The Count of Monte Cristo · Chapter
The Burglary explained
Monte Cristo receives an anonymous warning that a thief will break into his house that night.
What happens
Monte Cristo receives an anonymous warning that a thief will break into his house that night. He prepares to confront the intruder himself, dismissing the police. Caderousse, the thief, is caught in the act by Monte Cristo, who reveals himself as Abbé Busoni. After a tense conversation, Monte Cristo forces Caderousse to write a letter exposing Benedetto as a fugitive, then allows him to escape through a window. As Caderousse descends, he is ambushed and stabbed by an unseen assailant, left bleeding in the street.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Deception
Caderousse betrays his promise to reform, attempting to rob Monte Cristo, while Monte Cristo deceives him by posing as Abbé Busoni to manipulate the outcome.
Revenge and Justice
Monte Cristo orchestrates Caderousse's downfall, allowing him to escape only to be fatally attacked, serving as a form of divine or poetic justice for his past crimes.
Forgiveness and Redemption
Monte Cristo offers Caderousse a chance at redemption by promising an annuity if he reforms, but Caderousse's continued criminality leads to his violent end.
Characters to notice
- Edmond Dantès
Disguised as Abbé Busoni, Monte Cristo confronts Caderousse during the burglary, orchestrating his escape and subsequent punishment.
- Gaspard Caderousse
Attempts to rob Monte Cristo's house but is caught; forced to write a letter exposing Benedetto, then fatally stabbed by an unknown attacker while escaping.
- Bertuccio
Reports to Monte Cristo on the readiness of the house and sloop at Auteuil, receiving orders for a speedy departure.
- Baptistin
Delivers the anonymous warning letter to Monte Cristo and is instructed to bring all servants to Auteuil.
- Andrea Cavalcanti
Referred to as Benedetto, the young Corsican who escaped with Caderousse; Caderousse is forced to write a letter exposing him as a felon.
- Baron Danglars
Recipient of the letter written by Caderousse, which reveals Benedetto's true identity as a fugitive.
Key passages
“The Count of Monte Cristo set out for Auteuil, accompanied by Ali and several attendants, and also taking with him some horses whose qualities he was desirous of ascertaining.”
Monte Cristo traveled to Auteuil with Ali and servants to test some horses.
Sets the scene for the chapter's events at Auteuil.
“M. de Monte Cristo is apprised that this night a man will enter his house in the Champs-Élysées with the intention of carrying off some papers supposed to be in the secretaire in the dressing-room.”
An anonymous letter warns Monte Cristo that a thief will break in tonight to steal papers from his desk.
The warning that triggers Monte Cristo's plan to confront the intruder.
“Ah, good evening, my dear M. Caderousse; what are you doing here, at such an hour?”
Monte Cristo greets Caderousse sarcastically as he catches him in the act.
Monte Cristo reveals his presence and identity as Abbé Busoni to the startled thief.
“If you reach your home safely, leave Paris, leave France, and wherever you may be, so long as you conduct yourself well, I will send you a small annuity; for, if you return home safely, then—”
Monte Cristo promises Caderousse a pension if he escapes safely and reforms.
Monte Cristo offers conditional forgiveness, but Caderousse is killed before he can benefit.
“A second blow struck him almost immediately in the side, and he fell, calling, 'Help, murder!'”
Caderousse is stabbed twice by an unseen attacker as he descends the ladder.
The violent climax where Caderousse meets his end, likely orchestrated by Monte Cristo's agent.
