THE COUNT OF MONTE-CRISTO.
207
"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."