As D'Artagnan was biting his nails, the soldier continued to advance more and more into the Faubourg Saint-Antoine.

"He is certainly going to Saint-Mande," he said to himself, "and I shall not be able to learn what the letter contains." It was enough to drive him wild.

"If I were in uniform," said D'Artagnan to himself, "I would have this fellow seized and his letter with him.

I could easily get assistance at the very first guard-house; but the devil take me if I mention my name in an affair of this kind.

If I were to treat him to something to drink, his suspicions would be roused; and, besides, he would make me drunk.