"The whole revenue, Most Holy Lord, is subject to Your pleasure: but Peter's Pence belong to the pontiff-regnant personally. They are His private property—salary—honorarium, I should say."
"In eight days, Your Eminency will be good enough to let Us know the annual average of that income, say for the last twenty years."
"It shall be done, Most Holy Lord."
"Meanwhile, what money is at Our disposal at this moment?"
"There has been accumulated a large reserve, the exact amount of which is known only to the bankers. It is Yours, Most Holy Lord."
"What approximately is the sum?"
"In round numbers, Most Holy Lord, it cannot be less than five millions."
"Lire?"
"Pounds sterling, Most Holy Lord."
Hadrian's eyes sparkled. "Where is it?"