The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-11

his room. Then sharp report was card. and a thick smoke came through one of the panes of the window which had been shattered by the explosion.
 Scarcely had Paris ceased talking over the suicide of the Count de Nor cerf when society was shocked by a fresh sensation. The Count Cavaleanti was arrested for murder.
 He had stabbed to death a former galley slave named Caderousse. who had been blaelSmailing him. Caderousse lived long enough after being stabbed to make a deposition declaring that he recognized the so-called caYalcanti as a fellow convict with him in the gal leys. named Benedetto.
 The police found out that this was true and that both men had been lib- erated through a mysterious English man calling himself Lord Wilmore. who had expended great deal of money in effeeting their escape. What the police did not find out was the fact that among the effects of Monte Cristo were dsguises which transform ed him quickly into either Lord Will more or the Abbe Busoni
 Danglars naturally was dreadfully shocked. He shut himself up in his room and looked the situation in the face. His finances were In d perilous state. To defraud one of his clients the United Charities, out of large sum and flee the country seemed all that was left him. That night he whs A fugitive making for the Italian from tier. and the next day his name was posted as that of a swindler and bank Q rupt.
 The tragic downfall of his friends made little impression on NJ. de Nillefort, the Kings attorney His own affairs occupied and harassed his mind too much. There had been a series of strange deaths Tn Nll- lefort's house. and Dr. d'Avrigny. the family physean told him frankly that a poisoner was at work. The aged Marquis and Marqulse de Saint Meran coming to visit their son-in-law. had both died sud denly; and there was little doubt that the life of the venerable M. Noruer, whf made his home with his son, had been al tempted. But the medicine which th' doctor had been giving the old man seemed to have made him immune. And no" the lovely Valentine was stricken
 Maximilian Morel was in despair, and, of course, rushed for advice and comfort to Monte Crlsto Must I let one of that accused race eseape?' thought Monte Monte Cristo. well. be fl so.' And he promised Morel that Valentine should be saved.
 Valentine was lying asleep In her room 10 which the only entrance was through the chamber occupied by Mme. de Vile fort and her young son. boy of or N years. A wlte-elothed figure entered stealthily from Mme. de Villefort's apart ment and the glass of medicine which stood on table by the bedside was emptied into the fireplace and refllled from a vial carired by the mysterious figure, which at once retired.
 Then the door of closest off of Valen tines room opened and the Count of Monte cristo stepped out His presence was an illustration of the power or money Under the name Of the Apoe Busoni he had bought the house abuttlnS on that of VlAefort. spread report that It was unsafe, eVicted the tenants and engaged worlmen who. under his di- reetfons and the pretext of repairing the walls. had removed so much of the party wall between the two houses in one place that the Count was able by himself to remove the few stones which permitted his entrance into the closest or Saleh- tines room.
 Valentine opened her eyes and saw Inc intruder with amazement and alarm. But before she could cry out the Count made a gesture commanding silence and hastily told her what he had seen through inc half-opened door of the closet linen. throwing half the poisoned drauRht lhto the fireplace, he left the rest Tn the slass and pursuaded Valentine to take one or the pellets which he took from his famous emeral vial.
 Scarcely had the Count disappeared when The white figure came again from Mime. de Villefort's room. threw Into the Ire nIace what remained of the draught and again retired She thought Valentine had drank half the potion and wished 70 put the rest beyond discovery. But once more the Count came out Of the closet tla.. ola an the table was half full of the same pol son.
 In the morning the doctor pronounced Valentine dead. He seized the half-hlled glass which stood on the table and al once declared 1t poison.
 Dr. q Avrlgny had q long conference with the stricken Vilefort and another with the aged Nortier, who, in spite or his speeches. and paralyzed condition, was able to make himself understood by signs, and communicated 10 the doctor all that he had seen and all that he suspected They searched the house. In madam's laboratory they found incrimi- hating evidence
 They placed the body of Valentine in d vault in the cemetery. If one had been watching during the ceremony he might have seen the form of Monte cristo lurking nearby, behind tree.
 The day after the funeral Villefort con  fronted his wife alone in her room and laid before her all the evidence that haa been collected
 Madam said he to the woman who groveIed on the floor at his feet. ex claiming: 'I did It for my son, that ho might inherit all" Madam. you are an expert in poison. l going this morn- ing 10 try a murderer. If on my return you are still alive, l swear that you shall be the next assassin 1 place in the dock
 The trial Villefort had spoken of was that of Benedetto. The young man came Into court defiant and jaunty, The night before he had had long interview with Bertuccio. When the judged asked him his name he replied, "Ah, that I cannot tell yon except Benedetto. l was born at Auteuil in the house No. 2S Rue de la Fontaine. have not been told who my mother was, but my father was M. de Villefort, the Kings attorney there If the court desires I have evidence of this"
 All eyes were turned toward Villefort. He was sitting. white as death, ghastly, aged. What have you to say, M. de Vile fort?'' asked the judge.