The commissary of police, as he traversed the ante-chamber,made a sign to two gendarmes, who placed themselves one onDantes' right and the other on his left. A door thatcommunicated with the Palais de Justice was opened, and theywent through a long range of gloomy corridors, whoseappearance might have made even the boldest shudder. ThePalais de Justice communicated with the prison, - a sombreedifice, that from its grated windows looks on theclock-tower of the Accoules. After numberless windings,Dantes saw a door with an iron wicket. The commissary tookup an iron mallet and knocked thrice, every blow seeming toDantes as if struck on his heart. The door opened, the twogendarmes gently pushed him forward, and the door closedwith a loud sound behind him. The air he inhaled was nolonger pure, but thick and mephitic, - he was in prison. Hewas conducted to a tolerably neat chamber, but grated andbarred, and its appearance, therefore, did not greatly alarmhim; besides, the words of Villefort, who seemed to interesthimself so much, resounded still in his ears like a promiseof freedom. It was four o'clock when Dantes was placed inthis chamber. It was, as we have said, the 1st of March, andthe prisoner was soon buried in darkness. The obscurityaugmented the acuteness of his hearing; at the slightestsound he rose and hastened to the door, convinced they wereabout to liberate him, but the sound died away, and Dantessank again into his seat. At last, about ten o'clock, andjust as Dantes began to despair, steps were heard in thecorridor, a key turned in the lock, the bolts creaked, themassy oaken door flew open, and a flood of light from twotorches pervaded the apartment. By the torchlight Dantes sawthe glittering sabres and carbines of four gendarmes. He hadadvanced at first, but stopped at the sight of this displayof force.

"Are you come to fetch me?" asked he.

"Yes," replied a gendarme.

"By the orders of the deputy procureur?"

"I believe so." The conviction that they came from M. deVillefort relieved all Dantes' apprehensions; he advancedcalmly, and placed himself in the centre of the escort. Acarriage waited at the door, the coachman was on the box,and a police officer sat beside him.

"Is this carriage for me?" said Dantes.

"It is for you," replied a gendarme.

Dantes was about to speak; but feeling himself urgedforward, and having neither the power nor the intention toresist, he mounted the steps, and was in an instant seatedinside between two gendarmes; the two others took theirplaces opposite, and the carriage rolled heavily over thestones.

The prisoner glanced at the windows - they were grated; hehad changed his prison for another that was conveying him heknew not whither. Through the grating, however, Dantes sawthey were passing through the Rue Caisserie, and by the RueSaint-Laurent and the Rue Taramis, to the port. Soon he sawthe lights of La Consigne.

The carriage stopped, the officer descended, approached theguardhouse, a dozen soldiers came out and formed themselvesin order; Dantes saw the reflection of their muskets by thelight of the lamps on the quay.

"Can all this force be summoned on my account?" thought he.

The officer opened the door, which was locked, and, withoutspeaking a word, answered Dantes' question; for he sawbetween the ranks of the soldiers a passage formed from thecarriage to the port. The two gendarmes who were opposite tohim descended first, then he was ordered to alight and thegendarmes on each side of him followed his example. Theyadvanced towards a boat, which a custom-house officer heldby a chain, near the quay.

The soldiers looked at Dantes with an air of stupidcuriosity. In an instant he was placed in the stern-sheetsof the boat, between the gendarmes, while the officerstationed himself at the bow; a shove sent the boat adrift,and four sturdy oarsmen impelled it rapidly towards thePilon. At a shout from the boat, the chain that closes themouth of the port was lowered and in a second they were, asDantes knew, in the Frioul and outside the inner harbor.

The prisoner's first feeling was of joy at again breathingthe pure air - for air is freedom; but he soon sighed, forhe passed before La Reserve, where he had that morning beenso happy, and now through the open windows came the laughterand revelry of a ball. Dantes folded his hands, raised hiseyes to heaven, and prayed fervently.

