te-Cristo smiled at the man's cunning.

"At least," he said, "tell me if you have seen the Viscount recently."

"I will do that, your Excellency. I saw him a very short time ago in
Rome and afterwards with Luigi Vampa and Pasquale Solara in the marshy
country beyond the Trastavere."

"What brought you and your companion to Paris?"

"We had a disagreement with old Solara, whom Luigi Vampa insisted we
should obey implicitly. Solara was a tyrant; besides, he was as greedy
and avaricious as a miser; he wanted everything for himself and would
allow us nothing; he demanded that all the booty we acquired should be
brought directly to him without division, stating that he would parcel
out our shares; this he invariably failed to do and naturally we
rebelled. Vampa, who has become, if he was not always so, old
Pasquale's fast friend, decided against us whenever we carried our
complaints to him. Finally we could stand it no longer; we were
absolutely starving while Solara was heaping up riches, so we determined
to quit the band. We did so and came to Paris, where we have been ever
since."

"I will not ask you what you have been doing in Paris," said
Monte-Cristo, smiling faintly; "in fact, I need not ask you, for I know;
the chief of the poste has told me; but will you promise me to lead a
better life in future and to try to induce Beppo to do the same, if I
should succeed in effecting your release?"

"I cannot promise you that," replied the Italian, with averted eyes,
"but I will promise you to return to Rome and take Beppo with me."

"That will do as well, or almost as well," said the Count. "Armed with
such a promise, I think I can obtain your freedom. But you must swear to
me to leave France immediately after you have been set at liberty, and I
shall consider your oath as binding upon Beppo also."

"I swear to leave France the very moment I am free! I swear, too, that
Beppo shall accompany me!"

"It is well," said the Count. "I shall be here again this afternoon or
to-morrow at the furthest; but remember that before you leave this cell
you must give me the full details of the conspiracy against young
Massetti!"

"I shall remember it, Signor Count; have no fear of that! When I have
spoken old Solara must look out for himself!"

"What do you mean by that?" asked Monte-Cristo, sharply.

"Never mind at present, Signor Count! I will make everything clear to
you on your return."

The Deputy from Marseilles quitted t