“Four millions.”

CHAPTER V
HUSBAND AND WIFE

The accomplices started, as though they had received an electric shock. Bournef darted forward:

“What did you say?”

“I said four millions, which means a million for each of you.”

“Look here! . . . Do you mean it? . . . Four millions? . . .”

“Four millions is what I said.”

The figure was so gigantic and the proposal so utterly unexpected that the accomplices had the same feeling which Patrice Belval on his side underwent. They suspected a trap; and Bournef could not help saying:

“The offer is more than we expected. . . . And I am wondering what induced you to make it.”