Alexandre Dumas: The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter 44: The Vendetta. (continued)

"`What was the abbe's name?' asked the indefatigable questioner. -- `The Abbe Busoni,' said La Carconte. -- `He was a foreigner?' -- `An Italian, from the neighborhood of Mantua, I believe.' -- `Let me see this diamond again,' replied the jeweller; `the first time you are often mistaken as to the value of a stone.' Caderousse took from his pocket a small case of black shagreen, opened, and gave it to the jeweller. At the sight of the diamond, which was as large as a hazel-nut, La Carconte's eyes sparkled with cupidity."

"And what did you think of this fine story, eavesdropper?" said Monte Cristo; "did you credit it?"

"Yes, your excellency. I did not look on Caderousse as a bad man, and I thought him incapable of committing a crime, or even a theft."

"That did more honor to your heart than to your experience, M. Bertuccio. Had you known this Edmond Dantes, of whom they spoke?"

"No, your excellency, I had never heard of him before, and never but once afterwards, and that was from the Abbe Busoni himself, when I saw him in the prison at Nimes."

"Go on."