Benedetto uttered a cry.
"Are you speaking the truth?" he breathlessly asked.
"And why should I deceive you? Let me give you my conditions, and if you accept them you will be free on the evening of the 24th of February."
"What are your conditions?" asked Benedetto faintly.
"Give me half of the million you are seeking to get, and we are quits."
The Corsican looked tremblingly at the ex-priest.
"How do you know?" he stammered.
"That you are seeking to get a million—well, out of your dreams. The words 'the 24th of February,' and 'one million,' form the Alpha and Omega of your thoughts, and in your sleep you constantly repeat these words. You want to be free on the 24th, so as to steal this million. Steal it, but give me my share!"
"And you want?" stammered Benedetto.