The man was extremely well dressed in half-
mourning, wore dark grey gloves and carried a plain black stick. He
spoke quietly and Malipieri thought he recognized the Genoese accent.
"Signor Marino Malipieri?"
"Yes," answered the architect, in a tone that asked the visitor's name
in return.
"My name is Vittorio Bruni. May I have a few words with you?"
"Certainly," Malipieri answered, with considerable coolness.
"Thank you. I have been much interested by your discoveries in
Carthage, and if you would allow me to ask you one or two questions--"
"Pray come in."
"Thanks. After you."
"After you," insisted Malipieri, standing aside.
They went in. Before shutting the postern, the porter looked out into
the street. It was almost deserted. Two men were standing together
near the corner, apparently arguing some question, and stopping in
their walk in order to talk more at their ease, as Romans often do.
The porter shut the little door with a clang, and went back to his
lodge. Malipieri and his visitor were already on the stairs.
Malipieri let himself in with a small latch-key, for he had ordered a
modern patent lock to be put on his door as soon as he moved into the
house. Masin appeared almost at once, however, and stood waiting for
his master at the door of the sitting-room, like a large, placid
mastiff.
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