008 - The Count of Monte Cristo - The Chateau D'If

Episode Transcript

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Chapter eight of the Count of MonteCristo by Alexandre Duma. This LibriVox recording
is in the public domain. Chaptereight the Chateau d'If. The Commissary of
Police, as he traversed the antechamber, made a sign to two gendarmes,
who placed themselves, one on dantesright and the other on his left.

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A door that communicated with the Palaisde justice was opened, and they
went through a long range of gloomycorridors whose appearance might have made even the
boldest shudder. The Palais de justicecommunicated with the prison, a somber edifice
that, from its grated windows,looks on the clock tower of the Aquule.

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After numberless windings, Dantes saw adoor with an iron wicket. The
commissary took up an iron mallet andknocked thrice. Every blow seemed to Dante
as if struck on his heart.The door opened. The tow gendarmes gently
pushed him forward, and the doorclosed with a loud sound behind him.

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The air he inhaled was no longerpure, but thick and mephitic. He
was in prison. He was conductedto a tolerably neat chamber, but grated
and barred, and its appearance thereforedid not greatly alarm him. Besides,
the words of Villefort, who seemedto interest himself so much, resounded still

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in his ears like a promise offreedom. It was four o'clock when Dantes
was placed in this chamber. Itwas, as we have said, the
first of March, and the prisonerwas soon buried in darkness. The obscurity
augmented the acuteness of his hearing.At the slightest sound, he rose and
hastened to the door, convinced theywere about to liberate him. But the

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sound died away, and Dantes sankagain into his seat. At last,
about ten o'clock, and just asDantes began to despair, steps were heard
in the corridor. A key turnedin the lock, the bolts creaked,
the massy oaken door flew open,and the flood of light from two torches
pervaded the apartment. By the torchlight, Dantes saw the glittering sabers and carbines

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of four gendarmes. He had advancedat first, but stopped at the sight
of this display of force. Areyou come here to fetch me? Asked
he? Yes, replied a gendarme. By the orders of the Deputy Procureur,
I believe so. The conviction thatthey came from Monsieur de Villefort relieved

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all dantes apprehensions. He advanced calmlyand placed himself in the center of the
escort. A carriage waited at thedoor. The coachman was on the box,
and the police officer sat beside him. Is his carriage for me?
Said Dantes. It is for you, replied a gendarme. Dantes was about

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to speak, but feeling himself,loged forward, and having neither the power
nor the intention to resist, hemounted the steps and was in an instant
seated inside between two gendarmes. Thetwo others took their places opposite, and
the carriage rolled heavily over the stones. The prisoner glanced at the windows.
They were grated. He had changedhis prison for another that was conveying him.

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He knew not whither. Through thegrating, however, Dantes saw they
were passing through the Rue Casarie,and by the Rue Saint Laurent and the
Rue Taramis to the port. Soonhe saw the lights of La Consigneur.
The carriage stopped. The officer descendedapproached the guard house. A dozen soldiers
came out and formed themselves in order. Dantes saw the reflection of their muskets

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by the light of the lamps onthe quay. Can olivoce be summoned on
my account? Thought he? Theofficer opened the door, which was locked,
and without speaking a word answered dantesquestion, for he saw between the
ranks of the soldiers a passage formedfrom the carriage to the port. The

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two gendarmes, who were opposite tohim, descended first. Then he was
ordered to alight, and the gendarmeson each side of him followed his example.
They advanced towards a boat, whicha custom house officer held by a
chain near the quay. The soldierslooked at Dante with an air of stupid

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curiosity. In an instant he wasplaced in the stern sheets of the boat
between the gendarmes, while the officersstationed himself at the bow. A shove
sent the boat adrift, and foursturdy oarsmen impelled it rapidly towards the Pilon.
At a shout from the boat,the chain that closes the mouth of
the port was lowered, and ina second they were, as Dantes knew,

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in the frioul and outside the innerharbor. The prisoner's first feeling was
joy at again breathing the pure air, for air is freedom. But he
soon sighed, for he passed beforelar razev where he had that morning been
so happy, And now through theopen windows came the laughter and revelry of

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a ball. Dantes folded his hands, raised his eyes to heaven, and
prayed fervently. The boat continued hervoyage. They had passed the Tete de
Motes, were now off the ANmSto Pharaoh, and about to double the
battery. This maneuver was incomprehensible toDantes. Whither are you taking me?

