Then look at the instrument with which the murder was
accomplished,--a needle. Is it in any way likely that the Marchese
Ludovico should habitually carry such a thing about with him? Is
there any unlikelihood that the girl may have had such a thing about
her; Amico mio Pietro," said the lawyer, in conclusion, tapping his
fingers on the Commissary's coat-sleeve as he spoke, "that Venetian
girl is the murderess! The deed was done under the influence of
maddening jealousy."
"How on earth could that old woman come to you with a budget of such
damning facts against her friend? Do you think she--the old woman--
has any guilty knowledge of the crime?"
"Lord bless you, no! If she had, she would not have been so simple.
No, she firmly believes her own theory of the matter, that the poor
Diva killed herself. She is too firmly persuaded of it to perceive
the bearing of her admissions of the hatred that existed between the
two girls."
"I learned something yesterday," said the Commissary, "which all
looks the same way, not much, but in such a case every little helps.
This old friar--this Padre Fabiano--is, we know, a Venetian; and now
I have ascertained that, years ago, before he came here, there was
some connection of some sort--acquaintance, friendship of whatever
kind you like--between him and the parents of the girl Paolina.
Pages:
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597