It might be well to cover the
skeletons. Young girls were supposed to be sensitive about such
things, and Malipieri had no experience of their ways. Nevertheless he
had an inward conviction that Sabina would not go into hysterics at
the sight.
Old Sassi might not be able to get up the ladder, but once beyond the
reach of social observation, he would trust Sabina to Malipieri and
Masin for a quarter of an hour, and he could wait in the outer cellar.
Malipieri had prepared him for this, and he had made no objection,
only saying that he should like to see the treasure himself if it
could possibly be managed. In his heart, Malipieri hoped that it would
prove too much for the old man and that he might have the pleasure of
showing Sabina what he had found without having the old agent at his
elbow. Toto would be locked in, upstairs, for the day. He could not
get out by the door, and he would not risk breaking his legs by
jumping from the window. The intermediate story of the Palazzo Conti
was far too high for that.
Malipieri calculated that if Sassi were punctual, Sabina would be at
the door of the palace at a quarter-past five. At five minutes past,
he came down, and sent the porter on an errand which would occupy at
least half an hour even if executed with despatch. Masin would keep
the door, he said.
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