"They are not here," he said, as he straightened himself again, and looked curiously at his companions.

He had apparently been too much taken up with the pursuit to notice them before.

"That is certain, so I have the less time to lose," he continued.

"But I would--yes, my dear Coadjutor, I certainly would like to know before I go, what you are doing here.

Mirepoix--Mirepoix is an honest man.