Yes, that was the last link in the chain of the evidence
we wanted. She was on the spot at the time--the death-dealing weapon
was essentially a woman's weapon, and the murdered woman was her
feared and hated rival--and now we have direct evidence that she
felt her to be such. If the judges can find any other hypothesis
supported by stronger circumstantial evidence than this--why, I
think that I had better go to school again."
With these thoughts in his mind, Signor Fortini determined to go and
see his crony, Signor Pietro Logarini, at the Palazzo del Governo.
He found that active and able official just returned from another
visit to St. Apollinare in Classe, which appeared not to have been
very fruitful of result.
"I can make nothing out of that old friar," said the Police
Commissary to his friend, as they sat in the private cabinet of the
former; "and I am very much afraid that we shall make nothing out of
him. For quiet, aggravating obstinacy and passive resistance,
recommend me to a monk."
"What induced you to go out there to-day?" asked the lawyer.
"Why, I am very strongly persuaded--I feel sure almost--that that
old fellow could tell something to the purpose if he would speak.
And I am more convinced of it from his manner to-day than ever. The
other animal--the lay-brother--I am pretty sure knows nothing about
it.
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