Welcome back, everyone to 1001 Stories for the Road.

This is your host and storyteller, John Haggardorn.

Today, two chapters from the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.

The first chapter, chapter 101, is titled, Locusta. Now, La Custa was a notorious

maker of poisons in the first century Roman Empire, active in the final two reigns of the Julio-Claudean

dynasty. She supposedly took part in the assassinations of Claudius and Britannicus. She was the favorite of Emperor Nero for several years,

and Nero had her provide training to other poisoners in his service.

Following Nero's death, L'Cust was executed by his successor, Galba.

So someone's going to be getting a visit from Locusta very soon.

Valentine was alone.

Two other clocks, slower than that of St. Philippe du Rule, struck the hour of midnight

from different directions, and accepting the rumbling of a few carriages, all was silent.

Then Valentine's attention was engrossed by the clock in her

room, which marked the seconds. She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower

than the beatings of her heart, and still she doubted. The inoffensive Valentine could not

imagine that anyone should desire her death.

Why should they?

To what end?

What had she done to excite the malice of an enemy?

There was no fear of her falling asleep.

One terrible idea pressed upon her mind that someone existed in the world who had attempted to assassinate her,

and he was about to endeavor to do so again.

...