silently pointed to
Peppino, motioning towards the door. The Count nodded to the ex-bandit
and with a slow step he left the room.

Although Vampa was carefully disguised and even elegantly dressed in the
fashionable attire of the Roman aristocracy, Monte-Cristo, like Peppino,
had no difficulty whatever in recognizing him.

"Well, Luigi Vampa!" said he, facing his visitor and calmly folding his
arms as soon as they were alone. "What do you want with me?"

The brigand chief did not seem either disconcerted or surprised even in
the slightest degree. He boldly returned his host's gaze and said:

"I knew you would recognize me at once, for I am well aware of your
extraordinary keenness and penetration, Signor Count, but, to confess
the truth, my disguise was not intended to deceive you; its sole object
was to secure me safe entrance to and exit from Rome which of late has
become dangerous for men in my line of industry!"

The Count smiled in his peculiar way.

"What do you want with me, Luigi Vampa?" he repeated. "Your errand must
be of vast importance since you have taken so much trouble to execute
it!"

"It is of vast importance, Signor Count. This morning one of the most
efficient members of my band, old Pasquale Solara, was attacked and
severely wounded by your protege the Viscount Giovanni Massetti!"

"Old Solara attacked and severely wounded by the Viscount Massetti?
Impossible!"

The Count was greatly disconcerted by this intelligence; he could not
conceal his chagrin. The Viscount's rashness and impetuosity would ruin
all!

"What I say is true," continued Vampa, "and I have come to you to
protest. You must restrain this Viscount Massetti, this reckless madman!
He professes to have a grudge against Pasquale Solara and there is no
telling to what length he may go if you do not control him. Had Pasquale
been able to speak when discovered lying bathed in blood upon the
highway by some of the members of my band, young Massetti would have
been pursued, captured and made to pay for his murderous assault with
his life; but it was only later, when brought into my presence, that he
became sufficiently conscious to relate what had happened. Signor Count,
I wish to respect your friends, but they on their part must respect me
and my band!"

"Luigi Vampa," replied Monte-Cristo, sternly, "you say that young
Massetti has a grudge against old Pasquale Solara! What you seek to
belittle with the name of grudge is simply j