As he sat watching her, Nick was reminded of her matchless work upon the stage, thrilling men and women alike with her wild grace and the fiery passion of her indescribable dances. She returned to confront him after a moment, crouching before him, with her glowing eyes fixed on his. "In the next world--not in this!" she now replied, with a voice that cut the air like the snap of a whip. "You'd have brief time for repentance in this." "So you've decided to do the job, have you?" Nick coolly demanded. "Yes." "Well, I'm sorry to hear it." "Here is where we even up accounts." "Even them up, eh?" "You heard what I said." "But I wasn't aware that I have so very much the best of you." "You have." "How so?" "_Caramba!_ you know too much!" "Ah! you mean about that girl." "Yes." "I see," nodded Nick, secretly working in vain to loose the ropes confining his arms. "Well, señora, as a matter of fact, I am rather likely to make things unpleasant for you one of these days." "It will be this day, or never. You'll not live to see another." "Possibly not." "_Caramba!_ do you doubt it?" She darted nearer to him, with her hand tearing open the waist of her dress, and then the gleam of a poniard met Nick's gaze. She swept it before his eyes with a wild gesture, and gave vent to a mocking laugh. "Do you doubt that I can slay you?" "Not at all," answered Nick. "It's very evident." "Or that I will?" "That appears equally manifest." "So it is!" hissed Cervera, with vicious intensity. "I intend to do it! Do you hear, Nick Carter? I intend to do it!" "Oh, yes, I hear you." "Why don't you shrink? Why don't you plead for mercy?" "What's the use?" She answered him with a laugh that made the room ring. "Besides," added Nick, "it's not my style to show the white feather." "We'll see! _Caramba!_ we will see!" She came nearer to him, crouching before him, so near that her breath fell hot upon his cheeks. Then, with a quick movement, she pressed the point of the blade through his clothing, till it pricked the flesh above his heart. With his arms bound, with his ankles secured to the legs of the chair, Nick appeared utterly at her mercy--of which she had none. Despite himself, Nick shrank slightly from the wound, and for the first time shuddered at the peril by which he was menaced, and from which there seemed to be no avenue of escape. Cervera laughed again, a laugh freighted with the terrible ring of madness. "Did it hurt you?" she screamed, with her glittering eyes raised to search his. "Perdition! I hope so! You have tortured me with a thousand fears. I'd like to repay you with a thousand pangs!" Nick's eyes took on an ugly gleam. "Why don't you do so, then?" he growled. "I would, if I had the time," cried Cervera, through her teeth. "You have all there is." "Ten thousand times I'd thrust it into you--thus! thus!" Nick set his jaws and met the blade without flinching.