"And it is as well that you should be here," he added, "for the big
man of whom the cabman spoke may be the servant of that gentleman. I
remember seeing him once, and I noticed that he was unusually big. He
may have been here yesterday after his master left, and we may find
some clue in the apartment."
"Excellent!" said the detective, rubbing his hands.
He was particularly fond of cases in which doors had to be opened by
force, and understood that part of his business thoroughly.
The key turned in the lock of the postern, and the porter entered,
bringing Gigi with him. They both started and turned pale when they
saw the policeman and the detective.
"At what time did Signor Malipieri send you out on that errand
yesterday afternoon?" asked Volterra, looking hard at the porter.
The old man drew himself up, wiped his forehead with a blue cotton
handkerchief, and looked from the Baron to the detective, trying to
make out whether his employer wished him to speak the truth. A
moment's reflection told him that he had better do so, as the visit of
the police must be connected with the stain of blood he had washed
from the pavement, and he could prove that he had nothing to do with
it.
"It was about five o'clock," he answered quietly.
"And when did you come back?" enquired the detective.
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