第75章

"Oh," added a third voice, "the shrouds of the Chateau d'If are not dear!""Perhaps," said one of the previous speakers, "as he was a churchman, they may go to some expense in his behalf.""They may give him the honors of the sack."Edmond did not lose a word, but comprehended very little of what was said.The voices soon ceased, and it seemed to him as if every one had left the cell.Still he dared not to enter, as they might have left some turnkey to watch the dead.He remained, therefore, mute and motionless, hardly venturing to breathe.At the end of an hour, he heard a faint noise, which increased.It was the governor who returned, followed by the doctor and other attendants.There was a moment's silence, -- it was evident that the doctor was examining the dead body.The inquiries soon commenced.

The doctor analyzed the symptoms of the malady to which the prisoner had succumbed, and declared that he was dead.

Questions and answers followed in a nonchalant manner that made Dantes indignant, for he felt that all the world should have for the poor abbe a love and respect equal to his own.

"I am very sorry for what you tell me," said the governor, replying to the assurance of the doctor, "that the old man is really dead; for he was a quiet, inoffensive prisoner, happy in his folly, and required no watching.""Ah," added the turnkey, "there was no occasion for watching him: he would have stayed here fifty years, I'll answer for it, without any attempt to escape.""Still," said the governor, "I believe it will be requisite, notwithstanding your certainty, and not that I doubt your science, but in discharge of my official duty, that we should be perfectly assured that the prisoner is dead."There was a moment of complete silence, during which Dantes, still listening, knew that the doctor was examining the corpse a second time.

"You may make your mind easy," said the doctor; "he is dead.

I will answer for that."

"You know, sir," said the governor, persisting, "that we are not content in such cases as this with such a simple examination.In spite of all appearances, be so kind, therefore, as to finish your duty by fulfilling the formalities described by law.""Let the irons be heated," said the doctor; "but really it is a useless precaution." This order to heat the irons made Dantes shudder.He heard hasty steps, the creaking of a door, people going and coming, and some minutes afterwards a turnkey entered, saying, --"Here is the brazier, lighted." There was a moment's silence, and then was heard the crackling of burning flesh, of which the peculiar and nauseous smell penetrated even behind the wall where Dantes was listening in horror.The perspiration poured forth upon the young man's brow, and he felt as if he should faint.

"You see, sir, he is really dead," said the doctor; "this burn in the heel is decisive.The poor fool is cured of his folly, and delivered from his captivity.""Wasn't his name Faria?" inquired one of the officers who accompanied the governor.

"Yes, sir; and, as he said, it was an ancient name.He was, too, very learned, and rational enough on all points which did not relate to his treasure; but on that, indeed, he was intractable.""It is the sort of malady which we call monomania," said the doctor.

"You had never anything to complain of?" said the governor to the jailer who had charge of the abbe.

"Never, sir," replied the jailer, "never; on the contrary, he sometimes amused me very much by telling me stories.One day, too, when my wife was ill, he gave me a prescription which cured her.""Ah, ah!" said the doctor, "I did not know that I had a rival; but I hope, governor, that you will show him all proper respect.""Yes, yes, make your mind easy, he shall be decently interred in the newest sack we can find.Will that satisfy you?""Must this last formality take place in your presence, sir?"inquired a turnkey.

"Certainly.But make haste -- I cannot stay here all day."Other footsteps, going and coming, were now heard, and a moment afterwards the noise of rustling canvas reached Dantes' ears, the bed creaked, and the heavy footfall of a man who lifts a weight sounded on the floor; then the bed again creaked under the weight deposited upon it.

"This evening," said the governor.

"Will there be any mass?" asked one of the attendants.

"That is impossible," replied the governor."The chaplain of the chateau came to me yesterday to beg for leave of absence, in order to take a trip to Hyeres for a week.Itold him I would attend to the prisoners in his absence.If the poor abbe had not been in such a hurry, he might have had his requiem.""Pooh, pooh;" said the doctor, with the impiety usual in persons of his profession; "he is a churchman.God will respect his profession, and not give the devil the wicked delight of sending him a priest." A shout of laughter followed this brutal jest.Meanwhile the operation of putting the body in the sack was going on.

"This evening," said the governor, when the task was ended.

"At what hour?" inquired a turnkey.

"Why, about ten or eleven o'clock."

"Shall we watch by the corpse?"

"Of what use would it be? Shut the dungeon as if he were alive -- that is all." Then the steps retreated, and the voices died away in the distance; the noise of the door, with its creaking hinges and bolts ceased, and a silence more sombre than that of solitude ensued, -- the silence of death, which was all-pervasive, and struck its icy chill to the very soul of Dantes.Then he raised the flag-stone cautiously with his head, and looked carefully around the chamber.It was empty, and Dantes emerged from the tunnel.