"Whence are you ?" "From Pesaro," I answered truthfully.
"From Pesaro?
But you are travelling towards it." "True.

I was making for Cattolica, but I missed my way in seeking to shorten it.

I am now returning by the high-road." The explanation satisfied him on that point, and being satisfied, he asked me when I had left Pesaro.

A moment I hesitated.
"Late last night," said I at last.

He looked, at me, my foolish hesitation having perhaps unslipped a suspicion that was straining at its leash.
"In that case," said he, "you can scarcely have heard the strange story that is being told there ?" I looked at him, as if puzzled, for a second.