Involuntarily Paolo bent his head and repeated in low tones the words of the Creed, "_Qui propter nos homines et propter_ _nostram, salutem descendit de coelis_," and then, "_Crucifixus etiam pro nobis_." Marzio stood looking on, his hands in his pockets.

His fingers grasped the long sharp punch he had taken from the table after Gianbattista's departure.

His eyes fixed themselves upon the smooth tonsure at the back of Paolo's head, and slowly his right hand issued from his pocket with the sharp instrument firmly clenched in it.

He raised it to the level of his head, just above that smooth shaven circle in the dark hair.

His eyes dilated and his mouth worked nervously as the pale lips stretched themselves across the yellow teeth.
Don Paolo moved, and turned to speak to his brother concerning the work of art.