The Count of Monte Cristo

Ambush of Caderousse After Exiting the Estate

The Count watches from his bedroom as Caderousse fixes the ladder against a different part of the wall, and sees a shadowy man who had been waiting run to the spot where Caderousse will come over. As Caderousse slides down the stanchions, the hidden assailant strikes him violently in the back, then a second blow in the side, and a third in the chest, leaving him wounded on the ground.

Caderousse’s Dying Call for Help

The assassin, believing Caderousse dead, drops his head and disappears. Caderousse raises himself on his elbow and with a dying voice cries out, “Murder! I am dying! Help, reverend sir,—help!” His mournful appeal pierces the darkness, and the back-staircase door and garden gate open as Ali and his master arrive on the spot with lights.

KAPITEL 83. The Hand of God

Chapter 83 depicts the grim culmination of one thread of the Count of Monte Cristo’s long-planned vengeance. Caderousse, wounded and dying, encounters the Count—disguised as the Abbé Busoni—in a sequence that exposes the spiritual and moral dimensions of Monte Cristo’s justice. The chapter moves from desperate physical survival to theological confrontation, culminating in Caderousse’s deathbed recognition of the Count and his final, agonized repentance.

Caderousse’s Desperate Cry for Help

Caderousse’s Desperate Cry for Help Caderousse lies wounded in the count’s house, calling out piteously for assistance. When the disguised Monte Cristo responds, Caderousse cries that he has been murdered. He complains of terrible blows and blood loss before fainting. The count and his servant Ali convey the wounded man into another room and prepare to examine his injuries.

Monte Cristo Examines Caderousse’s Wounds

Monte Cristo Examines Caderousse’s Wounds Monte Cristo carefully examines Caderousse’s dreadful wounds and exclaims that divine vengeance, though sometimes delayed, falls all the more effectively. He sends Ali immediately to summon the king’s attorney, M. de Villefort, who resides in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and to wake the porter to fetch a surgeon as well.

Ali Fetches a Surgeon and the Procureur

Ali Fetches a Surgeon and the Procureur Ali obeys his master’s instructions and departs to bring both the surgeon and M. de Villefort. This leaves the Abbé Busoni alone with the unconscious Caderousse, who has not yet revived. The urgency reflects the grave nature of Caderousse’s condition.

Caderousse Names Benedetto as His Murderer

Caderousse Names Benedetto as His Murderer When Caderousse revives, he urgently demands a surgeon. Upon learning one has been sent, he declares his need to give evidence against his murderer. When asked if he recognized his attacker, he identifies him as Benedetto, the young Corsican who was his former comrade in the galleys at Toulon.

Benedetto’s Plot Against Caderousse and Monte Cristo

Benedetto’s Plot Against Caderousse and Monte Cristo Caderousse explains that Benedetto, his fellow galley-slave, gave him the plan of Monte Cristo’s house. He believes Benedetto hoped either that Caderousse would kill the count and become his heir, or that the count would kill Caderousse, removing him from Benedetto’s path. The implication is that Benedetto harbored designs on Monte Cristo’s fortune and position.

Monte Cristo Administers a Restorative to Caderousse

Monte Cristo Administers a Restorative to Caderousse Monte Cristo leaves briefly and returns with a phial. He administers three or four drops onto Caderousse’s lips, which revive him immediately. Caderousse begs for more, but Monte Cristo warns that two additional drops would be fatal. The restorative gives Caderousse enough strength to speak further before his condition deteriorates.

Caderousse Signs a Deposition Against Benedetto

Caderousse Signs a Deposition Against Benedetto Driven by desire for posthumous revenge, Caderousse dictates a deposition while Monte Cristo writes. The document states that Caderousse dies murdered by the Corsican Benedetto, his comrade at Toulon galleys, prisoner No. 59. Caderousse summons his remaining strength to sign, then identifies Benedetto as also calling himself Andrea Cavalcanti, staying at the Hôtel des Princes. He again loses consciousness but revives when Monte Cristo makes him smell the phial’s contents.