“If I had a dagger,” said Athos, looking round him, “you should soon see them, monsieur. Unfortunately, I left mine in your tent.”
“I would willingly offer you mine,” said Monk, “but the blade is too thin for such work.”
Athos appeared to look around him for a thing of some kind that might 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 down with 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.
“Take it,” said Monk; “it is a solid instrument, as I have seen, and a strong hand might make good use of it.”
Athos only appeared to give to the words of Monk the natural and simple sense under which they were to be heard and understood. Nor did he remark, or at least appear to remark, that when he returned with the weapon, Monk drew back, placing his left hand on the stock of his pistol; in the right he already held his dirk. He went to work then, turning his back to Monk, placing his life in his hands, without possible defense. He then struck, during several seconds, so skillfully and sharply upon the intermediary plaster, that it separated into two parts, and Monk was able to discern two barrels placed end to end, and which their weight maintained motionless in their chalky envelope.
“My lord,” said Athos, “you see that my presentiments have not been disappointed.”
“Yes, monsieur,” said Monk, “and I have good reason to believe you are satisfied; are you not?”