"Villain," he cried, "what was your object in attacking me?"
Bambino made no answer.
"Tell me," continued Jack, "or I'll strangle the life out of you!"
He compressed his fingers mere tightly and the assassin's eyes started from their sockets, while his face assumed a purple hue.
"Speak, speak!" persisted Jack.
A gurgling sound came from the man's mouth, and he made signs that he was being stifled.
When the gripe was slightly relaxed he said: "I am a poor adventurer, and fancied I could get money by robbing you."
"That is not the truth; robbery was not your object, but murder."
"Well, I will confess," exclaimed Bambino, who was afraid of being killed and thought he could serve his employer better alive than dead.
"Make haste."