'What is that ?' 'Our positions,' he blurted out, 'Or we shall cross one another again within the hour.' 'Umph! I am not quite sure that I understand,' I said.
'That is precisely what I don't do--understand!' he retorted, in a tone of surly triumph.

'Before I came on this duty, I was told that there was a gentleman here, bearing sealed orders from the Cardinal to arrest M.
de Cocheforet; and I was instructed to avoid collision with him so far as might be possible.

At first I took you for the gentleman.

But the plague take me if I understand the matter now.' 'Why not ?' I said coldly.
'Because--well, the question is in a nutshell!' he answered impetuously.
'Are you here on behalf of Madame de Cocheforet, to shield her husband?
Or are you here to arrest him?
That is what I do not understand, M.de Berault.' 'If you mean, am I the Cardinal's agent--I am!' I answered sternly.
'To arrest M.de Cocheforet ?' 'To arrest M.de Cocheforet.' 'Well--you surprise me,' he said.
Only that; but he spoke so drily that I felt the blood rush to my face.
'Take care, Monsieur,' I said severely.

'Do not presume too far on the inconvenience to which your death might put me.' He shrugged his shoulders.
'No offence,' he said.