“I have no fear of arrest,” he replied. “Do your worst, caro mio. You cannot harm me.”
“Very well,” I answered, “we shall see.”
He glanced at me quickly with an evil look. If he had dared he would have struck me down with the poignard which he kept always concealed in his belt. But he was a coward, I knew; therefore, I felt safe while among the crowd of gaily dressed promenaders who were enjoying the morning sunshine. If he made an attempt upon me, it would be in secret, not in the open.
“Shall I tell you why you are here?” he asked. “You have come to Bordighera to follow Edith Austin—just as I did.”
“And if so, what then?”
“Return to Paris. She is mine.”
“She shall never be!” I cried furiously. “You, a spy, a coward, and a traitor, hold her within your power, and are forcing her to become your catspaw. I know it all. I saw you that night at Ryburgh. I followed you. I made inquiries of her, and learned the truth.”
“What!” he cried, “she told you—she has dared to give me away?”
“I know all,” I answered firmly, “and your doom is imprisonment on the Island of Gorgona for the remainder of your life.”
“You exposed me once!” he cried in anger. “I have not forgotten it. We shall be quits one day.”