'But what do you want from me?' he cried out, with a gasp of fear.
'The real numbers,' said Formosa coldly. 'We don't believe these that you are telling us can be the right ones; that is to say, just on the chance we will play the numbers corresponding to the mountain, the sea-coast, and flowering camellias. But the real figures must be different. While waiting for them, we will play these three, but we will keep you shut up here in the meanwhile.'
'Until when?' he asked hurriedly.
'Until your numbers come out,' retorted the Marquis harshly.
'Oh, God!' said the medium softly under his breath.
'You understand, Don Pasqualino, these gentlemen wish to have a guarantee, and they intend to keep you as a pawn,' the lottery-banker explained, trying to make out that shutting him up was lawful. 'What does it signify to you? What trouble is it to tell the truth? If you have kept them in error up till now, it is time to speak seriously, Don Pasqualino. These gentlemen have a right to be enraged, and I know it. Speak, Don Pasqualino, send us off satisfied. You will stay here till to-morrow at five. When the lottery drawing is over, we will come and take you in a carriage for an airing. Come, come; do what you ought to do.'
'I can't do it,' said the medium, opening out his arms.
'Don't tell lies. You can, but you won't. The spirits obey you,' said Colaneri, letting himself go in a passion of rage.
'Tell them this evening; it will be better for you,' Gaetano the glover muttered in an ill-natured tone.