"Possibly not," said Bambino, calmly. "But, my lord, suppose I said that you _had a wife alive_." Again Maltravers changed color perceptibly. "If you did you would lie," he replied. "Oh! no. I am perfectly conversant with your little marriage in France." "Yes. I have talked to you about it, possibly, in my confidential moments." "More than that--I know where your wife is at this moment, and I can produce her at the altar when you attempt to marry Miss Van Hoosen." "You villain!" "My lord," said Bambino, "you do me honor. I feel proud to be so complimented by you." He bowed low as he spoke, with mock humility. "Prove what you allege," cried Maltravers, who was intensely excited. "That's easy enough." "Begin!" "It is not necessary for me to show you my cards," returned Bambino. "I can do what I say, and I will do so, unless you buy me off." "I refuse to do anything of the kind." "You defy me?" "I do." "Perhaps Mr. Harkaway may be more generous." "Do you threaten me with an appeal to my rival?" "Yes, my lord," answered Bambino. Lord Maltravers was beside himself with rage at this insolent defiance, but he controlled himself by the exercise of a violent effort. "Let us understand one another," he said. "By all means." "You allege that you know of the existence of a lady who claims to be my wife, and you further say, that she is in New York and you can produce her at a moment's notice, so as to stop my marriage with Miss Van Hoosen?" "Precisely." "And as the price of your silence you require $50,000?" "That is the sum." "Where is this girl?" continued his lordship. "I decline to say." "What's her name?" "That you know as well as I do. Will you give me the money?" "No!" Bambino shrugged his shoulders, as he advanced to the door. "Then, all I have to do is to declare war to the knife," he said. "Yes. You cowardly ruffians always use the knife. I prefer the pistol," replied his lordship. He went rapidly to an escritoire and drew out an ivory-handled pistol. "This is my answer to you," he cried. Bambino shrunk back, but he was unable to avoid the ball which his lordship fired at him. There was an explosion, a puff of smoke and the crafty Italian fell on the floor, the blood welling from a wound in his head. Hastily Lord Maltravers placed the pistol in the death-like clutch of his victim. Then he rung the bell violently. This tragedy occurred at one of the leading hotels and could not be hushed up. When the waiter answered the bell, his lordship was perfectly calm. "This man, my servant," he exclaimed, "has been despondent lately, and because I would not allow him to return to Italy, he has committed suicide. Summon the proprietor of the hotel!" The servant hastened to do so. When the proprietor arrived, he was told the same story, which he saw no reason to disbelieve, and, an ambulance being sent for, Bambino was taken to the hospital.