“Yes, indeed but one!” said the major with a sigh.

“ ‘Which is to recover a lost and adored son.’ ”

“A lost and adored son!”

“ ‘Stolen away in his infancy, either by an enemy of his noble family or by the gypsies.’ ”

“At the age of five years!” said the major with a deep sigh, and raising his eye to heaven.

“Unhappy father,” said Monte Cristo. The count continued:

“ ‘I have given him renewed life and hope, in the assurance that you have the power of restoring the son whom he has vainly sought for fifteen years.’ ”

The major looked at the count with an indescribable expression of anxiety.

“I have the power of so doing,” said Monte Cristo. The major recovered his self-possession.