"This is intolerable!" he cried.
The steward took a step backward, but he kept his face set. He spoke in a voice too low for Daoud to hear.
"Fires of hell!" D'Ucello shook both clenched fists over his head.
He turned and pointed at Daoud. "Keep that one there on the rack till I return, Erculio."
"Where is my Signore going?"
D'Ucello opened his mouth. His face grew redder in the torchlight, and he closed it again.
"I will not be gone very long," he said. "I have to persuade someone of something."
"Shall I torment this fellow while you are gone?"
"Do as you please. At least see that he gets no rest."
He strode across the room to glare down at Daoud. "You will keep your manhood for another hour or so. By God's grace you have more time to think. About what will happen to you and how you can save yourself. Do not think you have escaped. I will be back."