It was a very clever counter, and Nick went at it cleverly.
"Why don't you give me to the police, if you think I'm a thief?" he repeated, when Cervera made no reply.
"The police?—bah!" she now cried, with a sneer. "For what? That you may square yourself in some way, or make your escape, and then come back here to attempt the job again?"
"H'm!" thought Nick. "They don't want to let me go before learning what I suspect. I won't do a thing but fool them in that."
"Police be hanged!" Cervera quickly added. "In my country we have a surer way of removing such villains as you."
"What way?" queried Nick, coolly.
"Caramba! The garrote!"
"Choke 'em off, eh?"
"Or the poniard!"
"A stab between the ribs, I take it."