"I said that I would not ask for any sum that I could not double," said Mon.
The little man sat blinking for some minutes silent in that absolute stillness which is peculiar to great heights--and is so marked at Montserrat that many cannot sleep there.
"I will give you any sum that you can double," he said, at length.
"Then I will ask you for three million pesetas."
All turned and looked at him in wonder. The fat man gave a gasp. With three million pesetas he could have made a Polish republic. Mon only smiled.
"For every million pesetas that you show me," said the little man, "I will hand you another million--cash for cash. When shall we begin?"
"You must give me time," answered Mon, reflectively. "Say six months hence."
The little man rose in response to the chapel bell, which was slowly tolling for the last service of the day.
"Come," he said, "let us say a prayer before we go to bed."