The boat continued her voyage. They had passed the Tete deMorte, were now off the Anse du Pharo, and about to doublethe battery. This manoeuvre was incomprehensible to Dantes.

"Whither are you taking me?" asked he.

"You will soon know."

"But still" -

"We are forbidden to give you any explanation." Dantes,trained in discipline, knew that nothing would be moreabsurd than to question subordinates, who were forbidden toreply; and so he remained silent.

The most vague and wild thoughts passed through his mind.The boat they were in could not make a long voyage; therewas no vessel at anchor outside the harbor; he thought,perhaps, they were going to leave him on some distant point.He was not bound, nor had they made any attempt to handcuffhim; this seemed a good augury. Besides, had not the deputy,who had been so kind to him, told him that provided he didnot pronounce the dreaded name of Noirtier, he had nothingto apprehend? Had not Villefort in his presence destroyedthe fatal letter, the only proof against him?

He waited silently, striving to pierce through the darkness.

They had left the Ile Ratonneau, where the lighthouse stood,on the right, and were now opposite the Point des Catalans.It seemed to the prisoner that he could distinguish afeminine form on the beach, for it was there Mercedes dwelt.How was it that a presentiment did not warn Mercedes thather lover was within three hundred yards of her?

One light alone was visible; and Dantes saw that it camefrom Mercedes' chamber. Mercedes was the only one awake inthe whole settlement. A loud cry could be heard by her. Butpride restrained him and he did not utter it. What would hisguards think if they heard him shout like a madman?

He remained silent, his eyes fixed upon the light; the boatwent on, but the prisoner thought only of Mercedes. Anintervening elevation of land hid the light. Dantes turnedand perceived that they had got out to sea. While he hadbeen absorbed in thought, they had shipped their oars andhoisted sail; the boat was now moving with the wind.

In spite of his repugnance to address the guards, Dantesturned to the nearest gendarme, and taking his hand, -

"Comrade," said he, "I adjure you, as a Christian and asoldier, to tell me where we are going. I am Captain Dantes,a loyal Frenchman, thought accused of treason; tell me whereyou are conducting me, and I promise you on my honor I willsubmit to my fate."

The gendarme looked irresolutely at his companion, whoreturned for answer a sign that said, "I see no great harmin telling him now," and the gendarme replied, -

"You are a native of Marseilles, and a sailor, and yet youdo not know where you are going?"

"On my honor, I have no idea."

"Have you no idea whatever?"

"None at all."

"That is impossible."

"I swear to you it is true. Tell me, I entreat."

"But my orders."

"Your orders do not forbid your telling me what I must knowin ten minutes, in half an hour, or an hour. You see Icannot escape, even if I intended."

"Unless you are blind, or have never been outside theharbor, you must know."

"I do not."

"Look round you then." Dantes rose and looked forward, whenhe saw rise within a hundred yards of him the black andfrowning rock on which stands the Chateau d'If. This gloomyfortress, which has for more than three hundred yearsfurnished food for so many wild legends, seemed to Danteslike a scaffold to a malefactor.

"The Chateau d'If?" cried he, "what are we going there for?"The gendarme smiled.

"I am not going there to be imprisoned," said Dantes; "it isonly used for political prisoners. I have committed nocrime. Are there any magistrates or judges at the Chateaud'If?"

"There are only," said the gendarme, "a governor, agarrison, turnkeys, and good thick walls. Come, come, do notlook so astonished, or you will make me think you arelaughing at me in return for my good nature." Dantes pressedthe gendarme's hand as though he would crush it.

"You think, then," said he, "that I am taken to the Chateaud'If to be imprisoned there?"

"It is probable; but there is no occasion to squeeze sohard."

"Without any inquiry, without any formality?"

"All the formalities have been gone through; the inquiry isalready made."

"And so, in spite of M. de Villefort's promises?"

