The Count of Monte Cristo

Lodging the Guest

The jeweller asks if the pair have other guests, and Caderousse says they do not lodge travelers, as their tavern is located very near the town. The jeweller worries he will inconvenience them, but La Carconte insists he is welcome, and offers the overhead chamber (their usual sleeping room) for his stay, noting a second bed is available in the adjoining space, which surprises Caderousse.

Preparing Supper

The jeweller warms his back by the fire La Carconte kindled to dry his wet travel clothes, while she prepares his supper by laying out the remains of the pair’s dinner plus a few fresh eggs on a napkin. Caderousse locks their gold and banknotes in a cupboard, then paces the room in a gloomy, pensive mood, glancing occasionally at the jeweller as he dries his clothes by the hearth.

The Approaching Storm

La Carconte announces supper is ready, and the jeweller notes the pair are not joining him. Caderousse claims they dined very late. A violent storm rages outside: thunder shakes the house, and a gust of wind mixed with rain extinguishes the lamp Caderousse holds when he opens the door to check if the storm has passed. La Carconte lights a candle from the smoldering hearth embers.

The Jeweller Retires

The jeweller confirms the storm is only growing more violent, so he bids his hosts goodnight and climbs the stairs to the overhead chamber. The narrator hears the floor creak under the jeweller’s footsteps; La Carconte watches him ascend eagerly, while Caderousse deliberately avoids looking at him.

Caderousse’s Agitation

Exhausted, the narrator decides to sleep until the storm abates. He observes Caderousse sitting at a low table with his back turned, head buried in his hands, while La Carconte sits opposite him. A fresh flame from the hearth briefly lights the room, and La Carconte touches Caderousse’s forehead, making him shudder; she speaks to him in an undertone the narrator cannot hear, before he remains still and the narrator falls into a deep sleep.

The Midnight Shot

The narrator is abruptly awoken by the sound of a pistol shot, a terrified cry, and then weak, tottering footsteps followed by a heavy thud on the staircase. He hears more groans and muffled cries of a deadly struggle, then a prolonged scream ending in groans that fully rouse him. He feels warm, clammy moisture falling drop by drop on his forehead, which he assumes is rain seeping through the floor above.

Caderousse’s Flight

Once the noises cease, the narrator hears footsteps pacing the room above, then Caderousse descends, lights a candle, and is pale with a bloodstained shirt. He hurries upstairs again, then returns with the small shagreen diamond case, confirms it contains the diamond, tucks it into his red handkerchief tied around his head, grabs the banknotes and gold from the cupboard, ties up a small bundle of linen, and flees into the night.

The Bloody Discovery

Realizing a violent crime has occurred, the narrator reproaches himself for not intervening, and forces his way through the poorly fastened boards separating his hidden spot from the main house. He grabs a lit candle and hurries toward the staircase, where he encounters the first of the night’s gruesome scenes.

Finding La Carconte

La Carconte’s body lies across the midway staircase, killed by a pistol shot that lacerated her throat, leaving two gaping wounds from which blood pours freely; she is already dead.

The Murdered Jeweller

The narrator ascends to the jeweller’s sleeping chamber, which is in wild disarray from a struggle, with overturned furniture and sheets dragged across the floor. The jeweller lies on the floor leaning against the wall, with a pool of blood pouring from three large wounds in his breast, and a fourth gash with a table knife plunged up to its handle. The narrator finds a second, unused pistol nearby (likely rendered inoperable by damp powder), and approaches the jeweller, who is still barely alive. The jeweller opens his eyes, looks at the narrator anxiously, tries to speak, then dies.