"This is my answer to you," he cried.
Bambino shrunk back, but he was unable to avoid the ball which his lordship fired at him.
There was an explosion, a puff of smoke and the crafty Italian fell on the floor, the blood welling from a wound in his head.
Hastily Lord Maltravers placed the pistol in the death-like clutch of his victim.
Then he rung the bell violently.
This tragedy occurred at one of the leading hotels and could not be hushed up.
When the waiter answered the bell, his lordship was perfectly calm.
"This man, my servant," he exclaimed, "has been despondent lately, and because I would not allow him to return to Italy, he has committed suicide. Summon the proprietor of the hotel!"
The servant hastened to do so.
When the proprietor arrived, he was told the same story, which he saw no reason to disbelieve, and, an ambulance being sent for, Bambino was taken to the hospital.