"'Well, as after my death the command devolves on you as mate, assume the command, and bear up for the isle of Elba, disembark at Porto-Ferrajo, ask for the grand-marshal, give him this letter; — perhaps he will give you another letter, and charge you with a commission. You will accomplish the mission that I was to have done, and derive all the honor from it.'
"'I will do it, captain; but, perhaps, I shall not be admitted to the grand-marshal's presence as easily as you expect?'
"'Here is a ring that will obtain audience of him, and remove every difficulty,' said the captain. At these words he gave me a ring. It was time; — two hours after he was delirious; the next day he died."
"And what did you do then?"
"What I ought to have done, and what every one would have done in my place. Everywhere the last requests of a dying man are sacred; but with a sailor the last requests of his superior are commands. I sailed for the isle of Elba, where I arrived the next day; I ordered everybody to remain on board, and went on shore alone. As I had expected, I found some difficulty in obtaining access to the grand-marshal; but I sent the ring I had received as my credentials, and was instantly admitted. He questioned me concerning Captain Leclere's death; and, as the latter had told me, gave me a letter to carry in person to Paris. I undertook it because it was what my captain had bade me do. I landed here, regulated the affairs of the vessel, and hastened to visit my affianced bride, whom I found more lovely than ever. Thanks to M. Morrel, all the forms were got over; in a word, I was, as I told you, at my marriage feast; and I should have been married in an hour, and to-morrow I intended to start for Paris, when, on this accusation which you now seem to despise as much as I do, I was arrested."
"Ah!" said Villefort, "this seems to me the truth. If you have been culpable, it was imprudence, and this imprudence was legitimized by the orders of your captain. Give up this letter you have brought from Elba, and pass your word you will appear should you be required, and go and rejoin your friends."
"I am free, then, sir?" cried Dantès, joyfully.
"Yes; but first give me this letter."
"You have it already; for it was taken from me with some others which I see in that packet."
"Stop a moment," said the deputy, as Dantès took his hat and gloves.
"To whom is it addressed?"
"To Monsieur Noirtier, Rue Coq-Héron, Paris."
Had a thunder-bolt fallen into the room, Villefort could not have been more stupefied. He sank into his seat, and, hastily turning over
