After a very short pause Livenza’s very shame at his own panic began to give him a sort of firmness of bravado. The worst about him had been made clear; he had shown that he was afraid and was willing to purchase his life; and it was a matter in which he must make the best terms he could. The pressure of imminent death once removed, he could breathe again. In the future he was to be my creature, and he recognised it. That was how I read the sullen, scowling look he gave me as he drew himself up slowly and crossed his arms. "You can sit down if you wish," I said, curtly, in the tone of a master, to make him feel my authority and to recall to him his former craven appeal. "I have no wish: I can stand." "You know your life is forfeit," and I glanced at the pistol in my hand, "and that I have the right to send the bullet crashing into your brain, if I please?" He winced, and the light of fear glanced again in his eyes. I couldn’t have shot him in cold blood, of course, and the thrust was a cruel one. But I knew that he could have shot me under the circumstances, and that he would read my disposition by his own. He was a brute, and must be treated as a brute. "If you mean to shoot me, do it," he cried. "I am willing to let you purchase your life, but the terms will be heavy." "I am in your power and must pay them," he answered, sullenly, but with unmistakable relief. "First, then, understand this: What has passed here to-night shall never be breathed by either my friends or myself. So far as we are concerned your reputation outside shall stand just where it did when you entered the room. On that I give you my word of honour—if you deal straightly with me. A sign of treachery or a single lie from you, and the truth shall be told." "I agree to that, of course." "Moreover, my right to fire this shot is merely postponed, not waived. You will put down in writing what will justify me should your treachery ever make it necessary for me to shoot you." "I will do that." He was beginning to speak fluently and readily now. "You will now answer my questions. Are you in Sebastian Quesada’s pay or in his power?" "In his power. He concocted a false charge against me some time ago, confronted me with the proofs, and threatened to have me prosecuted. I dare not face the charge, and from that moment he has used me for various tasks." "Amongst them this business of the young King’s abduction?" He started violently as I made this rather bold shot. "What do you know?" "Everything—except the details." The reply was perhaps a little exaggeration; but I was guessing everything very fast. "If he knows I have spoken of it to you, he will ruin me. I might as well be dead." "He will never know, unless you are fool enough to tell him. He sent you to Senorita Castelar’s house this afternoon?"