Before Franz and Albert depart in the Count of Monte Cristo’s carriage, the count invites the young men to join him for breakfast. Franz recognizes the count as Sinbad the Sailor. The count, however, shows no sign of knowing Franz, so Franz makes no mention of their past acquaintance. Franz does take note that the count seems to be paying special attention to Albert; he stares at him as he talks.

The three men discuss the upcoming execution to take place before the carnival celebration. The count invites the young men to join him in a special room he has reserved across from the plaza where the execution will be conducted. The count tells the men there will be only one execution this day, however, as he has heard that one of the criminals, Peppino, will be forgiven.

Neither Franz nor Albert is sure he wants to witness even one execution, but the count insists. He begins a lengthy discussion on the fascination people have with death. He also talks about how executions are unfair. He asks, for instance, what if a man steals another man’s wife? Is a swift death a just punishment? Should not the criminal have to suffer as the husband has suffered? It is obvious that the count has been considering these questions for a long time.

The young men agree to go with the count. After breakfast, they leave for the reserved room. As they watch the prisoners enter the plaza, an announcement is made that Peppino will not be executed. The other prisoner becomes enraged. He finds it unjust that one prisoner should be executed and the other set free. But the police put the prisoner under their control and execute him. This act makes both Franz and Albert feel weak. The count stands unshaken, “like an avenging angel.”

After the execution, the city prepares for a huge carnival celebration. The people are dressed in costumes as they roam the streets. Albert, who has determined he will have as many love affairs as he can before returning to Paris, becomes intrigued with a beautiful, masked woman who encourages his advances. The next day, Albert receives a letter, presumably from the same woman. The letter instructs Albert to meet her at the Church of San-Gascomo. Albert tells Franz he is in love with this mysterious woman. Albert and Franz spend the next few days enjoying the celebration. Then on the last night of the carnival—the evening of the requested rendezvous with the woman—Albert and Franz are separated by the crowd. Albert leaves to meet his mysterious lady at the church. Franz does not find Albert and returns to the hotel.

Several hours later, Franz receives a note written by Albert stating that he has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. He instructs Franz to collect the requested sum by emptying out his bank account and adding whatever money Franz has. Unfortunately, their combined cash does not equal the amount of money demanded. At the end of this note is a message from the bandit Vampa. He writes that he will kill Albert if he does not receive the ransom.

Franz turns to the Count of Monte Cristo and appeals not only for the money but also for his help in talking to Vampa. Franz had seen the count conversing with Vampa when they were at the Coliseum, and so he knows that the count and Vampa are acquainted. The count is surprised to discover that Franz is aware of the connection, but he does not further examine Franz on this matter as they must hurry in their rescue of Albert.

Peppino, the man whom the count saved from execution, is the one who delivered the ransom note to Franz. When Peppino recognizes the count, he feels so indebted that he tells the story of how Albert was kidnapped. The beautiful woman Albert had been following was Vampa’s girlfriend; she lured Albert into a trap.

Peppino offers to take the count and Franz to the Catacombs, where Vampa is holding Albert. When Vampa sees the count, he is embarrassed. The count had once saved Vampa’s life. Vampa in return promised never to hurt the count or any of his friends. He had not known that Albert was an acquaintance of the count’s and apologizes profusely at his error and releases Albert at once.

The next day, Albert goes to the count to thank him and ask how he can repay him. The count tells him that he does have one request. He has never been to Paris and would appreciate having Albert introduce him to Parisian society. Albert readily agrees to this, and they set a date for the meeting.

Later when Albert and Franz are alone, Franz tries to warn Albert. Franz questions what they know about the count: Where is he from? How did he get his wealth? What does his connection to Vampa mean? Albert has an answer for every one of Franz’s questions. He trusts the count even though he does not know his background; the count did not ask about his background when it came time to rescue him.

The story jumps to the twenty-first of May, the day on which the Count of Monte Cristo has promised to come to Albert’s home in Paris. Albert has planned a grand meal and has invited some of his most influential friends. Lucien Debray, the secretary of the Minister of the Interior, discusses investments, especially those of Danglars, who is not present but has recently made a lot of money. Albert promises to introduce Debray to someone quite extraordinary—the count. Others present include Maximilian Morrel, the son of the ship owner for whom Dantes used to work and whom he later saved from bankruptcy.

A few seconds after the scheduled time for the count’s arrival, Dantes enters Albert’s home as quietly as a ghost. This startles everyone and gives credence to the stories Albert has told his guests. Then, adding to his mystique, Dantes apologizes for being seconds late.