es quickly.

"Esperance! Oh! not here--it must not be!"

She began to sob convulsively.

"I know all, my beloved!" he answered, soothingly, "I know the snare
that was laid for you. But why do you repel me, dearest?"

"Ah! you do not know," she said, amid her sobs. "Those women--those
songs. Ah! let me die!"

"No, do not say that! We are surrounded by enemies, but I fear them not.
Come, we must leave this place."

But, with her brain still excited by opium, she continued to resist.

"Jane, you know me?--I am Esperance. Let us fly, and find our happiness
together. Jane--dear Jane!"

His voice was so tender and so persuasive that suddenly the
terror-stricken expression left the girl's face. She placed her hands on
his shoulder, and contemplated him in a sort of ecstasy.

"Yes, I remember. Esperance, how I love you!"

At this instant, like a chorus behind the scenes, there came the shouts
of ribald laughter. She fell on the floor, crying: "Alas! alas! I am
accursed!"

The door of the room was thrown open, and a man entered. This man was
Benedetto.

CHAPTER LXV.

THE MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS.

Having played his little comedy with consummate skill, Coucon hastened
to the carriage he had kept waiting, and drove to the Hotel de
Monte-Cristo. He was in such haste to inform Goutran that he had
successfully fulfilled his mission, that he forgot to disembarrass
himself of his fancy costume, so that when he appeared before Madame
Caraman, the good woman uttered a cry of terror.

"It is only I--Coucon."

Madame protested against his selecting a time like this to indulge in a
masquerade.

"It is nothing of the kind," answered Coucon, impatiently. "Where is
Monsieur Goutran?"

"I have not seen the gentlemen since you went out."

"Then they must be in Miss Jane's room still?"

"I suppose so."

"We will go there at once, then."

But the Zouave was interrupted by a strange sound like that made by a
heavy hammer at some distance.

Madame turned pale.

"You know, Coucon, that I am not a coward, but I tell you I can't make
out that sound. I have heard it now for some time."

"It seems to come from the cellar."

"Yes, that is what I think. But let us tell the friends."

They by this time had reached Jane's door, on which they knocked. No
reply. Then, after knocking and listening, Madame said:

"We must go in!"

She opened the door, and both uttered a cry on finding the chamber
empty. The iron panel h