Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
"Certainly." `
` `
` "How long his he been there?" `
` `
` "Nearly a year." `
` `
` "Was he placed here when he first arrived?" `
` `
` "No; not until he attempted to kill the turnkey, who took `
` his food to him." `
` `
` "To kill the turnkey?" `
` `
` "Yes, the very one who is lighting us. Is it not true, `
` Antoine?" asked the governor. `
` `
` "True enough; he wanted to kill me!" returned the turnkey. `
` `
` "He must be mad," said the inspector. `
` `
` "He is worse than that, -- he is a devil!" returned the `
` turnkey. `
` `
` "Shall I complain of him?" demanded the inspector. `
` `
` "Oh, no; it is useless. Besides, he is almost mad now, and `
` in another year he will be quite so." `
` `
` "So much the better for him, -- he will suffer less," said `
` the inspector. He was, as this remark shows, a man full of `
` philanthropy, and in every way fit for his office. `
` `
` "You are right, sir," replied the governor; "and this remark `
` proves that you have deeply considered the subject. Now we `
` have in a dungeon about twenty feet distant, and to which `
` you descend by another stair, an abbe, formerly leader of a `
` party in Italy, who has been here since 1811, and in 1813 he `
` went mad, and the change is astonishing. He used to weep, he `
` now laughs; he grew thin, he now grows fat. You had better `
` see him, for his madness is amusing." `
` `
` "I will see them both," returned the inspector; "I must `
` conscientiously perform my duty." This was the inspector's `
` first visit; he wished to display his authority. `
` `
` "Let us visit this one first," added he. `
` `
` "By all means," replied the governor, and he signed to the `
` turnkey to open the door. At the sound of the key turning in `
` the lock, and the creaking of the hinges, Dantes, who was `
` crouched in a corner of the dungeon, whence he could see the `
` ray of light that came through a narrow iron grating above, `
` raised his head. Seeing a stranger, escorted by two turnkeys `
` holding torches and accompanied by two soldiers, and to whom `
` the governor spoke bareheaded, Dantes, who guessed the `
` truth, and that the moment to address himself to the `
` superior authorities was come, sprang forward with clasped `
` hands. `
` `
` The soldiers interposed their bayonets, for they thought `
` that he was about to attack the inspector, and the latter `
` recoiled two or three steps. Dantes saw that he was looked `
` upon as dangerous. Then, infusing all the humility he `
` possessed into his eyes and voice, he addressed the `
` inspector, and sought to inspire him with pity. `
` `
` The inspector listened attentively; then, turning to the `
` governor, observed, "He will become religious -- he is `
` already more gentle; he is afraid, and retreated before the `
` bayonets -- madmen are not afraid of anything; I made some `
` curious observations on this at Charenton." Then, turning to `
` the prisoner, "What is it you want?" said he. `
` `
` "I want to know what crime I have committed -- to be tried; `
` and if I am guilty, to be shot; if innocent, to be set at `
` liberty." `
` `
` "Are you well fed?" said the inspector. `
` `
` "I believe so; I don't know; it's of no consequence. What `
` matters really, not only to me, but to officers of justice `
` and the king, is that an innocent man should languish in `
` prison, the victim of an infamous denunciation, to die here `
` cursing his executioners." `
` `
` "You are very humble to-day," remarked the governor; "you `
` are not so always; the other day, for instance, when you `
` tried to kill the turnkey." `
` `
` "It is true, sir, and I beg his pardon, for he his always `
` been very good to me, but I was mad." `
` `
` "And you are not so any longer?" `
` `
` "No; captivity has subdued me -- I have been here so long." `
` `
` "So long? -- when were you arrested, then?" asked the `
` inspector. `
` `
` "The 28th of February, 1815, at half-past two in the `
` afternoon." `
` `
` "To-day is the 30th of July, 1816, -- why it is but `
` seventeen months." `
` `
` "Only seventeen months," replied Dantes. "Oh, you do not `
` know what is seventeen months in prison! -- seventeen ages `
` rather, especially to a man who, like me, had arrived at the `
` summit of his ambition -- to a man, who, like me, was on the `
` point of marrying a woman he adored, who saw an honorable `
` career opened before him, and who loses all in an instant -- `
` who sees his prospects destroyed, and is ignorant of the `
` fate of his affianced wife, and whether his aged father be `
` still living! Seventeen months captivity to a sailor `
` accustomed to the boundless ocean, is a worse punishment `
` than human crime ever merited. Have pity on me, then, and `
` ask for me, not intelligence, but a trial; not pardon, but a `
` verdict -- a trial, sir, I ask only for a trial; that, `
` surely, cannot be denied to one who is accused!" `
` `
` "We shall see," said the inspector; then, turning to the `
` governor, "On my word, the poor devil touches me. You must `
` show me the proofs against him." `
` `
` "Certainly; but you will find terrible charges." `
` `
