THE COUNT OF MONTE-CRISTO.
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garden; in falling, my hand, relaxing its hold of the tree, felt the coldness of this stone. On my right I saw the tree, behind me the rock. I stood in the same attitude, and threw myself down. I rose, and again began digging and enlarging the hole; still I found nothing, nothing— the chest was no longer there!"
Interview Between Villefort and Madame Danglars.
"The chest no longer there!" murmured Madame Danglars, choking with fear.
"Think not I contented myself with this one effort," continued Villefort. "No; I searched the whole thicket. I thought the assassin, hav-
