conditions you make with them.”
“What conditions have I forgotten, your excellency?” inquired the
bandit, with the air of a man who, having committed an error, is anxious
to repair it.
“Was it not agreed,” asked the count, “that not only my person, but also
that of my friends, should be respected by you?”
“And how have I broken that treaty, your excellency?”
“You have this evening carried off and conveyed hither the Viscount
Albert de Morcerf. Well,” continued the count, in a tone that made Franz
shudder, “this young gentleman is one of my friends—this young gentleman
lodges in the same hotel as myself—this young gentleman has been up and
down the Corso for eight hours in my private carriage, and yet, I repeat
to you, you have carried him off, and conveyed him hither, and,” add
