The Count of Monte Cristo

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the young soldier; 'place the object which I desire to see in the ray of
light which shines there, and retire while I examine it.'--'Be it so,'
said the envoy; and he retired, after having first deposited the token
agreed on in the place pointed out to him by Selim.

"Oh, how our hearts palpitated; for it did, indeed, seem to be a ring
which was placed there. But was it my father's ring? that was the
question. Selim, still holding in his hand the lighted match, walked
towards the opening in the cavern, and, aided by the faint light which
streamed in through the mouth of the cave, picked up the token.

"'It is well,' said he, kissing it; 'it is my master's ring!' And
throwing the match on the ground, he trampled on it and extinguished it.
The messenger uttered a cry of joy and clapped his hands. At this signal
four soldiers of the Serasker Koorshid suddenly appeared, and Selim
fell, pierced by five blows. Each man had stabbed him separately, and,
intoxicated by their crime, though still pale with fear, they sought all