Chapter 18 Chapter 1 Mediterranean
He once said: "The Mediterranean Sea is beautiful and elegant, and what stands out is that it has a pleasant environment, blazing light, and clear and bright sky... It can best forge people, it can give people the strongest endurance, and it can cultivate the strongest nation."
How well Michelet said it!Human beings are happy, because nature split the rocks of Carpena and Mount Abila, and created, making the legendary Hercules pale in comparison.Although geologists have different opinions, it should be admitted that this strait has existed since ancient times.Without this strait, there would be no Mediterranean Sea, because the evaporation of sea water in the Mediterranean Sea is three times the amount supplied by the rivers.Without the constant supply of water from the Atlantic Ocean through this strait, the Mediterranean would have become a "dead sea" rather than a fine "living sea" for centuries.
In this vast Mediterranean Sea, there is a very hidden and unknown place, which is the incognito residence of Count Matthias Sanddorf - where he used the illusion of his own death, under the pseudonym of Dr. When the time comes, he will seek justice.
There are two Mediterranean Seas on Earth, one in Europe and one in America.The Mediterranean Sea in America is the Gulf of Mexico, which covers no less than 4.5 million square kilometers of sea surface.The European Mediterranean is only 2,885,522 square kilometers, only half the area of the American Mediterranean, but its overall landform is more varied, including more bays and seaports and more Waters that can become seas independently, such as: the Sporades Islands in Greece, the Crete Sea to the north of Crete, the Libyan Sea to the south, the Adriatic Sea between Italy and Austria, the love between Turkey and Greece The Qin Sea, the Ionian Sea near Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia and other islands, the Tyrrhenian Sea in western Italy, the Ionian Sea near the Lipari Islands, the concave into the Gulf of Lion in the province of Provence, the Gulf of Genoa between the two Italian provinces of Liguria, and two large bays that penetrate into the African continent: the Gulf of Gabes (also known as the Gulf of Petit Siirt) in Tunisia and the Tower of Tripoli. Great Siirt Fjord on the coast of Niah.
There are still some undiscovered coasts in the Mediterranean Sea. Which hidden place did Dr. Antegit choose as his residence?There are hundreds of large islands, thousands of small islands, and countless capes and bays. As early as two thousand years ago, traces of human history have been left here. Various ethnic groups, People of different customs and social systems live here, including French, Italians, Spaniards, Austrians, Turks, Greeks, Arabs, Egyptians, Tripolitanians, Tunisians, Moroccans , and even Britons in Gibraltar, Malta and Cyprus.It is also surrounded by the three vast continents of Europe, Asia and Africa.Count Matthias Sandov, now called Doctor Antegitus—a name so widely celebrated in the Eastern countries—had in what remote place had he chosen as his abode and his new life?This is what Pierre Bathory will soon learn.
Pierre had just opened his eyes, and a moment later he passed out from extreme weakness, unconscious, just as when the doctor let him die at the Laguiz house.Undoubtedly, the doctor's great willpower just now aroused the young man's miraculous physiological reaction.The doctor once put the young man in danger into sleep according to his own will, but he didn't.Pierre was bleeding profusely and was very weak, he was dying and lethargic.He had just been awakened by the doctor's willpower induction, but he was dying, so keeping his life became the top priority.It's a daunting task, one that requires meticulous care and great medical skill.In this regard, Dr. Antekit is duty-bound.
"He must be alive!...I want him to live!" The doctor thought repeatedly: "Oh! Why didn't I implement the first set of plans when I was in Cattaro?...Why did Sakani come to Raju Here, stop me from getting Pierre out of this damned city!... I must save him!... In the future, Pierre Bathory shall be Count Matthias Sandov's right-hand man assistant!"
In fact, in the past fifteen years, the two things that Dr. Antekit has never forgotten are punishing rape and repaying kindness.First of all, he should avenge his companions Etienne Batory and Ladisla Zatmar, and secondly, himself.It was for this reason that he came to Laguze on the "Sava Lena".
In the past long years, the doctor's appearance has undergone great changes, making him unrecognizable.He had a crew-cut hair that was beginning to grey, and his face was deathly pale.He is now past fifty, but still retains the exuberance of youth and the composure of middle age.The thick-haired, rosy-complexioned Count Sandov could no longer be found in this stern, indifferent Doctor Antegit.But the long-term suffering has made him into steel. It can be believed that his strong character can even change the direction of the magnetic needle.That being the case, he also wants to forge Etienne Bathory's son into a person like himself!
