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."
"Would you have been satisfied with less?"
"Yes," said Bournef, candidly.
"Unfortunately, I can't make it less. I have only one means of escaping death; and that is to open my safe for yo
