whence I will bring you word how all is going on."

"That's right!" exclaimed a multitude of voices, "go, and
return as quickly as you can!"

This second departure was followed by a long and fearful
state of terrified silence on the part of those who were
left behind. The old father and Mercedes remained for some
time apart, each absorbed in grief; but at length the two
poor victims of the same blow raised their eyes, and with a
simultaneous burst of feeling rushed into each other's arms.

Meanwhile Fernand made his appearance, poured out for
himself a glass of water with a trembling hand; then hastily
swallowing it, went to sit down at the first vacant place,
and this was, by mere chance, placed next to the seat on
which poor Mercedes had fallen half fainting, when released
from the warm and affectionate embrace of old Dantes.
Instinctively Fernand drew back his chair.

"He is the cause of all this misery -- I am quite sure of
it," whispered Caderousse, who had never taken his eyes off
Fernand, to Danglars.

"I don't think so," answered the other; he's too stupid to
imagine such a scheme. I only hope the mischief will fall
upon the head of whoever wrought it."

"You don't mention those who aided and abetted the deed,"
said Caderousse.

"Surely," answered Danglars, "one cannot be held responsible
for every chance arrow shot into the air."

"You can, indeed, when the arrow lights point downward on
somebody's head."

Meantime the subject of the arrest was being canvassed in
every different form.

"What think you, Danglars," said one of the party, turning
towards him, "of this event?"

"Why," replied he, "I think it just possible Dantes may have
been detected with some trifling article on board ship
considered here as contraband."

"But how could he have done so without your knowledge,
Danglars, since you are the ship's supercargo?"

"Why, as for that, I could only know what I was told
respecting the merchandise with which the vessel was laden.
I know she was loaded with cotton, and that she took in her
freight at Alexandria from Pastret's warehouse, and at
Smyrna from Pascal's; that is all I was obliged to know, and
I beg I may not be asked for any further particulars."

"Now I recollect," said the afflicted old father; "my poor
boy told me yesterday he had got a small case of coffee, and
another of tobacco for me!"

"There, you see," exclaimed Danglars. "Now the mischief is
out; depend upon it the custom-house people went rummaging
about the ship in our absence, and discovered poor Dantes'
hidden treasures."

Mercedes, however, paid no heed to this explanation of her
lover's arrest. Her grief, which she had hitherto tried to
restrain, now burst out in a violent fit of hysterical
sobbing.

"Come, come," said the old man, "be comforted, my poor
child; there is still hope!"

"Hope!" repeated Danglars.

"Hope!" faintly murmured Fernand, but the word seemed to die
away on his pale agitated lips, and a convulsive spasm
passed over his countenance.

"Good news! good news!" shouted forth one of the party
stationed in the balcony on the lookout. "Here comes M.
Morrel back. No doubt, now, we shall hear that our friend is
released!"

Mercedes and the old man rushed to meet the shipowner and
greeted him at the door. He was very pale.

"What news?" exclaimed a general burst of voices.

"Alas, my friends," replied M. Morrel, with a mournful shake
of his head, "the thing has assumed a more serious aspect
than I expected."

"Oh, indeed -- indeed, sir, he is innocent!" sobbed forth
Mercedes.

"That I believe!" answered M. Morrel; "but still he is
charged" --



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