Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
"Yes, sir, five or six months ago -- last February." `
` `
` "You have a good memory, sir, to recollect dates so well." `
` `
` "I recollect this, because the poor devil's death was `
` accompanied by a singular incident." `
` `
` "May I ask what that was?" said the Englishman with an `
` expression of curiosity, which a close observer would have `
` been astonished at discovering in his phlegmatic `
` countenance. `
` `
` "Oh dear, yes, sir; the abbe's dungeon was forty or fifty `
` feet distant from that of one of Bonaparte's emissaries, -- `
` one of those who had contributed the most to the return of `
` the usurper in 1815, -- a very resolute and very dangerous `
` man." `
` `
` "Indeed!" said the Englishman. `
` `
` "Yes," replied M. de Boville; "I myself had occasion to see `
` this man in 1816 or 1817, and we could only go into his `
` dungeon with a file of soldiers. That man made a deep `
` impression on me; I shall never forget his countenance!" The `
` Englishman smiled imperceptibly. `
` `
` "And you say, sir," he interposed, "that the two dungeons" `
` -- `
` `
` "Were separated by a distance of fifty feet; but it appears `
` that this Edmond Dantes" -- `
` `
` "This dangerous man's name was" -- `
` `
` "Edmond Dantes. It appears, sir, that this Edmond Dantes had `
` procured tools, or made them, for they found a tunnel `
` through which the prisoners held communication with one `
` another." `
` `
` "This tunnel was dug, no doubt, with an intention of `
` escape?" `
` `
` "No doubt; but unfortunately for the prisoners, the Abbe `
` Faria had an attack of catalepsy, and died." `
` `
` "That must have cut short the projects of escape." `
` `
` "For the dead man, yes," replied M. de Boville, "but not for `
` the survivor; on the contrary, this Dantes saw a means of `
` accelerating his escape. He, no doubt, thought that `
` prisoners who died in the Chateau d'If were interred in an `
` ordinary burial-ground, and he conveyed the dead man into `
` his own cell, took his place in the sack in which they had `
` sewed up the corpse, and awaited the moment of interment." `
` `
` "It was a bold step, and one that showed some courage," `
` remarked the Englishman. `
` `
` "As I have already told you, sir, he was a very dangerous `
` man; and, fortunately, by his own act disembarrassed the `
` government of the fears it had on his account." `
` `
` "How was that?" `
` `
` "How? Do you not comprehend?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "The Chateau d'If has no cemetery, and they simply throw the `
` dead into the sea, after fastening a thirty-six pound `
` cannon-ball to their feet." `
` `
` "Well," observed the Englishman as if he were slow of `
` comprehension. `
` `
` "Well, they fastened a thirty-six pound ball to his feet, `
` and threw him into the sea." `
` `
` "Really!" exclaimed the Englishman. `
` `
` "Yes, sir," continued the inspector of prisons. "You may `
` imagine the amazement of the fugitive when he found himself `
` flung headlong over the rocks! I should like to have seen `
` his face at that moment." `
` `
` "That would have been difficult." `
` `
` "No matter," replied De Boville, in supreme good-humor at `
` the certainty of recovering his two hundred thousand francs, `
` -- "no matter, I can fancy it." And he shouted with `
` laughter. `
` `
` "So can I," said the Englishman, and he laughed too; but he `
` laughed as the English do, "at the end of his teeth." `
` `
` "And so," continued the Englishman who first gained his `
` composure, "he was drowned?" `
` `
` "Unquestionably." `
` `
` "So that the governor got rid of the dangerous and the crazy `
` prisoner at the same time?" `
` `
` "Precisely." `
` `
` "But some official document was drawn up as to this affair, `
` I suppose?" inquired the Englishman. `
` `
` "Yes, yes, the mortuary deposition. You understand, Dantes' `
` relations, if he had any, might have some interest in `
` knowing if he were dead or alive." `
` `
` "So that now, if there were anything to inherit from him, `
` they may do so with easy conscience. He is dead, and no `
` mistake about it." `
` `
` "Oh, yes; and they may have the fact attested whenever they `
` please." `
` `
` "So be it," said the Englishman. "But to return to these `
` registers." `
` `
` "True, this story has diverted our attention from them. `
` Excuse me." `
` `
` "Excuse you for what? For the story? By no means; it really `
` seems to me very curious." `
` `
` "Yes, indeed. So, sir, you wish to see all relating to the `
` poor abbe, who really was gentleness itself." `
` `
` "Yes, you will much oblige me." `
` `
` "Go into my study here, and I will show it to you." And they `
` both entered M. de Boville's study. Everything was here `
` arranged in perfect order; each register had its number, `
` each file of papers its place. The inspector begged the `
` Englishman to seat himself in an arm-chair, and placed `
` before him the register and documents relative to the `
` Chateau d'If, giving him all the time he desired for the `
` examination, while De Boville seated himself in a corner, `
` and began to read his newspaper. The Englishman easily found `
` the entries relative to the Abbe Faria; but it seemed that `
` the history which the inspector had related interested him `
` greatly, for after having perused the first documents he `
` turned over the leaves until he reached the deposition `
