fr:Mathias Sandorf - V,5
CHAPTER XXVII.JUSTICE.
had paid his debt of gratitude
to Maria and Luigi Ferrato, Mme. Bathory, Pierre, and Sava were at last reunited. After the reward came the punishment.
For some days following the defeat of the Senousists
the colonists were actively employed in repairing damages. With the exception of a few trifling scars Pierre, Luigi, Point Pescade, and Cape Matifou—that is to say, all those who had been most intimately connected with the events of this drama—were safe and sound. That they had not spared themselves, however, needs no affirmation.
Great, therefore, was the rejoicing when they met together
in the Stadthaus with Sava Sandorf, Maria Ferrato, Mme. Bathory, and her old servant Borik. After the funeral of those who had fallen in battle the little colony resumed its happy existence. Its future would be free from trouble. The defeat of the Senousists had been overwhelming, and Sarcany, who had persuaded them to undertake this campaign against Antekirtta, would no longer be with them to fan the flame of hatred and vengeance.
The doctor proposed completing his system of defense
without delay. Not only would Artenak be promptly
rendered secure from a sudden surprise, but the island itself
would nowhere afford a landing-place. And it was
intended to invite thither a few more colonists, to whom
the fertility of the soil would prove an attraction and a
guarantee of well-being.
Meanwhile no further obstacle existed to the marriage
of Pierre and Sava. The ceremony had been fixed for the
9th of December; and it would take place on that date. And so Point Pescade was particularly busy with the preparations that had been interrupted by the invasion of the pirates from the Cyrenaic.
And now without delay the fate of Sarcany, Toronthal, and Carpena was to be decided.
On the 6th of December, two days after the retreat of
the Senousists, the doctor ordered them to be brought to
the Stadthaus. The prisoners were unaware of each
other's presence on the island, and for the first time found
themselves together, when, under guard of a detachment
of militia, they came before the tribunal of Artenak, presided
over by the chief magistrate of Antekirtta.
Carpena appeared uneasy; but having lost nothing of
his sneakish look, he merely threw furtive glances to the
right and left of him, and dared not lift his eyes to his
judges.
Toronthal seemed quite cast down, and bowed his head, and instinctively avoided the touch of his old accomplice.
Sarcany had only one feeling—he was furious at having
fallen into the hands of this Dr. Antekirtt.
Luigi advanced toward the judges, and began by addressing
the Spaniard.
“Carpena,” said he, “I am Luigi Ferrato, the son of
the fisherman at Rovigno, whom you informed against
and sent to prison at Stein, where he died.”
Carpena drew himself up for an instant. A paroxysm
of anger sent the blood to his eyes. Then it was Maria
whom he had recognized in the lanes of the Manderaggio, and it was her brother Luigi who thus accused him.
Pierre then advanced, and at first pointing to the
banker, he said:
“Silas Toronthal, I am Pierre Bathory, the son of
Stephen Bathory, the Hungarian patriot, whom you, with
your accomplice Sarcany, most shamefully betrayed to the
Austrian police at Trieste, and sent to death!”
Then to Sarcany he said:
“I am Pierre Bathory, whom you tried to assassinate
in the road at Ragusa. I am the intended husband of
Sava, the daughter of Count Mathias Sandorf, whom you
stole fifteen years ago from the Castle of Artenak!”
Toronthal was struck as by a crowbar, when he recognized
Pierre Bathory, who he thought was dead.
Sarcany stood with crossed arms, and except for a slight
trembling of his eyelids, retained his impudent immobility.
Neither Toronthal nor Sarcany said a word in reply. And what could they say to their victim, who seemed to have risen from the tomb to accuse them?
But it was quite another thing when Dr. Antekirtt rose
in his turn, and said in a grave voice:
“And I, I am the companion of Ladislas Zathmar and
Stephen Bathory, whom your treachery caused to be shot
in the donjon of Pisino! I am the father of Sava, whom
you stole to get possession of her fortune! I am Count
Mathias Sandorf!”