Alexandre Dumas: The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter 44: The Vendetta. (continued)

"The jeweller took the ring, and drawing from his pocket a pair of steel pliers and a small set of copper scales, he took the stone out of its setting, and weighed it carefully. `I will give you 45,000,' said he, `but not a sou more; besides, as that is the exact value of the stone, I brought just that sum with me.' -- `Oh, that's no matter,' replied Caderousse, `I will go back with you to fetch the other 5,000 francs.' -- `No,' returned the jeweller, giving back the diamond and the ring to Caderousse -- `no, it is worth no more, and I am sorry I offered so much, for the stone has a flaw in it, which I had not seen. However, I will not go back on my word, and I will give 45,000.' -- `At least, replace the diamond in the ring,' said La Carconte sharply. -- `Ah, true,' replied the jeweller, and he reset the stone. -- `No matter,' observed Caderousse, replacing the box in his pocket, `some one else will purchase it.' -- `Yes,' continued the jeweller; `but some one else will not be so easy as I am, or content himself with the same story. It is not natural that a man like you should possess such a diamond. He will inform against you. You will have to find the Abbe Busoni; and abbes who give diamonds worth two thousand louis are rare. The law would seize it, and put you in prison; if at the end of three or four months you are set at liberty, the ring will be lost, or a false stone, worth three francs, will be given you, instead of a diamond worth 50,000 or perhaps 55,000 francs; from which you must allow that one runs considerable risk in purchasing.' Caderousse and his wife looked eagerly at each other. -- `No,' said Caderousse, `we are not rich enough to lose 5,000 francs.' -- `As you please, my dear sir,' said the, jeweller; `I had, however, as you see, brought you the money in bright coin.' And he drew from his pocket a handful of gold, and held it sparkling before the dazzled eyes of the innkeeper, and in the other hand he held a packet of bank-notes.