Pierre accepted.

After that, Michel was sure of being warned of any change.

Pierre was the hostler, and nothing could be done in the stable without his knowledge.

A lad attached to the inn promised to convey the news to Michel, in return for which Michel gave him three charges of powder with which to make firecrackers.
At midnight the traveller had not yet started; they had drunk four bottles of wine, but Michel had partaken sparingly of them.

He had found means to pour three of the four bottles into Pierre's glass, where they did not long remain.