"I do not know what M. de Villefort promised you," said thegendarme, "but I know we are taking you to the Chateau d'If.But what are you doing? Help, comrades, help!"

By a rapid movement, which the gendarme's practiced eye hadperceived, Dantes sprang forward to precipitate himself intothe sea; but four vigorous arms seized him as his feetquitted the bottom of the boat. He fell back cursing withrage.

"Good!" said the gendarme, placing his knee on his chest;"believe soft-spoken gentlemen again! Harkye, my friend, Ihave disobeyed my first order, but I will not disobey thesecond; and if you move, I will blow your brains out." Andhe levelled his carbine at Dantes, who felt the muzzleagainst his temple.

For a moment the idea of struggling crossed his mind, and ofso ending the unexpected evil that had overtaken him. But hebethought him of M. de Villefort's promise; and, besides,death in a boat from the hand of a gendarme seemed tooterrible. He remained motionless, but gnashing his teeth andwringing his hands with fury.

At this moment the boat came to a landing with a violentshock. One of the sailors leaped on shore, a cord creaked asit ran through a pulley, and Dantes guessed they were at theend of the voyage, and that they were mooring the boat.

His guards, taking him by the arms and coat-collar, forcedhim to rise, and dragged him towards the steps that lead tothe gate of the fortress, while the police officer carryinga musket with fixed bayonet followed behind.

Dantes made no resistance; he was like a man in a dream: hesaw soldiers drawn up on the embankment; he knew vaguelythat he was ascending a flight of steps; he was consciousthat he passed through a door, and that the door closedbehind him; but all this indistinctly as through a mist. Hedid not even see the ocean, that terrible barrier againstfreedom, which the prisoners look upon with utter despair.

They halted for a minute, during which he strove to collecthis thoughts. He looked around; he was in a court surroundedby high walls; he heard the measured tread of sentinels, andas they passed before the light he saw the barrels of theirmuskets shine.

They waited upwards of ten minutes. Certain Dantes could notescape, the gendarmes released him. They seemed awaitingorders. The orders came.

"Where is the prisoner?" said a voice.

"Here," replied the gendarmes.

"Let him follow me; I will take him to his cell."

"Go!" said the gendarmes, thrusting Dantes forward.

The prisoner followed his guide, who led him into a roomalmost under ground, whose bare and reeking walls seemed asthough impregnated with tears; a lamp placed on a stoolillumined the apartment faintly, and showed Dantes thefeatures of his conductor, an under-jailer, ill-clothed, andof sullen appearance.

"Here is your chamber for to-night," said he. "It is late,and the governor is asleep. To-morrow, perhaps, he maychange you. In the meantime there is bread, water, and freshstraw; and that is all a prisoner can wish for. Goodnight."And before Dantes could open his mouth - before he hadnoticed where the jailer placed his bread or the water - before he had glanced towards the corner where the strawwas, the jailer disappeared, taking with him the lamp andclosing the door, leaving stamped upon the prisoner's mindthe dim reflection of the dripping walls of his dungeon.

Dantes was alone in darkness and in silence - cold as theshadows that he felt breathe on his burning forehead. Withthe first dawn of day the jailer returned, with orders toleave Dantes where he was. He found the prisoner in the sameposition, as if fixed there, his eyes swollen with weeping.He had passed the night standing, and without sleep. Thejailer advanced; Dantes appeared not to perceive him. Hetouched him on the shoulder. Edmond started.

"Have you not slept?" said the jailer.

"I do not know," replied Dantes. The jailer stared.

"Are you hungry?" continued he.

"I do not know."

"Do you wish for anything?"

"I wish to see the governor." The jailer shrugged hisshoulders and left the chamber.

Dantes followed him with his eyes, and stretched forth hishands towards the open door; but the door closed. All hisemotion then burst forth; he cast himself on the ground,weeping bitterly, and asking himself what crime he hadcommitted that he was thus punished.

