At least, Sabina thought so. But matters turned out differently and
were hurried to an issue in a terribly unexpected way.
Both Volterra and Malipieri had guessed that the anonymous letter had
been written by Gigi, the carpenter, but Volterra had seen it several
days before the Princess had shown it to Malipieri. Not unnaturally,
the Baron thought that it would be a good move to get the man into his
power. Italy is probably not the only country where men powerful in
politics and finance can induce the law to act with something more
than normal promptitude, and Volterra, as usual, was not going to do
anything illegal. The Minister of Justice, too, was one of those men
who had been fighting against the Sicilian "mafia" and the Neapolitan
"camorra" for many years, and he hated all blackmailers with a just
and deadly hatred. He was also glad to oblige the strong Senator, who
was just now supporting the government with his influence and his
millions. Volterra was sure of the culprit's identity and explained
that the detective who had been sent to investigate the palace after
Sassi's accident had seen the carpenter and would recognize him.
Nothing would be easier than to send for Gigi to do a job at the
palace, towards evening, to arrest him as soon as he came, and to take
him away quietly.
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