"Leave your torch," said Monk; "it would betray your presence, and might procure you a musket-ball." The fisherman appeared to appreciate the counsel; he laid down the light, and disappeared under the vault of the stairs.

Monk took up the torch, and brought it to the foot of the column.
"Ah, ah!" said he; "money, then, is concealed under this tomb ?" "Yes, my lord; and in five minutes you will no longer doubt it." At the same time Athos struck a violent blow upon the plaster, which split, presenting a chink for the point of the lever.

Athos introduced the bar into this crack, and soon large pieces of plaster yielded, rising up like rounded slabs.

Then the Comte de la Fere seized the stones and threw them away with a force that hands so delicate as his might not have been supposed capable of having.
"My lord," said Athos, "this is plainly the masonry of which I told your honor." "Yes; but I do not yet see the casks," said Monk.
"If I had a dagger," said Athos, looking round him, "you should soon see them, monsieur.

Unfortunately, I left mine in your tent." "I would willingly offer you mine," said Monk, "but the blade is too thin for such work." Athos appeared to look around him for a thing of some kind that might serve as a substitute for the weapon he desired.