"Not in private, general. Until now we have had listeners."
"Well, is it anything of moment you desire to communicate?"
"Something of great importance."
"Speak on, and be quick, for time presses."
"Your excellency is resolved to burn down the cathedral?"
"Have I not told you that I would?" replied Melac, with a frown.
"Nothing in heaven or on earth shall save it."
"Then," said the monk with a deep sigh, "for the sake of our brotherhood, I must violate the sanctity of the confessional. But you must swear to preserve my secret, otherwise you shall not hear it."
"A secret of the confessional! How can it concern me?"
"You shall hear. It relates to the concealment of two millions' worth of gold and precious stones."
The covetous eyes of Melac glittered, and the blood mounted to his brow. "Two millions!" gasped he.