English
Thecommissaryofpolice,ashetraversedtheante–chamber,madeasigntotwogendarmes,whoplacedthemselvesoneonDantes’rightandtheotheronhisleft.
AdoorthatcommunicatedwiththePalaisdeJusticewasopened,andtheywentthroughalongrangeofgloomycorridors,whoseappearancemighthavemadeeventheboldestshudder.
ThePalaisdeJusticecommunicatedwiththeprison,—asombreedifice,thatfromitsgratedwindowslooksontheclock–toweroftheAccoules.
Afternumberlesswindings,Dantessawadoorwithanironwicket.
Thecommissarytookupanironmalletandknockedthrice,everyblowseemingtoDantesasifstruckonhisheart.
Thedooropened,thetwogendarmesgentlypushedhimforward,andthedoorclosedwithaloudsoundbehindhim.
Theairheinhaledwasnolongerpure,butthickandmephitic,—hewasinprison.
Hewasconductedtoatolerablyneatchamber,butgratedandbarred,anditsappearance,therefore,didnotgreatlyalarmhim;besides,thewordsofVillefort,whoseemedtointeresthimselfsomuch,resoundedstillinhisearslikeapromiseoffreedom.
Itwasfouro’clockwhenDanteswasplacedinthischamber.
Itwas,aswehavesaid,the1stofMarch,andtheprisonerwassoonburiedindarkness.
Theobscurityaugmentedtheacutenessofhishearing;attheslightestsoundheroseandhastenedtothedoor,convincedtheywereabouttoliberatehim,butthesounddiedaway,andDantessankagainintohisseat.
Atlast,aboutteno’clock,andjustasDantesbegantodespair,stepswereheardinthecorridor,akeyturnedinthelock,theboltscreaked,themassyoakendoorflewopen,andafloodoflightfromtwotorchespervadedtheapartment.
BythetorchlightDantessawtheglitteringsabresandcarbinesoffourgendarmes.
Hehadadvancedatfirst,butstoppedatthesightofthisdisplayofforce.
“Areyoucometofetchme?”askedhe.
“Yes,”repliedagendarme.
“Bytheordersofthedeputyprocureur?”
“Ibelieveso.”TheconvictionthattheycamefromM.deVillefortrelievedallDantes’apprehensions;headvancedcalmly,andplacedhimselfinthecentreoftheescort.
Acarriagewaitedatthedoor,thecoachmanwasonthebox,andapoliceofficersatbesidehim.
“Isthiscarriageforme?”saidDantes.
“Itisforyou,”repliedagendarme.
Danteswasabouttospeak;butfeelinghimselfurgedforward,andhavingneitherthepowernortheintentiontoresist,hemountedthesteps,andwasinaninstantseatedinsidebetweentwogendarmes;thetwootherstooktheirplacesopposite,andthecarriagerolledheavilyoverthestones.
Theprisonerglancedatthewindows—theyweregrated;hehadchangedhisprisonforanotherthatwasconveyinghimheknewnotwhither.
Throughthegrating,however,DantessawtheywerepassingthroughtheRueCaisserie,andbytheRueSaint–LaurentandtheRueTaramis,totheport.SoonhesawthelightsofLaConsigne.
Thecarriagestopped,theofficerdescended,approachedtheguardhouse,adozensoldierscameoutandformedthemselvesinorder;Dantessawthereflectionoftheirmusketsbythelightofthelampsonthequay.
“Canallthisforcebesummonedonmyaccount?”thoughthe.
Theofficeropenedthedoor,whichwaslocked,and,withoutspeakingaword,answeredDantes’question;forhesawbetweentheranksofthesoldiersapassageformedfromthecarriagetotheport.
Thetwogendarmeswhowereoppositetohimdescendedfirst,thenhewasorderedtoalightandthegendarmesoneachsideofhimfollowedhisexample.
Theyadvancedtowardsaboat,whichacustom–houseofficerheldbyachain,nearthequay.
