“ ‘Where has he gone?’ asked M. de Cavois.

“ ‘To Troyes, in Champagne,’ I answered.

“ ‘And when did he set out?’

“ ‘Yesterday evening.’ ”

“Planchet, my friend,” interrupted d’Artagnan, “you are really a precious fellow.”

“You will understand, Monsieur, I thought there would be still time, if you wish, to see M. de Cavois to contradict me by saying you were not yet gone. The falsehood would then lie at my door, and as I am not a gentleman, I may be allowed to lie.”

“Be of good heart, Planchet, you shall preserve your reputation as a veracious man. In a quarter of an hour we set off.”