Volume I Part 37 (1/2)
At this moment Bertuccio entered the hall
”Well?” asked the count
”Count, one of our emissaries has penetrated to the citadel The Marquis Aslitta is no longer there!”
”What can that mean? Had he escaped he would have looked for us here,”
exclai further,” said Bertuccio, sadly; ”but he was informed that some one else was found in the marquis's cell”
”Some one else? Who?”
”You know him In Paris he called himself Major Cavalcanti, and here--”
”What about this substitute?” eagerly interrupted the count
”He was sentenced to death; whether the sentence had been already executed our emissary could not ascertain”
”Bertuccio,” said the count anxiously, ”if Aslitta--”
”Aslitta is dead!” cried Luciola, who had entered unperceived and sank to her knees sobbing
”Who dares to allege that?” exclai pale
”Step to the ,” staered back, for the sight he saw confirirl's words; four men, with uncovered heads, carried a bier on which lay a motionless body It was the Marquis Aslitta, and Monte-Cristo's heart swelled as he recognized him
”How could this cala anxiously to Luciola
Bertuccio, in the meantime, had run down into the street to direct the carriers He now returned and treo our men found the body in the ot there is a riddle”
Loud cries were heard froe on the murderers! Death to the athered around the bier, and the carriers had trouble to reach the palace gate
Luciola had dragged herself with difficulty to the staircase, but there she swooned away, and while Spero bedewed her beautiful pale face with his tears, he appealingly whispered to his father:
”Papa, you have already aided so many people, aid her too!”
Monte-Cristo started He had promised Luciola to save Aslitta, and now--
The next aze rested searchingly, with unspeakable terror, on the pale features of the drownedhands he bared the bosom and placed his ear to Aslitta's breast
At this instant the beating of drums was heard and a Croatian battalion turned the corner of the street