His eyes, reduced almost to pin-points, seemed for an instant the eyes of a cat about to spring.

The effect was so evident indeed that it bewildered Claude and so completely diverted his attention from Grio, the real target, that when the bully, who had listened stupidly to the exchange of wit, proved by a brutal oath his comprehension of the reference to himself, the young man scarcely heard him.
"The Syndic Blondel ?" Basterga muttered after a pregnant pause.

"What know you of him, pray ?" Before the young man could answer, Grio broke in.

"So you have followed me here, have you ?" he cried, striking his jug on the table and glaring across the board at the offender.

"You weren't content to escape last night it seems.