For one thing, he did not speak Italian.

But Capella must be followed.

At last he decided upon a course of action.
"Winter," he said, "do you know a man we can trust, an Italian, or better still, an Italian-speaking Englishman, who can undertake this commission for us ?" "Would you mind ringing for Smith, sir ?" replied the detective, who seemed to be mightily pleased with himself.
Smith appeared.
"At the foot of the stairs you will find a gentleman named Holden," said Winter.

"Ask him to come up, please." Holden appeared, a sallow personage, long-nosed and shrewd-looking.

The detective explained that Mr.Holden was an ex-police sergeant, retained for many years at headquarters on account of his fluency in the language of Tasso.