Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/152

134 the play-bills, that in case any person staying at my hotel should like to witness an execution, he may obtain every requisite information."

"Upon my word, that is most delicate attention on your part, Maitre Pastrini," cried Franz.

"Why, your excellence," returned the landlord, chuckling and rubbing his hands with infinite complacency, "I think I may take upon myself to say I neglect nothing to deserve the patronage of the noble visitors to this poor hotel."

"I see that plainly enough, my most excellent host, and you may rely upon my repeating it wherever I go. Meanwhile, oblige me by a sight of one of these tavolettes."

"Nothing can be easier than to comply with your excellency's wish," said the landlord, opening the door of the chamber; "I have caused one to be placed on the landing, close by your apartment."

Then, taking the tablet from the wall, he handed it to Franz, who read as follows:

"'The public is informed that on Wednesday, February 23d, being the first day of the carnival, there will be executed in the Place del Popolo, by order of the Tribunal de la Rota, the so-called Andrea Rondolo, found guilty of the murder of a venerable and exemplary priest, named Don Cesar Torlini, canon of the church of Saint John Lateran; and the so-called Peppino, alias Rocca Priori, convicted of being an accomplice of the atrocious bandit, Luigi Vampa, and his troop. The first-named malefactor will be mazzolato, the second culprit, decapitate. "'The prayers of all good Christians are entreated, that it may please God to grant the unfortunate culprits sincere repentance.'"

This was precisely what Franz had heard the evening before in the ruins of the Colosseum. No part of the programme differed the names of the condemned persons, their crimes, and mode of punishment, all agreed with his previous information.

In all probability, therefore, the Transteverino was no other than the bandit Luigi Vampa himself, and the man shrouded in the mantle the same he had known as "Sindbad the Sailor," but who, no doubt, was still pursuing his philanthropic expedition in Rome as he had already done at Porto-Vecchio and Tunis.

Time was getting on, however, and Franz deemed it advisable to awaken Albert; but at the moment he prepared to proceed to his cham ber, his friend entered the salon in perfect costume for the day.

The anticipated delights of the Carnival had so run in his head as to make him leave his pillow long before his usual hour.

"Now, my excellent Maitre Pastrini," said Franz, addressing his landlord, "since we are both ready, do you think we may proceed at once to visit the Count of Moute-Cristo."