I recently remembered a short story I read many years ago and I would
like to read it again but cannot remember the name of it. The story is
about a man who accepts an offer from a wealthy businessman to stay in
solitary confinement for fifteen years. After the time is up, the man
would be paid, I think, one million dollars (probably not dolllars
though, I think its set somewhere in Europe). The night before the
fifteen years is up, the man, who has spent his years learning about
the world, its languages, etc, leaves, without being paid, freeing the
now broke businessman of his obligation. The numbers may not be
correct, but thats what I remember. Thanks for the help.

Hello.

"The Bet" by Anton Chekhov

"It's not true! I'll bet you two millions you wouldn't stay in
solitary confinement for five years."
"If you mean that in earnest," said the young man, "I'll take the
bet, but I would stay not five but fifteen years.

Read the story again at:
http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/1011/

------
search strategy:
"short story"  "for fifteen years"

Thanks.

---

Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 16 Jul 2005 03:56 PDT

Another link to the story in case the one above doesn't work:
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/Bet.shtml

Thats what I needed --

Afmatt, I remember what you do, and I was unable to find this for you.
I am sure another researcher will remember this story. (Its on the tip
of my mind!)  :-)