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Asked he You will soon know,but still who you are forbidden to give
you an explanation. Dantes, trainedin discipline, knew that nothing would be
more absurd than to question subordinates whowere forbidden to reply, and so he
remained silent. The most vague andwild thought passed through his mind. The

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boat they were in could not makea long voyage. There was no vessel
at anchor outside the harbor. Hethought, perhaps they were going to leave
him on some distant point. Hewas not bound, nor had they made
any attempt to handcuff him. Thisseemed a good augury. Besides, had
not the deputy who had been sokind to him told him that provided he

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did not pronounce the deaded name ofNoirtier, he had nothing to apprehend.
Had not Villefort in his presence,destroyed the fatal letter, the only proof
against him. He waited silently,striving to pierce through the darkness. They
had left the El Ratunau, wherethe lighthouse stood on the right, and

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were now opposite the Poin de Catalan. It seemed to the prisoner that he
could distinguish a feminine form on thebeach, for it was there Mercedes dwelt.
How was it that a presentiment didnot warn Mercedes that her lover was
within three hundred yards of her?One light alone was visible, and Dantes
saw that it came from Mercedes's chamber. Mercedes was the only one awake in

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the whole settlement. A loud crycould be heard by her, but pride
restrained him, and he did notutter it. What would his guards think
of they heard him shout like amadman? He remained silent, his eyes
fixed upon the light. The boatwent on, but the prisoner thought only
of Mercedes. An intervening elevation ofland hid the light. Dantes turned and

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perceived that they had got out tosea while he had been absorbed in thought.
They had shipped their oars and hoistedsail. The boat was now moving
with the wind. In spite ofhis repugnance to address the guards, Dantes
turned to the nearest gendarme, andtaking his hand, comrade said he,

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I adjure you, as a Christianand a soldier, to tell me where
we are going. I am CaptainDante, a lawyer frenchman, thought accused
of treason. Tell me where youare conducting me, and I promise on
you, on my honor, Iwill submit to my fate. The gendarme
looked irresolutely at his companion, whoreturned for answer a sign that said I

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see no great harm in telling himnow. And the gendarme replied, you
are a native of Marseilles and thesailor, and yet you do not know
where you are going. On myhonor, I have no idea, have
you no idea whatever? None atall? That is impossible. I swear
to you it is true. Tellme I entreat, but my orders your

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orders. Do not forbid your tellingme what I must know in ten minutes,
in half an hour or an hour. You see, I cannot escape,
even if I intended. Unless youare blind or have never been outside
the harbor, you must know Ido not look round you. Then Dantes
rose and looked forward when he sawa rise within a hundred yards of him,

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the black and frowning rock on whichstands the Chateau d'If. This gloomy
fortress, which has for more thanthree hundred years furnished food for so many
wild legends, seemed to Dante likea scaffold to a malefactor. The Chateau
d'If cried he, what are wegoing there for? Gendarme smiled, I'm

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not going there to be imprisoned,said Dantes. It is only used for
political prisoners. I have committed nocrime. Are there any magistrates or judges
at the Chateau d'If There are only, said the gendarme, a governor,
a garrison, turnkeys, and goodthick walls. Come. Come, Do

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not look so astonished, or youwill make me think you are laughing at
me. Return for my good nature. Dante pressed the gendarme's hand as though
he would crush it. You think, then, said he that I am
taken to the Chateau d'If to beimprisoned there. It is probable, but

