014 - The Count of Monte Cristo - The Two Prisoners

Episode Transcript

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Chapter fourteen of the Count of MonteCristo by Alexandre Duma. This LibriVox recording
is in the public domain. Chapterfourteen The Two Prisoners. A year after
Louis eighteen's restoration, a visit wasmade by the Inspector General of Prisons.

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Dante in his cell heard the noiseof preparation, sounds that at the depth
where he lay would have been inaudibleto any but the ear of a prisoner
who could hear the splash of thedrop of water that every hour fell from
the roof of his dungeon. Heguessed something uncommon was passing among the living.
But he had so long ceased tohave any intercourse with the world that

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he looked upon himself as dead.The inspector visited, one after another the
cells and dungeons of several of theprisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended
them to the clemency of the government. He inquired how they were fed,
and if they had in request tomake. The universal response was that the
fair was detestable, and that theywanted to be set free. The inspector

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asked if they had anything else toask for. They shook their heads.
What could they desire beyond their liberty? The inspector turned smilingly to the Governor.
I do not know what reason agovernment can assign for these useless visits.
When you see one prisoner, yousee all always the same thing,

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ill fed and innocent. Are thereany others? Yes, the dangerous and
mad prisoners are in the dungeons.Let us visit them, said the inspector,
with an air of fatigue. Wemust play the fast to the end.
Let us see the dungeons. Letus first send for two soldiers,
said the governor. The prisoners sometimes, through mere uneasiness of life, and

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in order to be sentenced to death, commit acts of useless violence, and
you might fall a victim. Takeall the needful precautions, replied the inspector.
Two soldiers were accordingly sent for,and the inspector descended a stairway so
foul, so humid, so darkas to be loathsome to sight, smell

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and respiration, Oh, cried theinspector, Who can live here? Our
most dangerous conspirator, a man weare ordered to keep the most strict watch
over, as he is daring andresolute. He is alone. Certainly,
how long has he been there nearlya year? Was he placed here when

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he first arrived? No, notuntil he attempted to kill the turnkey who
took his food to him? Tokill the turn key, Yes, the
very one who is lighting us.Is it not true? Ant one,
asked the governor. True enough,are you wanting to kill me? Returned
the turnkey. He must be mad, said the inspector. He is worse

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than that. He is a devil, returned the turnkey. Shall I complain
of him, demanded the inspector.Oh no, it is useless. Besides,
he is almost mad now, andin another year you'll be quite so.
So much the better for him.He will suffer less, said the

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inspector. He was as this remarkshows a man full of philanthropy and in
every way fit for his office.You are right, sir, replied the
governor. And this remark proves thatyou have deeply considered the subject. And
now we have in a dungeon abouttwenty feet distant, and to which you
descend by another stair, an abbe, former leader of a party in Italy,

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who has been here since eighteen eleven, and in eighteen thirteen he went
mad, and the changes astonishing,he used to weep. He our laughs.
He grew thin, he now growsfat. You had better see him,
for his madness is amusing. Iwill see them both, returned the

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inspector. I must conscientiously perform thyduty. This was the inspector's first visit.
He wished to display his authority.Let us visit this one first,
added He by all means, repliedthe governor, and he signed to the
turnkey to open the door. Atthe sound of the key turning in the

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lock and the creaking of the hinges, Dante, who was crouched in a
corner of the dungeon, whence hecould see the ray of light that came
through a narrow iron grating above,raised his head, seeing a stranger,
escorted by two turnkeys holding torches andaccompanied by two soldiers, and to whom

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the governor spoke bareheaded, Dantes,who guessed the truth and that the moment
to address himself to the superior authoritieswas come, sprang forward with clasped hands.
The soldiers interposed their bayonets, forthey thought that he was about to
attack the inspector, and the latterrecoiled two or three steps. Dantes saw

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that he was looked upon as dangerous. Then, infusing all the humility he
possessed into his eyes and voice,he addressed the inspector and sought to inspire
him with pity. The inspector listenedattentively, then, turning to the Governor,
observed, he will become religious.He is already more gentle. He

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is afraid and retreated before the bayonets. Mad men are not afraid of anything.
I made some curious obdivisions on thisat Charenton. Then, turning to
the prisoner, what is it youwant? Said he. I want to
know what crime I have committed tobe tried, and if I am guilty
to be shot, if innocent,to be set at liberty. Are you

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well fed, said the inspector.I believe so. I don't know.
It's of no consequence. What matters, really, not only to me,
but to officers of justice and theKing, is that an innocent man should
languish in prison, the victim ofan infamous denunciation, to die here cursing

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his executioners. You are very humbleto day, remarked the Governor. You
are not so always the other day, for instance, when you try to
kill the turn key. It istrue sir, and I beg his pardon,
for he has always been very goodto me. But I was mad,

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and you are not so any longer. No in captivity has subdued me.
I have been in so long,so long? When were you arrested,
then asked the inspector, the twentyeighth of February eighteen fifteen, at
alf past two in the afternoon.Today is the thirtieth of July eighteen sixteen.

