Franz presses the sailor for answers and finds only deeper mystery. The splendid yacht belongs not to a smuggler, but to a wealthy traveler who roams the seas for pleasure—a man known only as “Sinbad the Sailor.” No one seems to know his country, his real name, or where he resides beyond “on the sea.” Rumors place him in a hidden subterranean palace accessible only by a magic word, a tale straight out of the Arabian Nights. As Franz marvels at the strangeness of the encounter, the sentinel arrives with two crewmen to escort him. Silently, they blindfold him with meticulous care, ensuring he cannot glimpse the path to their master. Franz promises not to lift the bandage, stepping fully into the adventure.

Be sure to check out Odyssey: A Daily Odyssey through Homer's The Odyssey — wherever you listen to podcasts!

New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com

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The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story ofThe Count of Monte Cristo.