The Count of Monte Cristo

Confrontation with Caderousse

While the thief works at the secretaire’s lock, Monte Cristo silently opens the door and shines a taper directly on the intruder’s face. The man turns to find the room suddenly illuminated and to see the figure of Abbé Busoni blocking his only exit through the window. Caderousse cries out, drops his keys, and stands frozen, while the count—calm, ironic, and relentless—lists the evidence of his crime: a removed pane, a dark lantern, skeleton keys, a secretaire half forced. He accuses Caderousse of being “an assassin,” alludes to La Carconte’s earlier crime and his galley sentence, and asks how he is free so soon, hinting he is sliding back toward the Place de Grève. He reminds Caderousse that, after Johannes the jeweller paid him 45,000 francs for a diamond, he killed the man for both the stone and the money.

Caderousse Confesses Galley Escape

Caderousse begs for his life, claiming poverty drove him to crime. The count, suspicious of an accomplice outside, demands the truth in exchange for letting him escape a second time. Caderousse confirms he was liberated from the galleys and names his liberator as an Englishman called Lord Wilmore, who was protecting a young Corsican companion named Benedetto, a foundling with no other name. Pressed for details, Caderousse explains that he and Benedetto were working at Saint-Mandrier near Toulon; during the midday rest, while the other convicts slept, they used a file supplied by the Englishman to sever their fetters and swam away to freedom.

KAPITEL 82. The Burglary

Chapter 82, titled “The Burglary,” depicts a tense nocturnal encounter in Monte Cristo’s Paris home. Posing as the Abbé Busoni, the Count of Monte Cristo interrogates the burglar Caderousse, compels him to write a warning letter to Baron Danglars exposing Andrea Cavalcanti (Benedetto) as a fugitive convict, and orders him out through the bedroom window. As Caderousse descends the wall, he is ambushed by a waiting assailant who strikes him three times. Mortally wounded, Caderousse cries out for the “abbé” to help him, and Monte Cristo and Ali rush to the scene with lights.

Interrogation of Caderousse About Benedetto

The Count of Monte Cristo, disguised as the Abbé Busoni, interrogates the burglar Caderousse about Benedetto. Caderousse initially claims ignorance, then admits they parted at Hyères. When the “abbé” accuses him of lying and of living on Benedetto’s money, Caderousse confesses that Benedetto has become the son of a great lord who provides him 4,000 francs a month and leaves him 500,000 francs in his will.

Revelation of Benedetto’s Identity as Andrea Cavalcanti

Caderousse reveals Benedetto’s identity as Andrea Cavalcanti, the young man received into Monte Cristo’s house and engaged to Mademoiselle Danglars. The “abbé” expresses astonishment and rebukes Caderousse for not warning Danglars, declaring his intention to expose the plot himself.

Caderousse’s Knife Attack on the Count

Fearing exposure, Caderousse draws an open knife and strikes the Count in the breast. The blade blunts harmlessly, and the Count seizes Caderousse’s wrist, wringing it with such force that the knife falls and Caderousse’s arm is dislocated. The Count forces him to the floor with a foot on his head, then releases him after Caderousse begs for mercy, declaring that God gives him strength to spare the wretch.

Caderousse Forced to Dictate Warning Letter to Danglars

The Count orders Caderousse to take pen and paper and write what he dictates. Caderousse protests he cannot write, but the “abbé” commands him, and he complies, writing a note that identifies Andrea Cavalcanti as felon No. 59 (with himself as No. 58), a fellow escapee from Toulon who knew his real name. Caderousse signs the letter, addresses it to Baron Danglars, banker, Rue de la Chaussée d’Antin, and the Count takes possession of it.

Caderousse Ordered to Exit via Bedroom Window

The “abbé” orders Caderousse to leave by the same window he entered from, refusing to allow him out through the door for fear of waking the porter. Caderousse, trembling and suspicious, complies and begins to descend the ladder while the Count holds a light to the window—then Caderousse blows it out before continuing down.