ThesoldierslookedatDanteswithanairofstupidcuriosity.
Inaninstanthewasplacedinthestern–sheetsoftheboat,betweenthegendarmes,whiletheofficerstationedhimselfatthebow;ashovesenttheboatadrift,andfoursturdyoarsmenimpelleditrapidlytowardsthePilon.
Atashoutfromtheboat,thechainthatclosesthemouthoftheportwasloweredandinasecondtheywere,asDantesknew,intheFrioulandoutsidetheinnerharbor.
Theprisoner’sfirstfeelingwasofjoyatagainbreathingthepureair—forairisfreedom;buthesoonsighed,forhepassedbeforeLaReserve,wherehehadthatmorningbeensohappy,andnowthroughtheopenwindowscamethelaughterandrevelryofaball.
Dantesfoldedhishands,raisedhiseyestoheaven,andprayedfervently.
Theboatcontinuedhervoyage.TheyhadpassedtheTetedeMorte,werenowofftheAnseduPharo,andabouttodoublethebattery.ThismanoeuvrewasincomprehensibletoDantes.
“Whitherareyoutakingme?”askedhe.
“Youwillsoonknow.”
“Butstill”—
“Weareforbiddentogiveyouanyexplanation.”
Dantes,trainedindiscipline,knewthatnothingwouldbemoreabsurdthantoquestionsubordinates,whowereforbiddentoreply;andsoheremainedsilent.
Themostvagueandwildthoughtspassedthroughhismind.
Theboattheywereincouldnotmakealongvoyage;therewasnovesselatanchoroutsidetheharbor;hethought,perhaps,theyweregoingtoleavehimonsomedistantpoint.
Hewasnotbound,norhadtheymadeanyattempttohandcuffhim;thisseemedagoodaugury.
Besides,hadnotthedeputy,whohadbeensokindtohim,toldhimthatprovidedhedidnotpronouncethedreadednameofNoirtier,hehadnothingtoapprehend?
HadnotVillefortinhispresencedestroyedthefatalletter,theonlyproofagainsthim?
Hewaitedsilently,strivingtopiercethroughthedarkness.
TheyhadlefttheIleRatonneau,wherethelighthousestood,ontheright,andwerenowoppositethePointdesCatalans.
Itseemedtotheprisonerthathecoulddistinguishafeminineformonthebeach,foritwasthereMercedesdwelt.
HowwasitthatapresentimentdidnotwarnMercedesthatherloverwaswithinthreehundredyardsofher?
Onelightalonewasvisible;andDantessawthatitcamefromMercedes’chamber.
Mercedeswastheonlyoneawakeinthewholesettlement.Aloudcrycouldbeheardbyher.
Butpriderestrainedhimandhedidnotutterit.
Whatwouldhisguardsthinkiftheyheardhimshoutlikeamadman?
Heremainedsilent,hiseyesfixeduponthelight;theboatwenton,buttheprisonerthoughtonlyofMercedes.
Aninterveningelevationoflandhidthelight.
Dantesturnedandperceivedthattheyhadgotouttosea.
Whilehehadbeenabsorbedinthought,theyhadshippedtheiroarsandhoistedsail;theboatwasnowmovingwiththewind.
Inspiteofhisrepugnancetoaddresstheguards,Dantesturnedtothenearestgendarme,andtakinghishand,—
“Comrade,”saidhe,“Iadjureyou,asaChristianandasoldier,totellmewherewearegoing.
IamCaptainDantes,aloyalFrenchman,thoughtaccusedoftreason;tellmewhereyouareconductingme,andIpromiseyouonmyhonorIwillsubmittomyfate.”
Thegendarmelookedirresolutelyathiscompanion,whoreturnedforanswerasignthatsaid,“Iseenogreatharmintellinghimnow,”andthegendarmereplied,—
“YouareanativeofMarseilles,andasailor,andyetyoudonotknowwhereyouaregoing?”
