"
Oscar did not move or betray any fear or nervousness. He merely laughed
his "hee, hee, hee!" and said soothingly:
"Now don't become violent, old fellow; don't become violent, even if I
am having a little fun at your expense."
"You dare tell me you are here to have fun at my expense?"
"Certainly," came the brazen answer.
The very boldness and indifference of the detective appeared so paralyze
to the Italian.
"Do you know the risk you take?"
"Certainly."
"You think I am a mere puppet for your amusement?"
"Certainly, but don't get violent, for I am an awful fellow when I get
roused. Sometimes I have a spell come over me--yes, a strange sort of
spell--and then I become very, very violent. So don't arouse me and
bring on one of those spells. Just sit down and let me amuse myself at
your expense. This is a very novel amusement for me. The idea of facing
a terrible man right in his den and enraging him. Why, it's just jolly."
The Italian's eyes glowed like coals of fire as he said:
"You are lying; you came here with a purpose; you came back with friends
whom you think you can summon at a moment's notice; but they will never
come; I have taken care of them, and you are at my mercy.
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