king’s service!” said the gentleman.
“My own service!” said d’Artagnan.
“But this is a needless quarrel you seek with me, as it seems to me.”
“ Parbleu! What do you desire it to be?”
“What do you want?”
“Would you like to know?”
“Certainly.”
“Well, then, I wish that order of which you are bearer, seeing that I have not one of my own and must have one.”
“You jest, I presume.”
“I never jest.”
“Let me pass!”
“You shall not pass.”
“My brave young man, I will blow out your brains. Holà , Lubin, my pistols!”
“Planchet,” called out d’Artagnan, “take care of the lackey; I will manage the master.”