VAMPA'S TRIAL.
The successful result of the raid upon the bandits made Monte-Cristo and
Captain Morrel the heroes of the hour in Rome. Everywhere they went
crowds assembled to gaze upon them and they were greeted with hearty
cheers and loud acclamations of joy. Truth to tell the Roman people both
high and low had very much to thank them for. The outlaws' band was
completely broken up and every member of it was safely bestowed in the
dungeons of the Castle of St. Angelo, where, as already stated, the
redoubtable leader the notorious brigand chief, Luigi Vampa himself,
also languished, awaiting whatever disposition the authorities might
choose to make of him with anything but stoicism, for he did not doubt
that it would go hard with him. Vampa's arrest was considered as
directly due to Monte-Cristo, for had he not come to visit the Count it
was improbable that he would ever have been captured. By the advice of
Monte-Cristo also the bandits' subterranean retreat had been filled with
powder and blown to atoms. No wonder, therefore, the Romans were
grateful to the illustrious Frenchman and his able assistant Captain
Morrel.
Old Pasquale Solara had been placed in a hospital where he was closely
watched and had the attendance of a competent physician, for the Count
had assured Cardinal Monti that he could perhaps be made an important
witness against Vampa at his forthcoming trial. After examining the
shepherd's wound the physician had given his opinion that it was fatal,
but that by resorting to proper and judicious measures the old man's
life could be prolonged sufficiently to enable him to testify.
Valentine was much affected when she heard from Zuleika's lips the story
of her seizure by the brigands and her imprisonment in the dark, damp
cell of their cavern fastness, but her emotion was tempered with joy
that her beloved friend had escaped with no other injury than the shock
resulting from her fright and natural apprehensions.
When Giovanni learned of his betrothed's dangerous adventure and the
perils that had encompassed her his indignation knew no bounds, and in
addition he felt considerably hurt that Monte-Cristo had not allowed him
to participate in her rescue. The Count and his daughter, however,
succeeded in calming him and in convincing him that all had been done
for the best. He was further propitiated by Monte-Cristo's assurance
that he could now act openly and without fear of prejudicing his case,
as the criminals were secured and the end was surely approaching.
Cardinal Monti decided that Vampa's trial should take place within a
week and that the first charge investigated should be that relating to
the abduction of Annunziata Solara and the conspiracy against the
Viscount Massetti. This decision was brought about by the influence of
the Count of Monte-Cristo, who represented to the Papal Secretary of
State the importance of utilizing the testimony of old Pasquale Solara
while he was yet in a condition to give it.
The Count resolved to make a final effort to convince Annunziata Solara
of Giovanni's innocence, though he had determined to employ her evidence
in any event, trusting to the lawyers and the Court to extract such
admissions from her as would tend to show that she was mistaken in
regard to the identity of her abductor. He knew the former flower-girl
was conscientious and firmly believed in her theory, but still he was
not without hope that she might be led to see matters as they really
were. Besides, if her father should see fit to confess she could not
fail to be convinced of Vampa's guilt and in that case the expression of
her conviction would be of the utmost value.
In pursuit of his plan Monte-Cristo at once communicated with Mme. de
Rancogne at the Refuge in Civita Vecchia, begging her to bring
Annunziata to Rome without an instant's delay. She promptly responded by
appearing at the Hotel de France with her protegee and the Count
arranged an interview between the latter and young Massetti in his
salon. When Annunziata accompanied by the Superior of the Order of
Sisters of Refuge entered the apartment and found Giovanni waiting for
her there she flushed deeply and began to tremble.
"Courage, my poor child," said Mme. de Rancogne, soothingly, "courage!"
"Sister Annunziata," said the Count, who was also in the salon, "have
no fear. All we wish in this peculiarly unfortunate matter is to get at
the truth. Hear what the Viscount has to say in his own behalf--that is
only justice!"
The flush on the girl's handsome countenance was succeeded by an ashen
paleness, but she eventually managed to obtain control of herself.
Casting down her eyes, she said:
"I will hear what the Viscount Massetti has to say, but he will not, he
cannot, deny his shameful and dishonorable conduct towards me!"
Giovanni, hardly less affected than the girl who supposed herself his
victim, advanced to her and took her hand. She did not refuse to let him
hold it in his, but studiously refrained from looking him in the face.
