"I am entirely ignorant as to it, but if this communication exists, can we not use it to leave by?"
"That is impossible, my lord; no one can enter the cavern except by allowing the waves to precipitate him to the bottom of a subterranean lake, after having descended a cataract."
"And in order to get out of this cavern?"
"You must ascend a waterfall twenty feet in height."
"That is too much for me. So, the vessel that brought you to the outside of this cavern——"
"Has already left for the Barbadoes, my lord. It could approach this island in spite of the French cruisers only because this coast is inaccessible."
"I thought that this road was impenetrable," said the chevalier, overcome.
"If you will believe me, my lord, you will limit yourself to announcing to madame the duchess that you will be absent for several days only. I have faith in your word as a gentleman that you will make no attempt to escape from my hands."
"I have given you my word, sir."
"I believe you, my lord, and my dagger answers to me for its fulfillment."