"
He had got to his feet with more alacrity than might have been
expected of such a fat man, and was adjusting his collar and tie, and
smoothing his waistcoat over his rotundity. Malipieri had risen the
moment he was free. The detective looked as if nothing had happened
out of the common way, and the neatness of his appearance was not in
the least disturbed.
"I offer you my apologies, Signor Malipieri," repeated the Baron
cordially and smiling in a friendly way. "I should not have drawn my
pistol on you. I presume you will accept the excuses I make?"
"Do not mention the matter," answered Malipieri with coolness, but
civilly enough, seeing that there was nothing else to be done. "I
trust you are none the worse for your fall."
"Not at all, not at all," replied Volterra. "I hope," he said, turning
to the detective, "that you will say nothing about this incident,
since no harm has been done. It concerns a private matter,--I may
almost say, a family matter. I have some little influence, and if I
can be of any use to you, I shall always be most happy."
The gratitude of so important a personage was not to be despised, as
the detective knew. He produced a card bearing his name, and handed it
to the Senator with a bow.
"Always at your service, sir," he said. "It is very fortunate that the
revolver did not go off and hurt one of us," he added, picking up the
weapon and handing it to Volterra.
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