"Annunziata," said Massetti, humbly, "I do not deny that my conduct
towards you in the past was altogether reprehensible and unpardonable. I
do not deny that circumstances so shaped themselves that I was made to
seem a wretched, despicable criminal in your eyes; but, Annunziata, I
stopped short of actual guilt, and as Heaven is my witness I had no hand
either in your abduction or the horrible events that accompanied and
followed it! This I swear, and this is God's truth!"
Annunziata lifted her eyes and gave him a searching glance.
"I understand your anxiety to clear yourself," she said, slowly. "With a
stain on your name you cannot marry the Count of Monte-Cristo's
beautiful daughter!"
It was a keen, cutting thrust and made Giovanni wince, but he recovered
himself instantly.
"I am anxious to clear my name that I may wed Zuleika," he replied,
steadily and firmly, "but I am also anxious because I am innocent of all
criminal action--innocent of your abduction, of your dishonor and of
your brother's blood! Annunziata, do you still decline to believe my
solemn assertions?"
"I would gladly believe them if I could," responded the girl; "but,
alas! I cannot! I saw your face when your mask fell from it that
dreadful night in the forest! I heard the tones of your voice afterwards
in the hut guarded by the bandits! What more convincing evidence could I
require?"
"You were mistaken, Annunziata, you were fearfully mistaken!" cried the
young Italian, overwhelming despair seizing upon him and crushing the
hope in his heart. He could not convince the former flower-girl, he
could not even shake her convictions! He had failed with her as
Monte-Cristo had previously failed at the Refuge in Civita Vecchia! Up
to this time he had continued to hold Annunziata's hand, but now he
dropped it as if it had been some venomous serpent.
Annunziata was deeply affected, but her emotion arose from an altogether
different cause. She felt her shame and disgrace and was, besides,
horrified at the idea that she had once hung upon the honeyed words of
such a scoundrel as in her view the Viscount Massetti had proved to be.
Monte-Cristo was now thoroughly satisfied that Giovanni could effect
nothing with Annunziata and that a further prolongation of the interview
would only be fraught with additional suffering for both the girl and
young Massetti; he, therefore, requested Mme. de Rancogne to take her
protegee to her apartment, and when they had quitted the salon said to
the Viscount:
"We must trust this girl to the lawyers and judges, Giovanni. They
perhaps may be sufficiently shrewd to shake her testimony even should
old Solara elect to maintain silence on the subject that vitally
concerns us."
At the appointed time the trial of Luigi Vampa began in the Judgment
Hall of the Vatican, which was crowded to its utmost capacity, both men
and women being present and striving to push forward so as to obtain a
glimpse of the notorious brigand chief and of the first witness
Annunziata Solara.
Cardinal Monti in person presided, assisted by two subordinate
Cardinals. In the portion of the hall railed off for the use of the bar
sat Monte-Cristo and the Viscount Massetti with their lawyers, the best
and most acute advocates in Rome, while just without the rail were M.
Morrel and Esperance, the latter having come from Paris expressly to
attend the trial, though at his request his testimony was not to be
demanded of him. Just within the rail and close beside Maximilian and
the son of Monte-Cristo Valentine and Zuleika were seated, both closely
veiled. Near them sat Mme. de Rancogne and the unfortunate Annunziata
Solara, clad in the dark gray habits of the Order of the Sisters of
Refuge, their white faces plainly visible beneath the nuns' bonnets of
spotless linen they wore. Peppino sat beside the Count.
There was a low murmur of conversation in the Judgment Hall, as the
audience discussed the probable issue of the trial and expressed diverse
opinions, though all were agreed that whatever might be the decision of
the Court in regard to the abduction and conspiracy Luigi Vampa would
not escape punishment for the crimes he had committed in his capacity of
chief of the bandits.
Presently Cardinal Monti arose, magnificent in his princely apparel and
glittering jewels, waving his hand for silence. His gesture was
instantly obeyed and the entire hall grew still as death. Then the
Cardinal resumed his seat on the judicial bench, and, turning to the
clerk of the Court, commanded him to proclaim the session opened. This
was done, whereupon the Cardinal said, in a voice distinctly audible in
all parts of the vast apartment:
"Bring in the accused!"
