Welcome back, everyone to 1001 Stories for the Road.

This is your host and storyteller, John Haggardorn.

Today, chapter 38, from the Count of Monte Cristo, the Compact.

And now our story. The first words that Albert uttered to his friend on the following morning contained a request that Franz would accompany him on a visit to the

Count. True, the young man had warmly and energetically thanked the Count on the previous evening,

but services such as he had rendered could never be too often acknowledged.

Franz, who seemed attracted by some invisible influence towards the Count,

in which terror was strangely mingled,

felt an extreme reluctance to permit his friend to be exposed alone

to the singular fascination

that this mysterious personage seemed to exercise over him, and therefore made no objection to

Albert's request, but it once accompanied him to the desired spot, and, after a short delay,

the Count joined them in the salon.

"'My dear Count,' said Albert, advancing to meet him,

"'permit me to repeat the poor thanks I offered last night,

and to assure you that the remembrance of all I owe to you

will never be a face from my memory.

Believe me, as long as I live,

I shall never cease to dwell with grateful recollection on the

prompt and important service you rendered me, and also to remember that to you I am indebted,

even for my life.

My very good friend, an excellent neighbor, replied the Count, with a smile.

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