Prev | Current Page 146 | Next

Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion), 1854-1909

"The Heart of Rome"

"
"In other words, if a man has once been suspected, even unjustly, he
had better leave his country for ever."
The Baron shrugged his big round shoulders, and drew a final puff from
his cigar before throwing the end away.
"Injustice is only what the majority thinks of the minority," he
observed. "If you do not happen to be a man of genius, the first step
towards success in life is to join the majority."
Malipieri laughed as he rose to his feet, reflecting that in
delivering himself of this piece of worldly wisdom the Baron had
probably spoken the truth for the first time since they had been
talking.
"Shall we say day after to-morrow, about five o'clock?" asked
Malipieri before going.
"By all means. And let me thank you again for meeting my views so very
obligingly."
"Not at all."
So Malipieri went home to think matters over, and the Baron sat a long
time in his chair, looking much pleased with himself and apparently
admiring a magnificent diamond which he wore on one of his thick
fingers.


CHAPTER X


Malipieri was convinced that Volterra not only knew exactly how far
the work under the palace had proceeded, but was also acquainted with
the general nature of the objects found in the inner chamber, beyond
the well shaft. The apparent impossibility of such a thing was of no
importance.


Pages:
134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158