The Count of Monte Cristo

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with a man that has no ambition? That would spoil my plans."

"Sir," said the gardener, glancing at the sun-dial, "the ten minutes are
almost up; I must return to my post. Will you go up with me?"

"I follow you." Monte Cristo entered the tower, which was divided into
three stories. The tower contained implements, such as spades, rakes,
watering-pots, hung against the wall; this was all the furniture. The
second was the man's conventional abode, or rather sleeping-place; it
contained a few poor articles of household furniture--a bed, a table,
two chairs, a stone pitcher--and some dry herbs, hung up to the ceiling,
which the count recognized as sweet pease, and of which the good man was
preserving the seeds; he had labelled them with as much care as if he
had been master botanist in the Jardin des Plantes.

"Does it require much study to learn the art of telegraphing?" asked
Monte Cristo.