Monte Cristo laughed heartily.
"My good fellow," said he, in a reassuring tone, "dismiss your childish terrors. Vampa will not dare even to attempt to harm me! Show the mysterious visitor up and let the problem of his identity be solved!"
"I know your power over Vampa, Signor Count," returned Peppino, hesitating, "but still in this peculiar instance it may fail you!"
"Pshaw!" said the Count, impatiently. "I tell you I do not fear Vampa. Show him up at once."
Peppino very reluctantly quitted the salon, soon returning with the suspicious visitor.
Monte-Cristo advanced to meet the new comer, who silently pointed to Peppino, motioning towards the door. The Count nodded to the ex-bandit and with a slow step he left the room.
Although Vampa was carefully disguised and even elegantly dressed in the fashionable attire of the Roman aristocracy, Monte-Cristo, like Peppino, had no difficulty whatever in recognizing him.
"Well, Luigi Vampa!" said he, facing his visitor and calmly folding his arms as soon as they were alone. "What do you want with me?"
The brigand chief did not seem either disconcerted or surprised even in the slightest degree. He boldly returned his host's gaze and said: