g at the gate, and demanded if it was not at No. 30 in
the Avenue des Champs-Elysees that the Count of Monte Cristo lived, and
who, being answered by the porter in the affirmative, entered, closed
the gate after him, and began to ascend the steps.

The small and angular head of this man, his white hair and thick gray
mustaches, caused him to be easily recognized by Baptistin, who had
received an exact description of the expected visitor, and who was
awaiting him in the hall. Therefore, scarcely had the stranger time to
pronounce his name before the count was apprised of his arrival. He was
ushered into a simple and elegant drawing-room, and the count rose to
meet him with a smiling air. "Ah, my dear sir, you are most welcome; I
was expecting you."

"Indeed," said the Italian, "was your excellency then aware of my
visit?"

"Yes; I had been told that I should see you to-day at seven o'clock."

"Then you have received full information concerning my arrival?"

"Of course."

"Ah, so much the better, I feared this little precaution might have been
forgotten."

"What precaution?"

"That of informing you beforehand of my coming."

"Oh, no, it has not."

"But you are sure you are not mistaken."

"Very sure."

"It really was I whom your excellency expected at seven o'clock this
evening?"

"I will prove it to you beyond a doubt."

"Oh, no, never mind that," said the Italian; "it is not worth the
trouble."

"Yes, yes," said Monte Cristo. His visitor appeared slightly uneasy.
"Let me see," said the count; "are you not the Marquis Bartolomeo
Cavalcanti?"

"Bartolomeo Cavalcanti," joyfully replied the Italian; "yes, I am really
he."

"Ex-major in the Austrian service?"

"Was I a major?" timidly asked the old soldier.

"Yes," said Monte Cristo "you were a major; that is the title the French
give to the post which you filled in Italy."

"Very good," said the major, "I do not demand more, you understand"--

"Your visit here to-day is not of your own suggestion, is it?" said
Monte Cristo.

"No, certainly not."

"You were sent by some other person?"

"Yes."

"By the excellent Abbe Busoni?"

"Exactly so," said the delighted major.

"And you have a letter?"

"Yes, there it is."

"Give it me, then;" and Monte Cristo took the letter, which he opened
and read. The major looked at the count with his large staring eyes,
and then took a survey of the apartment, but his gaze almost immediately
reverted to