Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 3, 2025
Did he make the same statement here?" asked Fortini, rather surprised. "On my asking him, as I felt compelled to do, what special conversation had passed between him and the girl that morning, he told me the fact," replied the Commissary. "But what led you to ask him such a question?" said Fortini. "Ah! something that had reached my ears.
If this old fellow here has got anything to hide, you'll see that we shall not be able to get it out of him." "But I don't see what interest or wish he can have to hide anything from us," said Fortini.
"We are sorry to find you ill, father," said Fortini; "and though we have come from Ravenna on purpose to speak with you, we would not have disturbed you if our business had not been important. Are you suffering much now?" "Not much more than usual," said the sick man, shutting his eyes, while his pallid lips continued to move, as he muttered to himself an "Ave Maria."
"Is it possible that death may have been caused by foul means, yet by such as may elude your investigation?" asked Fortini. "I think not I should say almost certainly not in such a case as the present. There are poisons that act subtly and instantaneously, but there is the odour in most cases, in almost all some indication of their operation on the organization."
For a few moments the Marchese seemed too much stunned by the inference, and the appeal of the lawyer, and by the vision of the consequences, which he purposed drawing from it, to utter any reply to the demand which had been made on him. "You mistake, Signor Fortini," he gasped out at last; "you are in error. I cannot have made any such exclamation. I have no consciousness of anything of the kind.
"Perhaps no man did so," said the lawyer. "Case of death from natural causes, you mean? I am afraid not, I am afraid not. Can't say for certain yet; but, judging from appearances, I fear there is no likelihood that such was the case," rejoined the Professor. "I was not thinking of that," replied Fortini.
He loudly protested on all occasions that this was a most mistaken notion; but there never occurred an opportunity of adding to his very remarkable collection of drawings of the old masters, or his unrivalled series of mediaeval seals, or his all but perfect library of the Municipal Statutes of the mediaeval Communes of Italy, which found Signor Fortini unprepared to outbid most competitors.
"It is of no use, Fortini," returned the Marchese, with a groan; "it is of no use. That old man, her reputed father, knows it; their servant knows it; Ludovico knows it: and, of course, his knowledge of it will have to be made public." "Nevertheless, the denial of it by such a tongue as that of the Conte Leandro Lombardoni can do no harm in the meantime," said the lawyer, quietly.
Signor Fortini, this is very dreadful! it is as new to my mind it comes upon me now for the first time, as much as if I had not known the fact of her death. But I see it I see it all; as you put the matter now before me. What am I to do? gracious heaven, what am I to do?" "I have already told you, what you have to do; the only thing that you can do.
"I think, perhaps, it is best not to do so. Of course Fortini has been with him, and told him everything. I almost thought that I should have seen him here this evening; but, under the circumstances, I am better pleased that he should stay away. Better leave him to Fortini." "Good-night, then." "Good-night. You will let me see you to-morrow?" "I won't fail. Good-night."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking