"How much?"
"A million of francs!"
"Man!" cried Monte-Cristo, breathless with astonishment at Benedetto's audacious demand, "you are out of your senses! I will give you a thousand francs, but not a sou more!"
"Beware how you trifle with a desperate man!" hissed Benedetto.
"What have I to fear?" said Monte-Cristo, calmly. "You are alone."
"I am not alone, Count of Monte-Cristo; my stout-hearted friends of the Island of Kylo are with me, and ready to support my demand!"
"Then you lied to me; your story was a base fabrication."
"Partly, Count; but enough of this—I want the million of francs; it is a small sum for you to spare an old friend, who did you as much service as Prince Andrea Cavalcanti! Are you going to give me the money?"
"I am not!" replied Monte-Cristo, drawing his revolver from his belt and cocking it.