The day passed thus; he scarcely tasted food, but walkedround and round the cell like a wild beast in its cage. Onethought in particular tormented him: namely, that during hisjourney hither he had sat so still, whereas he might, adozen times, have plunged into the sea, and, thanks to hispowers of swimming, for which he was famous, have gained theshore, concealed himself until the arrival of a Genoese orSpanish vessel, escaped to Spain or Italy, where Mercedesand his father could have joined him. He had no fears as tohow he should live - good seamen are welcome everywhere. Hespoke Italian like a Tuscan, and Spanish like a Castilian;he would have been free, and happy with Mercedes and hisfather, whereas he was now confined in the Chateau d'If,that impregnable fortress, ignorant of the future destiny ofhis father and Mercedes; and all this because he had trustedto Villefort's promise. The thought was maddening, andDantes threw himself furiously down on his straw. The nextmorning at the same hour, the jailer came again.

"Well," said the jailer, "are you more reasonable to-day?"Dantes made no reply.

"Come, cheer up; is there anything that I can do for you?"

"I wish to see the governor."

"I have already told you it was impossible."

"Why so?"

"Because it is against prison rules, and prisoners must noteven ask for it."

"What is allowed, then?"

"Better fare, if you pay for it, books, and leave to walkabout."

"I do not want books, I am satisfied with my food, and donot care to walk about; but I wish to see the governor."

"If you worry me by repeating the same thing, I will notbring you any more to eat."

"Well, then," said Edmond, "if you do not, I shall die ofhunger - that is all."

The jailer saw by his tone he would be happy to die; and asevery prisoner is worth ten sous a day to his jailer, hereplied in a more subdued tone.

"What you ask is impossible; but if you are very wellbehaved you will be allowed to walk about, and some day youwill meet the governor, and if he chooses to reply, that ishis affair."

"But," asked Dantes, "how long shall I have to wait?"

"Ah, a month - six months - a year."

"It is too long a time. I wish to see him at once."

"Ah," said the jailer, "do not always brood over what isimpossible, or you will be mad in a fortnight."

"You think so?"

"Yes; we have an instance here; it was by always offering amillion of francs to the governor for his liberty that anabbe became mad, who was in this chamber before you."

"How long has he left it?"

"Two years."

"Was he liberated, then?"

"No; he was put in a dungeon."

"Listen!" said Dantes. "I am not an abbe, I am not mad;perhaps I shall be, but at present, unfortunately, I am not.I will make you another offer."

"What is that?"

"I do not offer you a million, because I have it not; but Iwill give you a hundred crowns if, the first time you go toMarseilles, you will seek out a young girl named Mercedes,at the Catalans, and give her two lines from me."

"If I took them, and were detected, I should lose my place,which is worth two thousand francs a year; so that I shouldbe a great fool to run such a risk for three hundred."

"Well," said Dantes, "mark this; if you refuse at least totell Mercedes I am here, I will some day hide myself behindthe door, and when you enter I will dash out your brainswith this stool."

"Threats!" cried the jailer, retreating and putting himselfon the defensive; "you are certainly going mad. The abbebegan like you, and in three days you will be like him, madenough to tie up; but, fortunately, there are dungeonshere." Dantes whirled the stool round his head.

"All right, all right," said the jailer; "all right, sinceyou will have it so. I will send word to the governor."

"Very well," returned Dantes, dropping the stool and sittingon it as if he were in reality mad. The jailer went out, andreturned in an instant with a corporal and four soldiers.

"By the governor's orders," said he, "conduct the prisonerto the tier beneath."

"To the dungeon, then," said the corporal.

"Yes; we must put the madman with the madmen." The soldiersseized Dantes, who followed passively.

He descended fifteen steps, and the door of a dungeon wasopened, and he was thrust in. The door closed, and Dantesadvanced with outstretched hands until he touched the wall;he then sat down in the corner until his eyes becameaccustomed to the darkness. The jailer was right; Danteswanted but little of being utterly mad.