Part 4 (2/2)
”I knew,” said the fisherman, ”that the Island of Kylo was infested by bandits, but I had no idea they would venture here. Now, however, I thought I had better put you on your guard.”
”I am much indebted to you, Alexis,” said the Count; then, slipping a purse of money into his hand, he added: ”Take that and provide yourself with a new boat.”
Alexis touched his cap, bowed and was about to withdraw when Monte-Cristo said to him, a.s.suming a careless tone:
”By the way, my good fellow, have you ever chanced to meet any of the bandits you mentioned?”
”Often, Excellency,” replied Alexis.
”What kind of men are they?”
”Bold, bad wretches, whose hands have been more than once stained with innocent blood.”
”What is their strength?”
”They number about fifty.”
”Do any women dwell among them?”
”Yes, Excellency, their wives and sweethearts.”
”Who is the leader of the band?”
”A strange, morose man, who has not been long in their midst.”
”Is he a Greek?”
”No, Excellency, he is a foreigner.”
”A Frenchman?”
”Quite likely, though I am not sure.”
”What is his name?”
”He calls himself Demetrius.”
”Did he ever question you about me?”
”Yes, Excellency.”
”And what did you reply?”
”I told him you were the Count of Monte-Cristo.”
”Ah! What did he say then?”
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