There was no longer any doubt: the treasure was there--no one would have been at such pains to conceal an empty casket.

In an instant he had cleared every obstacle away, and he saw successively the lock, placed between two padlocks, and the two handles at each end, all carved as things were carved at that epoch, when art rendered the commonest metals precious.

Dantes seized the handles, and strove to lift the coffer; it was impossible.

He sought to open it; lock and padlock were fastened; these faithful guardians seemed unwilling to surrender their trust.

Dantes inserted the sharp end of the pickaxe between the coffer and the lid, and pressing with all his force on the handle, burst open the fastenings.