“Now I know you have no right to the ball! Now I know you are not the friend, but the enemy, of justice! You shall not leave this room with the ball!”
De Villefort made a furious effort to tear himself from Frank’s grasp, panting as he struggled:
“You may force me to use a dagger!”
“If you try it, I’ll give you an arm to match that of your friend Claude Bruant, the Strangler!”
“What is it to you, fool of an American! Is it possible you are one who is working to bring disgrace on France?”
“No! France has already disgraced herself!”
Villefort found he could not get away. He was desperate when Frank finally forced him up against the wall. Twisting his wrist free, he lifted his hand, and slipped the tiny ball into his mouth. Immediately, Frank realized what the man meant to do.
He intended to swallow the little ball!
Quickly, Merry clutched De Villefort by the throat, pinning him with all his strength against the wall, and holding him there, so that he could not swallow. The Frenchman tried to tear that hand from his throat, but he could not do it. Frank’s fingers seemed made of iron, and they sank into the man’s throat till there came a cracking sound beneath them.
De Villefort’s mouth opened, and the tiny ball came out with his protruding tongue. Frank caught it skilfully.