trade

He was very well known to the customs officers of the coast; and as there was between these worthies and himself a perpetual battle of wits, he had at first thought that Dantès might be an emissary of these industrious guardians of rights and duties, who perhaps employed this ingenious means of learning some of the secrets of his trade.

“‘Danger is part of my trade,’ I remarked.

That is my trade."

“May I ask, my lad,” I said, in the blandest voice, “what your trade may be?”