` respecting Edmond Dantes. There he found everything arranged `
` in due order, -- the accusation, examination, Morrel's `
` petition, M. de Villefort's marginal notes. He folded up the `
` accusation quietly, and put it as quietly in his pocket; `
` read the examination, and saw that the name of Noirtier was `
` not mentioned in it; perused, too, the application dated `
` 10th April, 1815, in which Morrel, by the deputy procureur's `
` advice, exaggerated with the best intentions (for Napoleon `
` was then on the throne) the services Dantes had rendered to `
` the imperial cause -- services which Villefort's `
` certificates rendered indispensable. Then he saw through the `
` whole thing. This petition to Napoleon, kept back by `
` Villefort, had become, under the second restoration, a `
` terrible weapon against him in the hands of the king's `
` attorney. He was no longer astonished when he searched on to `
` find in the register this note, placed in a bracket against `
` his name: -- `
` `
` Edmond Dantes. `
` `
` An inveterate Bonapartist; took an active part in the return `
` from the Island of Elba. `
` `
` To be kept in strict solitary confinement, and to be closely `
` watched and guarded. `
` `
` Beneath these lines was written in another hand: "See note `
` above -- nothing can be done." He compared the writing in `
` the bracket with the writing of the certificate placed `
` beneath Morrel's petition, and discovered that the note in `
` the bracket was the same writing as the certificate -- that `
` is to say, was in Villefort's handwriting. As to the note `
` which accompanied this, the Englishman understood that it `
` might have been added by some inspector who had taken a `
` momentary interest in Dantes' situation, but who had, from `
` the remarks we have quoted, found it impossible to give any `
` effect to the interest he had felt. `
` `
` As we have said, the inspector, from discretion, and that he `
` might not disturb the Abbe Faria's pupil in his researches, `
` had seated himself in a corner, and was reading Le Drapeau `
` Blanc. He did not see the Englishman fold up and place in `
` his pocket the accusation written by Danglars under the `
` arbor of La Reserve, and which had the postmark, `
` "Marseilles, 27th Feb., delivery 6 o'clock, P.M." But it `
` must be said that if he had seen it, he attached so little `
` importance to this scrap of paper, and so much importance to `
` his two hundred thousand francs, that he would not have `
` opposed whatever the Englishman might do, however irregular `
` it might be. `
` `
` "Thanks," said the latter, closing the register with a slam, `
` "I have all I want; now it is for me to perform my promise. `
` Give me a simple assignment of your debt; acknowledge `
` therein the receipt of the cash, and I will hand you over `
`
` `
` "You have a good memory, sir, to recollect dates so well." `
` `
` "I recollect this, because the poor devil's death was `
` accompanied by a singular incident." `
` `
` "May I ask what that was?" said the Englishman with an `
` expression of curiosity, which a close observer would have `
` been astonished at discovering in his phlegmatic `
` countenance. `
` `
` "Oh dear, yes, sir; the abbe's dungeon was forty or fifty `
` feet distant from that of one of Bonaparte's emissaries, -- `
` one of those who had contributed the most to the return of `
` the usurper in 1815, -- a very resolute and very dangerous `
` man." `
` `
` "Indeed!" said the Englishman. `
` `
` "Yes," replied M. de Boville; "I myself had occasion to see `
` this man in 1816 or 1817, and we could only go into his `
` dungeon with a file of soldiers. That man made a deep `
` impression on me; I shall never forget his countenance!" The `
` Englishman smiled imperceptibly. `
` `
` "And you say, sir," he interposed, "that the two dungeons" `
` -- `
` `
` "Were separated by a distance of fifty feet; but it appears `
` that this Edmond Dantes" -- `
` `
` "This dangerous man's name was" -- `
` `
` "Edmond Dantes. It appears, sir, that this Edmond Dantes had `
` procured tools, or made them, for they found a tunnel `
` through which the prisoners held communication with one `
` another." `
` `
` "This tunnel was dug, no doubt, with an intention of `
` escape?" `
` `
` "No doubt; but unfortunately for the prisoners, the Abbe `
` Faria had an attack of catalepsy, and died." `
` `
` "That must have cut short the projects of escape." `
` `
` "For the dead man, yes," replied M. de Boville, "but not for `
` the survivor; on the contrary, this Dantes saw a means of `
` accelerating his escape. He, no doubt, thought that `
` prisoners who died in the Chateau d'If were interred in an `
` ordinary burial-ground, and he conveyed the dead man into `
` his own cell, took his place in the sack in which they had `
` sewed up the corpse, and awaited the moment of interment." `
` `
` "It was a bold step, and one that showed some courage," `
` remarked the Englishman. `
` `
` "As I have already told you, sir, he was a very dangerous `
` man; and, fortunately, by his own act disembarrassed the `
` government of the fears it had on his account." `
` `
` "How was that?" `
` `
` "How? Do you not comprehend?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "The Chateau d'If has no cemetery, and they simply throw the `
` dead into the sea, after fastening a thirty-six pound `
` cannon-ball to their feet." `
` `
` "Well," observed the Englishman as if he were slow of `
` comprehension. `
` `
