“No, on the honor of an officer; there is the half-pistole;” and he showed him the seductive coin, but did not give it him. “I shall ask him.” “Just the very way not to know. Wait till he is set out and then, marry, come up, ask, and find out. The half-pistole is ready,” and he put it back again into his pocket. “I understand,” said the child, with that jeering smile which marks especially the “gamin de Paris.” “Well, we must wait.” They had not long to wait. Five minutes afterward Bazin set off on a full trot, urging on his horse by the blows of a parapluie, which he was in the habit of using instead of a riding whip. Scarcely had he turned the corner of the Rue de la Juiverie when the boy rushed after him like a bloodhound on full scent. Before ten minutes had elapsed the child returned. “Well!” said D’Artagnan. “Well!” answered the boy, “the thing is done.” “Where is he gone?” “The half-pistole is for me?” “Doubtless, answer me.” “I want to see it. Give it me, that I may see it is not false.” “There it is.” The child put the piece of money into his pocket. “And now, where is he gone?” inquired D’Artagnan. “He is gone to Noisy.” “How dost thou know?” “Ah, faith! there was no great cunning necessary. I knew the horse he rode; it belonged to the butcher, who lets it out now and then to M. Bazin. Now I thought that the butcher would not let his horse out like that without knowing where it was going. And he answered ‘that Monsieur Bazin went to Noisy.’ ’Tis his custom. He goes two or three times a week.” “Dost thou know Noisy well?” “I think so, truly; my nurse lives there.” “Is there a convent at Noisy?” “Isn’t there a great and grand one—the convent of Jesuits?” “What is thy name?” “Friquet.” D’Artagnan wrote the child’s name in his tablets. “Please, sir,” said the boy, “do you think I can gain any more half-pistoles in any way?” “Perhaps,” replied D’Artagnan. And having got out all he wanted, he paid for the hypocras, which he did not drink, and went quickly back to the Rue Tiquetonne. Chapter VIII. D’Artagnan, Going to a Distance to discover Aramis. On entering the hotel D’Artagnan saw a man sitting in a corner by the fire. It was Planchet, but so completely transformed, thanks to the old clothes that the departing husband had left behind, that D’Artagnan himself could hardly recognize him. Madeleine introduced him in presence of all the servants. Planchet addressed the officer with a fine Flemish phrase; the officer replied in words that belonged to no language at all, and the bargain was concluded; Madeleine’s brother entered D’Artagnan’s service. The plan adopted by D’Artagnan was soon perfected. He resolved not to reach Noisy in the day, for fear of being recognized; he had therefore plenty of time before him, for Noisy is only three or four leagues from Paris, on the road to Meaux.