2 Conspiracy

Chapter 2 Conspiracy Waves crashed angrily against the jetty as Fernand Mondego stormed to the end of the dock. His whole body trembled with rage. He couldn't bear to see Mercedes with another man. "Why did Dantes ever return?" he cried. "Be careful what you say," a voice answered. "Edmond has many friends around here." Danglars sat outside a tavern, with his accounts papers spread across a table.

"What do you want?" Fernand spat. "Merely to share a toast," Danglars said, pouring a glass of wine. "To Edmond Dantes, future captain of the Pharon and husband to the fair Mercedes. Fernand's face turned livid red. He snatched Danglars' glass and smashed it to the floor. "I hate Edmond Dantes!" he cried. Calmly, Danglars poured himself another drink. He too hated Dantes. He had worked hard on the Pharon, and felt that it should be him, not Edmond, who was made captain.

"What if there was a way to make him go away again?" he said. "You could marry Mercedes and I would become captain." "If only there was," Fernand groaned, "then I would do it, however hard." Danglars' lips curled into a sinister smile. He rustled among his papers, finding a blank sheet. Then he dipped his quill into his inkpot. "It is not hard at all," he said. "We simply have to write a letter."