He was sorrow-stricken that the circumstance should discompose Monsieur de Garnache; he was elaborate in his explanations of how it happened that he could place no vehicle at Monsieur de Garnache's disposal--so elaborate that it is surprising Monsieur de Garnache's suspicions should not have been aroused.

For the truth of the matter was that the folk of Condillac had been at the Auberge de France before him--as they had been elsewhere in the town wherever a conveyance might be procurable--and by promises of reward for obedience and threats of punishment for disobedience, they had contrived that Garnache should hear this same story on every hand.

His mistake had lain in his eagerness to obtain a guard from the Seneschal.

Had he begun by making sure of a conveyance, anticipating, as he should have done, this move on the part of the Condillacs--a move which he did not even now suspect--it is possible that he might have been spared much of the trouble that was to follow.
An hour or so later, after having vainly ransacked the town for the thing he needed, he returned wet and annoyed to the Veau qui Tote.

In a corner of the spacious common-room--a corner by the door leading to the interior of the inn--he saw the six troopers at table, waxing a trifle noisy over cards.