A moment later Luigi Vampa entered a raised enclosure serving the
purpose of a dock in the custody of two stalwart and thoroughly armed
military policemen. His face was ashen, but he glanced about him
nonchalantly and defiantly. When his eyes rested upon Monte-Cristo and
the Viscount Massetti he smiled in a peculiar sort of way as if he felt
convinced that all their labors would be in vain. Suddenly he saw the
two gray-robed women in their linen nuns' bonnets, starting slightly as
he recognized Annunziata Solara, but otherwise evincing no emotion.
The men and women in the distant portions of the hall got upon the
benches, craning their necks to see the accused, and there arose a
murmur, a faint hiss, that was promptly checked by the vigilant Court
officials who were marching here and there with their long white staffs
in their hands and their black caps upon their heads.
Then Cardinal Monti again arose, speaking in a deep, impressive voice:
"Luigi Vampa, prisoner at the bar," said he, "you stand here accused of
many grave crimes, but the charge which the Court will first consider is
blacker than all the rest; that charge, Luigi Vampa, prisoner at the
bar, is that you abducted and afterwards seduced a peasant girl named
Annunziata Solara and, in collusion with her father, Pasquale Solara,
conspired to throw the onus and suspicion of your crime upon an innocent
man, the Viscount Giovanni Massetti. What say you, Luigi Vampa, prisoner
at the bar, are you guilty or not guilty?"
"Not guilty, your Eminence!" responded the unabashed brigand chief.
At this there was another murmur in the hall which was promptly
suppressed as before.
"Accused, you can take your seat," said the Cardinal.
Vampa did as directed, the policemen remaining standing at his sides
with drawn swords in their hands.
"Let the first witness be called," said the Cardinal, addressing the
clerk of the Court.
That official arose and called out, in a loud voice:
"Annunziata Solara!"
The former flower-girl came forward, slowly and timidly, and went upon
the elevated witness stand, where the accustomed oath was administered
to her by the clerk.
Again there was a general craning of necks, the women showing the
strongest anxiety to behold the girl who was said to have been Vampa's
victim.
In a low, faltering voice Annunziata proceeded to give her testimony.
She repeated her sad story precisely as she had done before, entirely
exonerating the bandit chief and throwing the whole weight of the crime
upon the shoulders of the Viscount Massetti.
This was the reverse of what the audience had expected and the murmur of
surprise was universal.
The prisoner glanced at Monte-Cristo and Massetti with a radiant look of
triumph.
The Viscount's lawyers then took the witness in hand, but shrewd and
able as they were they utterly failed to make her swerve even a hair's
breadth from her evidence. She returned to her place beside Mme. de
Rancogne, confident that she had done her duty and uttered not a single
syllable that was untrue.
Peppino followed her. He repeated almost word for word the details he
had given the Count of Monte-Cristo in Paris. His recital was so vivid,
so circumstantial, that it made a wonderful impression both upon the
Court and the audience. When he spoke of old Pasquale Solara's infamous
sale of his beautiful daughter to Luigi Vampa the male auditors could
scarcely restrain their indignation and the women fairly screamed with
horror, the utmost efforts of the Court officers being required to force
them into anything like quietude. Another sensation was caused by
Peppino's exposure of the nefarious conspiracy by which the innocent
young Viscount was brought and kept under the suspicion of murder and
abduction. When he concluded his narrative and quitted the witness stand
he and Vampa exchanged glances of bitter and vindictive hate, and it
required all the strength of the policemen in charge of the prisoner to
keep him from leaping from the dock and attempting to take summary
vengeance upon the fearless and outspoken witness.
The Viscount Massetti now took the stand. He gave the full history of
his acquaintance with Annunziata Solara from the meeting in the Piazza
del Popolo to the encounter with Vampa in the forest and the
administration of the oath of silence, speaking with such evident
sincerity and feeling that his testimony acquired additional weight
thereby. The brigand chief watched him closely, listening to his
testimony with a contemptuous smile. When the young Italian returned to
Monte-Cristo and resumed his seat his pale visage was a mass of
perspiration and great agitation had possession of him.
"Call Pasquale Solara," said the Cardinal to the clerk, after referring
to a paper upon the desk in front of him.
