The Marshall republican., 1906-12-07
CHAPTER XIV.

~
On reaching Maria Rosclli's house,
the number Of which had been giyeG
him by LORENZO. the inspector knocked
loudly. aud then impaticntly waited for
Az answc None came. nor did
any sound Of voice or movements
within the dwelling indicate tina,
Il was tcnantcd. lie raped again
with like result and then stepped into
The street 60 view the dwelling. As he
did so. the hish. narrow door from
which the paint had long since faded.
opened. aud a woman's figure stood
framed IN the portal
Mackworth, eagerly observing her.
saw she wa tall anil tin, her years
about sixty, her regular features wear
ing a hard expression. the dark eyes
cold and speculative. the face lined and
wrinkled. something masculine IN bear
ing.
"Are you Maria Rosellii" he asked,
advancing toward her.
"Yes." she replied, returning the gaze.
Then ! want to spcal; 10 you"
you can talk hete," she said 10 ex.
eellcut English.
y, !, som,.hing ] don't wish to say
in the sttest'
She hssiiated a moment, then drew
aside 10 let him pass into the hall.
closed ,he door. aud ushercd him into
n barely furnished. unearpctcd room.
rs Marco Mezza IN the house ?"
Maskworth began.
rhfarco Meszal" she repeated, with
out surprise being noticeable 10 her
voice or face. NO"
Then where Is hei"
II don't know" she replied. frigidly.
But he has been herei"
ooh. yes"
"When!" \
Some time in September. ! don't re-
member the date"
q want you to tell me all you know
about htn" .
'Whyf" she asked. staring hard at
Maekworth.
Il am a police officer. lie may be
concerned In a very serious business;
you will sec why I ask for him"
Maekworth saw she expressed neither
astonishment. interest nor anxiety. His
words. left her perfectly Indifferent 70
their inference,
II know very little Of this MIRA. Tie
came here some weeks ago, as | have
said"
'He was q friend Of yoursi"
Il had never seen him before. A Nea.
goliian Lying ~ Paris gave him my adj
SLOW long did he stay with your"
Three days. would keep him 10
longer"
'Vhyr asked the Inspector, snx-
iously.
"Weli, he was nearly always drunk,
and then be was III; his coughing kept
my other Iodgefs svsks At night. My
house was no place tor him.
"And so you got rid Of himf"
n told him " should 90 to the hos
pial!r
"Hc Lft here for the hospital, but !
don't know II he sver vent there" she
answered. the same calm indifference
noticeable in her manner.
"What hospitslf'
The Italian; he spoke little English."
And afterwayds-did he return to
your" .
mo; no knew ] you'd NOT tsks himL'
Have you made NJ inquiries sof
mo; why should IS Maria RosslH
asked. IN her. hard .voiee. y have to
mind my business II would live. and
have had tTeuble enopgh in my ows
iis without so'Hs " sss'sh OF y amoas
!. Had i: be- Be- ssy friends " sec him while
"Not ono. He slept VI day, because
be was awake coughing sn night. When
he went, out " The evening u was V
the public house"
"Which public housed
THAT ! don't know"
.Apd hs retarasd sleaef
After this the woman moved toward
the door, as "a indicate the inter-
view must end. She had neither the
curiosity NOR umpsthy 10 Inquire what
We. Msssa hid Aans " put the P0lifs
Mackwsrth, ,sseg she eeuld give 10
reach ~ Italian hespital, which be knew
vas situated Ia oueen's Square. There.
no dovRE be vppld & sble to learn
where Mszl: II goIl On nsasg dss.
sa. s|S ,h and n!sdi'S::ss; s e sss's 10 a, Se :
his illness ard Nsnt Of opportunity had
s e: as AZ ssa seg ,ssssa & 'i Ess.
Pssslas tAsesgh ~ vide h.ll q he
s;' -. IA n: Z: :.: ss; sss:
yeisasd, l(aehVae3 ~ s6pva into .
sssss1E ~ sasssA;sss sa's'sA ssd