Alexandre Dumas: The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter 44: The Vendetta. (continued)

"`Yes,' said Caderousse. `Give me the pocket-book, La Carconte, and find a bag somewhere.'

"La Carconte went to a cupboard, and returned with an old leathern pocket-book and a bag. From the former she took some greasy letters, and put in their place the bank-notes, and from the bag took two or three crowns of six livres each, which, in all probability, formed the entire fortune of the miserable couple. `There,' said Caderousse; `and now, although you have wronged us of perhaps 10,000 francs, will you have your supper with us? I invite you with good-will.' -- `Thank you,' replied the jeweller, `it must be getting late, and I must return to Beaucaire -- my wife will be getting uneasy.' He drew out his watch, and exclaimed, `Morbleu, nearly nine o'clock -- why, I shall not get back to Beaucaire before midnight! Good-night, my friends. If the Abbe Busoni should by any accident return, think of me.' -- `In another week you will have left Beaucaire.' remarked Caderousse, `for the fair ends in a few days.' -- `True, but that makes no difference. Write to me at Paris, to M. Joannes, in the Palais Royal, arcade Pierre, No. 45. I will make the journey on purpose to see him, if it is worth while.' At this moment there was a tremendous clap of thunder, accompanied by a flash of lightning so vivid, that it quite eclipsed the light of the lamp.

"`See here,' exclaimed Caderousse. `You cannot think of going out in such weather as this.' -- `Oh, I am not afraid of thunder,' said the jeweller. -- `And then there are robbers,' said La Carconte. `The road is never very safe during fair time.' -- `Oh, as to the robbers,' said Joannes, `here is something for them,' and he drew from his pocket a pair of small pistols, loaded to the muzzle. `Here,' said he, `are dogs who bark and bite at the same time, they are for the two first who shall have a longing for your diamond, Friend Caderousse.'