less. Exactly how long he
slept he knew not, but meanwhile an event as unexpected as it was
portentous occurred almost within earshot of where he lay, an event
brought about by his rash and inconsiderate action of that morning.

Monte-Cristo's salon was opposite to Massetti's chamber, a wide corridor
separating the two apartments. It was late in the afternoon and the
Count, seated at his desk, was pondering over his plans in relation to
the Viscount. Matters had not progressed as swiftly as he had hoped.
Besides, much further delay seemed inevitable. Maximilian, of course,
could do nothing, for the present at least, and Valentine's ability to
be of use was limited to encouraging Zuleika and exercising a proper
degree of surveillance over the lovers when such surveillance was
possible. Peppino and Beppo, too, were comparatively useless, though by
careful and well-directed inquiries they had ascertained that Luigi
Vampa and his band had changed their quarters from the old rendezvous,
locating in a fastness that could not be approached without great
difficulty and danger. None of the brigands now visited Rome and even
Vampa himself seemed distrustful of the future. According to the
intelligence gathered by Peppino and Beppo he constantly went about in
various disguises that defied detection, studiously avoiding all his
accustomed haunts. With regard to the brigand chief's actions
Monte-Cristo could entertain but one of two opinions--either he was
filled with remorse for his shameful conduct towards poor Annunziata
Solara and for his complicity with old Pasquale in bringing the innocent
Viscount under suspicion, which was doubtful, or he was afraid that
Roman justice stimulated by young Massetti and such friends as he still
possessed would overtake him, which was the more probable. The Count had
not hoped for much from Annunziata Solara, though he had calculated
somewhat on the effect upon her of his assurance that he possessed
conclusive proof of Giovanni's innocence. His recent interview with the
girl, however, had established the fact that she firmly believed the
Viscount guilty, and it was fair to presume that she would retain her
belief in the face of everything with all the proverbial obstinacy of
woman. Besides, after all, what was his conclusive proof? Simply the
unsupported assertions of a former member of Vampa's band, who in making
them had clearly been actuated by a desire of wreaking personal
vengeance upon old