he smell of the fowls, and peeped through the curtains, he went away,
then returned to recommence his examinations. He continued to walk up
and down, but never passed Robert Briquet's house, which seemed to be
the limit of his walk. Each time that he arrived at this limit he found
there, like a sentinel, a young man about his own age, with a black cap,
a white plume, and a violet cloak, who, with frowning brow and his hand
on his sword, seemed to say, "Thou shalt go no further." But the other
took twenty turns without observing this, so preoccupied was he.
Certainly he saw a man walking up and down like himself: but, as he was
too well dressed to be a robber, he never thought of disquieting himself
about him. But the other, on the contrary, looked more and more black at
each return of the red plume, till at last it attracted his attention,
and he began to think that his presence there must be annoying to the
other; and wondering for what reason, he looked first at Briquet's
house, then at the one opposite, and seeing nothing, turned round and
recommenced his walk from west to east. This continued for about five
minutes, until, as they once again came face to face, the young man in
the white plume walked straight up against the other, who, taken
unawares, with difficulty saved himself from falling.

"Monsieur," cried he, "are you mad, or do you mean to insult me?"

"Monsieur, I wish to make you understand that you annoy me much. It
seems to me that you might have seen that without my telling you."

"Not at all, monsieur; I never see what I do not wish to see."

"There are, however, certain things which would attract your attention,
I hope, if they shone before your eyes;" and he drew his sword as he
spoke, which glittered in the moonlight.

The red plume said quietly, "One would think, monsieur, that you had
never drawn a sword before, you are in such a hurry to attack one who
does not attack you."

"But who will defend himself, I hope."

"Why so?" replied the other smiling. "And what right have you to prevent
me from walking in the street?"

"Why do you walk in this street?"

"Parbleu! because it pleases me."

"Ah! it pleases you."

"Doubtless; are you not also walking here? Have you a license from the
king to keep to yourself the Rue de Bussy?"

"What is that to you?"

"A great deal, for I am a faithful subject of the king's, and would not
disobey him."

"Ah! you laugh!"

"And you threaten."

"Heav