His eyes scrutinised her and searched the room by turns.
She nodded, unable to speak.
"There is no one in the house with you ?" "Only my mother," she murmured.
"She is bedridden, is she not?
She cannot hear us ?" he added, frowning.
"No, but I am expecting the others to return." "Messer Basterga ?" "Yes." "He will not return before morning," the Syndic replied with decision, "nor his companion.

The two young men are safe also.

If you are alone, therefore, I wish to speak to you." She bowed her head, trembling and wondering, fearing what the next moment might disclose.
"The young man who lodges here--of the name of Gentilis--he came to you some time ago and told you that the State needed certain letters which the man Basterga kept in a steel box upstairs?
That is so, is it not ?" "Yes, Messer Syndic." "And you looked for them ?" "Yes, I--I was told that you desired them." "You found a phial?
You found a phial ?" the Syndic repeated, passing his tongue over his lips.

His face was flushed; his eyes shone with a peculiar brightness.
"I found a small bottle," she answered slowly.

"There was nothing else." He raised his hand.