` "Well, they fastened a thirty-six pound ball to his feet, `
` and threw him into the sea." `
` `
` "Really!" exclaimed the Englishman. `
` `
` "Yes, sir," continued the inspector of prisons. "You may `
` imagine the amazement of the fugitive when he found himself `
` flung headlong over the rocks! I should like to have seen `
` his face at that moment." `
` `
` "That would have been difficult." `
` `
` "No matter," replied De Boville, in supreme good-humor at `
` the certainty of recovering his two hundred thousand francs, `
` -- "no matter, I can fancy it." And he shouted with `
` laughter. `
` `
` "So can I," said the Englishman, and he laughed too; but he `
` laughed as the English do, "at the end of his teeth." `
` `
` "And so," continued the Englishman who first gained his `
` composure, "he was drowned?" `
` `
` "Unquestionably." `
` `
` "So that the governor got rid of the dangerous and the crazy `
` prisoner at the same time?" `
` `
` "Precisely." `
` `
` "But some official document was drawn up as to this affair, `
` I suppose?" inquired the Englishman. `
` `
` "Yes, yes, the mortuary deposition. You understand, Dantes' `
` relations, if he had any, might have some interest in `
` knowing if he were dead or alive." `
` `
` "So that now, if there were anything to inherit from him, `
` they may do so with easy conscience. He is dead, and no `
` mistake about it." `
` `
` "Oh, yes; and they may have the fact attested whenever they `
` please." `
` `
` "So be it," said the Englishman. "But to return to these `
` registers." `
` `
` "True, this story has diverted our attention from them. `
` Excuse me." `
` `
` "Excuse you for what? For the story? By no means; it really `
` seems to me very curious." `
` `
` "Yes, indeed. So, sir, you wish to see all relating to the `
` poor abbe, who really was gentleness itself." `
` `
` "Yes, you will much oblige me." `
` `
` "Go into my study here, and I will show it to you." And they `
` both entered M. de Boville's study. Everything was here `
` arranged in perfect order; each register had its number, `
` each file of papers its place. The inspector begged the `
` Englishman to seat himself in an arm-chair, and placed `
` before him the register and documents relative to the `
` Chateau d'If, giving him all the time he desired for the `
` examination, while De Boville seated himself in a corner, `
` and began to read his newspaper. The Englishman easily found `
` the entries relative to the Abbe Faria; but it seemed that `
` the history which the inspector had related interested him `
` greatly, for after having perused the first documents he `
` turned over the leaves until he reached the deposition `
` respecting Edmond Dantes. There he found everything arranged `
` in due order, -- the accusation, examination, Morrel's `
` petition, M. de Villefort's marginal notes. He folded up the `
` accusation quietly, and put it as quietly in his pocket; `
` read the examination, and saw that the name of Noirtier was `
` not mentioned in it; perused, too, the application dated `
` 10th April, 1815, in which Morrel, by the deputy procureur's `
` advice, exaggerated with the best intentions (for Napoleon `
` was then on the throne) the services Dantes had rendered to `
` the imperial cause -- services which Villefort's `
` certificates rendered indispensable. Then he saw through the `
` whole thing. This petition to Napoleon, kept back by `
` Villefort, had become, under the second restoration, a `
` terrible weapon against him in the hands of the king's `
` attorney. He was no longer astonished when he searched on to `
` find in the register this note, placed in a bracket against `
` his name: -- `
` `
` Edmond Dantes. `
` `
` An inveterate Bonapartist; took an active part in the return `
` from the Island of Elba. `
` `
` To be kept in strict solitary confinement, and to be closely `
` watched and guarded. `
` `
` Beneath these lines was written in another hand: "See note `
` above -- nothing can be done." He compared the writing in `
` the bracket with the writing of the certificate placed `
` beneath Morrel's petition, and discovered that the note in `
` the bracket was the same writing as the certificate -- that `
` is to say, was in Villefort's handwriting. As to the note `
` which accompanied this, the Englishman understood that it `
` might have been added by some inspector who had taken a `
` momentary interest in Dantes' situation, but who had, from `
` the remarks we have quoted, found it impossible to give any `
` effect to the interest he had felt. `
` `
` As we have said, the inspector, from discretion, and that he `
` might not disturb the Abbe Faria's pupil in his researches, `
` had seated himself in a corner, and was reading Le Drapeau `
` Blanc. He did not see the Englishman fold up and place in `
` his pocket the accusation written by Danglars under the `
` arbor of La Reserve, and which had the postmark, `
` "Marseilles, 27th Feb., delivery 6 o'clock, P.M." But it `
` must be said that if he had seen it, he attached so little `
` importance to this scrap of paper, and so much importance to `
` his two hundred thousand francs, that he would not have `
` opposed whatever the Englishman might do, however irregular `
` it might be. `
` `
` "Thanks," said the latter, closing the register with a slam, `
` "I have all I want; now it is for me to perform my promise. `
` Give me a simple assignment of your debt; acknowledge `
` therein the receipt of the cash, and I will hand you over `
`