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Part II
Partofthecustomsofficers’barrackshadbeentransformedintoaninfirmaryand,infrontofthelargedoor,peoplewerestationed,havingcomeinthehopeofmakingavisitwhichcouldnotbepermitted,orseekingnewsthatfromonehourtothenextwouldbeovertakenbyevents.Inanycase,thisgatheringgavetheopportunityformanycomingsandgoings,andonemightassumethatthisconsiderationwasnotunconnectedwiththemannerinwhichGarciaandRambert’smeetinghadbeenarranged.
"It’sodd,"Cottardsaid,"thisdeterminationtoleave.Whenitcomesdowntoit,what’shappeningisveryinteresting."
"Notforme,"saidRambert.
"Oh,ofcoursethere’sarisk.Butafterallbeforetheplaguetherewasjustasmuchriskincrossingabusyroadjunction."
AtthatmomentRieux’scarstoppedbesidethem.TarrouwasdrivingandRieuxseemedtobehalfasleep.Hewokehimselfuptodotheintroductions.
"Weknowoneanother,"saidTarrou."Weliveinthesamehotel."
HeofferedtodriveRambertintotown.
"No,we’vegotarendezvoushere."
RieuxlookedatRambert.
"Yes,"Rambertsaid.
"Oh!"saidCottardinastonishment."Doesthedoctorknow?"
"Herecomestheexaminingmagistrate,"Tarrouwarned,lookingatCottard.
Thelatter’sfacefell.M.Othonwasindeedcomingdownthestreettowardsthemwithabriskbutevenstep.
