The Rome Express
een reached, with results that seemed
of the other occupants of the car should not be allowed to slacken on that account. The Countess might have some confederate among them-this pestilent English Ge
, and that, so far, he had neglected them. One was the significant hint from the Italian that he could materially help the inquiry. T
im, it was agreed that the Italian's offer seemed the
the answer roused him at once to intense interest, and he
Ripaldi. I am a detective offic
nheard of. Why in the name of all the devils have you
ld him half an hour ago I had so
But why were you so re
felt disposed to force on him what I k
ll not end here. Your superiors shall hear
story,-that I offered you fairly, and at the first opportunity
your manifest duty. You are an offi
find that Natale Ripaldi-your humble servant-travelled by the through express with their kno
a word, have y
u who the murd
w that
ession, his business, his object in travelling, for I was
ious character,
absconding from Ro
ef, in
ms of his hands with a gest
hat which he was removing was,
cit and get on," interrupte
ter; but if questi
ge inte
y. We can interrog
e years it has fallen into difficulties. Its financial soundness was doubted in certain circles, and the Government was warned that a great scandal was imminent. So the matter was h
and liked in Rome, indeed, many who heard the adverse reports dis
hoed the fiery
nds, the houses he visited. I soon knew much that I wanted to know, although not all. But one fact I discovered, and think
e Countess of that name, who w
ch other eagerly, and M. Beaumont le Hardi quickly turned ov
ered man, Quadling, and here was positive
in the Via Margutta, and when he left her he returned to his own place in the Condotti, entered the bank, stayed h
ou fol
his plans had been laid, and that he was on the point of leaving Rome secretly. When, presently, La Castagn
you not a
, I had no warrant for his arrest. But I decided on the spur of the moment what course I should take
your superio
but have you any right to inquire into my conduct towards my superiors? In all that aff
ou had better be careful, lest you obstruct justice.
rcumstances. If my susp
suspic
off any large sum in cash, notes,
know th
tment once and saw him in the act of coun
other significantly. They had got
se, would have jus
ris, to claim the assistance of your police and
eached in the inquiry: the motive for the murder had been made clear, a
t of this dark-visaged Italian detective,
Ripaldi. "During the journey, now, did yo
pt very much
suppose, at th
Modane an
not speak
a w
on, do you think, a
know me. I had taken pain
k to any oth
ntess. Yes, once or twic
all? She has not been seen. It is st
fact?" suggested Ripal
e with her mistress. Can you o
very good friends, I think. On better, more famil
d knew s
an idea. But I give it y
his maid-what
other friends-the porter and the English Colonel. I
become of her?"
of her? That is, if you have no more quest
d let you know in a moment
lone, the offici
r appearance, he was in possession o
tee have we of his loyalty, his good faith? What if he is also concerned in the crime-has some gui
ar-fetched, eh?" said the Judge. "Why not utilize this man? If he betrays us-serv
him," said the Commissary, the first
You have another man here, Chie
your services, monsieur, and you can begin your searc
her mistr
u know she
r with us out there. Have
r eye upon her. She has gone to her hotel-
id. No doubt she preceded her mistress to the
se? They might give you the slip. You have
utions, and I can alway
le time, a great opportunity, and we wish to guard against that, so w
n readily assented, but a shrewd listener might have guessed from th
ef, and the second detective inspect
ed by the short frock coat he wore; he had smallish pig's eyes buried deep in
has been so obliging as to offer us his services. You will accompany him, in the first instan
nown to M. Galipaud?" suggested the Italian. "
s appearance. Besides, he does not know the lat
me a few lines
like this pertinacity, and looked at his colleagues as though he sought their concurrence i
y I am in your hands. And if I do not meet with the maid at the hotel, I may have to look f
he two detectives, already excellent friends from the free