sfaction--tell me the name of the president of the club, that I may
at least know who killed my father." Villefort mechanically felt for
the handle of the door; Valentine, who understood sooner than anyone her
grandfather's answer, and who had often seen two scars upon his right
arm, drew back a few steps. "Mademoiselle," said Franz, turning towards
Valentine, "unite your efforts with mine to find out the name of the man
who made me an orphan at two years of age." Valentine remained dumb and
motionless.

"Hold, sir," said Villefort, "do not prolong this dreadful scene. The
names have been purposely concealed; my father himself does not know who
this president was, and if he knows, he cannot tell you; proper names
are not in the dictionary."

"Oh, misery," cried Franz: "the only hope which sustained me and enabled
me to read to the end was that of knowing, at least, the name of him who
killed my father! Sir, sir," cried he, turning to Noirtier, "do what you
can--make me understand in some way!"

"Yes," replied Noirtier.

"Oh, mademoiselle,--mademoiselle!" cried Franz, "your grandfather says
he can indicate the person. Help me,--lend me your assistance!" Noirtier
looked at the dictionary. Franz took it with a nervous trembling, and
repeated the letters of the alphabet successively, until he came to M.
At that letter the old man signified "Yes."

"M," repeated Franz. The young man's finger, glided over the words, but
at each one Noirtier answered by a negative sign. Valentine hid her head
between her hands. At length, Franz arrived at the word MYSELF.

"Yes!"

"You?" cried Franz, whose hair stood on end; "you, M. Noirtier--you
killed my father?"

"Yes!" replied Noirtier, fixing a majestic look on the young man. Franz
fell powerless on a chair; Villefort opened the door and escaped, for
the idea had entered his mind to stifle the little remaining life in the
heart of this terrible old man.

Chapter 76. Progress of Cavalcanti the Younger.

Meanwhile M. Cavalcanti the elder had returned to his service, not in
the army of his majesty the Emperor of Austria, but at the gaming-table
of the baths of Lucca, of which he was one of the most assiduous
courtiers. He had spent every farthing that had been allowed for his
journey as a reward for the majestic and solemn manner in which he had
maintained his assumed character of father. M. Andrea at his departure
inherited all the papers which proved that he had indeed the