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there is no occasion to squeeze sohard without any inquiry, without any formality.
All the formalities have been gone through. The inquiry is already made.
And so in spite of Monsieur deVillefort's promises, I do not know what
Monsieur de Villefort promised, you,said the gendarmes. But I know we

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are taking you to the Chateau d'If. But what are you doing? Help,
comrade, Help By a rapid movementwhich the gendarmes practiced eye had perceived,
Dantes sprang forward to precipitate himself intothe sea, but four vigorous arms
seized him. As his feet quittedthe bottom of the boat. He fell

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back, cursing with rage. Good, said the jeen, placing his knee
on his chest. Believe, softspoken gentleman. Again, achie, my
friend, I have disobeyed my firstorder, but I will not disobey the
second. And if you move,I will blow your brains out. And
he leveled his carbine at Dante,who felt the muzzle against his temple.

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For a moment, the idea ofstruggling crossed his mind, and of so
ending the unexpected evil that had overtakenhim. But he bethought of Monsieur de
Villefort's promise, and besides, deathin a boat from the hand of a
gendarme seemed too terrible. He remainedmotionless, but gnashing his teeth and wringing
his hands with fury. At thismoment, the boat came to a landing

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with a violent shock. One ofthe sailors leapt on shore. A cord
creaked as it ran through a pulley, and Dantes guessed they were at the
end of the voyage and that theywere mooring the boat. His guards,
taking him by the arms and coatcollar, forced him to rise and dragged
him towards the steps that led tothe gate of the fortress, while the

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police officer carrying a musket with fixedbayonet, followed behind. Dantes made no
resistance. He was like a manin a dream. He saw soldiers drawn
up on the embankment. He knewvaguely that he was ascending a flight of
steps. He was conscious that hepassed through a door, and that the

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door closed behind him. But allthis indistinctly, as through a mist.
He did not even see the ocean, that terrible barrier against freedom, which
the prisoners look upon with utter despair. They halted for a minute, during
which he strove to collect his thoughts. He looked around. He was in

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a court, surrounded by high walls. He heard the measured tread of sentinels,
and as they passed before the light, he saw the barrels of their
musket shine. They waited upwards often minutes. Certain Dantes could not escape.
The gendarme released him. They seemedawaiting orders. The orders came.

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Where is the prisoner, said avoice? Here, replied the gendarme.
Let him follow me. I willtake him to his cell. Go,
said the gendarme, thrusting Dantes forward. The prisoner followed his guide, who
led him into a room almost underground, whose bare and reeking walls seemed as

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though impregnated with tears. A lampplaced on a stool illumined the apartment faintly,
and showed Dantes the features of hisconductor and under jailer, ill clothed
and of sullen appearance. Here isyour chamber for to night, said he.
It is late and the governor isasleep. Tomorrow, perhaps he may

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change you. In the meantime.There is bread, water, and fresh
draw and that is all a prisonercan wish for good night. And before
Dante could opened his mouth, beforehe had noticed whether the jailer placed his
bread or the water, before hehad glanced towards the corner where the straw

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was, the jailer disappeared, takingwith him the lamp and closing the door,
leaving stamped upon the prisoner's mind thedim reflection of the dripping walls of
his dungeon. Dante was alone indarkness and in silence, cold as the
shadows that he felt breathe on hisburning forehead. With the first dawn of

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day, the jailer returned with ordersto leave Dante where he was. He
found the prisoner in the same positionas if fixed there, his eyes swollen
with weeping. He had passed thenight standing and without sleep. The jailer
advanced Dante appeared not to perceive himon the shoulder. Edmond started, Have

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you not slept, said the jailer. I do not know, replied Dantes.
The jailer stared, are you hungry, continued he I do not know.
Do you wish for anything? Iwish to see the governor. The
jailer shrugged his shoulders and left thechamber. Dantes followed him with his eyes

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and stretched forth his hands towards theopen door, but the door closed.
All his emotion then burst forth.He cast himself on the ground, weeping
bitterly, and asking himself what crimehe had committed that he was thus punished.
The day passed. Thus he scarcelytasted food, but walked around and

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round the cell like a wild beastin its cage. One thought in particular
tormented him, namely that during hisjourney hither he had sat so still,
whereas he might a dozen times haveplunged into the sea, and, thanks
to his powers of swimming for whichhe was famous, have gained the shore.

