"The apologetic gentleman! You said ?" Garnache approached him, followed a step not only by Rabecque, but also by Monsieur Gaubert, who had sauntered out a second earlier.

Behind them, in the porch, lounged now the foreigner's friend, and behind him again was to be seen the great face and staring, somewhat startled eyes of the landlord.
"I asked you, monsieur," said Garnache, already at grips with that quick temper of his, "what might be your pleasure with my coach ?" "With your coach ?" echoed the other, his superciliousness waxing more and more offensive.

"Voyons! on! my apologetic friend, do all things in Grenoble belong to you ?" He turned to the post-boy, who looked on stolidly.

"You are from the Auberge de France, are you not ?" quoth he.
"I am, monsieur," replied the man.

"This carriage was ordered last night by a gentleman lodging at the Veau qui Tete ?" "Perfectly," replied the stranger, in a tone of finality.