“After that,” continued the merchant, “they offered this sum to two or three men, known as your common associates, if they would assist them in capturing you.”
“Let them offer it,” said Bruno; “I am quite certain they will not meet with a traitor within ten leagues.”
“You deceive yourself,” answered the Maltese; “the traitor is found.”
“Ha!” exclaimed Bruno, knitting his brow and grasping his dagger; “and how do you know that?”
“Why, my good fellow,” said the merchant, “in the simplest way in the world; yesterday I was at the house of the Prince de Goto, governor of Messina, who sent for me for the purpose of purchasing some Turkish goods, when a servant entered the room and whispered a few words in his ear. ‘Very well,’ said the prince, ‘let him come in.’ He then made a sign to me to go into an adjoining room for a short time; I obeyed, and as he never suspected that I was acquainted with you, I overheard a conversation that concerned you.”
“Well,” said Bruno.
“It was the traitor,” said the Maltese; “he undertook to open the doors of your fortress, and to place you in their hands unarmed while you were at supper; and he himself engaged to conduct the gens-d’armes to your dining-room.”
“And do you know who this man is?” demanded Bruno.
“Yes,” said the merchant.
“His name?” said Bruno.