No doubt he had dined well, and he was now disposing himself to be amused.
"Messer Bocadaro," said he, when I had come to a standstill, "there was last night a matter that was not cleared up between us and concerning which I expressed an intention of questioning you to-day.

I should proceed to do so at once, were it not that there is yet another matter on which I am, if possible, still more desirous you should tell us all you know.

Once already have you evaded my questions with answers which at the time I half believed.

Even now I do not say that I utterly disbelieve them, but I wish to assure myself that you told the truth; for if you lied, why then we may still be assisted by such information the cord shall squeeze from you.

I am referring to the mysterious disappearance of Madonna Paola di Santafior--a disappearance of which you have assured me that you knew nothing, being even in ignorance of the fact that the lady was not really dead.