"Come one and all!" cried Iron Jaws, gayly.

"Are you going?" asked Arthur.

Francine replied with downcast eyes: "Can I leave my brother?"

"Then I too will go," Arthur exclaimed, "I too will begin to take life
seriously, if you will aid me."

* * * * *

After the Vicomte de Talizac was buried, the Marquis disappeared and was
no more heard of. Magdalena committed suicide. Bobichel married
Caillette, whom he adored as much as he adored Fanfar. Francoise and
Labarre neither of them lived long. Cyprien continued to act as spy for
the French government. And La Roulante was assassinated in a drunken
frolic.

This was the story of Fanfar, which we have completed, for Fanfar's
modesty was too great to allow him to say what we have said for him.

The party all went to Algeria, intending thence to start for America,
but finally decided to remain where French activity finds such a wide
field. They lived contented and happy, forgotten and forgetting.

"And I am truly thankful," said Fanfar, in conclusion, extending his
hand to Monte-Cristo, "that I have been permitted to utilize my former
talents for your benefit."

Monte-Cristo lingered a week or more that Esperance might recover from
his fatigue of both body and mind, but the day finally came when the
caravan started for France.

"Monsieur Fanfar," said the Count, "are we never to meet again?"

"Ah! who can say!" and Fanfar smiled. "I shall never forget my beloved
France, and I am sometimes sick with longing to return."

"Then, some day if I need you for the protection of my son, and send for
you," said Monte-Cristo, "you will come?"

"I swear that I will." And Fanfar laid his hand on the boy's head.

"We will all swear!" cried Iron Jaws. "The son of Monte-Cristo is sacred
to us. Who ever touches a hair of his head shall suffer."

We have now to learn how Fanfar and his friends kept this promise.

CHAPTER XLIII.

A LETTER FROM MONTE-CRISTO.

"MY DEAR CHILD:

"Twelve years have elapsed since that terrible day when, with the
assistance of our dear friends in Algeria, I was enabled to save you
from a most awful death. Since then many events have swept over my head,
which is to-day becoming very gray.

"I am over sixty, and yet I hope to do a little more good in the world.
But I must hasten.

"I have borne up against many misfortunes and great catastrophes, and
one, even alone, prostrated me and deprived me of coura