“My officer,” said the , “it is not permitted to stop here.”  
“That is not for me,” said D’Artagnan. “Have the been pursued?”
 
“Yes, my officer; unfortunately, they are well mounted.”
 
“How many are there?”
 
“Four, and a fifth whom they carried away wounded.”
 
“Four!” said D’Artagnan, looking at Porthos. “Do you hear, ? They are only four!”
 
A smile lighted Porthos’s face.
 
“How long a start have they?”
 
“Two hours and a quarter, my officer.”
 
“Two hours and a quarter--that is nothing; we are well mounted, are we not, Porthos?”
 
Porthos breathed a sigh; he thought of what was in store for his poor horses.
 
“Very good,” said D’Artagnan; “and now in what direction did they set out?”
 
“That I am forbidden to tell.”
 
D’Artagnan drew from his pocket a paper. “Order of the king,” he said.
 
“Speak to the governor, then.”
 
“And where is the governor?”
 
“In the country.”
 
Anger mounted to D’Artagnan’s face; he frowned and his cheeks were colored.
 
“Ah, you scoundrel............