"Yes, Monsieur de Fronsac, it is I. Stay where you are; if you make a movement I shall fire."
"If you make a movement, I shall fire"
The statement was so cool and matter-of-fact that it appeared to carry conviction, for De Fronsac arrested his first instinctive movement toward his own pistol. Still covering him with his weapon, Jack advanced to the table, turned the lamp so that the light fell on the Frenchman, and lifted the pistol. De Fronsac said not a word. There was no smile upon his face now, but his eyes gleamed, and Jack knew that he was watching for the slightest opening. De Fronsac felt the rope for a spy tightening relentlessly round his neck.
He glanced toward the lamp, within a few feet of him.
"No, Monsieur De Fronsac," said Jack, guessing his wish to knock it over: "it really is not possible. You would not live to reach the table. You will now go through the trap-door and descend the steps, as quickly and quietly as you can."
The man hesitated; Jack saw his fingers work nervously.
"I shall count three, Monsieur. At the word three I fire. One—"
De Fronsac moved sidewise toward the trap-door. At the opening he again paused, and appeared to be about to speak. But Jack gave him no opportunity.
"Again, Monsieur: one—two—"