"This for Jacques! This for Pierre! This for Jean! Back, you brown devils!"
When Monte-Cristo had reached the foot of the Kiobeh, Medje said:
"It is here."
"Light the torches!" commanded Monte-Cristo.
It was done.
"In the name of Allah, the merciful and charitable God," exclaimed the count.
Three times he repeated the words. For a time all was silent. After a while the door of the fortress opened and Maldar appeared on the threshold.
"Who are you, who comes here as an enemy?"
"Let us not fight with words," replied Monte-Cristo. "It was your people who first attacked us."
"Blood has flowed," replied Maldar, coldly; "and it falls back upon your head."