The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 86 (1/2)

He discovered the stairs, and began to descend them He went on and on, and then another corridor, and then more stairs Finally he reached a door, which he opened, and entered a large roo with silk It was one of the houses which had been so useful to Monte-Cristo years before

The path by which Esperance had coround, and conificent, but Esperance saw nothing Nothing but a lacquer table on which lay a letter This letter contained the words, ”If the son of Monte-Crisob not a coward, if he wishes to find her whoo from here to a certain Malvernet, who lives at Courberrie There he will learn what he wishes to know, and will act as he deehted He did not stop to think of the singularity of finding this note in this place What did he care for this mystery that surrounded him? He had found Jane Zeld, or rather he had found traces of her He went to the chimney to look at the clock, for he had lost all idea of ti to see his own face in the mirror, he could not repress a start He looked to himself at least ten years older than when he last stood before a mirror He wondered at himself, when he remembered his father, whose youth seeh which he had passed When he went out from the hotel the first time he had mechanically put in his pocket a pair of revolvers--he had them now

CHAPTER LXI

ESPERANCE GOES TO COURBERRIE

Twenty years since Courberrie was very far from what it is to-day The houses were scattered and ainst which the sullen tide rose and fell In one of these fields stood an old wooden house which was not inhabited, for both wind and rain penetrated its roof and walls On this especial night, however, any one familiar with the locality would have been astonished to see a light gleah the worm-eaten shutters In one room was a chair and a table On the table was a la the roo to listen to the storm that shook the old house like the bones of a skeleton, was a man--a reddish beard covered half his face He was dressed in black, and had thrown a cloak and broad-brimmed hat on the table

”Will he co-expected hour ever strike?”

A slight sound was heard without The dry branches crackled; the man started, then snatched his hat and pulled it well down over his forehead The hand that was hidden in the folds of the cloak which he threw over his shoulders, held a dagger

”I won't use it, though!” he said aloud, ”his sufferings would be too brief!”

There came a knock at the door

”Does a man named Malvernet live here?” asked a voice

”Yes, come in,” and the door was throide open

Esperance entered

”What do you want of ruff voice

Esperance looked about the room The man was alone, and Esperance knew that he could defend himself

”Do you knoho I am?” he asked

”No I was told to wait for a man here, ould come I have done as I was bidden, that is all”

”I will tell you then I am Esperance, the son of the Count of Monte-Cristo I am rich, so rich that I do not myself kno much I have Now if you obey me faithfully, I will make you so rich that every wish you have will be realized”

A sneer was on Malvernet's lips

”You offer me money, do you, and why? Tell me what you want of ht--”

”And robbed you?”