As he spoke he extended it with a threatening smile. The arm was indeed whole. A glove covered the hand. He continued—
“The Swiss are very fine mechanics. They have made for me a jointed fore-arm which works like a natural one. The hand is of steel. It is the best fisticuff imaginable. A blow from that hand, Sophia, would kill a man.” With a sigh he continued. “But, after all, this arm is not worth the one I have lost. Still, those who have mutilated me shall pay for my flesh and blood.”
As he spoke his face assumed a ferocious expression, and he ground his teeth savagely. Sophia, in grave accents, replied—
“Have you not already been paid? At the time you were struck, the General de Trémont was dead. Perhaps it was he who was taking his vengeance on you!”
“The old fool! He had only to accede to your request when you were inducing him to tell you the secret of his safe. Then nothing would have happened!”
“Hans, it all happened because you were in too great a hurry. You destroyed all my combinations through your brutality. Had you merely given me another week the poor fool would have given up to me his secret, his honour, and everything else. Your intervention put him on his guard; he recovered from his torpor, and all was lost!”
“No reproaches, please. This mistake has cost me dearly enough. Now, how do matters stand here?”
“If you will leave me to act in my own way, I shall succeed.”
“Good! Good! I, too, am preparing a slight diversion, which will be of use. Besides, it will please Lichtenbach.”
“What do you intend to do?”