“And were you given the sign?”
“In part.”
“By whom?”
“One who called himself Claude Bruant, and claimed to be known as the Strangler.”
De Villefort started.
“The Strangler?” he cried. “A desperate wretch, who has been well paid by the enemies of justice to do their vile work! And you escaped his hands?”
“I am here.”
“I see. It is remarkable. You are very wonderful. How did you escape?”
“With the aid of this,” said Merry, quietly taking his revolver from his pocket. “I doubt much if the Strangler ever has much use of one of his hands again, as I shattered his arm with a bullet.”
Again De Villefort complimented Frank in a most profuse manner.