Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/126

108 "'Welcome!' cried several bandits of Perrusiuo, Pampinara, and Anagni, who had recognized Luigi Vampa.

"'Yes, but I come to ask something more than to be your companion.'

"'And what may that be?' inquired the bandits, with astonishment

"'I come to ask to be your captain,' said the young man.

"The bandits shouted with laughter.

"'And what have you done to aspire to this honor?' demanded the lieutenant.

"'I have killed your chief, Cucumetto, whose spoils I now wear; and I set fire to the Villa San-Felice to procure a wedding-dress for my betrothed.'

"An hour afterward Luigi Vampa was chosen captain, vice Cucum etto, deceased."

"Well, my dear Albert," said Franz, turning toward his friend, "what think you of citizen Luigi Vampa?"

"I say he is a myth," replied Albert, "and never had an existence."

"And what may a myth be?" inquired Pastrini.

"The explanation would be too long, my dear landlord," replied Franz.

"And you say that Maitre Vampa exercises his profession at this moment in the environs of Rome?"

"And with a boldness of which no bandit before him ever gave an example."

"Then the police have vainly tried to lay hands on him?"

"Why, you see, he has at the same time a good understanding with the shepherds in the plains, the fishermen of the Tiber, and the smugglers of the coast. They seek for him in the mountains, and he is on the river; they follow him on the river, and he is on the open sea; then when they fancy that he has taken refuge in the isle of Giglio, of Guanonti, or Monte-Cristo, he re-appears suddenly at Albano, Tivoli, or La Riccia."

"And how does he behave toward travelers?"

"Alas! his plan is very simple. It depends on the distance he may be from the city, whether he gives eight hours, twelve hours, or a day wherein to pay their ransom; and when that time has elapsed he allows another hour's grace. At the sixtieth minute of this hour, if the money is not forthcoming, he blows out the prisoner's brains with a pistol-shot, or plants his dagger in his heart, and that settles the account."

"Well, Albert," inquired Franz of his companion, "are you still disposed to go to the Colosseum by the outer Boulevards!"

"Perfectly," said Albert, "if the way be more picturesque." The clock struck nine as the door opened, and a coachman appeared