Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
"Caderousse shuddered. The woman's lips seemed to move, as `
` though she were talking; but because she merely spoke in an `
` undertone, or my senses were dulled by sleep, I did not `
` catch a word she uttered. Confused sights and sounds seemed `
` to float before me, and gradually I fell into a deep, heavy `
` slumber. How long I had been in this unconscious state I `
` know not, when I was suddenly aroused by the report of a `
` pistol, followed by a fearful cry. Weak and tottering `
` footsteps resounded across the chamber above me, and the `
` next instant a dull, heavy weight seemed to fall powerless `
` on the staircase. I had not yet fully recovered `
` consciousness, when again I heard groans, mingled with `
` half-stifled cries, as if from persons engaged in a deadly `
` struggle. A cry more prolonged than the others and ending in `
` a series of groans effectually roused me from my drowsy `
` lethargy. Hastily raising myself on one arm, I looked `
` around, but all was dark; and it seemed to me as if the rain `
` must have penetrated through the flooring of the room above, `
` for some kind of moisture appeared to fall, drop by drop, `
` upon my forehead, and when I passed my hand across my brow, `
` I felt that it was wet and clammy. `
` `
` "To the fearful noises that had awakened me had succeeded `
` the most perfect silence -- unbroken, save by the footsteps `
` of a man walking about in the chamber above. The staircase `
` creaked, he descended into the room below, approached the `
` fire and lit a candle. The man was Caderousse -- he was pale `
` and his shirt was all blood. Having obtained the light, he `
` hurried up-stairs again, and once more I heard his rapid and `
` uneasy footsteps. A moment later he came down again, holding `
` in his hand the small shagreen case, which he opened, to `
` assure himself it contained the diamond, -- seemed to `
` hesitate as to which pocket he should put it in, then, as if `
` dissatisfied with the security of either pocket, he `
` deposited it in his red handkerchief, which he carefully `
` rolled round his head. After this he took from his cupboard `
` the bank-notes and gold he had put there, thrust the one `
` into the pocket of his trousers, and the other into that of `
` his waistcoat, hastily tied up a small bundle of linen, and `
` rushing towards the door, disappeared in the darkness of the `
` night. `
` `
` "Then all became clear and manifest to me, and I reproached `
` myself with what had happened, as though I myself had done `
` the guilty deed. I fancied that I still heard faint moans, `
` and imagining that the unfortunate jeweller might not be `
` quite dead, I determined to go to his relief, by way of `
` atoning in some slight degree, not for the crime I had `
` committed, but for that which I had not endeavored to `
` prevent. For this purpose I applied all the strength I `
` possessed to force an entrance from the cramped spot in `
` which I lay to the adjoining room. The poorly fastened `
` boards which alone divided me from it yielded to my efforts, `
` and I found myself in the house. Hastily snatching up the `
` lighted candle, I hurried to the staircase; about midway a `
` body was lying quite across the stairs. It was that of La `
` Carconte. The pistol I had heard had doubtless been fired at `
` her. The shot had frightfully lacerated her throat, leaving `
` two gaping wounds from which, as well as the mouth, the `
` blood was pouring in floods. She was stone dead. I strode `
` past her, and ascended to the sleeping chamber, which `
` presented an appearance of the wildest disorder. The `
` furniture had been knocked over in the deadly struggle that `
` had taken place there, and the sheets, to which the `
` unfortunate jeweller had doubtless clung, were dragged `
` across the room. The murdered man lay on the floor, his head `
` leaning against the wall, and about him was a pool of blood `
` which poured forth from three large wounds in his breast; `
` there was a fourth gash, in which a long table knife was `
` plunged up to the handle. `
` `
` "I stumbled over some object; I stooped to examine -- it was `
` the second pistol, which had not gone off, probably from the `
` powder being wet. I approached the jeweller, who was not `
` quite dead, and at the sound of my footsteps and the `
` creaking of the floor, he opened his eyes, fixed them on me `
` with an anxious and inquiring gaze, moved his lips as though `
` trying to speak, then, overcome by the effort, fell back and `
