acquaintance of your beautiful young mistress!"

Zuleika sat speechless, frozen with terror. Ali raised his whip to
strike the ruffian who had spoken so flippantly of Monte-Cristo's
daughter, but the indignant mute was instantly overpowered and dragged
to the ground.

Meanwhile the men who held Peppino in their clutches were examining him
closely.

"I would swear," said one of them, "that this is our old comrade,
Peppino, who ran away from us so unceremoniously, taking with him all he
could lay his hands on!"

"It is Peppino," put in another. "I know him in spite of his stained
face and livery! By the Holy Virgin!" he added, "I know the livery, too!
It's Monte-Cristo's!"

"Then the barouche and horses are Monte-Cristo's also!" said the first
speaker. "No doubt, too, that young woman there is a member of the
Count's family. We followed Peppino for a little fun, comrades, but have
fallen upon a slice of rare luck! Monte-Cristo is responsible for
Vampa's arrest yesterday, for the chief was taken as he left his room
Now we can make reprisals!"

"Excellent!" cried another of the band. "We can make reprisals and
obtain at least one valuable hostage for Vampa's safety! Signora," he
said to the terrified Zuleika, "who are you?"

The poor girl, commanding her voice as best she could, replied, with
some dignity:

"I am Zuleika, daughter of the Count of Monte-Cristo! In his name I
demand that you instantly release us!"

"So!" said the man, turning to his delighted companions. "His daughter!
We can now count on Vampa's safety without the shadow of a doubt!"

The leader of the bandits now came from the inn; upon being informed of
the important capture his men had made he rubbed his hands in glee.
Turning to his lieutenants, he said:

"Have a guard placed in the barouche beside Monte-Cristo's daughter and
let another comrade drive the equipage to the rendezvous of the band. As
for the colored driver, let him go back to Rome on foot and carry the
news to his master with the compliments of Vampa's men!"

"What shall be done with Peppino?" asked one of the lieutenants.

"Hang him to the nearest tree!" answered the leader, but, immediately
taking a second thought, he added: "No. Keep him! Perhaps Monte-Cristo
places some value on the scoundrel and it might not be bad policy to
retain him as an additional hostage!"

Peppino who had been listening intently to the leader's words heaved a
deep sigh of relief. He would certa