Come, come, do not look so astonished, or you will make me think you are laughing at me in return for my good nature." Dantes pressed the gendarme's hand as though he would crush it.
"You think, then," said he, "that I am taken to the Chateau d'If to be imprisoned there ?" "It is probable; but there is no occasion to squeeze so hard." "Without any inquiry, without any formality ?" "All the formalities have been gone through; the inquiry is already made." "And so, in spite of M.de Villefort's promises ?" "I do not know what M.de Villefort promised you," said the gendarme, "but I know we are taking you to the Chateau d'If.

But what are you doing?
Help, comrades, help!" By a rapid movement, which the gendarme's practiced eye had perceived, Dantes sprang forward to precipitate himself into the sea; but four vigorous arms seized him as his feet quitted the bottom of the boat.

He fell back cursing with rage.
"Good!" said the gendarme, placing his knee on his chest; "believe soft-spoken gentlemen again! Harkye, my friend, I have disobeyed my first order, but I will not disobey the second; and if you move, I will blow your brains out." And he levelled his carbine at Dantes, who felt the muzzle against his temple.
For a moment the idea of struggling crossed his mind, and of so ending the unexpected evil that had overtaken him.

But he bethought him of M.
de Villefort's promise; and, besides, death in a boat from the hand of a gendarme seemed too terrible.

He remained motionless, but gnashing his teeth and wringing his hands with fury.
At this moment the boat came to a landing with a violent shock.