` expired. This appalling sight almost bereft me of my senses, `
` and finding that I could no longer be of service to any one `
` in the house, my only desire was to fly. I rushed towards `
` the staircase, clutching my hair, and uttering a groan of `
` horror. Upon reaching the room below, I found five or six `
` custom-house officers, and two or three gendarmes -- all `
` heavily armed. They threw themselves upon me. I made no `
` resistance; I was no longer master of my senses. When I `
` strove to speak, a few inarticulate sounds alone escaped my `
` lips. `
` `
` "As I noticed the significant manner in which the whole `
` party pointed to my blood-stained garments, I involuntarily `
` surveyed myself, and then I discovered that the thick warm `
` drops that had so bedewed me as I lay beneath the staircase `
` must have been the blood of La Carconte. I pointed to the `
` spot where I had concealed myself. `What does he mean?' `
` asked a gendarme. One of the officers went to the place I `
` directed. `He means,' replied the man upon his return, `that `
` he got in that way;' and he showed the hole I had made when `
` I broke through. `
` `
` "Then I saw that they took me for the assassin. I recovered `
` force and energy enough to free myself from the hands of `
` those who held me, while I managed to stammer forth -- `I `
` did not do it! Indeed, indeed I did not!' A couple of `
` gendarmes held the muzzles of their carbines against my `
` breast. -- `Stir but a step,' said they, `and you are a dead `
` man.' -- `Why should you threaten me with death,' cried I, `
` `when I have already declared my innocence?' -- `Tush, `
` tush,' cried the men; `keep your innocent stories to tell to `
` the judge at Nimes. Meanwhile, come along with us; and the `
` best advice we can give you is to do so unresistingly.' `
` Alas, resistance was far from my thoughts. I was utterly `
` overpowered by surprise and terror; and without a word I `
` suffered myself to be handcuffed and tied to a horse's tail, `
` and thus they took me to Nimes. `
` `
` "I had been tracked by a customs-officer, who had lost sight `
` of me near the tavern; feeling certain that I intended to `
` pass the night there, he had returned to summon his `
` comrades, who just arrived in time to hear the report of the `
` pistol, and to take me in the midst of such circumstantial `
` proofs of my guilt as rendered all hopes of proving my `
` innocence utterly futile. One only chance was left me, that `
` of beseeching the magistrate before whom I was taken to `
` cause every inquiry to be made for the Abbe Busoni, who had `
` stopped at the inn of the Pont du Gard on that morning. If `
` Caderousse had invented the story relative to the diamond, `
` and there existed no such person as the Abbe Busoni, then, `
` indeed, I was lost past redemption, or, at least, my life `
` hung upon the feeble chance of Caderousse himself being `
` apprehended and confessing the whole truth. Two months `
` passed away in hopeless expectation on my part, while I must `
` do the magistrate the justice to say that he used every `
` means to obtain information of the person I declared could `
` exculpate me if he would. Caderousse still evaded all `
` pursuit, and I had resigned myself to what seemed my `
` inevitable fate. My trial was to come on at the approaching `
` assizes; when, on the 8th of September -- that is to say, `
` precisely three months and five days after the events which `
` had perilled my life -- the Abbe Busoni, whom I never `
` ventured to believe I should see, presented himself at the `
` prison doors, saying he understood one of the prisoners `
` wished to speak to him; he added, that having learned at `
` Marseilles the particulars of my imprisonment, he hastened `
` to comply with my desire. You may easily imagine with what `
` eagerness I welcomed him, and how minutely I related the `
` whole of what I had seen and heard. I felt some degree of `
` nervousness as I entered upon the history of the diamond, `
` but, to my inexpressible astonishment, he confirmed it in `
` every particular, and to my equal surprise, he seemed to `
` place entire belief in all I said. And then it was that, won `
` by his mild charity, seeing that he was acquainted with all `
` the habits and customs of my own country, and considering `
` also that pardon for the only crime of which I was really `
` guilty might come with a double power from lips so `
` benevolent and kind, I besought him to receive my `
