Then I called, as you would have done in my place, on the dead man's brother.

I was told he was married.

What was I to do ?" "It really was puzzling! What did you do ?" "It was one of those cases in which one has to resort to the gunflint." "In other words ?" "I put a bullet in his head," said the bandit coolly.
Orso made a horrified gesture.

Nevertheless, curiosity, and, it may be, his desire to put off the moment when he must return home, induced him to remain where he was, and continue his conversation with the two men, each of whom had at least one murder on his conscience.
While his comrade was talking, Brandolaccio was laying bread and meat in front of him.

He helped himself--then he gave some food to this dog, whom he introduced to Orso under the name of Brusco, as an animal possessing a wonderful instinct for recognising a soldier, whatever might be the disguise he had assumed.