Once ashore and reassured by the smugglers’ easy manner, Franz’s nerves give way to hunger—especially with a roasting goat scenting the air. Gaetano offers to barter partridges for a share, but returns instead with an unexpected message: the smugglers’ chief invites Franz to dine with him directly. Generous as the offer seems, it comes with a strange condition—Franz must be blindfolded and may not remove the bandage until ordered. Curious and cautious, Franz weighs the risk, searching Gaetano’s face for guidance. The captain, who claims to know of the chief “favorably and otherwise,” admits the request is serious, yet says that in Franz’s place—were he a man with little to lose—he would accept.

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

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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 of The Count of Monte Cristo.