Chapter 37.

After the carnival lights extinguish, Franz returns alone to the Hotel de Londres, uneasy at Albert’s absence. At the Duke of Bracciano’s party, a messenger summons him to the hotel, where Franz receives Albert’s note demanding 4,000 piastres under threat from Luigi Vampa. Short on funds, Franz appeals to the Count of Monte Cristo.

Monte Cristo immediately offers the missing money but proposes instead to retrieve Albert directly. He summons the messenger—revealed as Peppino, whose life he saved—and learns Albert was lured by Teresa and Beppo, then seized outside the walls and taken to the catacombs of Saint Sebastian.

With Ali driving, Monte Cristo, Franz, and Peppino slip through the city gate and cross the Appian Way. Guided by bandit sentries, they descend into the catacombs. Monte Cristo strides into Vampa’s lamplit chamber, rebuking the chief for violating their agreement to spare the count and his friends.

Vampa, contrite, declares it a mistake and personally unlocks Albert’s cell. Albert wakes cheerfully, unfazed by his near execution, and thanks Monte Cristo for securing his freedom. Vampa offers apologies and an escort back, while revealing he had been reading Caesar’s Commentaries.

The trio exits the catacombs; Albert even lights a cigar from Vampa’s torch. They race back and reappear at the Bracciano ball by two o’clock, where Albert claims his delayed galop with the countess. Franz, however, is struck by a peculiar shudder that passes through Monte Cristo when he shakes Albert’s hand.