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Why it is but seventeen months?Only seventeen months, replied Dante.
Or you do not know what isseventeen months in prison? Seventeen ages,
Rather especially to a man who,like me, had arrived at the summit
of his ambition, to a manwho, like me, was on the
point of marrying a woman he adored, who saw an honorable career open up

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before him, and who loses allin an instant, who sees his prospects
destroyed, and is ignored of thefate of his affianced wife and whether his
aged father be still living. Seventeenmonths captivity to a sailor accustomed to the
boundless ocean is a worse punishment thanhuman crime can ever merit. Have pity

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on me, then, and askfor me, not intelligence, but a
trial, not pardon but a verdict, a trial. Sir, I ask
only for a trial that surely cannotbe denied to one who is accused.
We shall see, said the inspector, then turning to the Governor, on

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my word, the poor devil touchesme. You must show me the proofs
against him, certainly, but youwill find terrible charges. Monsieur continued,
Dantes, I know it is notin your power to release me, but
you can plead for me. Youcan have me tried, and that is
all I ask. Let me knowmy crime and the reason why I was

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condemned. Uncertainty is worse than allgo on with the lights, said the
inspector. Monsieur cried, Dantes,I can tell by your voice you are
touched with pity. Tell me atleast to a hope. I cannot tell
you that, replied the inspector.I can only promise to examine into your

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case. Oh I I am free. Then I am saved. Who arrested
you? Monsieur Villefort? See himand hear what he says. Monsieur Villefort
is no longer at Marseilles. Heis now at to lose I am no
longer surprised at my detention, murmuredDantes, since my only protector is removed.

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Had Monsieur Villefort any cause of personaldislike to you? None? On
the contrary, he was very kindto me. I can then rely on
the notes he has left concerning youentirely. That is well, wait patiently.
Then Dantes fell on his knees andprayed earnestly. The door closed,

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but this time a fresh inmate wasleft with Dantes. Hope, will you
see the register at once, askedthe governor. Or proceed to the other
cell Let us visit them all,said the inspector. If I once went
up those stairs, I should neverhave the courage to come down again.

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Ah. This is not like theother, and this madness is less affecting
than this one's display of reason.Oh what is his folly? He fancies
he possesses an immense treasure. Thefirst year he offered the government a million
of franz for his release, thesecond two, the third, three,

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and so on progressively. He isnow in his fifth year off captivity.
He will ask to speak to youin private and offer you five million.
How curious? Oh, what ishis name? The Abbe pharrier a numeral
twenty seven, said the inspector.It is here. Unlock the door ant

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one. The turnkey obeyed, andthe inspector gazed curiously into the chamber of
the mad Abbe. In the centerof the cell, in a circle traced
with a fragment of plaster detached fromthe wall, sat a man whose tattered
garment scarcely covered him. He wasdrawing in this circle geometrical lines, and

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seemed as much absorbed in his problemas Archimedes was when the soldier of Marcellus
slew him. He did not moveat the sound of the door, and
continued his calculations until the flash ofthe torches lighted up with an unwonted glare,
the somber walls of his cell.Then, raising his head, he
perceived with astonishment the number of personspresent. He hastily seized the coverlet of

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his bed and wrapped it around him. What is it you want, said
the inspector. I monsieur, repliedthe Abbe, with an air of surprise.
I want nothing. You do notunderstand, continued the inspector. I
am a centire by government to visitthe prison, and here the requests of

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the prisoners. Oh that is adifferanda, cried the Abbe, and we
shall understand each other. I hopethere now, whispered the governor. It
is just as I told you,Monsieur continued the prisoner. I am the
Abbe Faria U born at Roma.I was for twenty years a cardinal's father

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secretary. I was arrested Why Iknow not toward the beginning of the year
eighteen eleven. Since then I everdemanded my liberty from the Italian and French
government. Why from the French government? Because I was arrested at Pimbino.

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And I presume that I, likeMilano and Florence, Piombino has become the
capital of some French department. Ah, said the inspector. You have not
the latest news from Italy, andmy information dates from the day on which
I was arrested, returned the AbbeFaria. And as the Emperor had created

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the Kingdom of Rome for his infantson, I presume that he has realized
the dream of Machiavelli, and saysour Borgia, which was to make Italy
a united kingdom. Monsieur returned theinspector, providence has changed. This gigantic
plan you advocate so warmly. Itis the only means of rendering Italy strong,

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happy and independent, very possibly only. I am not come to discuss
politics, but to inquire if youhave anything to ask or to complain of.
The food is the same as inother prisons. That is very bad.
The lodging is very unhelpful, buton the all passable for a dungeon.

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But it is not that which Iwish to speak of, but a
secret I have to reveal of thegreatest importance. We are coming to the
point, whispered the Governor. Itis for that reason I am delighted to
see you, continued the Abbe.Although you have disturbed me in a most

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important calculation, which, if itsucceeded, would possibly change Newton's system.
Could you allow me a few wordsin private? What did I tell you?
Said the governor. You knew him, returned the inspector with a smile.
What you ask is impossible, Monsieurcontinued, he addressing Farier, but

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said the Abbe, I would speakto you of a larger sum, amounting
to five millions, the very sumyou named, whispered the Inspector, in
his turn, However, continued Farrier, seeing that the inspector was about to
depart, it is not absolutely necessaryfor us to be alone. The governor

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can be present. Unfortunately, saidthe Governor, I know beforehand what you
are about to say. It concernsyour treasures, does it not. Fariam
fixed his eyes on him with anexpression that would have convinced anyone else of
his sanity. Of course, saidhe, Of what else should I speak,

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mister inspector, continued the governor.I can tell you the story as
well as he, for it hasbeen dinned in my ears for the last
four or five years. That provesreturned the Abbe that you are like those
of Holy writ who, having hears, hear not and having eyes see not.