` confession, under the seal of which I recounted the Auteuil `
` affair in all its details, as well as every other `
` transaction of my life. That which I had done by the impulse `
` of my best feelings produced the same effect as though it `
` had been the result of calculation. My voluntary confession `
` of the assassination at Auteuil proved to him that I had not `
` committed that of which I stood accused. When he quitted me, `
` he bade me be of good courage, and to rely upon his doing `
` all in his power to convince my judges of my innocence. `
` `
` "I had speedy proofs that the excellent abbe was engaged in `
` my behalf, for the rigors of my imprisonment were alleviated `
` by many trifling though acceptable indulgences, and I was `
` told that my trial was to be postponed to the assizes `
` following those now being held. In the interim it pleased `
` providence to cause the apprehension of Caderousse, who was `
` discovered in some distant country, and brought back to `
` France, where he made a full confession, refusing to make `
` the fact of his wife's having suggested and arranged the `
` murder any excuse for his own guilt. The wretched man was `
` sentenced to the galleys for life, and I was immediately set `
` at liberty." `
` `
` "And then it was, I presume," said Monte Cristo "that you `
` came to me as the bearer of a letter from the Abbe Busoni?" `
` `
` "It was, your excellency; the benevolent abbe took an `
` evident interest in all that concerned me. `
` `
` "`Your mode of life as a smuggler,' said he to me one day, `
` `will be the ruin of you; if you get out, don't take it up `
` again.' -- `But how,' inquired I, `am I to maintain myself `
` and my poor sister?' `
` `
` "`A person, whose confessor I am,' replied he, `and who `
` entertains a high regard for me, applied to me a short time `
` since to procure him a confidential servant. Would you like `
` such a post? If so, I will give you a letter of introduction `
` to him.' -- `Oh, father,' I exclaimed, `you are very good.' `
` `
` "`But you must swear solemnly that I shall never have reason `
` to repent my recommendation.' I extended my hand, and was `
` about to pledge myself by any promise he would dictate, but `
` he stopped me. `It is unnecessary for you to bind yourself `
` by any vow,' said he; `I know and admire the Corsican nature `
`
` though she were talking; but because she merely spoke in an `
` undertone, or my senses were dulled by sleep, I did not `
` catch a word she uttered. Confused sights and sounds seemed `
` to float before me, and gradually I fell into a deep, heavy `
` slumber. How long I had been in this unconscious state I `
` know not, when I was suddenly aroused by the report of a `
` pistol, followed by a fearful cry. Weak and tottering `
` footsteps resounded across the chamber above me, and the `
` next instant a dull, heavy weight seemed to fall powerless `
` on the staircase. I had not yet fully recovered `
` consciousness, when again I heard groans, mingled with `
` half-stifled cries, as if from persons engaged in a deadly `
` struggle. A cry more prolonged than the others and ending in `
` a series of groans effectually roused me from my drowsy `
` lethargy. Hastily raising myself on one arm, I looked `
` around, but all was dark; and it seemed to me as if the rain `
` must have penetrated through the flooring of the room above, `
` for some kind of moisture appeared to fall, drop by drop, `
` upon my forehead, and when I passed my hand across my brow, `
` I felt that it was wet and clammy. `
` `
` "To the fearful noises that had awakened me had succeeded `
` the most perfect silence -- unbroken, save by the footsteps `
` of a man walking about in the chamber above. The staircase `
` creaked, he descended into the room below, approached the `
` fire and lit a candle. The man was Caderousse -- he was pale `
` and his shirt was all blood. Having obtained the light, he `
` hurried up-stairs again, and once more I heard his rapid and `
` uneasy footsteps. A moment later he came down again, holding `
` in his hand the small shagreen case, which he opened, to `
` assure himself it contained the diamond, -- seemed to `
` hesitate as to which pocket he should put it in, then, as if `
` dissatisfied with the security of either pocket, he `
` deposited it in his red handkerchief, which he carefully `
` rolled round his head. After this he took from his cupboard `
` the bank-notes and gold he had put there, thrust the one `
` into the pocket of his trousers, and the other into that of `