"Pasquale Solara!" cried the clerk, immediately.
There was a stir in the audience and four soldiers of the Swiss Guard
advanced towards the judicial bench, bearing a stretcher upon which was
extended the emaciated form of the aged shepherd.
As her father was borne past her, Annunziata uttered a cry and arose to
go to him, but Mme. de Rancogne gently pulled her back into her chair,
whispering to her that he was in the custody of the Court and that she
could only see him after the trial was concluded, when the requisite
permission would be obtained for her.
Old Pasquale was lifted from the stretcher by a couple of soldiers and
aided to mount the witness stand. He was so faint and weak that it was
necessary to hold him in an upright position after he had with great
difficulty mounted the stand. Even then he trembled like a paralytic and
it was some moments before he could answer the questions addressed to
him. Vampa regarded him with intense anxiety, eagerly leaning forward to
catch the feeble, almost imperceptible sounds that issued from his lips.
"May it please your Eminence," said old Pasquale, painfully pausing
after every word, "I am a dying man. The hospital physician who has
accompanied me and is now in the Judgment Hall assures me that I can
last but a few days at most. I have been a great sinner, but I do not
desire to go before my angered God with all the weight of my iniquity
upon me; therefore, I have resolved to speak, to tell all I know!"
The spectators in the body of the hall shuddered. Old Solara's voice
did not reach them, but they felt instinctively that some dreadful
revelation was either being or about to be made. Monte-Cristo and
Massetti half arose in their seats; they were near enough to grasp the
purport of what the shepherd had said and its effect upon them was
absolutely overwhelming; they had expected that Pasquale would either
tell a cunningly fabricated tale calculated to shield Vampa or take
refuge in stony, stubborn silence, but instead he was going to make a
clean breast of the whole terrible crime! Annunziata had also heard and
was listening for what should follow with a countenance almost as white
as her nun's bonnet. Mme. de Rancogne caught her hands and held them
firmly; she too was startled beyond expression by old Solara's words and
feared the effect of further revelations upon her protegee. Zuleika,
Valentine, M. Morrel and Esperance were too far away from the witness
stand to comprehend a syllable, but like the spectators in the body of
the hall they divined what was on the point of coming, holding their
breath in fear and expectation. As for Vampa, he could hardly be kept
still; his fingers worked nervously as if he desired to strangle the
dying witness, and he glanced at him with the flashing eyes of a
ferocious tiger brought to bay.
Old Pasquale continued, amid the deepest silence:
"I do not seek to shield myself. Vampa is guilty both of the abduction
and of the plot to ruin the Viscount Massetti, but I was his tempter and
to me he owes his crime! However, with the murder of my son Lorenzo I
had nothing to do--the chief alone is responsible for that! But I
tempted him with the beauty of my poor daughter Annunziata! Greedy for
gold I sold her to him! The abduction was proposed by me and executed by
him! The plan to throw young Massetti under suspicion also originated
with me, Vampa and myself carrying it out together. In forming the plan
I was actuated by a desire to obtain vengeance upon old Count Massetti
for a wrong he did me in the past! Now, your Eminence, you know the
whole black history!"
Pasquale Solara ceased and sank back into the arms of the two soldiers
who were supporting him, totally overcome by the terrible exertions he
had made in delivering his crushing testimony, and lay there a helpless,
quivering mass. As they were about to remove him from the witness stand
a sudden thought occurred to him, and with a herculean effort he
straightened himself up, making a sign to the Court that he had
something further to communicate.
"Speak, witness," said Cardinal Monti, in response to this sign.
"Your Eminence," resumed the shepherd, slowly and painfully, "I wish to
say yet another word. I received my death wound at the hands of the
Viscount Massetti!"
There was a quick stir among those who heard this unexpected accusation
and a score of eyes, including those of Cardinal Monti and his
associates on the judicial bench, were instantly fixed upon the young
Italian, who glanced at Monte-Cristo and the lawyers with a look of
consternation. The Count was about to address the Court in explanation,
when old Solara, who had paused to recover breath, added:
"But I richly deserve what I received and it is fitting that I should
die by the hand of the man I sought to ruin! The wound, however, was
dealt me in a perfectly fair duel and with my latest breath I shall
exonerate the Viscount from all blame in the matter as I do now!"
