The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 90 (2/2)

But, with her brain still excited by opium, she continued to resist

”Jane, you know ether Jane--dear Jane!”

His voice was so tender and so persuasive that suddenly the terror-stricken expression left the girl's face She placed her hands on his shoulder, and contemplated him in a sort of ecstasy

”Yes, I remember Esperance, how I love you!”

At this instant, like a chorus behind the scenes, there cahter She fell on the floor, crying: ”Alas! alas! I am accursed!”

The door of the room was thrown open, and a man entered This man was Benedetto

CHAPTER LXV

THE MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS

Having played his little coe he had kept waiting, and drove to the Hotel de Monte-Cristo He was in such haste to inform Goutran that he had successfully fulfilled his ot to disembarrass himself of his fancy costuood woman uttered a cry of terror

”It is only I--Coucon”

Madae in aof the kind,” answered Coucon, impatiently ”Where is Monsieur Goutran?”

”I have not seen the gentlemen since you went out”

”Then they must be in Miss Jane's rooo there at once, then”

But the Zouave was interrupted by a strange sound like that made by a heavy hammer at some distance

Madame turned pale

”You know, Coucon, that I am not a coward, but I tell you I can't make out that sound I have heard it now for some time”

”It seems to come from the cellar”

”Yes, that is what I think But let us tell the friends”

They by this time had reached Jane's door, on which they knocked No reply Then, after knocking and listening, Madao in!”

She opened the door, and both uttered a cry on finding the chamber empty The iron panel had closed, and no one would have suspected its existence

Coucon could not believe his eyes He ran through every rooone out of the hotel, for Madauarded it