Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
calculations until the flash of the torches lighted up with `
` an unwonted glare the sombre walls of his cell; then, `
` raising his head, he perceived with astonishment the number `
` of persons present. He hastily seized the coverlet of his `
` bed, and wrapped it round him. `
` `
` "What is it you want?" said the inspector. `
` `
` "I, monsieur," replied the abbe with an air of surprise -- `
` "I want nothing." `
` `
` "You do not understand," continued the inspector; "I am sent `
` here by government to visit the prison, and hear the `
` requests of the prisoners." `
` `
` "Oh, that is different," cried the abbe; "and we shall `
` understand each other, I hope." `
` `
` "There, now," whispered the governor, "it is just as I told `
` you." `
` `
` "Monsieur," continued the prisoner, "I am the Abbe Faria, `
` born at Rome. I was for twenty years Cardinal Spada's `
` secretary; I was arrested, why, I know not, toward the `
` beginning of the year 1811; since then I have demanded my `
` liberty from the Italian and French government." `
` `
` "Why from the French government?" `
` `
` "Because I was arrested at Piombino, and I presume that, `
` like Milan and Florence, Piombino has become the capital of `
` some French department." `
` `
` "Ah," said the inspector, "you have not the latest news from `
` Italy?" `
` `
` "My information dates from the day on which I was arrested," `
` returned the Abbe Faria; "and as the emperor had created the `
` kingdom of Rome for his infant son, I presume that he has `
` realized the dream of Machiavelli and Caesar Borgia, which `
` was to make Italy a united kingdom." `
` `
` "Monsieur," returned the inspector, "providence has changed `
` this gigantic plan you advocate so warmly." `
` `
` "It is the only means of rendering Italy strong, happy, and `
` independent." `
` `
` "Very possibly; only I am not come to discuss politics, but `
` to inquire if you have anything to ask or to complain of." `
` `
` "The food is the same as in other prisons, -- that is, very `
` bad; the lodging is very unhealthful, but, on the whole, `
` passable for a dungeon; but it is not that which I wish to `
` speak of, but a secret I have to reveal of the greatest `
` importance." `
` `
` "We are coming to the point," whispered the governor. `
` `
` "It is for that reason I am delighted to see you," continued `
` the abbe, "although you have disturbed me in a most `
` important calculation, which, if it succeeded, would `
` possibly change Newton's system. Could you allow me a few `
` words in private." `
` `
` "What did I tell you?" said the governor. `
` `
` "You knew him," returned the inspector with a smile. `
` `
` "What you ask is impossible, monsieur," continued he, `
` addressing Faria. `
` `
` "But," said the abbe, "I would speak to you of a large sum, `
` amounting to five millions." `
` `
` "The very sum you named," whispered the inspector in his `
` turn. `
` `
` "However," continued Faria, seeing that the inspector was `
` about to depart, "it is not absolutely necessary for us to `
` be alone; the governor can be present." `
` `
` "Unfortunately," said the governor, "I know beforehand what `
` you are about to say; it concerns your treasures, does it `
` not?" Faria fixed his eyes on him with an expression that `
` would have convinced any one else of his sanity. `
` `
` "Of course," said he; "of what else should I speak?" `
` `
` "Mr. Inspector," continued the governor, "I can tell you the `
` story as well as he, for it has been dinned in my ears for `
` the last four or five years." `
` `
` "That proves," returned the abbe, "that you are like those `
` of Holy Writ, who having ears hear not, and having eyes see `
` not." `
` `
` "My dear sir, the government is rich and does not want your `
` treasures," replied the inspector; "keep them until you are `
` liberated." The abbe's eyes glistened; he seized the `
` inspector's hand. `
` `
` "But what if I am not liberated," cried he, "and am detained `
` here until my death? this treasure will be lost. Had not `
` government better profit by it? I will offer six millions, `
` and I will content myself with the rest, if they will only `
` give me my liberty." `
` `
` "On my word," said the inspector in a low tone, "had I not `
` been told beforehand that this man was mad, I should believe `
` what he says." `
` `
` "I am not mad," replied Faria, with that acuteness of `
` hearing peculiar to prisoners. "The treasure I speak of `
` really exists, and I offer to sign an agreement with you, in `
` which I promise to lead you to the spot where you shall dig; `
` and if I deceive you, bring me here again, -- I ask no `
` more." `
` `
` The governor laughed. "Is the spot far from here?" `
` `
` "A hundred leagues." `
` `
` "It is not ill-planned," said the governor. "If all the `
` prisoners took it into their heads to travel a hundred `
` leagues, and their guardians consented to accompany them, `
` they would have a capital chance of escaping." `
` `
` "The scheme is well known," said the inspector; "and the `
` abbe's plan has not even the merit of originality." `
` `
` Then turning to Faria -- "I inquired if you are well fed?" `
` said he. `
` `
` "Swear to me," replied Faria, "to free me if what I tell you `
