The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 49 (1/2)
Then Caillette was left alone with the sick wo torpid that now this shock seeence But Caillette was good and patient, and finally the sick woht, and at last, holding the hand of her charge in hers, she too fell asleep
When the girl opened her eyes it was daybreak, and the bed was euard, had vanished She ran into the next room No one was there, and the door was open
Caillette ran to the concierge ”Where is she?” she cried
”Do you ht”
”Impossible! She cannot walk”
”I was astonisheddown stairs? I looked, and I saw a ghost--not a pretty one either, begging your pardon It was the paralytic, the old woman who had never walked a step all the while that the Marquise took care of her
”'Where are you going?' I said to her
”'To save Jacques'”
”Jacques is her son, go on, quick,” interrupted Caillette
”'But you can't save any one,' I then said This was not kind, Miss, but I was so astonished She did not seean to talk about a box, and told ht to disobey, you know”
”And she went away?” cried Caillette
”Yes, and quick enough, too”
Caillette did not wait to hear more She flen the stairs also
It was seven o'clock in theCaillette did not dare to find Jacques, and tell him she had been faithless to her trust No, she must find Francoise herself She asked questions of all shepicker told her that he had seen a woiven by Caillette She at once started in the direction he pointed out; it was the road to Gerold locket, which held a bit of ribbon froiven her She kept the ribbon, and received several crowns for the locket She walked all day, finally certain that Francoise was not far in advance It was not until theFrancoise at the door of an inn Caillette rushed forward
”Mother!” she cried
”Ah! you know her?” said the innkeeper ”She is very strange”
”What did she say to you?”
”She asked for bread, and ate it without a word Then, just as she saw you, she asked e was I never heard the name before”
The old wooutte!” she said ”Leigoutte!”
”Leigoutte!” repeated Caillette, ”that is Fanfar's village”
The old woman shook her head, she did not know the naoutte is where Jacques came from”
”Yes--yes--Jacques I must save Jacques and the box!”