Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 5).djvu/227

Rh "Then, sir, since you are so liberal, I ought to offer you something."

"What have you to offer to me, my friend? Shells? Straw-work? Thank you!"

"No, sir, neither of those; something connected with this story."

"Really! what is it?"

"Listen," said the guide; "I said to myself, 'Something is always left

in a cell inhabited by one prisoner for fifteen years,' so I began to sound the wall."

"Ah!" cried Monte-Cristo, remembering the two hiding-places of the abbé.

"After some search, I discovered a hollow sound against the head of the bed, and under the hearth."

"Yes," said the count, "yes."