istinct murmur reached them, gradually swelling in
volume. It was a fierce, bitter malediction, full of intense, burning
hatred, seeming to embrace God, man and the entire universe in its
scope.

The guides fell upon their knees, uncovered their heads and prayed to
the Virgin in low tones.

Maximilian took Valentine by the hand.

"Come," said he, "let us go to him!"

Mme. Morrel trembled slightly, but answered, firmly:

"I am ready!"

Then, hand in hand, slowly, cautiously, not knowing what might happen,
they advanced towards the maniac of the Colosseum.

CHAPTER XVII.

PEPPINO'S STORY.

At the appointed hour, of which he had been duly notified by the
Procureur de la Republique, the Count of Monte-Cristo entered the room
set apart for the use of the Juge d' Instruction at the police poste
where Peppino and Beppo were confined. The magistrate was already on the
judicial bench and by his side stood the Deputy Procureur, who was
explaining to him the wishes of his superior. As Monte-Cristo came in he
bowed to the Juge and the Deputy, who returned his salute with all the
respect due to so exalted a personage.

"Messieurs," said the Count, after this exchange of civilities, "you
are, of course, aware of the reason of my presence here this afternoon,
so we can proceed to business at once, but before the Italians are
brought in I have a slight favor to ask."

"Name it, M. the Count," said the Juge d' Instruction, blandly. "We
shall be happy to grant it if it lies within our power to do so."

"Well, messieurs," said the Count of Monte-Cristo, stepping upon the
platform and leaning on the Juge's desk, "it is simply this. The
prisoner calling himself Peppino is in possession of certain details to
which I attach considerable importance. He has promised to reveal them
to me as the price of his liberty and that of his companion. It is
needless to say that the sole motive of my interference in this matter
is to obtain these details. Now, from long experience I know all the
trickery and treachery of the Italian nature. Once free, this man might
snap his fingers in my face and refuse to speak. After the formalities
of the law have been duly complied with, I wish the prisoners remanded
to their cells and informed that their liberation will take place only
when Peppino has given me the promised intelligence."

"That will be but a trifling stretch of my authority," replied the Juge
d' Instruction, smiling, "if it