Both the count and Baptistin had told the truth when they announced to
Morcerf the proposed visit of the major, which had served Monte Cristo
as a pretext for declining Albert's invitation. Seven o'clock had just struck,
and M. Bertuccio, according to the command which had been given him,
had two hours before left for Auteuil, when a cab stopped at the door, and
after depositing its occupant at the gate, immediately hurried away, as if
ashamed of its employment. The visitor was about fifty-two years of age,
dressed in one of the green surtouts, ornamented with black frogs, which
have so long maintained. . . . . . .