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My dear sir, the government isrich and doesn't want your treasures,
replied the inspector. Keep them untilyou are liberated. The Abbie's eyes glistened.
He seized the Inspector's hand. Butwhat if I am not a liberted
cried he, and then detained hereuntil my death, this treasure will be

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lost, had not a government betterprofit by it. I will offer sig
some million, and I will contentto myself with the rest if they will
only give me my labor tea onmy word, said the inspector, in
a low tone. Had I notbeen told beforehand that this man was mad,
I shall believe what he says.I am not mad, replied Pariah,

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with that acuteness of hearing peculiar toprisoners. The treasure I speak of
really exists. And I offer tosign an agreement with you, in which
I promise to lead you to thespot where you shall dig, and if
I deceive you bring me here again. I ask no more, the governor
laughed. He is the spot farfrom here, a hundred leagues. It

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is not ill planned, said thegovernor. If all the prisoners took it
into their heads to travel a hundredleagues, and their guardians consented to accompany
them, they would have a capitalchance of escaping. The scheme is well
known, said the inspector, andthe abbey's plan has not even the merit
of originality. Then, turning toParia, I inquired if you are well

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fed? Said he swear to me, replied Faria. To free me if
what I tell you prove true,and I will stay here while you go
to the spot. Are you wellfed? Repeated the inspector, monsieur,
you can ring no risk, foras I told you, I will stay
here, so there is no chanceof me escaping. You do not reply

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to my question, replied the inspectorimpatiently, Nor you to mine, cried
the Abbe. You will not acceptmy gold. I will keep it for
myself. You refuse me my liberty, God will give it to me.
And the Abbe, casting away hiscoverlet, resumed his place and continued his

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calculations. What is he doing there, said the inspector, gaunting his treasures,
replied the governor. Parier replied tothis sarcasm with a glance of profound
contempt. They went out the turnkeyclosed the door behind them. He was
wealthy once, perhaps, said theinspector. Or dreamed he was, and

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O woke mad. After all,said the inspector. If he had been
rich, he would not have beenhere. So the matter ended for the
Abbe farrier. He remained in hiscell, and this visit only increased the
belief in his insanity. Caligula ornero, Those treasure seekers, those desirers

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of the impossible, would have accordedto the poor wretch in exchange for his
wealth. The liberty he so earnestlyprayed for. But the kings of modern
times, restrained by the limit ofmere probability, have neither courage nor desire.
They fear the ear that hears theirorders and the eye that scrutinizes their
actions. Formerly they believe themselves sprungfrom Jupiter and shielded by their birth,

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but nowadays they are not inviolable.It has always been against the policy of
despotic governments to suffer the victims oftheir persecutions to reappear, as the Inquisition
rarely allowed its victims to be seenwith their limbs distorted and their flesh lacerated
by torture. So madness is alwaysconcealed in its cell. From whence should

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it depart. It is conveyed tosome gloomy hospital where the doctor has no
thought for man or mind. Inthe mutilated being, the jailer delivers to
him the very madness of the abbeFaria, gone mad in prison, condemned
him to perpetual captivity. The inspectorkept his word with Dante. He examined

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the register and found the following noteconcerning him. Edmond Dantes, violent bonapartist,
took an active part in the returnfrom Elba. The greatest watchfulness and
care to be exercised. This notewas in a different hand from the rest,
which showed that it had been addedsince his confinement. The inspector could

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not contend against this accusation. Hesimply wrote nothing to be done. This
visit had infused new vigor into Dantes. He had till then forgotten the date,
but now with a fragment of plaster, he wrote the date thirtieth of
July eighteen sixteen, and made amark every day in order not to lose

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his reckoning again. Days and weekspassed away, then months Dantes still waited.
He at first expected to be freedin a fortnight. This fortnight expired.
He decided that the inspector would donothing until his turned to Paris,
and that he would not reach thereuntil his circuit was finished. He therefore

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fixed three months. Three months passedaway, then six more. Finally,
ten months and a half had goneby, and no favorable change had taken
place, and Dante began to fancythe Inspector's visit but a dream, an
illusion of the brain. At theexpiration of a year, the governor was

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transferred. He had obtained the chargeof the fortress at Ham. He took
with him several of his subordinates,and amongst them Dantes Jailor. A new
governor arrived. It would have beentoo tedious to acquire the names of the
prisoners, he learned their numbers.Instead. This horrible place contained fifty cells.

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Their inhabitants were designated by the numbersof their cell, and the unhappy
young man was no longer called EdmondDante. He was now three thirty four
end of chapter fourteen,