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Concealed himself until the arrival of aGenoese or Spanish vessel. Escaped to
Spain or Italy, where Mercedes andhis father could have joined him. He
had no fears as to how heshould live. Good seamen are welcome everywhere.
He spoke Italian like a Tuscan andSpanish like a Castilian. He would

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have been free and happy with Mercedesand his father, whereas he was now
confined in the Chateau d'If that impregnablefortress, ignorant of the future destiny of
his father and Mercedes, and allthis because he had trusted to Villefort's promise.
The thought was maddening, and Dantethrew himself furiously down on his straw.

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The next morning, at the samehour, the jailer came again.
Well, said the jailer, areyou more reasonable to day? Dantes made
no reply. Come cheer up?Is there anything that I can do for
you? I wish to see theGovernor. I have already told you it

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was impossible. Why so, becauseit is against prison rules, and prisoners
must not even ask for it.What is allowed, then better fare if
you pay for it, books andbelieve to walk about. I do not
want books. I am satisfied withmy food and do not care to walk

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about. But I wish to seethe governor. If you worry me by
repeating the same thing, I willnot bring you any more to it.
Well, then, said Edmond,If you do not, I shall die
of hunger. That is all thejailer saw by his tone. You will
be happy to die, and asevery prisoner is worth ten sous a day

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to his jailer, he replied,in a more subdued tone, what you
ask is impossible. But if youare very well behaved you will be allowed
to walk about, and some dayyou will meet the governor. And if
he chooses to reply, that ishis affair. But asked Dantes, how

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long shall I have to wait?Ah? A month, six months,
a year. It is too longa time. I wish to see him
at once, ah, said thejailer. Do not always grood over what
is impossible, or you will bemad in a fortnight you think so,

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Yes, we have an instance here. It was by always offering a million
of francs to the governor for hisliberty that an abbe became mad? Who
was in this chamber before you?How long has he left it? Two
years? Was he liberated? Then? No? He was put in a
dungeon. Listen, said Dantes.I am not an abbe. I am

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not mad. Perhaps I shall be, but at present, unfortunately I am
not. I'll make you another offer. What is that? I do not
offer you a million because I haveit not, but I will give you
a hundred crowns. If the firsttime you go to Marseilles, you will
seek out a young girl named Mercedesat the Catalan and give her two lines

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from me. If I took themand were detected, I should lose my
place, which is worth two thousandfrancs a year, so that I should
be a great fool to run sucha risk for three hundred, well,
said Dantes. Mark this. Ifyou refuse at least to tell Mercedes I
am here, I will some dayhide myself behind the door, and when

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you enter, I will dash outyour brains with this stool. Threats,
cried the jailer, retreating and himselfon the defensive. You are certainly going
mad. The Abbe began like you, and in three days you will be
like him, mad enough to tieup. But fortunately there are dungeons here.

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Dantes whirled the stool round his head. All right, all right,
said the jailer. All right,since you will have it, so I
will send word to the governor.Very well, returned Dantes, dropping the
stool and sitting on it as ifhe were in reality mad. The jailer
went out and returned in an instantwith a corporal and four soldiers. By

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the governor's orders said he conduct theprisoner to the tier beneath to the dungeon.
Then said the corporal, yes,we must put the madman with the
medmen. The soldiers seized Dantes,who followed passively. He descended fifteen steps,
and the door of a dungeon opened, and he was thrust in.

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The door closed, and Dantes advancedwith outstretched hands until he touched the wall.
He then sat down in a corneruntil his eyes became accustomed to the
darkness. The jailer was right.Dantes wanted but little of being utterly mad.
End of Chapter eight