The concluding portion of old Solara's last speech was a surprise.
Massetti drew a long breath of relief. It was scarcely probable that he
would be prosecuted by the Roman authorities for fighting a duel with
the shepherd under the circumstances, and the wounded man had
voluntarily removed every suspicion of foul play from him. Monte-Cristo
and the lawyers cast congratulatory glances at the young Italian. His
rehabilitation now only needed Vampa's conviction and sentence to be
perfect, and it could not for an instant be doubted that they would
speedily follow.
The effect of her father's testimony or rather confession upon
Annunziata had been startling. It completely shattered all her
convictions, placing her misfortunes in a new and horrible light. The
Viscount was innocent as he had steadily asserted, and her parent stood
revealed to her in all his moral hideousness; he was a monster, a demon;
he had made his fearful revelations only when death was upon him and
reparation was impossible; besides, there was nothing noble or elevating
about his remorse--it was thoroughly characteristic of the
man--altogether selfish, induced solely by the fear of consequences in
the world to come. Annunziata felt as if all faith in humanity had been
withdrawn from her, and as she gradually realized the full meaning of
her father's words she closed her eyes and with a gasp sank fainting
into the arms of Mme. de Rancogne, who, hardly less shocked and
surprised than the poor girl herself, used every effort to revive her,
finally succeeding.
In the little group consisting of Zuleika, Valentine, M. Morrel and
Esperance uncertainty prevailed for some moments. They had been unable
to catch what old Solara had said, to glean more than a general idea
that his testimony had been against Vampa. As soon, however, as his
emotion permitted him to do so Giovanni went to them and communicated
the glad tidings. Zuleika was almost overcome by the immensity of her
joy and with difficultly restrained herself from embracing her lover
directly in the face of the august Court and the assembled spectators.
Valentine was ready to weep with delight and her husband felt as much
triumph as if he had won a decisive victory over the combined enemies of
France. As for Esperance, he was both enraptured and ashamed--enraptured
that the dark stain was removed from Giovanni's name and ashamed that he
had been so blind and unjust as to wrongfully suspect him.
When the gist of Pasquale Solara's evidence was whispered around among
the audience the Court officers were powerless to suppress the
expressions of horror and enthusiasm. Had the shepherd not been closely
guarded by the soldiers he certainly would have been torn to pieces and
trodden under foot, so great was the tide of popular indignation against
him. At last, however, the tumult subsided and Cardinal Monti,
addressing the brigand chief, said:
"Luigi Vampa, prisoner at the bar, you have heard the testimony. What
have you to say in your defense?"
Vampa forced to his feet by the policemen replied, doggedly and
sullenly:
"Nothing!"
Cardinal Monti then turned to his associates on the judicial bench and a
brief conference ensued, after which he arose and facing Vampa said,
solemnly:
"Luigi Vampa, prisoner at the bar, the judgment of the Papal Court is
that you are guilty, first of the murder of Lorenzo Solara, though as he
attacked you the crime has been placed in the second degree, second of
the abduction of Annunziata Solara, and third of conspiracy to indelibly
blacken the character of a worthy Roman nobleman, the Viscount Giovanni
Massetti. Luigi Vampa, prisoner at the bar, the sentence of the Papal
Court is that you be taken hence back to your dungeon in the Castle of
St. Angelo, there to undergo solitary imprisonment for life. As this
sentence renders it unnecessary to proceed to an examination of the
other and less important charge against you, that of robbery on the
public highways and of maltreating your captives, your trial is now at
an end. Luigi Vampa, prisoner at the bar, may God have mercy upon you
and bring you to repentance and ultimate salvation!"
Cardinal Monti resumed his seat amid loud murmurs of applause and
satisfaction. When these died away the clerk declared the Court
adjourned, the convict was removed and the audience slowly dispersed.
Mme. de Rancogne and Annunziata Solara immediately returned to the
Refuge in Civita Vecchia, where the poor girl lay prostrated for many
weeks. After his confession of his infamous deeds she had no further
desire to see her despicable and degraded father.
Monte-Cristo and his party rode joyously back to the Hotel de France in
the Count's barouche.
That evening no happier persons existed upon earth than Giovanni and
Zuleika.