The Count of Monte Cristo

The Robbery Investigation

Paris buzzes with news of the daring robbery attempt on Count Monte Cristo. Caderousse lies dying after signing a deposition naming Benedetto as the assassin. The police hunt for the murderer while evidence—Caderousse’s knife, lantern, keys, and clothes—sits in the registry. The count tells everyone he was away at Auteuil and learned of the incident only from the Abbé Busoni, who happened to request lodging for the night to examine the library’s valuable books. Bertuccio grows pale at Benedetto’s name, though no one thinks to connect his reaction to anything significant. Villefort prepares to prosecute the case with his usual vigor. Yet three weeks pass with no results, and public attention shifts toward the impending marriage of Mademoiselle Danglars to Count Andrea Cavalcanti.

The Forthcoming Marriage

Letters have been sent to the Count’s supposed father in Parma, who approves the union and promises a wedding gift of 150,000 livres while regretting his inability to attend. The three million fortune is to be entrusted to Danglars for investment. Though some warn Andrea of the banker’s recent losses, he refuses to listen with what appears to be sublime confidence. Baron Danglars adores his future son-in-law, but his daughter Eugénie feels an instinctive hatred of marriage. She had tolerated Andrea’s attentions merely to escape Morcerf, but now that Andrea presses his suit, she shows an unmistakable dislike for him. The baron notices but pretends not to understand, attributing her coldness to mere caprice.

The Duel Arrangements

The delay demanded by Beauchamp nearly expires. Albert clings to Monte Cristo’s advice to let things settle, though no one else has taken up the accusation against his father. Yet Albert still feels insulted by the published lines and cherishes thoughts of a duel, hoping to hide its true cause even from his seconds. Beauchamp has vanished since their last meeting, reported to be away on a journey. When Albert’s valet announces Beauchamp’s arrival one morning, Albert descends to meet him in the smoking-room. Albert demands to know if they can shake hands with friendship restored or if he must propose a choice of weapons. Beauchamp asks to sit and talk first, but Albert insists on an immediate answer. The journalist explains that questions of honor, social interest, and a man’s life cannot be answered with simple yes or no—he needed to verify the truth before dueling a friend of three years’ standing.

Beauchamp’s Return

Albert learns with astonishment that Beauchamp has just returned from Yanina. The journalist had undertaken this journey because Albert deserved such consideration, unlike a mere stranger or foreign lord. Had Albert been a casual adversary, Beauchamp would not have taken such trouble, but he felt this mark of respect was due to their friendship. The journey consumed a week to go, another to return, four days in quarantine, and forty-eight hours on site—three weeks total. Beauchamp returned last night and came directly to Albert. He explains at length because he fears what he must reveal: his correspondent did not deceive him. The paragraph about the French officer was correct. That officer was Fernand, the traitor who surrendered the castle of Yanina. That traitor is Albert’s father.

Journey to Yanina

Beauchamp produces his passport with visas from Geneva, Milan, Venice, Trieste, Delvino, and finally Yanina—proof of his journey through republic, kingdom, and empire. He reasoned that money, time, and fatigue were nothing compared to the reputation and interests of an entire family. He could not justify a deadly combat with a friend on mere probabilities; only hard facts would suffice. He hoped his investigation would exonerate General Morcerf, and he undertook this mission so he might render justice to a man he respected. Instead, the particulars prove that Fernand Mondego, whom Ali Pasha raised to governor-general, is indeed Count Fernand of Morcerf. Now, recalling the honor Albert showed by admitting him to friendship, Beauchamp hastens to share what he has discovered.

Proofs of Treachery

Beauchamp presents an attestation signed by four notable inhabitants of Yanina, proving that Colonel Fernand Mondego, in Ali Tepelini’s service, surrendered the castle for two million crowns. The signatures are perfectly legal. Albert collapses into a chair, overcome. The family name is fully implicated; there can be no doubt. After a moment of mournful silence, Albert weeps. Beauchamp had hoped to find everything in the father’s favor so he might do justice to an honorable man. Instead, he discovered proof of the betrayal and immediately came to Albert with this terrible knowledge. He explains that in this revolutionary age, few have passed through without some stain of infamy or blood on their uniforms, yet the faults of a father need not revert upon the children.