Italy: Sinbad the Sailor (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 31 – Part 3)

Franz learns why Monte Cristo carries an ominous reputation: though uninhabited, the island serves as a hidden refuge for smugglers and pirates crossing between Corsica, Sardinia, and Africa. A visit there means six days of quarantine upon returning to Leghorn—a delay Franz refuses to accept. But secrecy solves everything, or so the sailors insist, and the boat turns toward the rocky island. Once underway, Franz presses the captain further, surprised to learn that piracy has not vanished with the fall of Algiers. Just as bandits still haunt the outskirts of Rome, the Mediterranean, too, has its dangers—quiet, persistent, and very real.   New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com Want to talk theories, themes, or betrayals? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm 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.