After considering for a time, Gervaise thought that it would be best for him to follow this other man when he left, and ascertain who he was, rather than to keep a watch on the movements of the Greek, who, as likely as not, would now return to the merchant's.
He walked several times up and down the street, until at last he saw the two men issue out together.

They stopped for a moment outside, and then, after exchanging a few words, separated, the Greek going in the direction of the quarter in which lay the house of Vrados, while the other walked towards Gervaise.

The latter passed him carelessly, but when the man had gone nearly to the end of the street, he turned and followed him.

He could see at once that he was a lay brother of the Order.

This class consisted of men of an inferior social position to the knights; they filled many of the minor offices, but were not eligible for promotion.