The Son of Monte-Cristo

by Jules Lermina

  CHAPTER XXXIX.

  THE AUTOPSY.

  In a house opposite the Palais de Justice, two men were talking togetherin an attic room. One of these men was seated, the other was standing.The one who was seated, robust and vigorous, was anxiously questioning aperson, who answered slowly and coldly.

  "Then Doctor, you are sure?"

  "Have no uneasiness. I know what I am doing."

  "You understand that it is for to-morrow, and nothing can be done duringthe night. It means, in short, forty hours."

  "When I accepted the terrible responsibility which you proposed to me, Iweighed every detail. And once more I bid you have entire confidence inme and in science, and in the devotion of those who are brothers in acommon cause."

  "Forgive me!" repeated the other. "Forgive my anxiety and apparentdistrust."

  "I am at your disposal at all times and seasons; if the important momentbe advanced or retarded, be sure that I shall be in readiness."

  The two men shook hands cordially, and the Doctor went out. The otherthrew himself on a chair, and covering his face with his huge hands,wept bitterly--wept like a child, did this poor Iron Jaws. Suddenly hestarted up, and cried:

  "This must succeed! This must succeed!"

  He heard hurried steps coming up the stairs, and then a knock at thedoor.

  "Who is it?"

  "Bobichel!"

  It was indeed Bobichel, red and much out of breath.

  "Well?" asked Gudel.

  "Oh! she is an angel! she had been crying when I got there. She broughtme here in her carriage, and she wants to see you."

  Gudel strode from the room. On the lower floor he found Irene waiting;she was pale and dressed in black.

  "Ah! sir," she said, anxiety sharpening her voice, "tell me what allthis means!"

  "Fanfar is not dead."

  The girl swayed to and fro. Gudel caught her, and went on.

  "No, he is not dead. I thought you ought to know it."

  "Where is he?"

  "Ah! dear lady, he lies at this moment in a dark room, and looks as ifhe could never again rise."

  "Horrible!"

  "Yes, in a way, but not so bad when you come to think about it, forto-morrow Fanfar will be alive and free."

  "Alive and free! Ah! I dare not hope. But tell me the whole."

  "You remember that I sent you a note to give to Fanfar?"

  "Yes--I have it still."

  "Now, if you are not afraid of a little dampness, I will show yousomething."

  Irene looked at Gudel in amazement.

  "Very good, but first about Fanfar?"

  "I assure you, dear lady, that he is safe. Now, Bobichel, go; see andhear all you can, and if you find out anything new, come to me at once."

  "All right, master," and with a double somersault Bobichel vanished.

  Gudel lighted a lantern, and then said to Irene that he was ready. Theywent out into a corridor, and Gudel, taking a key from his pocket,opened a small door which showed stone steps going down.

  "Be careful," said Iron Jaws, "for the steps are very slippery."

  He held the lantern high and guided her steps. It was like a gnomeguiding a fairy into some mine of wealth. But it was not toward anytreasure that Gudel conducted Irene. He opened another door afterpushing several bolts.

  "Up with you!" he cried, "you have company!"

  Notwithstanding all her courage, Irene started back.

  "Have no fear, Mademoiselle," said Iron Jaws, "he is a ferocious beast,but he is chained!"

  Irene beheld a man fastened to the wall with an iron chain. At first shedid not recognize him.

  "This individual," said Gudel, "is Cyprien, the man who does all thedirty work of his excellency the Marquis de Fongereues, going so far asto do a little poisoning on occasion."

  "Undo my chain!" cried Cyprien.

  "Not if I know it! But if you answer my questions, you shall havesomething to eat."

  "I am hungry!" murmured the rascal.

  "Pshaw! one meal each day will certainly prevent your being miserable.Now, why did you poison Fanfar?"

  The fellow sighed.

  "Tell me what interest you had in poisoning Fanfar."

  "I don't know."

  "That is a lie!"

  "He can tell you nothing," whispered Irene, "let him go."

  "No, Mademoiselle. This scoundrel bribed one of the jailers to giveFanfar a drug that would have killed him in five minutes. Fortunately, Iwas on the watch. I captured Cyprien and I brought him here. But Iconfess I am greatly puzzled by one thing--it is that I can't make outwhat the Marquis had against Fanfar, and this animal will not tell me."

  "My friend," said Irene, "however guilty you may be, you are but theinstrument of others. Why, then, do you not try to make amends for yourerrors by telling the truth?"

  Cyprien hesitated, but he said again:

  "I do not know."

  "Then good-night, my dear fellow!" said Gudel. "Here is a loaf of breadfor you, rascal that you are!"

  Irene hastened from the dungeon, and when they had again ascended thestairs, Gudel said to her:

  "These fellows are all alike, after all!"

  "What are you trying to do?" asked Irene.

  "It is simple enough. Instead of poison, Fanfar took a narcotic, andlies as if dead. He will be buried, of course, but we will look out forthat, and he will be taken care of."

  The shock to Irene was so great that she burst into passionate weeping.Gudel was doing his best to soothe her, when suddenly the door wasthrown open and Bobichel rushed in, all pale and dishevelled.

  "Oh! master," he cried, "all is lost! There is to be an autopsy. One ofthe great physicians advises it."

  Irene uttered a shriek of agony and dropped on her knees.

  "Run!" she cried, "the truth must be made known at once. Oh! save him!"

  Gudel tore his hair. Suddenly a thought struck him.

  "Who is the physician?"

  "Dr. Albant, from the Tuileries."

  Iron Jaws reflected. He took Irene's hands in his.

  "I am but a poor fellow, dear lady, only a strolling player, but I swearto you that Fanfar shall be saved!"

  Irene was comforted.