“Onmyhonor,Ihavenoidea.”
“Haveyounoideawhatever?”
“Noneatall.”
“Thatisimpossible.”
“Isweartoyouitistrue.Tellme,Ientreat.”
“Butmyorders.”
“YourordersdonotforbidyourtellingmewhatImustknowintenminutes,inhalfanhour,oranhour.YouseeIcannotescape,evenifIintended.”
“Unlessyouareblind,orhaveneverbeenoutsidetheharbor,youmustknow.”
“Idonot.”
“Lookroundyouthen.”Dantesroseandlookedforward,whenhesawrisewithinahundredyardsofhimtheblackandfrowningrockonwhichstandstheChateaud’If.
Thisgloomyfortress,whichhasformorethanthreehundredyearsfurnishedfoodforsomanywildlegends,seemedtoDanteslikeascaffoldtoamalefactor.
“TheChateaud’If?”criedhe,“whatarewegoingtherefor?”Thegendarmesmiled.
“Iamnotgoingtheretobeimprisoned,”saidDantes;“itisonlyusedforpoliticalprisoners.Ihavecommittednocrime.ArethereanymagistratesorjudgesattheChateaud’If?”
“Thereareonly,”saidthegendarme,“agovernor,agarrison,turnkeys,andgoodthickwalls.
Come,come,donotlooksoastonished,oryouwillmakemethinkyouarelaughingatmeinreturnformygoodnature.”
Dantespressedthegendarme’shandasthoughhewouldcrushit.
“Youthink,then,”saidhe,“thatIamtakentotheChateaud’Iftobeimprisonedthere?”
“Itisprobable;butthereisnooccasiontosqueezesohard.”
“Withoutanyinquiry,withoutanyformality?”
“Alltheformalitieshavebeengonethrough;theinquiryisalreadymade.”
“Andso,inspiteofM.deVillefort’spromises?”
“IdonotknowwhatM.deVillefortpromisedyou,”saidthegendarme,“butIknowwearetakingyoutotheChateaud’If.Butwhatareyoudoing?Help,comrades,help!”
Byarapidmovement,whichthegendarme’spracticedeyehadperceived,Dantessprangforwardtoprecipitatehimselfintothesea;butfourvigorousarmsseizedhimashisfeetquittedthebottomoftheboat.Hefellbackcursingwithrage.
“Good!”saidthegendarme,placinghiskneeonhischest;“believesoft–spokengentlemenagain!
Harkye,myfriend,Ihavedisobeyedmyfirstorder,butIwillnotdisobeythesecond;andifyoumove,Iwillblowyourbrainsout.”
AndhelevelledhiscarbineatDantes,whofeltthemuzzleagainsthistemple.
Foramomenttheideaofstrugglingcrossedhismind,andofsoendingtheunexpectedevilthathadovertakenhim.
ButhebethoughthimofM.deVillefort’spromise;and,besides,deathinaboatfromthehandofagendarmeseemedtooterrible.
Heremainedmotionless,butgnashinghisteethandwringinghishandswithfury.
Atthismomenttheboatcametoalandingwithaviolentshock.
Oneofthesailorsleapedonshore,acordcreakedasitranthroughapulley,andDantesguessedtheywereattheendofthevoyage,andthattheyweremooringtheboat.
Hisguards,takinghimbythearmsandcoat–collar,forcedhimtorise,anddraggedhimtowardsthestepsthatleadtothegateofthefortress,whilethepoliceofficercarryingamusketwithfixedbayonetfollowedbehind.
Dantesmadenoresistance;hewaslikeamaninadream:hesawsoldiersdrawnupontheembankment;heknewvaguelythathewasascendingaflightofsteps;hewasconsciousthathepassedthroughadoor,andthatthedoorclosedbehindhim;butallthisindistinctlyasthroughamist.
Hedidnotevenseetheocean,thatterriblebarrieragainstfreedom,whichtheprisonerslookuponwithutterdespair.
