“I do not ask for any reward.”
“I understand,” said Cromillian. “You two rascals have fallen out. He has wronged you, or you think he has, and you have come to me to betray him—in other words, you wish to get even with him through my kind offices.”
Villefort felt that the situation was critical. He must come at once to the point.
“You know, of course, that Vandemar Della Coscia is in Corsica.”
In spite of his great power of self-command, Cromillian gave an involuntary start. Villefort perceived his advantage and went on:
“You know, of course, that Count Mont d’Oro fought a duel with a Lieutenant Duquesne, who is attached to the British frigate now at Ajaccio.”
Cromillian nodded. Villefort nerved himself for the coming ordeal.
“Count Mont d’Oro put me on the track of the young Englishman and I have discovered that he is no Englishman at all, but that he is a Corsican, and his right name is Vandemar Della Coscia!”
Cromillian’s face was unmoved. “Does the Count know this?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Villefort; “he hired me to follow the man and, when he paid me, he cheated me out of a louis d’or which I had to give to Barbera for writing a letter.”