` prove true, and I will stay here while you go to the spot." `
` `
` "Are you well fed?" repeated the inspector. `
` `
` "Monsieur, you run no risk, for, as I told you, I will stay `
` here; so there is no chance of my escaping." `
` `
` "You do not reply to my question," replied the inspector `
` impatiently. `
` `
` "Nor you to mine," cried the abbe. "You will not accept my `
` gold; I will keep it for myself. You refuse me my liberty; `
` God will give it me." And the abbe, casting away his `
` coverlet, resumed his place, and continued his calculations. `
` `
` "What is he doing there?" said the inspector. `
` `
` "Counting his treasures," replied the governor. `
` `
` Faria replied to this sarcasm with a glance of profound `
` contempt. They went out. The turnkey closed the door behind `
` them. `
` `
` "He was wealthy once, perhaps?" said the inspector. `
` `
` "Or dreamed he was, and awoke mad." `
` `
` "After all," said the inspector, "if he had been rich, he `
` would not have been here." So the matter ended for the Abbe `
` Faria. He remained in his cell, and this visit only `
` increased the belief in his insanity. `
` `
` Caligula or Nero, those treasure-seekers, those desirers of `
` the impossible, would have accorded to the poor wretch, in `
` exchange for his wealth, the liberty he so earnestly prayed `
` for. But the kings of modern times, restrained by the limits `
` of mere probability, have neither courage nor desire. They `
` fear the ear that hears their orders, and the eye that `
` scrutinizes their actions. Formerly they believed themselves `
` sprung from Jupiter, and shielded by their birth; but `
` nowadays they are not inviolable. `
` `
` It has always been against the policy of despotic `
` governments to suffer the victims of their persecutions to `
` reappear. As the Inquisition rarely allowed its victims to `
` be seen with their limbs distorted and their flesh lacerated `
` by torture, so madness is always concealed in its cell, from `
` whence, should it depart, it is conveyed to some gloomy `
` hospital, where the doctor has no thought for man or mind in `
` the mutilated being the jailer delivers to him. The very `
` madness of the Abbe Faria, gone mad in prison, condemned him `
` to perpetual captivity. `
` `
` The inspector kept his word with Dantes; he examined the `
` register, and found the following note concerning him: -- `
` `
` Edmond Dantes: `
` `
` Violent Bonapartist; took an active part in the return from `
` Elba. `
` `
` The greatest watchfulness and care to be exercised. `
` `
` This note was in a different hand from the rest, which `
` showed that it had been added since his confinement. The `
` inspector could not contend against this accusation; he `
`
` an unwonted glare the sombre walls of his cell; then, `
` raising his head, he perceived with astonishment the number `
` of persons present. He hastily seized the coverlet of his `
` bed, and wrapped it round him. `
` `
` "What is it you want?" said the inspector. `
` `
` "I, monsieur," replied the abbe with an air of surprise -- `
` "I want nothing." `
` `
` "You do not understand," continued the inspector; "I am sent `
` here by government to visit the prison, and hear the `
` requests of the prisoners." `
` `
` "Oh, that is different," cried the abbe; "and we shall `
` understand each other, I hope." `
` `
` "There, now," whispered the governor, "it is just as I told `
` you." `
` `
` "Monsieur," continued the prisoner, "I am the Abbe Faria, `
` born at Rome. I was for twenty years Cardinal Spada's `
` secretary; I was arrested, why, I know not, toward the `
` beginning of the year 1811; since then I have demanded my `
` liberty from the Italian and French government." `
` `
` "Why from the French government?" `
` `
` "Because I was arrested at Piombino, and I presume that, `
` like Milan and Florence, Piombino has become the capital of `
` some French department." `
` `
` "Ah," said the inspector, "you have not the latest news from `
` Italy?" `
` `
` "My information dates from the day on which I was arrested," `
` returned the Abbe Faria; "and as the emperor had created the `
` kingdom of Rome for his infant son, I presume that he has `
` realized the dream of Machiavelli and Caesar Borgia, which `
` was to make Italy a united kingdom." `
` `
` "Monsieur," returned the inspector, "providence has changed `
` this gigantic plan you advocate so warmly." `
` `
` "It is the only means of rendering Italy strong, happy, and `
` independent." `
` `
` "Very possibly; only I am not come to discuss politics, but `
` to inquire if you have anything to ask or to complain of." `
` `
` "The food is the same as in other prisons, -- that is, very `
` bad; the lodging is very unhealthful, but, on the whole, `
` passable for a dungeon; but it is not that which I wish to `
` speak of, but a secret I have to reveal of the greatest `
` importance." `
` `
` "We are coming to the point," whispered the governor. `
` `
` "It is for that reason I am delighted to see you," continued `
` the abbe, "although you have disturbed me in a most `
` important calculation, which, if it succeeded, would `
` possibly change Newton's system. Could you allow me a few `
` words in private." `
` `
` "What did I tell you?" said the governor. `
` `
` "You knew him," returned the inspector with a smile. `
` `
