A casual question unlocks a hidden truth. In the midst of Carnival preparation, a silent signal confirms everything Franz has feared—and suspected.

In this part of The Count of Monte Cristo, Franz learns which windows belong to the Count at the Palazzo Rospoli and sees the agreed-upon signs displayed exactly as promised: yellow hangings to the sides, and at the center, white damask marked with a red cross. The message is unmistakable. The bargain overheard in the Colosseum has been kept, and the Count’s identity is no longer in doubt.

As the crowd thickens near the Piazza del Popolo, the scaffold rises into view alongside the obelisk and cross, blending spectacle with ceremony. Led to a secluded window prepared at great expense, Franz and Albert find elegant masquerade costumes awaiting them—blue and white satin laid out in quiet readiness—while the day’s grim pageantry advances below.

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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.