"Do you believe in my promise now?" the ex-priest triumphantly exclaimed: "the jailers call our little animal 'rat!' I call him 'necessary.'"
Benedetto laughed aloud. Anselmo placed the instrument back in its place and the little rat-king sprang away, while Benedetto looked at him deaf and dumb with astonishment.
"I am convinced now," he finally said, breathing deeply, "and now you shall hear how the million is to be got. A lady will come here on the 24th—"
"Are you sure of it?"
"Positive. On the 25th this woman will draw one million to give to others."
"You are joking—she intends to give away a million?"
"Yes, and we two will prevent her," said Benedetto, firmly.
"And who is to get the million?"
"The Church, of course; you understand, now, that I must be free on the 24th, so as to be able to follow the lady and take the million from her."