Hebrew the information he required. When he had concluded Dr. Absalom
said, in a quiet, confident tone:

"Count of Monte-Cristo, the case is plain. I can and will cure this
stricken young Italian!"

"I was sure of it!" cried the Count, joyously and triumphantly. M.
Morrel was not less delighted, but, at the same time, he could not feel
as confident as his friend of the Jew's ability to perform his promise.

The physician spoke a few words in Hebrew to Monte-Cristo. The reply of
the latter seemed to give him entire satisfaction, for he said in
Italian:

"In that event there will be no opposition from either the authorities
of Rome or those of the insane asylum. I will be at the asylum at noon
to-morrow, fully prepared to restore Massetti to health and reason!"

The Count and Maximilian arose and bidding the sage adieu were conducted
by him to the corridor. They were soon in the street and made their way
out of the Ghetto as speedily as possible.

CHAPTER XXIII.

A MODERN MIRACLE.

Monte-Cristo, whose power and influence seemed to be absolutely
boundless, presented himself on the following morning at the insane
asylum where the Viscount Massetti was under treatment armed with a
permit from the Papal Secretary of State, Cardinal Monti, for the Hebrew
physician, Dr. Israel Absalom, to assume charge of the case of the noble
patient. The director of the institution shrugged his shoulders when
this permit was exhibited to him by M. Morrel, who had accompanied the
Count for the purpose of introducing him to that official.

"Messieurs," said he, in very good French, "I am bound to respect this
paper, but I solemnly protest against trusting the patient to this
Hebrew charlatan and wash my hands of all responsibility in the
premises!"

"M. the director," replied Monte-Cristo, in a dignified tone,
"notwithstanding the repeated assertion of your physician who has been
in charge of young Massetti ever since his arrival here that his malady
was entirely curable, he has made but little if any progress with the
sufferer, who to-day is still insane. Dr. Absalom, even though he be a
charlatan as you maintain, but which, if you will pardon me, I must
decline to admit, could not make a more conspicuous and complete
failure!"

"M. the Count," said the director, coldly, evidently not relishing
Monte-Cristo's bluntness, "all that the most advanced science can do has
been done. Insanity is a disease slow and difficult of c