Part 45 (1/2)

”Thank you,that your honor should lend your hand to a work of which, perhaps, you would not take the responsibility if you knew the probable consequences of it”

Monk raised his head

”What do you mean by that, monsieur?”

”I mean--but that man--”

”Stop,” said Monk; ”I perceive what you are afraid of I shall make a trial” Monk turned towards the fisherman, the whole of whose profile was thrown upon the wall

”Colish, and in a tone of command

The fisherman did not stir

”That is well,” continued he: ”he does not know English Speak to lish, if you please, monsieur”

”My lord,” replied Athos, ”I have frequently seen men in certain circumstances have sufficient command over thee they understood The fisherman is perhaps more learned than we believe hi you”

”Decidedly,” said Monk, ”he wishes to have h with it; one ood as another man; and we are alone My friend,” said Monk to the fishero back up the stairs we have just descended, and watch that nobody con of obedience ”Leave your torch,”

said Monk; ”it would betray your presence, and ht procure you a musket-ball”

The fisherht, and disappeared under the vault of the stairs Monk took up the torch, and brought it to the foot of the column

”Ah, ah!” said he; ”money, then, is concealed under this toer doubt it”

At the same time Athos struck a violent blow upon the plaster, which split, presenting a chink for the point of the lever Athos introduced the bar into this crack, and soon large pieces of plaster yielded, rising up like rounded slabs Then the Comte de la Fere seized the stones and threw theht not have been supposed capable of having

”My lord,” said Athos, ”this is plainly the masonry of which I told your honor”

”Yes; but I do not yet see the casks,” said Monk

”If I had a dagger,” said Athos, looking round him, ”you should soon see them, monsieur Unfortunately, I left ly offer you mine,” said Monk, ”but the blade is too thin for such work”

Athos appeared to look around hiht serve as a substitute for the weapon he desired Monk did not lose one of the movements of his hands, or one of the expressions of his eyes

”Why do you not ask the fisherman for his cutlass?” said Monk; ”he has a cutlass”

”Ah! that is true,” said Athos; ”for he cut the tree doith it” And he advanced towards the stairs

”Friend,” said he to the fisherman, ”throw me down your cutlass, if you please; I want it”

The noise of the falling weapon sounded on the steps