Chapter 24.

Under the midday sun on Monte Cristo, Edmond Dantès surveys the horizon to ensure solitude before resuming his search. Reasoning that a massive rock was lowered, not lifted, he finds evidence of a constructed slope and concealed wedge. Using powder from Jacopo’s horn, he blasts the support and pries the rock into the sea, revealing an iron ring set in a flagstone.

Dantès lifts the flagstone to stairs descending into a cavern but hesitates, fearing deception or prior discovery by Caesar Borgia. He enters a light-dappled first grotto, recalls the will’s words about a second opening, and tests the walls. Finding a stuccoed, stone-filled section, he momentarily falters from emotion, then returns with renewed resolve.

Breaking through, Dantès accesses a lower, foul-aired second grotto. He digs in a dark corner, strikes iron and wood, and, after ensuring no one is near, returns with a torch. He exposes an oaken coffer bound with steel, bearing the Spada arms. Forced open with his pickaxe, the chest reveals three compartments of gold coins, gold bars, and gemstones.

Overwhelmed by joy and disbelief, Dantès rushes outside, then back to the chest, prays, and begins to count his fortune. He inventories ingots, crowns bearing Alexander VI, and handfuls of pearls and jewels, recognizing the life-altering magnitude of his discovery. Night falls as he guards the cave’s mouth, elated yet vigilant.