“Yes; it asks if I am ready.”
“And you reply?”
“By the same sign, which, at the same time, tells my right-hand correspondent that I am ready, while it gives notice to my left-hand correspondent to prepare in his turn.”
“It is very ingenious,” said the count.
“You will see,” said the man proudly; “in five minutes he will speak.”
“ I have, then, five minutes ,” said Monte Cristo to himself; “ it is more time than I require. My dear sir, will you allow me to ask you a question?”
“What is it, sir?”
“You are fond of gardening?”