` "What you ask is impossible, monsieur," continued he, `
` addressing Faria. `
` `
` "But," said the abbe, "I would speak to you of a large sum, `
` amounting to five millions." `
` `
` "The very sum you named," whispered the inspector in his `
` turn. `
` `
` "However," continued Faria, seeing that the inspector was `
` about to depart, "it is not absolutely necessary for us to `
` be alone; the governor can be present." `
` `
` "Unfortunately," said the governor, "I know beforehand what `
` you are about to say; it concerns your treasures, does it `
` not?" Faria fixed his eyes on him with an expression that `
` would have convinced any one else of his sanity. `
` `
` "Of course," said he; "of what else should I speak?" `
` `
` "Mr. Inspector," continued the governor, "I can tell you the `
` story as well as he, for it has been dinned in my ears for `
` the last four or five years." `
` `
` "That proves," returned the abbe, "that you are like those `
` of Holy Writ, who having ears hear not, and having eyes see `
` not." `
` `
` "My dear sir, the government is rich and does not want your `
` treasures," replied the inspector; "keep them until you are `
` liberated." The abbe's eyes glistened; he seized the `
` inspector's hand. `
` `
` "But what if I am not liberated," cried he, "and am detained `
` here until my death? this treasure will be lost. Had not `
` government better profit by it? I will offer six millions, `
` and I will content myself with the rest, if they will only `
` give me my liberty." `
` `
` "On my word," said the inspector in a low tone, "had I not `
` been told beforehand that this man was mad, I should believe `
` what he says." `
` `
` "I am not mad," replied Faria, with that acuteness of `
` hearing peculiar to prisoners. "The treasure I speak of `
` really exists, and I offer to sign an agreement with you, in `
` which I promise to lead you to the spot where you shall dig; `
` and if I deceive you, bring me here again, -- I ask no `
` more." `
` `
` The governor laughed. "Is the spot far from here?" `
` `
` "A hundred leagues." `
` `
` "It is not ill-planned," said the governor. "If all the `
` prisoners took it into their heads to travel a hundred `
` leagues, and their guardians consented to accompany them, `
` they would have a capital chance of escaping." `
` `
` "The scheme is well known," said the inspector; "and the `
` abbe's plan has not even the merit of originality." `
` `
` Then turning to Faria -- "I inquired if you are well fed?" `
` said he. `
` `
` "Swear to me," replied Faria, "to free me if what I tell you `
` prove true, and I will stay here while you go to the spot." `
` `
` "Are you well fed?" repeated the inspector. `
` `
` "Monsieur, you run no risk, for, as I told you, I will stay `
` here; so there is no chance of my escaping." `
` `
` "You do not reply to my question," replied the inspector `
` impatiently. `
` `
` "Nor you to mine," cried the abbe. "You will not accept my `
` gold; I will keep it for myself. You refuse me my liberty; `
` God will give it me." And the abbe, casting away his `
` coverlet, resumed his place, and continued his calculations. `
` `
` "What is he doing there?" said the inspector. `
` `
` "Counting his treasures," replied the governor. `
` `
` Faria replied to this sarcasm with a glance of profound `
` contempt. They went out. The turnkey closed the door behind `
` them. `
` `
` "He was wealthy once, perhaps?" said the inspector. `
` `
` "Or dreamed he was, and awoke mad." `
` `
` "After all," said the inspector, "if he had been rich, he `
` would not have been here." So the matter ended for the Abbe `
` Faria. He remained in his cell, and this visit only `
` increased the belief in his insanity. `
` `
` Caligula or Nero, those treasure-seekers, those desirers of `
` the impossible, would have accorded to the poor wretch, in `
` exchange for his wealth, the liberty he so earnestly prayed `
` for. But the kings of modern times, restrained by the limits `
` of mere probability, have neither courage nor desire. They `
` fear the ear that hears their orders, and the eye that `
` scrutinizes their actions. Formerly they believed themselves `
` sprung from Jupiter, and shielded by their birth; but `
` nowadays they are not inviolable. `
` `
` It has always been against the policy of despotic `
` governments to suffer the victims of their persecutions to `
` reappear. As the Inquisition rarely allowed its victims to `
` be seen with their limbs distorted and their flesh lacerated `
` by torture, so madness is always concealed in its cell, from `
` whence, should it depart, it is conveyed to some gloomy `
` hospital, where the doctor has no thought for man or mind in `
` the mutilated being the jailer delivers to him. The very `
` madness of the Abbe Faria, gone mad in prison, condemned him `
` to perpetual captivity. `
` `
` The inspector kept his word with Dantes; he examined the `
` register, and found the following note concerning him: -- `
` `
` Edmond Dantes: `
` `
` Violent Bonapartist; took an active part in the return from `
` Elba. `
` `
` The greatest watchfulness and care to be exercised. `
` `
` This note was in a different hand from the rest, which `
` showed that it had been added since his confinement. The `
` inspector could not contend against this accusation; he `
`