"Did you not understand me? Look here! You see those beautiful toys?" pointing to the implements of torture. "I will dismember you if you hesitate longer!"
"Tell me, what did you want," demanded the major, with a shrug of his shoulders, "at the time when you introduced me into the salon of the Count of Monte-Cristo?"
A cry of rage, uttered by Benedetto, interrupted him.
"Do not mention that name!" exclaimed the bandit, gritting his teeth. "If I kill you off and slay Aslitta it will only be to wreak my vengeance upon that man, whom I despise. Oh, he called me a galley slave once—the murderer!"
And he stopped short, his voice half choked with rage. Bartolomeo trembled visibly; and to humble him the more, Benedetto spat in his face.
The major scarcely regarded this last insult. He was busied with many reflections. How would it be if he tried to overpower Benedetto?
"Well, I am waiting," said San Pietro, after a pause; "will you speak?"
"No."
"You know that Aslitta is in my power, and you will die like him if you remain headstrong."
"Listen to me, Benedetto," said the major, earnestly. "I have lied and defrauded, but never will I consent to become a traitor to my country!"