Chapter 23.

Guided by a long-awaited opportunity, Edmond Dantès sails with the Young Amelia toward Monte Cristo. A restless night filled with visions of Spada’s treasure yields to disciplined resolve. He quietly takes command at the helm and brings the vessel to anchor by nightfall, his urgency masked by competent leadership.

At dawn, Dantès questions Jacopo about caves on the island, but learns none are known. Interpreting this as proof of secrecy, he delays searching until daylight, then helps land contraband under moonlight. The next morning he sets out with a fowling piece, sends Jacopo back with a killed kid, and explores alone, discovering weathered, deliberate markings that lead toward a large round rock.

As the crew prepares their meal, Dantès appears to slip and fall from the rocks. Found bruised and feigning serious pain, he refuses to be moved. With the patron pressed for time to sail, Dantès insists they leave him provisions, a gun, and a pickaxe, declining Jacopo’s offer to stay, citing the need for rest and herbs.

Reluctantly, the smugglers depart, promising to return or send a boat within days. The moment they vanish from sight, Dantès springs up, revealing the fall was a ruse to secure solitude. Armed with gun and pickaxe, he hurries back to the marked rock, invoking “open sesame” as he begins the true search for the treasure.