-Cristo,
Maximilian and Zuleika followed in the Count's barouche, Peppino
officiating as coachman.

CHAPTER XXIX.

VAMPA'S TRIAL.

The successful result of the raid upon the bandits made Monte-Cristo and
Captain Morrel the heroes of the hour in Rome. Everywhere they went
crowds assembled to gaze upon them and they were greeted with hearty
cheers and loud acclamations of joy. Truth to tell the Roman people both
high and low had very much to thank them for. The outlaws' band was
completely broken up and every member of it was safely bestowed in the
dungeons of the Castle of St. Angelo, where, as already stated, the
redoubtable leader the notorious brigand chief, Luigi Vampa himself,
also languished, awaiting whatever disposition the authorities might
choose to make of him with anything but stoicism, for he did not doubt
that it would go hard with him. Vampa's arrest was considered as
directly due to Monte-Cristo, for had he not come to visit the Count it
was improbable that he would ever have been captured. By the advice of
Monte-Cristo also the bandits' subterranean retreat had been filled with
powder and blown to atoms. No wonder, therefore, the Romans were
grateful to the illustrious Frenchman and his able assistant Captain
Morrel.

Old Pasquale Solara had been placed in a hospital where he was closely
watched and had the attendance of a competent physician, for the Count
had assured Cardinal Monti that he could perhaps be made an important
witness against Vampa at his forthcoming trial. After examining the
shepherd's wound the physician had given his opinion that it was fatal,
but that by resorting to proper and judicious measures the old man's
life could be prolonged sufficiently to enable him to testify.

Valentine was much affected when she heard from Zuleika's lips the story
of her seizure by the brigands and her imprisonment in the dark, damp
cell of their cavern fastness, but her emotion was tempered with joy
that her beloved friend had escaped with no other injury than the shock
resulting from her fright and natural apprehensions.

When Giovanni learned of his betrothed's dangerous adventure and the
perils that had encompassed her his indignation knew no bounds, and in
addition he felt considerably hurt that Monte-Cristo had not allowed him
to participate in her rescue. The Count and his daughter, however,
succeeded in calming him and in convincing him that all had been done
for the best. He was