` "Monsieur," continued Dantes, "I know it is not in your `
` power to release me; but you can plead for me -- you can `
` have me tried -- and that is all I ask. Let me know my `
` crime, and the reason why I was condemned. Uncertainty is `
` worse than all." `
` `
` "Go on with the lights," said the inspector. `
` `
` "Monsieur," cried Dantes, "I can tell by your voice you are `
` touched with pity; tell me at least to hope." `
` `
` "I cannot tell you that," replied the inspector; "I can only `
` promise to examine into your case." `
` `
` "Oh, I am free -- then I am saved!" `
` `
` "Who arrested you?" `
` `
` "M. Villefort. See him, and hear what he says." `
` `
` "M. Villefort is no longer at Marseilles; he is now at `
` Toulouse." `
` `
` "I am no longer surprised at my detention," murmured Dantes, `
` "since my only protector is removed." `
` `
` "Had M. de Villefort any cause of personal dislike to you?" `
` `
` "None; on the contrary, he was very kind to me." `
` `
` "I can, then, rely on the notes he has left concerning you?" `
` `
` "Entirely." `
` `
` "That is well; wait patiently, then." Dantes fell on his `
` knees, and prayed earnestly. The door closed; but this time `
` a fresh inmate was left with Dantes -- hope. `
` `
` "Will you see the register at once," asked the governor, "or `
` proceed to the other cell?" `
` `
` "Let us visit them all," said the inspector. "If I once went `
` up those stairs. I should never have the courage to come `
` down again." `
` `
` "Ah, this one is not like the other, and his madness is less `
` affecting than this one's display of reason." `
` `
` "What is his folly?" `
` `
` "He fancies he possesses an immense treasure. The first year `
` he offered government a million of francs for his release; `
` the second, two; the third, three; and so on progressively. `
` He is now in his fifth year of captivity; he will ask to `
` speak to you in private, and offer you five millions." `
` `
` "How curious! -- what is his name?" `
` `
` "The Abbe Faria." `
` `
` "No. 27," said the inspector. `
` `
` "It is here; unlock the door, Antoine." The turnkey obeyed, `
` and the inspector gazed curiously into the chamber of the `
` "mad abbe." `
` `
` In the centre of the cell, in a circle traced with a `
` fragment of plaster detached from the wall, sat a man whose `
` tattered garments scarcely covered him. He was drawing in `
` this circle geometrical lines, and seemed as much absorbed `
` in his problem as Archimedes was when the soldier of `
` Marcellus slew him. `
` `
` He did not move at the sound of the door, and continued his `
` calculations until the flash of the torches lighted up with `
`
` `
` "How long his he been there?" `
` `
` "Nearly a year." `
` `
` "Was he placed here when he first arrived?" `
` `
` "No; not until he attempted to kill the turnkey, who took `
` his food to him." `
` `
` "To kill the turnkey?" `
` `
` "Yes, the very one who is lighting us. Is it not true, `
` Antoine?" asked the governor. `
` `
` "True enough; he wanted to kill me!" returned the turnkey. `
` `
` "He must be mad," said the inspector. `
` `
` "He is worse than that, -- he is a devil!" returned the `
` turnkey. `
` `
` "Shall I complain of him?" demanded the inspector. `
` `
` "Oh, no; it is useless. Besides, he is almost mad now, and `
` in another year he will be quite so." `
` `
` "So much the better for him, -- he will suffer less," said `
` the inspector. He was, as this remark shows, a man full of `
` philanthropy, and in every way fit for his office. `
` `
` "You are right, sir," replied the governor; "and this remark `
` proves that you have deeply considered the subject. Now we `
` have in a dungeon about twenty feet distant, and to which `
` you descend by another stair, an abbe, formerly leader of a `
` party in Italy, who has been here since 1811, and in 1813 he `
` went mad, and the change is astonishing. He used to weep, he `
` now laughs; he grew thin, he now grows fat. You had better `
` see him, for his madness is amusing." `
` `
` "I will see them both," returned the inspector; "I must `
` conscientiously perform my duty." This was the inspector's `
` first visit; he wished to display his authority. `
` `
` "Let us visit this one first," added he. `
` `
` "By all means," replied the governor, and he signed to the `
` turnkey to open the door. At the sound of the key turning in `
` the lock, and the creaking of the hinges, Dantes, who was `
` crouched in a corner of the dungeon, whence he could see the `
` ray of light that came through a narrow iron grating above, `
` raised his head. Seeing a stranger, escorted by two turnkeys `
` holding torches and accompanied by two soldiers, and to whom `
` the governor spoke bareheaded, Dantes, who guessed the `
` truth, and that the moment to address himself to the `
` superior authorities was come, sprang forward with clasped `
` hands. `
` `
` The soldiers interposed their bayonets, for they thought `
` that he was about to attack the inspector, and the latter `
` recoiled two or three steps. Dantes saw that he was looked `
` upon as dangerous. Then, infusing all the humility he `
` possessed into his eyes and voice, he addressed the `
` inspector, and sought to inspire him with pity. `