And, for a long time, Dr. Antekit was the only surviving member of the Sandov family.We shall not forget that he had one child, a young daughter, who, after his arrest, was entrusted to the wife of Langdike, the steward of the castle of Atenac, to raise him.The two-year-old girl is the only heir to the earl's property.While the earl was sentenced to death, the other half of his property was temporarily seized, and he could inherit it when his daughter turned eighteen.The butler, Langdike, managed the earl's territory in Transylvania as a custodian of the property. He stayed in the castle with his wife and wanted to devote all his energy to taking care of the child for the rest of his life.But bad luck seems to be upon the only remaining descendants of the Sandov family.After the leaders of the Trieste uprising were sentenced to death, many things happened.A few months later, the little girl suddenly disappeared, and she was nowhere to be found.People only found her hat by a small stream.From the nearby hills many streams pour down into deep pools in the castle park.Apparently, the unfortunate girl was swept into a deep pool by the torrent rushing down the Carpathian Mountains.The steward's wife, Rosanna Langdike, was fatally struck by the accident, and died a few weeks later.Fortunately, since the death of Earl Sandov's daughter has not been legally confirmed, the government has not made any changes to the provisions of the judgment, and Langdike continues to keep this part of the property in the territory.Only when the heir of the estate reaches the legal age and there is no whereabouts, can the earl's property be nationalized.
This was the final blow for the Sandov family.Due to the disappearance of the only heir, this prominent and noble family is facing extinction.Then, as time passed, it, like everything connected with the Trieste uprising, gradually faded into oblivion.
Count Mathias Sandov was living in seclusion in Otranto when he learned of his daughter's death.With the loss of his daughter, everything left to him by his beloved wife who died young was gone.Then one day he quietly left Otranto, just as quietly as he had come here.No one knows where he went to start his new life.
Fifteen years later, when Count Matthias Sandov reappeared, no one would have guessed that he had changed his name and acted under the name of Doctor Antekyt.
From then on Matthias Sanddorf devoted himself fully to his career.He is alone, on a mission he considers sacred.A few years after leaving Otranto, he unexpectedly obtained a huge sum of money and became a very powerful and rich man.He concealed his identity and vowed to find his benefactor and enemy all over the world.In his heart, Pierre Bathory had long been regarded as a collaborator in this just cause.He sent intelligence agents to various cities along the Mediterranean Sea, and gave them high salaries, requiring them to strictly keep their professional secrets, and to have single-line contact with doctors.The information was delivered either by express ships, or via the submarine cable connecting Antakit Island and Malta, via Malta, to Europe.
The doctor found out the whereabouts of all those who were directly or indirectly related to Count Sandov's plot to revolt by verifying the information sent from various places, so he was able to monitor them from a distance and grasp their movements.Especially in the past four or five years, it can be said that they have been closely watching their actions.He knew that Silas Doronta left Trieste with his wife and daughter and moved to the Stratton Mansion in Laguze; Then he hid in a province in the east of Sicily, and conspired with his accomplice Zirona to make a comeback; he also knew that Carpena had left Rovigno and Istria, and went to Italy or Austria, relying on the reward of thousands of florins. Kim, living a life of idleness.As for André Feihato, he was held in the Stan Prison in the Rolle region.He had sacrificed himself to rescue the fugitives of Piscino Castle, and now he suffers for them.If death had not freed him from the shackles of the convict months later, the doctor would have wanted to help him escape.And Ferjato's children, Maria and Luigi, who had also left Rovigno, must still be living miserable lives of hunger and cold!But they hid very secretly, and the doctor has been unable to find their traces.Finally, Madame Bathory, with her son Pierre, lived in Laguze with the Count Zatmar's old servant, Boric.The doctor has been watching them.We already know how the doctor sent a huge sum, only to be rejected by the self-respecting and strong Madame Bathory.
At last the time had come, and the Doctor was about to begin his arduous battle.Convinced that after fifteen years of disappearance he would not be recognized because he was thought dead, he came to Laguez and found the son of Étienne Bathory with Silas Doron Ta's daughter is in love, which makes him intolerable, and he wants to break up the couple at all costs!