Theyhaltedforaminute,duringwhichhestrovetocollecthisthoughts.
Helookedaround;hewasinacourtsurroundedbyhighwalls;heheardthemeasuredtreadofsentinels,andastheypassedbeforethelighthesawthebarrelsoftheirmusketsshine.
Theywaitedupwardsoftenminutes.CertainDantescouldnotescape,thegendarmesreleasedhim.Theyseemedawaitingorders.Theorderscame.
“Whereistheprisoner?”saidavoice.
“Here,”repliedthegendarmes.
“Lethimfollowme;Iwilltakehimtohiscell.”
“Go!”saidthegendarmes,thrustingDantesforward.
Theprisonerfollowedhisguide,wholedhimintoaroomalmostunderground,whosebareandreekingwallsseemedasthoughimpregnatedwithtears;alampplacedonastoolilluminedtheapartmentfaintly,andshowedDantesthefeaturesofhisconductor,anunder–jailer,ill–clothed,andofsullenappearance.
“Hereisyourchamberforto–night,”saidhe.
“Itislate,andthegovernorisasleep.To–morrow,perhaps,hemaychangeyou.
Inthemeantimethereisbread,water,andfreshstraw;andthatisallaprisonercanwishfor.Goodnight.”
AndbeforeDantescouldopenhismouth—beforehehadnoticedwherethejailerplacedhisbreadorthewater—beforehehadglancedtowardsthecornerwherethestrawwas,thejailerdisappeared,takingwithhimthelampandclosingthedoor,leavingstampedupontheprisoner’smindthedimreflectionofthedrippingwallsofhisdungeon.
Danteswasaloneindarknessandinsilence—coldastheshadowsthathefeltbreatheonhisburningforehead.
Withthefirstdawnofdaythejailerreturned,withorderstoleaveDanteswherehewas.
Hefoundtheprisonerinthesameposition,asiffixedthere,hiseyesswollenwithweeping.
Hehadpassedthenightstanding,andwithoutsleep.
Thejaileradvanced;Dantesappearednottoperceivehim.Hetouchedhimontheshoulder.Edmondstarted.
“Haveyounotslept?”saidthejailer.
“Idonotknow,”repliedDantes.Thejailerstared.
“Areyouhungry?”continuedhe.
“Idonotknow.”
“Doyouwishforanything?”
“Iwishtoseethegovernor.”Thejailershruggedhisshouldersandleftthechamber.
Dantesfollowedhimwithhiseyes,andstretchedforthhishandstowardstheopendoor;butthedoorclosed.
Allhisemotionthenburstforth;hecasthimselfontheground,weepingbitterly,andaskinghimselfwhatcrimehehadcommittedthathewasthuspunished.
Thedaypassedthus;hescarcelytastedfood,butwalkedroundandroundthecelllikeawildbeastinitscage.
Onethoughtinparticulartormentedhim:namely,thatduringhisjourneyhitherhehadsatsostill,whereashemight,adozentimes,haveplungedintothesea,and,thankstohispowersofswimming,forwhichhewasfamous,havegainedtheshore,concealedhimselfuntilthearrivalofaGenoeseorSpanishvessel,escapedtoSpainorItaly,whereMercedesandhisfathercouldhavejoinedhim.
Hehadnofearsastohowheshouldlive—goodseamenarewelcomeeverywhere.
HespokeItalianlikeaTuscan,andSpanishlikeaCastilian;hewouldhavebeenfree,andhappywithMercedesandhisfather,whereashewasnowconfinedintheChateaud’If,thatimpregnablefortress,ignorantofthefuturedestinyofhisfatherandMercedes;andallthisbecausehehadtrustedtoVillefort’spromise.
Thethoughtwasmaddening,andDantesthrewhimselffuriouslydownonhisstraw.
Thenextmorningatthesamehour,thejailercameagain.
