Whilst supping, that is, while eating the fish, washed down with bad ale, Monk got Athos to relate to him the last events of the Fronde, the reconciliation of M.de Conde with the king, and the probable marriage of the infanta of Spain;but he avoided, as Athos himself avoided it, all allusion to the political interests which united, or rather which disunited at this time, England, France and Holland.
Monk, in this conversation, convinced himself of one thing, which he must have remarked after the first words exchanged:
that was, that he had to deal with a man of high distinction.He could not be an assassin, and it was repugnant to Monk to believe him to be a spy, but there was sufficient finesse and at the same time firmness in Athos to lead Monk to fancy he was a conspirator.When they had quitted table, "You still believe in your treasure, then, monsieur?" asked Monk.
"Yes, my lord."
"Quite seriously?"
"Seriously."
"And you think you can find the place again where it was buried?""At the first inspection."
"Well, monsieur, from curiosity I shall accompany you.And it is so much the more necessary that I should accompany you, that you would find great difficulties in passing through the camp without me or one of my lieutenants.""General, I would not suffer you to inconvenience yourself if I did not, in fact, stand in need of your company; but as I recognize that this company is not only honorable, but necessary, I accept it.""Do you desire we should take any people with us?" asked Monk.
"General, I believe that would be useless, if you yourself do not see the necessity for it.Two men and a horse will suffice to transport the two casks on board the felucca which brought me hither.""But it will be necessary to pick, dig and remove the earth, and split stones; you don't intend doing this work yourself, monsieur, do you?""General, there is no picking or digging required.The treasure is buried in the sepulchral vault of the convent, under a stone in which is fixed a large iron ring and under which are four steps leading down.The two casks are there, placed end to end, covered with a coat of plaster in the form of a bier.There is, besides, an inscription, which will enable me to recognize the stone; and as I am not willing, in an affair of delicacy and confidence, to keep the secret from your honor, here is the inscription: -- `Hic jacet venerabilis, Petrus Gulielmus Scott, Canon Honorab.
Conventus Novi Castelli.Obiit quarta et decima.Feb.ann.
Dom.MCCVIII.Requiescat in pace.'"
Monk did not lose a single word.- He was astonished either at the marvelous duplicity of this man and the superior style in which he played his part, or at the good loyal faith with which he presented his request, in a situation in which concerning a million of money, risked against the blow from a dagger, amidst an army that would have looked upon the theft as a restitution.
"Very well," said he; "I shall accompany you; and the adventure appears to me so wonderful, that I shall carry the torch myself." And saying these words, he girded on a short sword, placed a pistol in his belt, disclosing in this movement, which opened his doublet a little, the fine rings of a coat of mail, destined to protect him from the first dagger-thrust of an assassin.After which he took a Scotch dirk in his left hand, and then turning to Athos, "Are you ready, monsieur?" said he.
"I am."
Athos, as if in opposition to what Monk had done, unfastened his poniard, which he placed upon the table; unhooked his sword-belt, which he laid close to his poniard; and, without affectation, opening his doublet as if to look for his handkerchief, showed beneath his fine cambric shirt his naked breast, without weapons either offensive or defensive.
"This is truly a singular man," said Monk; "he is without any arms; he has an ambuscade placed somewhere yonder.""General," said he, as if he had divined Monk's thought, "you wish we should be alone; that is very right, but a great captain ought never to expose himself with temerity.
It is night, the passage of the marsh may present dangers;be accompanied."
"You are right," replied he, calling Digby.The aid-de-camp appeared."Fifty men with swords and muskets," said he, looking at Athos.
"That is too few if there is danger, too many if there is not.""I will go alone," said Monk; "I want nobody.Come, monsieur."