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"Have you succeeded?" asked Monte Cristo quickly, with an ileam of hope

"No; for your skill with the sword is so well known"

"Ah?--who has betrayed me?"

"The skilful swordsman whom you have conquered"

"And you failed?"

"They positively refused"

"Morrel," said the count, "have you ever seen me fire a pistol?"

"Never"

"Well, we have time; look" Monte Cristo took the pistols he held in his hand when Mercedes entered, and fixing an ace of clubs against the iron plate, with four shots he successively shot off the four sides of the club At each shot Morrel turned pale He examined the bullets hich Monte Cristo perforer than buckshot "It is astonishing," said he "Look, E towards Monte Cristo, "Count," said he, "in the name of all that is dear to you, I entreat you not to kill Albert!--the unhappy youth has a ht," said Monte Cristo; "and I have none" These words were uttered in a tone which made Morrel shudder "You are the offended party, count"

"Doubtless; what does that imply?"

"That you will fire first"

"I fire first?"

"Oh, I obtained, or rather claih for them to yield us that"