` `
` The inspector listened attentively; then, turning to the `
` governor, observed, "He will become religious -- he is `
` already more gentle; he is afraid, and retreated before the `
` bayonets -- madmen are not afraid of anything; I made some `
` curious observations on this at Charenton." Then, turning to `
` the prisoner, "What is it you want?" said he. `
` `
` "I want to know what crime I have committed -- to be tried; `
` and if I am guilty, to be shot; if innocent, to be set at `
` liberty." `
` `
` "Are you well fed?" said the inspector. `
` `
` "I believe so; I don't know; it's of no consequence. What `
` matters really, not only to me, but to officers of justice `
` and the king, is that an innocent man should languish in `
` prison, the victim of an infamous denunciation, to die here `
` cursing his executioners." `
` `
` "You are very humble to-day," remarked the governor; "you `
` are not so always; the other day, for instance, when you `
` tried to kill the turnkey." `
` `
` "It is true, sir, and I beg his pardon, for he his always `
` been very good to me, but I was mad." `
` `
` "And you are not so any longer?" `
` `
` "No; captivity has subdued me -- I have been here so long." `
` `
` "So long? -- when were you arrested, then?" asked the `
` inspector. `
` `
` "The 28th of February, 1815, at half-past two in the `
` afternoon." `
` `
` "To-day is the 30th of July, 1816, -- why it is but `
` seventeen months." `
` `
` "Only seventeen months," replied Dantes. "Oh, you do not `
` know what is seventeen months in prison! -- seventeen ages `
` rather, especially to a man who, like me, had arrived at the `
` summit of his ambition -- to a man, who, like me, was on the `
` point of marrying a woman he adored, who saw an honorable `
` career opened before him, and who loses all in an instant -- `
` who sees his prospects destroyed, and is ignorant of the `
` fate of his affianced wife, and whether his aged father be `
` still living! Seventeen months captivity to a sailor `
` accustomed to the boundless ocean, is a worse punishment `
` than human crime ever merited. Have pity on me, then, and `
` ask for me, not intelligence, but a trial; not pardon, but a `
` verdict -- a trial, sir, I ask only for a trial; that, `
` surely, cannot be denied to one who is accused!" `
` `
` "We shall see," said the inspector; then, turning to the `
` governor, "On my word, the poor devil touches me. You must `
` show me the proofs against him." `
` `
` "Certainly; but you will find terrible charges." `
` `
` "Monsieur," continued Dantes, "I know it is not in your `
` power to release me; but you can plead for me -- you can `
` have me tried -- and that is all I ask. Let me know my `
` crime, and the reason why I was condemned. Uncertainty is `
` worse than all." `
` `
` "Go on with the lights," said the inspector. `
` `
` "Monsieur," cried Dantes, "I can tell by your voice you are `
` touched with pity; tell me at least to hope." `
` `
` "I cannot tell you that," replied the inspector; "I can only `
` promise to examine into your case." `
` `
` "Oh, I am free -- then I am saved!" `
` `
` "Who arrested you?" `
` `
` "M. Villefort. See him, and hear what he says." `
` `
` "M. Villefort is no longer at Marseilles; he is now at `
` Toulouse." `
` `
` "I am no longer surprised at my detention," murmured Dantes, `
` "since my only protector is removed." `
` `
` "Had M. de Villefort any cause of personal dislike to you?" `
` `
` "None; on the contrary, he was very kind to me." `
` `
` "I can, then, rely on the notes he has left concerning you?" `
` `
` "Entirely." `
` `
` "That is well; wait patiently, then." Dantes fell on his `
` knees, and prayed earnestly. The door closed; but this time `
` a fresh inmate was left with Dantes -- hope. `
` `
` "Will you see the register at once," asked the governor, "or `
` proceed to the other cell?" `
` `
` "Let us visit them all," said the inspector. "If I once went `
` up those stairs. I should never have the courage to come `
` down again." `
` `
` "Ah, this one is not like the other, and his madness is less `
` affecting than this one's display of reason." `
` `
` "What is his folly?" `
` `
` "He fancies he possesses an immense treasure. The first year `
` he offered government a million of francs for his release; `
` the second, two; the third, three; and so on progressively. `
` He is now in his fifth year of captivity; he will ask to `
` speak to you in private, and offer you five millions." `
` `
` "How curious! -- what is his name?" `
` `
` "The Abbe Faria." `
` `
` "No. 27," said the inspector. `
` `
` "It is here; unlock the door, Antoine." The turnkey obeyed, `
` and the inspector gazed curiously into the chamber of the `
` "mad abbe." `
` `
` In the centre of the cell, in a circle traced with a `
` fragment of plaster detached from the wall, sat a man whose `
` tattered garments scarcely covered him. He was drawing in `
` this circle geometrical lines, and seemed as much absorbed `
` in his problem as Archimedes was when the soldier of `
` Marcellus slew him. `
` `
` He did not move at the sound of the door, and continued his `
` calculations until the flash of the torches lighted up with `
`