The Count of Monte Cristo

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.