"'But with what should I pay?' I cried in desperation; 'the money I have with me—'
"'Is your whole fortune,' interrupted Peppino. 'You have five million and fifty thousand francs in your portfolio in drafts, and you can get fifty chickens and a half for it.'
"I was astounded. The robbers knew exactly how much money I had, and I saw I had either to pay or to starve.
"'Will I be able to eat in silence?' I asked, 'if I pay?'
"'Certainly.'
"'Good, then bring me some writing materials.'
"I wrote out a draft on Rome for one hundred thousand francs, and received the chicken."
"What was their motive?" asked Carmen.
"Merely to plunder and blackmail me."
"Then they demanded more?" asked Carmen.