Call him,

　　At the same moment, that is, at nine o'clock in the morning,Albert de Morcerf, dressed in a black coat buttoned up tohis chin, might have been seen walking with a quick andagitated step in the direction of Monte Cristo's house inthe Champs Elysees. When he presented himself at the gatethe porter informed him that the Count had gone out abouthalf an hour previously. "Did he take Baptistin with him?"

　　"No, my lord."

　　"Call him, then; I wish to speak to him." The concierge wentto seek the valet de chambre, and returned with him in aninstant.

　　"My good friend," said Albert, "I beg pardon for myintrusion, but I was anxious to know from your own mouth ifyour master was really out or not."

　　"He is really out, sir," replied Baptistin.

　　"Out, even to me?"

　　"I know how happy my master always is to receive thevicomte," said Baptistin; "and I should therefore neverthink of including him in any general order."

　　"You are right; and now I wish to see him on an affair ofgreat importance. Do you think it will be long before hecomes in?"

　　"No, I think not, for he ordered his breakfast at teno'clock."

　　"Well, I will go and take a turn in the Champs Elysees, andat ten o'clock I will return here; meanwhile, if the countshould come in, will you beg him not to go out again withoutseeing me?"

　　"You may depend on my doing so, sir," said Baptistin.

　　Albert left the cab in which he had come at the count'sdoor, intending to take a turn on foot. As he was passingthe Allee des Veuves, he thought he saw the count's horsesstanding at Gosset's shooting-gallery; he approached, andsoon recognized the coachman. "Is the count shooting in thegallery?" said Morcerf.

　　"Yes, sir," replied the coachman. While he was speaking,Albert had heard the report of two or three pistol-shots. Heentered, and on his way met the waiter. "Excuse me, mylord," said the lad; "but will you have the kindness to waita moment?"