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The count's first idea was that this was an artifice--a gross deception, to draw his attention froreater He was on the point of sending the letter to the co the advice of his anonymous friend, or perhaps because of that advice, when suddenly the idea occurred to hiht be sonize and over whoe, as Fiesco [] had done over the Moor ould have killed hi anything to be ireat man Fro, the count had acquired an inconceivable relish for the contests in which he had engaged, soainst God, and soainst the devil

The Genoese conspirator

"They do not want my papers," said Monte Cristo, "they want to kill me; they are no robbers, but assassins I will not allow the prefect of police to interfere with h, forsooth, to distribute his authority on this occasion" The count recalled Baptistin, who had left the roo the letter "Return to Paris," said he; "assemble the servants who remain there I want all my household at Auteuil"

"But will no one remain in the house, my lord?" asked Baptistin

"Yes, the porter"

"My lord will ree is at a distance froht be stripped without his hearing the least noise"

"By whom?"

"By thieves"

"You are a fool, M Baptistin Thieves ht strip the house--it would annoy me less than to be disobeyed" Baptistin bowed

"You understandyour co reround floor"

"And those of the second floor?"

"You know they are never closed Go!"

The count signified his intention of dining alone, and that no one but Ali should attend hi dined with his usual tranquillity and nal to Ali to follow hi the Bois de Boulogne turned, apparently without design towards Paris and at twilight; found himself opposite his house in the Chaht was burning in the porter's lodge, about forty paces distant froainst a tree, and with that scrutinizing glance which was so rarely deceived, looked up and down the avenue, exahboring streets, to see that no one was concealed Ten minutes passed thus, and he was convinced that no one atching him He hastened to the side-door with Ali, entered hurriedly, and by the servants' staircase, of which he had the key, gained his bedroole curtain, without even the porter having the slightest suspicion that the house, which he supposed empty, contained its chief occupant