The Count of Monte Cristo hears how Bertuccio returned from a smuggling expedition to an unexpected surprise.

While he was away, Assunta traveled to Paris with the identifying linen and reclaimed the infant from the foundling asylum. Seeing the child safe in a cradle, Bertuccio is overcome with gratitude for her compassion.

The life he once rescued becomes part of his own family.

⸻

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

Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A

⸻

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.

The Count of Monte Cristo listens as Bertuccio explains the life he built after carrying out his vendetta.

Returning to smuggling along the southern coast of France, Bertuccio supports his brother’s widow while avoiding the authorities, knowing any investigation could uncover his past. He reflects on how living with death as a constant possibility transformed both his courage and his resolve.

Bertuccio’s confession turns from a single act of vengeance to the life that followed it.

⸻

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

Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A

⸻

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.

The Count of Monte Cristo hears the final details of this chapter of Bertuccio’s confession, including the fate of the infant from the box.

Bertuccio recalls his sister-in-law’s wish to raise the child and reveals the identifying marks left on the linen. Monte Cristo then turns the conversation toward two unanswered questions: what became of the boy, and how Bertuccio later found himself imprisoned at Nîmes.

The confession pauses only long enough to open an even deeper story.

⸻

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

Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A

⸻

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.

The Count of Monte Cristo learns what Bertuccio found inside the box buried in the garden at Auteuil.

Instead of money, Bertuccio discovers a newborn infant and succeeds in reviving the child before carrying it to a Paris foundling asylum. Believing he has balanced one life taken with another saved, he returns to Corsica and tells his sister-in-law that his brother has been avenged.

An act of vengeance gives way to an unexpected act of mercy.

⸻

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

Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A

⸻

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.

The Count of Monte Cristo hears Bertuccio recount the moment his vendetta against Villefort reached its climax in the garden at Auteuil.

Hidden among the trees, Bertuccio watches Villefort bury a small box before striking him down and taking the buried object. Believing his vengeance complete, he conceals the evidence and escapes into the night.

The long pursuit ends with a single, fateful act.

⸻

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

Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A

⸻

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.

The Count of Monte Cristo hears how Bertuccio finally prepares to carry out his vendetta in the garden at Auteuil.

Armed with a knife, Bertuccio slips over the garden wall, conceals himself among the trees, and waits for Villefort to emerge. As midnight arrives and the private staircase door opens, the long-awaited moment finally seems at hand.

The hours of waiting give way to a single decisive instant.

⸻

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

Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A

⸻

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.

The Count of Monte Cristo listens as Bertuccio describes the secret he uncovered in the garden at Auteuil.

Watching from beyond the wall, he sees Villefort meet a young pregnant woman in secret and decides to delay his revenge until the moment is right. Days later, after Villefort returns under cover of darkness, Bertuccio quietly takes his place outside the garden wall to watch what happens next.

Vengeance gives way to careful observation.

⸻

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

Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A

⸻

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.

The Count of Monte Cristo hears how Bertuccio pursued Villefort across France after swearing his vendetta.

Patiently shadowing the magistrate for months, Bertuccio finally discovers his secret visits to a house in Auteuil, where Villefort enters through a hidden gate. Learning that the estate belongs to the Marquis of Saint-Méran and is occupied by a mysterious baroness, Bertuccio realizes he has found the place to wait.

The path of vengeance leads directly to the house at Auteuil.

⸻

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

Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A

⸻

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.