"If I once went up those stairs.

I should never have the courage to come down again." "Ah, this one is not like the other, and his madness is less affecting than this one's display of reason." "What is his folly ?" "He fancies he possesses an immense treasure.

The first year he offered government a million of francs for his release; the second, two; the third, three; and so on progressively.

He is now in his fifth year of captivity; he will ask to speak to you in private, and offer you five millions." "How curious!--what is his name ?" "The Abbe Faria." "No.

27," said the inspector.
"It is here; unlock the door, Antoine." The turnkey obeyed, and the inspector gazed curiously into the chamber of the "mad abbe." In the centre of the cell, in a circle traced with a fragment of plaster detached from the wall, sat a man whose tattered garments scarcely covered him.