We will not forget everything that happened at that time, Saccani's intervention and its consequences, how Pierre was brought home, what Dr. Antekit did when Pierre was dying , and under what circumstances he woke up, and told him his real name: Mathias Sandov.
Now he must be cured, he must be told all that he does not know, that his father Étienne Bathory and his two companions were shamefully betrayed, that the agent who betrayed them was Who, and finally wants him to unite with himself, to deliver justice without mercy, to eradicate the injustice in the world, because he himself is the victim of this injustice.
Therefore, the first task is to heal Pierre's injury, which is the most important thing.
During the eight days that Pierre was brought to the island, he was dying, not only because of his serious injuries, but also because of his poor mental condition.He misses Sharapova who should have been married to Sakani, and he misses his mother who is still crying for him.Also, the death and resurrection of his father's dearest friend, Matthias Sandov, under the pseudonym Dr. Antekett-all this added to the anguish of the troubled young man.
The doctor stayed by Pierre's side day and night, unwilling to leave.He heard Pierre calling for Sawa Doronta in a coma, and he understood that he loved her deeply, and that once the girl he loved married someone else, it would bring him great pain!So the doctor thought to himself, if Pierre knew that Sharapova's father had reported on, betrayed and killed his father, would he still be loyal to this love?The doctor had made up his mind that it was his duty to tell Pierre the truth.
How many times has it been thought that Pierre is dying.He was suffering from both mental and physical pain, and he had fallen into a dying state, and he couldn't recognize Count Matthias Sanddorf at the bedside!He couldn't even say Sharapova's name!
However, the treatment was effective, and the young man recovered day by day.Physical wounds are healed much faster than emotional wounds.His wounds began to heal and his lungs returned to normal function.Towards the seventeenth of July, the doctor was convinced that Pierre was saved.
On this day, the young man recognized the doctor.He called the doctor's real name in a weak voice.
"For you, my boy, I am Mattia Sandov," the doctor replied, "but only for you!"
Pierre looked at him as if eager to hear his explanation.
"Let's talk about it later," said the doctor. "I'll talk about it later!"
Pierre recuperated in a beautiful room: the surrounding sea breeze was blowing, the air was fresh, the windows faced north and east, with gurgling water flowing outside the window, shaded by greenery, evergreen all year round.Here, Pierre is sure to recover quickly.The doctor continued to treat him and was busy by his side all the time.Later, when the doctor was sure that Pierre's cure was within sight, he chose a wise, kind, and absolutely reliable assistant as his assistant.
This was Boscade, who was as loyal to Pierre as he was to the doctor.Needless to say, he and Matif kept what happened at the Laguz cemetery in absolute secrecy, and they would not reveal it to anyone: the young man had been rescued from his own grave.
Boscade knew all that had happened during the last few months, and he took special interest in his patients.Pierre and Sharapova fell in love with each other, but were separated alive by Sarkani, which naturally aroused Boscade's hatred of this shameless person.The encounter between the funeral procession and the wedding car in front of the Stratton mansion, the exhumation of the dead in the Laguiz cemetery, all these things deeply moved this kind man.Although he still doesn't know the doctor's true purpose, he realizes that he has participated in the doctor's plan.
So Boscade hastily accepted the task of tending the sick.The doctor told him to do his best to influence the patient with his happy personality and make him happy.He's pretty sure of it.What's more, since Pierre received two florins at the Gravosa meeting that day, he has always regarded Pierre as a creditor, and he always wants to do everything possible to pay off the debt whenever he has the opportunity.
So, with this feeling in mind, Boscade stayed with Pierre, chatted with him, and gave him no time to think.
It was in this context that one day, at Pierre's request, Boscade related how he had come to know Dr. Antekyte.
"The incident of the little sea vessel, Monsieur Pierre!" he replied: "You should still remember it!... The launch of the little sea vessel turned Mattife into a hero!"
Pierre had not forgotten the momentous events that took place when the yacht came into port on the day of the Gravosa meeting.But he didn't know that the two acrobats followed the doctor's advice, so they gave up their careers and became the doctor's subordinates.
"Yes, Mr. Bathory!" said Boscard, "yes, that's right, Matiff has done what he can to help us get rid of poverty at once! But although the doctor has been kind to us, we have not forgotten Thank you for your kindness!"
