"There is a certain episode in my career that must for ever remain a profound secret," she said in a low but distinct tone. "And there is one in yours which, if revealed, would bring you to disgrace, to ruin-- nay, to death." He started, and his dark face paled beneath its bronze of travel. "What do you mean?" he cried, standing astride before her, his back to the fire, his arms folded resolutely. "What I have said!" "And you are foolish enough to think that I fear you?" he cried with biting sarcasm. "I think nothing, caro," she answered in a voice of the same intense disdain. "The truth is quite obvious. We fear each other." "I fear you?" And he laughed, as if the absurdity of the idea were humorous. "Yes," she said fiercely. "I am no longer powerless in your hands. You know well my character, signore--you know what kind of woman I am." "Yes, I do, unfortunately," he answered. "And what, pray, does all this extraordinary exhibition of bitterness imply?" he asked. "You force me to speak plainly," she said, her eyes flashing angrily. "Well, then, reflect upon the strange death of Vittorina, and bear in mind by whom was her death so ingeniously compassed." He sprang towards her suddenly in a fierce ebullition of indignation, his hand uplifted as if he intended to strike her. "Enough! Curse you!" he muttered. "Take care," she said calmly, without stirring from her seat. "If you touch me, it is at your own peril." "Threats?" "Threats! And to prove to you that they are not in vain," she said, "learn in the first place, that the police have discovered the identity of the Major, and that a warrant is already issued for his arrest." "I don't believe it," he cried. "You have no proof." "Inquire of your friends at the Embassy," she replied ambiguously. "You will there learn the truth." "Listen!" he cried wildly, grasping her roughly by the wrist. "What allegation do you make against me? Come, speak!" "You have shown yourself at enmity with me, therefore it will remain for you to discover that afterwards," she answered, shaking him off. "One does not show one's hand to one's adversaries." "You mentioned the death of your friend Vittorina--well?" "Well?" she repeated, still coldly and calmly. "It is of no use to further refer to that tragic circumstance, except to say that I am aware of the truth." "The truth!" he cried blankly. "Then who killed her?" "You know well enough with what devilish ingenuity her young life was taken; how at the moment when she least expected danger she was cut off by a means so curious and with such swiftness as to baffle even the cleverest doctors in London. You know the truth, Signor Capitano--so do I." "You would explain how her life was taken; you would tell the world the strange secret by which she was held in bondage. But you shan't," he cried, standing before her with clenched fists. "By Heaven, you shan't!"