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

"The Heart of Rome"

"
He took the key from his pocket again, and opened the door of the
small room, let in the detective and shut it after him without locking
it. He had hardly made up his mind what to say, but he knew what he
wished.
"This is a very delicate affair," he began in a whisper. "I will see
whether the lady is awake."
He went to the door of the bedroom on tiptoe and listened. Not a sound
reached him. The room was quite out of hearing of the rest of the
apartment, and Sabina, accustomed as she was to sleep eight hours
without waking, was still resting peacefully. Malipieri came back
noiselessly.
"She is asleep," he whispered. "Will you not take my word for it that
there is nothing to be found in the room which can have the least
connection with Sassi's accident?"
The detective shook his head gravely, and raised his eyebrows, while
he shut his eyes, as some men do when they mean that nothing can
convince them.
"I advise you to go in and wake your wife," he whispered, still very
politely. "She can wrap herself up and sit in a chair while I look
in."
"That is impossible. I cannot go in and wake her."
The detective looked surprised, and was silent for a moment.
"This is a very strange situation," he muttered. "A man who dares not
go into his wife's room when she is asleep--I do not understand.


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