` his waistcoat, hastily tied up a small bundle of linen, and `
` rushing towards the door, disappeared in the darkness of the `
` night. `
` `
` "Then all became clear and manifest to me, and I reproached `
` myself with what had happened, as though I myself had done `
` the guilty deed. I fancied that I still heard faint moans, `
` and imagining that the unfortunate jeweller might not be `
` quite dead, I determined to go to his relief, by way of `
` atoning in some slight degree, not for the crime I had `
` committed, but for that which I had not endeavored to `
` prevent. For this purpose I applied all the strength I `
` possessed to force an entrance from the cramped spot in `
` which I lay to the adjoining room. The poorly fastened `
` boards which alone divided me from it yielded to my efforts, `
` and I found myself in the house. Hastily snatching up the `
` lighted candle, I hurried to the staircase; about midway a `
` body was lying quite across the stairs. It was that of La `
` Carconte. The pistol I had heard had doubtless been fired at `
` her. The shot had frightfully lacerated her throat, leaving `
` two gaping wounds from which, as well as the mouth, the `
` blood was pouring in floods. She was stone dead. I strode `
` past her, and ascended to the sleeping chamber, which `
` presented an appearance of the wildest disorder. The `
` furniture had been knocked over in the deadly struggle that `
` had taken place there, and the sheets, to which the `
` unfortunate jeweller had doubtless clung, were dragged `
` across the room. The murdered man lay on the floor, his head `
` leaning against the wall, and about him was a pool of blood `
` which poured forth from three large wounds in his breast; `
` there was a fourth gash, in which a long table knife was `
` plunged up to the handle. `
` `
` "I stumbled over some object; I stooped to examine -- it was `
` the second pistol, which had not gone off, probably from the `
` powder being wet. I approached the jeweller, who was not `
` quite dead, and at the sound of my footsteps and the `
` creaking of the floor, he opened his eyes, fixed them on me `
` with an anxious and inquiring gaze, moved his lips as though `
` trying to speak, then, overcome by the effort, fell back and `
` expired. This appalling sight almost bereft me of my senses, `
` and finding that I could no longer be of service to any one `
` in the house, my only desire was to fly. I rushed towards `
` the staircase, clutching my hair, and uttering a groan of `
` horror. Upon reaching the room below, I found five or six `
` custom-house officers, and two or three gendarmes -- all `
` heavily armed. They threw themselves upon me. I made no `
` resistance; I was no longer master of my senses. When I `
` strove to speak, a few inarticulate sounds alone escaped my `
` lips. `
` `
` "As I noticed the significant manner in which the whole `
` party pointed to my blood-stained garments, I involuntarily `
` surveyed myself, and then I discovered that the thick warm `
` drops that had so bedewed me as I lay beneath the staircase `
` must have been the blood of La Carconte. I pointed to the `
` spot where I had concealed myself. `What does he mean?' `
` asked a gendarme. One of the officers went to the place I `
` directed. `He means,' replied the man upon his return, `that `
` he got in that way;' and he showed the hole I had made when `
` I broke through. `
` `
` "Then I saw that they took me for the assassin. I recovered `
` force and energy enough to free myself from the hands of `
` those who held me, while I managed to stammer forth -- `I `
` did not do it! Indeed, indeed I did not!' A couple of `
` gendarmes held the muzzles of their carbines against my `
` breast. -- `Stir but a step,' said they, `and you are a dead `
` man.' -- `Why should you threaten me with death,' cried I, `
` `when I have already declared my innocence?' -- `Tush, `
` tush,' cried the men; `keep your innocent stories to tell to `
` the judge at Nimes. Meanwhile, come along with us; and the `
` best advice we can give you is to do so unresistingly.' `
` Alas, resistance was far from my thoughts. I was utterly `
` overpowered by surprise and terror; and without a word I `
` suffered myself to be handcuffed and tied to a horse's tail, `
` and thus they took me to Nimes. `
` `
` "I had been tracked by a customs-officer, who had lost sight `
` of me near the tavern; feeling certain that I intended to `
` pass the night there, he had returned to summon his `
` comrades, who just arrived in time to hear the report of the `
