"Let us terminate this, monsieur le comte, -- that is your
desire, is it not?"

Athos bowed.

"I shall give orders to have these two casks transported
whither you please. Where are you lodging, monsieur?"

"In a little hamlet at the mouth of the river, your honor."

"Oh, I know the hamlet; it consists of five or six houses,
does it not?"

"Exactly. Well, I inhabit the first, -- two net-makers
occupy it with me; it is their bark which brought me
ashore."

"But your own vessel, monsieur?"

"My vessel is at anchor, a quarter of a mile at sea, and
waits for me."

"You do not think, however, of setting out immediately?"

"My lord, I shall try once more to convince your honor."

"You will not succeed," replied Monk; "but it is of
consequence that you should depart from Newcastle without
leaving of your passage the least suspicion that might prove
injurious to me or you. To-morrow my officers think Lambert