"My kindness?"
"Yes, Mr. Bathory, you almost became our audience that day. You paid two florins and disappeared in a second, so we didn't make it!"
After listening to Bescade's words, Pierre recalled that he had paid two florins and was about to enter the Provence amphitheatre, but suddenly left.
The young man had long forgotten about it, but he answered Boscade with a smile, a wry smile, for he recalled the time when he had huddled through the crowd to find Sawa Doronta.
So he closed his eyes and thought about everything that had happened since that day.Thinking that Sharapova must be married, he was heartbroken and wished he could curse the person who saved him!
Boscade saw that this meeting in Gravosa had brought back sad memories for Pierre, so he did not mention it any more, and even fell silent, saying to himself:
"Give my patients half a teaspoon of happy pills every five minutes, yes! That's what the doctor prescribed. But it's not easy!"
After a while Pierre opened his eyes and asked again:
"So, Boscuard, you didn't know Dr. Antekit before the little Sealin incident?"
"We had never seen him before," replied Boscade; "never heard his name."
"You haven't left him since that day?"
"No, except the few times he sent me on errands."
"Then where are we now? Can you tell me, Mr. Boscard?"
"I have reason to believe, Monsieur Pierre, that we are on an island, because the sea is all around us."
"Of course, but where in the Mediterranean are we?"
"Well, it's south, it's north, it's west, it's east, I can't tell at all!" Boscade replied: "Whatever, it doesn't matter! One thing is certain, we are in Anteki In the special doctor's house, we eat well, wear warm clothes, sleep soundly, and are respected everywhere..."
"But if you don't know the location of this island, you should at least know its name?"
"What's its name? . . . Oh! Of course!" replied Boscade, "It's called Antakit Island!"
Pierre, unable to recall an island in the Mediterranean with that name, looked at Boscades.
"Yes, Monsieur Pierre, it's called Antakit!" replied the honest young man, "it has neither latitude nor longitude, and if I had an uncle he would write to me in the Mediterranean! But God has refused to give me this happiness until now! Anyway, it is not surprising that it is called Antakit Island, because it belongs to Doctor Antakit! As for the doctor who took the name of the island, or This island is named after a doctor, even if I am the secretary-general of the Geographical Association, I can't tell!"
Pierre's health improved day by day.None of the previously feared complications arose.Because the food is rich in nutrition and properly prepared, the physical strength of the patients is increasing day by day.The doctor often comes to visit and ask questions, but he doesn't talk about things about himself.It was also inconvenient for Pierre to urge the doctor to tell the truth too early, he had to wait for the right time.
Boscade always faithfully reported fragments of his conversations with patients to the doctor.Apparently, Pierre Bathory wanted to know why the doctor kept his name incognito, even keeping the island where he lived from being known to the outside world.Of course, he misses Sharapova who is far away from him now, because it seems that communication between Ontakita Island and the European mainland has been cut off.The good news is that he's almost back to strength, and by then, he'll know all about it!
yes!Know everything!On that day, the doctor will be like a surgeon operating on a patient, no matter how painful the patient is, he will heal the wound for him.
After a few days, the young man's wound was completely healed.He was able to get out of bed and go to the window of the room.The Mediterranean wind is sunny and the fresh air is refreshing.He was healthy again, full of energy, and he felt revived.He stared into the endless distance.His gaze seemed to pierce the sky.His trauma is still deep.The vast expanse of water surrounding this unnamed island is almost deserted.A few coastal ships, three-masted ships and small sailing ships occasionally pass by on the sea, but they never anchor on the island, nor do they see the large merchant ships and passenger ships driving around in the large European lakes.
It seemed that Doctor Antekit had really been abandoned on the edge of the world.
On July 24, the doctor told Pierre that he could go for a walk the next afternoon accompanied by the doctor.This is the first time since his injury.
"Doctor," said Pierre, "if I have the strength to go for a walk, I shall have the strength to listen to you!"
"Listen to me, Pierre, what does this mean?"
"I mean, you already know all about my past, but I don't know about yours!"
The doctor looked at Pierre carefully, not as a friend but as a doctor, deciding whether to subject the patient to severe treatment.Then he sat down beside Pierre and said:
"Do you want to know about my past, Pierre? Well, then listen to me!"
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