“Yes, monsieur.”
“How did he escape?”
“He escaped by cutting away the bar of his cell with the little saw contained in the sou.”
“Oh. And do you fancy he could do that in one night?”
“Not in reality, monsieur, but on the stage he could.”
“Ah, well, I know nothing of these things—well, he escapes, this count—what then?”
“Next morning his escape is discovered and the faithful servant—that is me—refuses to give any explanation, though the hole in the wall has been discovered—he is dumb.”
“Dumb—good heavens, M. Ferminard—that part would never suit you.”
“Pardon me, monsieur, but I believe it would—well, as I was saying, the count, who had indeed escaped by means of the rope from his cell, had not managed to escape from the precincts of the castle. The rope was not long enough and he had to take refuge on a ledge where he is shown in the next scene crouching and watching the faithful servant being led forth to execution in his place.”
“Well?”