was safe in his father's care.

The ladies gave the heroes of the expedition a most enthusiastic
welcome, Miss Elphys shedding tears of joy as Esperance told her how his
heroic father had saved him from death at Maldar's hands.

The next evening, when the excitement had somewhat subsided and
Monte-Cristo and his men had fully recovered from their fatigue, Fanfar
began the story of his life, which will be related in the succeeding
chapters.

CHAPTER IV.

FANFAR'S ADVENTURES--CAIN.

Toward the middle of December, 1813, a man was riding through the Black
Forest.

This man seemed to be still in the vigor of youth. He wore a long, brown
surtout and leathern gaiters. His hair was worn in a queue, and
powdered. Night was coming on, and Pierre Labarre, confidential servant
of the Marquis de Fongereues, was somewhat weary and eager to get on.

"Quick!" he said to his horse. "Quick! They are waiting for us, and we
are the bearers of good news!"

The animal seemed to understand, and accelerated his pace.

Suddenly Pierre started. He had reached a group of nine trees, one of
which had been struck by lightning, making the group a conspicuous one.
The rider listened as he pulled up his steed.

"Surely," he said to himself, "I heard the trot of a horse on the other
side of the Nine Trees!"

The road widened here and divided. He laid his hand on his breast by an
involuntary movement.

"The portfolio is safe, any way! Get on, Margotte." And he lifted his
reins.

But, as if this movement were a signal, he heard distinctly a horse
coming toward him, this time at a full gallop, and then Pierre saw a
shadow pass some thirty yards away.

He drew out a pistol, and rode with it in his hand until he passed the
cross-road, but he saw and heard nothing more. Perhaps he had been
mistaken--it was only a messenger traveling the same road as himself. He
had entered the path which in a half hour would take him into Fribourg,
when suddenly there was a flash and a report. A ball struck Pierre in
the breast--he fell forward on the neck of his horse. A man came out of
the shadow on the side of the road. This man was wrapped in a cloak.
Just as he laid his hand on the bridle of the horse, Pierre straightened
himself in his saddle.

"You are in too great a hurry, bandit!" he shouted, firing his pistol at
the assassin at the same moment.

The man uttered a terrible cry, and then, with a superhuman effort,
sprang into the wood.