The Count of Monte Cristo

Messenger Arrives with Albert’s Ransom Letter

A servant of the Duke of Bracciano approaches Franz to inform him a messenger from the Hôtel de Londres is waiting with a letter from Viscount Albert de Morcerf; the messenger left immediately after delivering the message to the servant. Franz rushes back to the hotel, where he finds a cloaked stranger in the street who gives him the letter. The messenger refuses to accompany Franz up to his apartment, saying Franz will understand why after reading the letter, and promises to wait in the street for a response. Franz meets a visibly alarmed Signor Pastrini on the hotel stairs before heading to his room to read the letter.

Franz Learns Albert Is Captured by Luigi Vampa

Albert’s letter asks Franz to retrieve his letter of credit from his pocket-book in the secrétaire’s square drawer, add his own credit if needed, draw 4000 piastres from Signor Torlonia immediately, and deliver the sum to the letter’s bearer as a matter of urgency. The letter is signed by Albert, with a postscript in an unknown hand stating that if the 4000 piastres are not in the writer’s hands by 6 AM, Count Albert will be dead by 7 AM, signed Luigi Vampa. Franz realizes Albert has been captured by the famous bandit chief Luigi Vampa, whose existence Albert had long refused to believe. He finds 6000 piastres in Albert’s pocket-book but notes Albert has already spent 3000, and Franz only has around 50 louis remaining, leaving him short 800 piastres; he plans to go to the Palazzo Bracciano to request the remaining funds from Signor Torlonia.

Franz Requests Aid from the Count of Monte Cristo

Remembering the Count of Monte Cristo, Franz asks Signor Pastrini if the count is in, and learns he has just returned and is not in bed. Franz requests an audience with the count, and is led to a small, divan-lined room in the count’s quarters where the count greets him.

The Count Summons the Messenger Peppino

Franz shares Albert’s ransom letter with the Count of Monte Cristo, who confirms the demand is explicit and non-negotiable. Franz says they are short 800 piastres, and the count offers to provide whatever funds he needs without offense. Franz suggests the two of them visit Luigi Vampa directly, reasoning the count’s past service to the messenger Peppino will give him influence over the bandit. The count agrees, then whistles a specific signal to the cloaked messenger waiting in the street below, who immediately obeys and comes up to the count’s room, revealing himself as Peppino. Peppino kneels and kisses the count’s hand, expressing eternal gratitude for the count saving his life a week prior.

Peppino Details Albert’s Capture by Bandits

Peppino explains the details of Albert’s capture: Albert’s carriage passed Luigi Vampa’s carriage multiple times, with Vampa disguised as the coachman and his mistress Teresa (the chief’s partner) as a peasant passenger. Albert threw Teresa a bouquet, which she returned with Vampa’s consent, and Albert requested a rendezvous, which Teresa agreed to but sent Beppo, a 15-year-old bandit member, to meet him at the steps of San Giacomo church instead. Beppo led Albert outside the city walls to a waiting carriage, telling him they were going to a villa a league from Rome. Once they were 200 yards outside the Porta San Paolo, Beppo and the coachman drew pistols on Albert, four other bandits surrounded the carriage, and despite Albert’s resistance (during which he nearly strangled Beppo), he was overpowered, forced to walk along the riverbank, and taken to Vampa and Teresa waiting in the catacombs of St. Sebastian.

Count and Franz Prepare to Rescue Albert in the Catacombs

The count confirms Peppino’s account is plausible, and assures Franz that Albert will not come to serious harm if they intervene. Franz asks if they will go to rescue Albert immediately, and the count agrees, noting the catacombs are a picturesque location. Franz had no carriage available, but the count says he always has a carriage ready at all times, as he is a capricious person who often decides spontaneously to travel to a specific location at any hour.