“Well,”saidthejailer,“areyoumorereasonableto–day?”Dantesmadenoreply.
“Come,cheerup;isthereanythingthatIcandoforyou?”
“Iwishtoseethegovernor.”
“Ihavealreadytoldyouitwasimpossible.”
“Whyso?”
“Becauseitisagainstprisonrules,andprisonersmustnotevenaskforit.”
“Whatisallowed,then?”
“Betterfare,ifyoupayforit,books,andleavetowalkabout.”
“Idonotwantbooks,Iamsatisfiedwithmyfood,anddonotcaretowalkabout;butIwishtoseethegovernor.”
“Ifyouworrymebyrepeatingthesamething,Iwillnotbringyouanymoretoeat.”
“Well,then,”saidEdmond,“ifyoudonot,Ishalldieofhunger—thatisall.”
Thejailersawbyhistonehewouldbehappytodie;andaseveryprisonerisworthtensousadaytohisjailer,herepliedinamoresubduedtone.
“Whatyouaskisimpossible;butifyouareverywellbehavedyouwillbeallowedtowalkabout,andsomedayyouwillmeetthegovernor,andifhechoosestoreply,thatishisaffair.”
“But,”askedDantes,“howlongshallIhavetowait?”
“Ah,amonth—sixmonths—ayear.”
“Itistoolongatime.Iwishtoseehimatonce.”
“Ah,”saidthejailer,“donotalwaysbroodoverwhatisimpossible,oryouwillbemadinafortnight.”
“Youthinkso?”
“Yes;wehaveaninstancehere;itwasbyalwaysofferingamillionoffrancstothegovernorforhislibertythatanabbebecamemad,whowasinthischamberbeforeyou.”
“Howlonghasheleftit?”
“Twoyears.”
“Washeliberated,then?”
“No;hewasputinadungeon.”
“Listen!”saidDantes.“Iamnotanabbe,Iamnotmad;perhapsIshallbe,butatpresent,unfortunately,Iamnot.Iwillmakeyouanotheroffer.”
“Whatisthat?”
“Idonotofferyouamillion,becauseIhaveitnot;butIwillgiveyouahundredcrownsif,thefirsttimeyougotoMarseilles,youwillseekoutayounggirlnamedMercedes,attheCatalans,andgivehertwolinesfromme.”
“IfItookthem,andweredetected,Ishouldlosemyplace,whichisworthtwothousandfrancsayear;sothatIshouldbeagreatfooltorunsuchariskforthreehundred.”
“Well,”saidDantes,“markthis;ifyourefuseatleasttotellMercedesIamhere,Iwillsomedayhidemyselfbehindthedoor,andwhenyouenterIwilldashoutyourbrainswiththisstool.”
“Threats!”criedthejailer,retreatingandputtinghimselfonthedefensive;“youarecertainlygoingmad.
Theabbebeganlikeyou,andinthreedaysyouwillbelikehim,madenoughtotieup;but,fortunately,therearedungeonshere.”
Danteswhirledthestoolroundhishead.
“Allright,allright,”saidthejailer;“allright,sinceyouwillhaveitso.Iwillsendwordtothegovernor.”
“Verywell,”returnedDantes,droppingthestoolandsittingonitasifhewereinrealitymad.Thejailerwentout,andreturnedinaninstantwithacorporalandfoursoldiers.
“Bythegovernor’sorders,”saidhe,“conducttheprisonertothetierbeneath.”
“Tothedungeon,then,”saidthecorporal.
“Yes;wemustputthemadmanwiththemadmen.”ThesoldiersseizedDantes,whofollowedpassively.
Hedescendedfifteensteps,andthedoorofadungeonwasopened,andhewasthrustin.
Thedoorclosed,andDantesadvancedwithoutstretchedhandsuntilhetouchedthewall;hethensatdowninthecorneruntilhiseyesbecameaccustomedtothedarkness.
Thejailerwasright;Danteswantedbutlittleofbeingutterlymad.
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