The Count of Monte Cristo

第二十四章 The Secret Cave

The chapter follows Edmond Dantès as he finally excavates the treasure of Cardinal Spada on Monte Cristo island, culminating in his discovery of an immense fortune that will transform his fate.

Surveillance from the Summit

Before beginning his excavation, Dantès feels an inexplicable dread and climbs to the summit of the highest rock to survey his surroundings. He scans the horizon, deliberately avoiding Corsica, Sardinia, Elba, Genoa, and Leghorn. Instead, he watches two vessels—a brigantine disappearing through the straits of Bonifacio and a tartan sailing toward Corsica. Satisfied that no one is watching him, he descends carefully to begin his work, fearing that an accident like the one he previously faked might occur in reality.

The Hidden Creek

Dantès recalls following the marks that the Abbé Faria had discovered, which led to a small creek hidden like a bath of some ancient nymph. This creek is wide enough at its mouth and deep enough in the center to admit a small lugger, perfectly concealed from observation. Dantès theorizes that Cardinal Spada, anxious to avoid surveillance, entered this creek, hid his vessel, followed the rock markings, and buried his treasure. However, one perplexing question remains: how could a rock weighing several tons have been lifted to this spot without many men?

Blasting the Rock

Edmond suddenly realizes the solution—they lowered the rock rather than raising it. Examining the base, he discovers a slope had been formed so the rock slid into position. Flints, pebbles, and earth concealed the orifice, with grass, weeds, moss, and myrtle-bushes completing the disguise. After digging for ten minutes, Dantès attacks the wall with his pickaxe. Finding the rock too heavy to move even with a lever made from an olive tree, he remembers the gunpowder left by his friend Jacopo. He digs a mine beneath the rock, fills it with powder, creates a match from a handkerchief rolled in saltpetre, lights it, and retreats. The explosion lifts the upper rock and shatters the lower one; a huge snake emerges from the aperture. Dantès then uses his lever to push the loosened rock until it tumbles into the ocean, revealing an iron ring set into a square flagstone.