If
Signor Sassi should unfortunately die in the hospital, and especially
if he should die unconscious, the matter would become very serious,
and I should be blamed if I had not made a thorough examination."
"I hope he is not so seriously injured," said Malipieri.
"The report we received was that his skull was fractured," answered
the detective calmly. "The hospitals report all suspicious cases to
the police stations by telephone during the night, and of course, as
your man refused to speak, special enquiries were made about the
wounded gentleman."
"I understand," said Malipieri. "And now, I suppose, you have made a
sufficient search."
"We have not seen your own room. If you will show me that, as a mere
formality, I think I need not trouble you any further."
It had come at last. Malipieri felt himself growing cold, and said
nothing for a moment. Volterra again began to watch him curiously.
"I fancy," the detective said, "that your room opens from the study in
which we have already been. I only wish to look in."
"There is a small room before it, where I keep my clothes."
"I suppose we can go through the small room?"
"You may see that," said Malipieri, "but I shall not allow you to go
into my bedroom."
"How very strange!" cried Volterra, staring at him.
Then the fat Baron broke into a laugh, that, made his watch-chain
dance on his smooth and rotund speckled waistcoat.
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