The Count of Monte Cristo

Franz Fails to Find the Grotto’s Hidden Entrance

Determined to discover the secret entrance to the enchanted apartment, Franz requests a torch and enters the grotto with Gaetano. He meticulously examines every surface of the granite walls, inserting his hunting sword into any fissure and pressing on projecting points. Despite two hours of searching, he finds nothing—no hidden mechanisms, no give in the stone. Gaetano smiles at the futility of the endeavor, having had the same idea himself and abandoned it.

Gaetano Details Sinbad’s Smuggler and Bandit Ties

When Franz questions why Sinbad sails toward Porto-Vecchio rather than Malaga, Gaetano reveals that the yacht carries two Corsican brigands to be landed. He describes Sinbad as a man who fears neither God nor Satan, capable of going fifty leagues off course to do someone a service. Franz observes that such activities might involve Sinbad with authorities, but Gaetano laughs dismissively—Sinbad’s yacht moves like a bird and can beat any frigate, and he has friends everywhere along the Mediterranean coast who would shelter him. The Count of Monte Cristo, Franz’s host, clearly enjoys exceptional privileges among smugglers and bandits.

Franz Hunts Goats on Monte Cristo

With the yacht no longer visible and the search for the grotto’s secret abandoned, Gaetano reminds Franz that he came to Monte Cristo to hunt goats. Franz takes his fowling-piece and hunts across the island, killing a goat and two kids within fifteen minutes. However, these wild animals resemble domestic goats too closely for Franz to consider them proper game, and his mind remains occupied with more enthralling ideas—the memory of being the hero of an Arabian Nights tale.