Then the usher bent down as if to pick up something, and said to Benedetto, offering him a letter: "See! you have dropped this paper!" Benedetto was astonished and the usher insisted: "You have come from the Testaccio, have you not?
Well, you will find that this belongs to you.

Make haste." Make haste?
Benedetto stared at the man, who had resumed his seat.

He stared back and confirmed his advice with a short nod which meant: You suspect there is a mystery here, and indeed there is! Benedetto examined the envelope.

It bore the following address: "For the Under-Gardener at Villa Mayda." And below, in larger letters: "IMMEDIATE." It was in a woman's hand, but Benedetto did not recognize it.

He opened the letter and read: "This is to inform you that the Director-General of Police will do his best to induce you to leave Rome of your own free-will.