Then, seeing that he only stared, and made no shift to speak: "Maybe," quoth I, "you'll explain why you detain me.

I am in haste." "Explain ?" he thundered.

"Sangue di Cristo! The burden of explaining lies with you.

What make you here ?" "Why," answered I, in tones of deep astonishment, "I am about the business of the Lord Cardinal of Valencia, our master." "Davvero ?" he jeered.

He stretched out a mighty paw, and took me by the collar of my doublet.