The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 30 (2/2)

As may be supposed, there was no reply Then, with his shoulder, the Brigadier burst it open

”Gone!” roared Robeccal, and looking round he quickly espied the improvised rope at the , and flen the stairs

Cyprien drew the Brigadier aside ”Spare no exertion The fate of France depends on you, now!” he said

The Brigadier beca these words He took a lantern and hunted for traces of the fugitives

”This way!” cried Robeccal, ”they have made their escape toward the forest”

”I know every inch of the forest,” answered the Brigadier, waving his sword, as if he were about to attack an ene his lips Could it be that Fanfar was to escape him now? The police rode off at a rapid pace, and Cyprien felt that they itives

About two e the road wound round a hill, on one side of which was a deep precipice Day was breaking, and Robeccal, who of course had joined in the pursuit, rose in his stirrups in hopes to see so

Suddenly one of the horses fell, then the one behindwith the same obstacle, fell also, until five out of the seven were on the ground

”It is a rope!” cried the Brigadier, ”a rope stretched across the road--the rascals!”

The round and endeavored to assist their co broken

Robeccal stae

”Halloo!” cried a voice, ”you had beston the side of the road, danced with glee

”You shall pay for that!” shouted Robeccal, and snatching a pistol from the belt of one of the police, he fired at Bobi+chel

The clown flung out his arms ”They are saved, at all events!” he shouted, as he disappeared, falling into the abyss at his feet

Fanfar and Gudel were far away Poor Bobi+chel!

CHAPTER XXIII

FRANCE--1824

The 29th of February, 1824, was a Sunday, and a fete day At that time the Carnival was in full blast, and the streets were croith curious spectators A carriage drew up before a fashi+onable restaurant in the Palais Royal The carriage was driven by a coachnificent Three young e, and took the path that led to the garden

They rapped in Venetian cloaks and each wore on his shoulder knots of ribbon, different in hue, and each concealed his face under a white satin mask, to which h birth and nobility

These young h a double row of spectators, to whose jokes they replied in kind

Lights were beginning to twinkle a the trees when they established themselves at a table in the cafe