10 The Roman catacombs

Chapter 10 The Roman catacombs It wasn't the weight of the Count's treasure that made Danglars' arms tremble. It was excitement. He had hoped to become the Count's banker, but now he had a new idea. He would steal the Count's fortune! "Take me to Rome!" he called to his driver. The carriage rode for hours. Danglars dozed and dreamed about how he would spend the Count's treasure. At last they came to a sign pointing to Rome. But the carriage turned in the other direction. "Driver," Danglars called, "we are going the wrong way."

But the carriage didn't turn. Danglars glimpsed a hooded figure in the driver's seat - a bandit? Had he been kidnapped? The carriage finally stopped and the door creaked open. The hooded man aimed a pistol at Danglars. "Get out," he said. Danglars climbed from the carriage, clutching the Count's treasure. They had reached the Roman catacombs, underground tombs cut deep into the rock. The hooded man pushed Danglars through a dank passage and into a cramped cell. A door slammed shut behind him.

Danglars sat in dismal darkness. He didn't understand why the bandit hadn't taken the treasure. After several hours, he banged on the door. "At least bring me some food!" he cried. The door creaked open. The hooded man placed a plate of succulent roast chicken on the floor. Danglars reached for it greedily, but the hooded man raised his pistol. "This meal costs ten diamonds," he said. Danglars hesitated. Ten diamonds was a ridiculous price, but he had no food and plenty of treasure. He threw the man the jewels and pounced on the plate. "But you'll get no more jewels from me!" he warned. Danglars was wrong. He resisted for as long as he could, but eventually his hunger got the better of him. He paid ten emeralds for roast beef, and then fifty rubies just for water. After several days, there were only three diamonds left in the Count's chest. Those jewels were all Danglars had left. Two days passed and he didn't eat. He grew weak and desperately hungry. He sank to his knees, clutching his aching stomach. "Why do you make me suffer?" he pleaded.

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The door opened. The hooded man stepped inside the cell. "Suffer?" he said. "There are men who have suffered worse." "No," Danglars groaned, "there are none." "I will show you one," the hooded man replied. Slowly, he peeled back his hood and revealed his face. "The Count of Monte Cristo!" Danglars cried. The Count grabbed Danglars' collar. His eyes were red and wild with rage. "No!" he seethed. "I am the man whose life you ruined twenty years ago. I am Edmond Dantes!" Danglars fell back in horror. He curled up sobbing and shaking. "Now your life is ruined too," said the Count, as he took the last jewels from his chest and strode from the cell. "Fernand," he whispered, "you are next..."