` pistol, and to take me in the midst of such circumstantial `
` proofs of my guilt as rendered all hopes of proving my `
` innocence utterly futile. One only chance was left me, that `
` of beseeching the magistrate before whom I was taken to `
` cause every inquiry to be made for the Abbe Busoni, who had `
` stopped at the inn of the Pont du Gard on that morning. If `
` Caderousse had invented the story relative to the diamond, `
` and there existed no such person as the Abbe Busoni, then, `
` indeed, I was lost past redemption, or, at least, my life `
` hung upon the feeble chance of Caderousse himself being `
` apprehended and confessing the whole truth. Two months `
` passed away in hopeless expectation on my part, while I must `
` do the magistrate the justice to say that he used every `
` means to obtain information of the person I declared could `
` exculpate me if he would. Caderousse still evaded all `
` pursuit, and I had resigned myself to what seemed my `
` inevitable fate. My trial was to come on at the approaching `
` assizes; when, on the 8th of September -- that is to say, `
` precisely three months and five days after the events which `
` had perilled my life -- the Abbe Busoni, whom I never `
` ventured to believe I should see, presented himself at the `
` prison doors, saying he understood one of the prisoners `
` wished to speak to him; he added, that having learned at `
` Marseilles the particulars of my imprisonment, he hastened `
` to comply with my desire. You may easily imagine with what `
` eagerness I welcomed him, and how minutely I related the `
` whole of what I had seen and heard. I felt some degree of `
` nervousness as I entered upon the history of the diamond, `
` but, to my inexpressible astonishment, he confirmed it in `
` every particular, and to my equal surprise, he seemed to `
` place entire belief in all I said. And then it was that, won `
` by his mild charity, seeing that he was acquainted with all `
` the habits and customs of my own country, and considering `
` also that pardon for the only crime of which I was really `
` guilty might come with a double power from lips so `
` benevolent and kind, I besought him to receive my `
` confession, under the seal of which I recounted the Auteuil `
` affair in all its details, as well as every other `
` transaction of my life. That which I had done by the impulse `
` of my best feelings produced the same effect as though it `
` had been the result of calculation. My voluntary confession `
` of the assassination at Auteuil proved to him that I had not `
` committed that of which I stood accused. When he quitted me, `
` he bade me be of good courage, and to rely upon his doing `
` all in his power to convince my judges of my innocence. `
` `
` "I had speedy proofs that the excellent abbe was engaged in `
` my behalf, for the rigors of my imprisonment were alleviated `
` by many trifling though acceptable indulgences, and I was `
` told that my trial was to be postponed to the assizes `
` following those now being held. In the interim it pleased `
` providence to cause the apprehension of Caderousse, who was `
` discovered in some distant country, and brought back to `
` France, where he made a full confession, refusing to make `
` the fact of his wife's having suggested and arranged the `
` murder any excuse for his own guilt. The wretched man was `
` sentenced to the galleys for life, and I was immediately set `
` at liberty." `
` `
` "And then it was, I presume," said Monte Cristo "that you `
` came to me as the bearer of a letter from the Abbe Busoni?" `
` `
` "It was, your excellency; the benevolent abbe took an `
` evident interest in all that concerned me. `
` `
` "`Your mode of life as a smuggler,' said he to me one day, `
` `will be the ruin of you; if you get out, don't take it up `
` again.' -- `But how,' inquired I, `am I to maintain myself `
` and my poor sister?' `
` `
` "`A person, whose confessor I am,' replied he, `and who `
` entertains a high regard for me, applied to me a short time `
` since to procure him a confidential servant. Would you like `
` such a post? If so, I will give you a letter of introduction `
` to him.' -- `Oh, father,' I exclaimed, `you are very good.' `
` `
` "`But you must swear solemnly that I shall never have reason `
` to repent my recommendation.' I extended my hand, and was `
` about to pledge myself by any promise he would dictate, but `
` he stopped me. `It is unnecessary for you to bind yourself `
` by any vow,' said he; `I know and admire the Corsican nature `
`