"I don't understand—?" he whispered and slowly shook his head.
"What don't you understand?"
"That he should keep you in confinement."
Michael Petroff glanced at the lawyer in surprise. Then he leaned forward and whispered: "But I have already told you that my relations pay him."
"They pay him?"
"Yes, of course!" answered Michael Petroff cheerfully. "Enormous sums. Millions!"
"Oh!" The lawyer began to understand now.
"Yes, you see, that is how it is in the world!" said Michael Petroff, and snapped his fingers.
But the lawyer did not wholly comprehend yet.
"I do not understand," he began again. "Dr. März is so kindhearted. I live here, I have my home and my food and I pay nothing. He has never asked me for any money.—I have no money, you know," he ended anxiously in a still lower tone.