His companions broke out at him again in a babble of argument, whereupon the new-comer shouted at them in a furious voice:
"Silenzio! Who did this?"
No one answered for a moment, but at length the brigand who held Blake's hands pinioned at his back with a sash or scarf ventured to suggest:
"I am not so sure he is injured. We pulled him down first; he may only be frightened."
"There was to be no shooting," growled the leader of the band.
"Eh? But you saw for yourself. There was nothing else to do," said
Narcone. "That Ricardo was an old wolf."
The thick-set man, whom Norvin took to be the infamous Cardi himself, cried sharply:
"Come, come, Signore, speak! Are you hurt?"
The prisoner shook his head mechanically, although he did not know whether he was injured or not. His denial seemed to satisfy the chief, who said with relief:
"It is well. We did not wish to harm you. There would be consequences, you understand? And now a match, somebody."