He rapidly devoured his food, and after waiting an hour, lest the jailer should change his mind and return, he removed his bed, took the handle of the saucepan, inserted the point between the hewn stone and rough stones of the wall, and employed it as a lever.

A slight oscillation showed Dantes that all went well.

At the end of an hour the stone was extricated from the wall, leaving a cavity a foot and a half in diameter.
Dantes carefully collected the plaster, carried it into the corner of his cell, and covered it with earth.

Then, wishing to make the best use of his time while he had the means of labor, he continued to work without ceasing.

At the dawn of day he replaced the stone, pushed his bed against the wall, and lay down.