Free press., 1906-11-17


stayed with me, and through my inau-
of the Vaudeville said Pietro, with an
amusing air of patronage.
"And he remained there?"
As long as l was in Paris"
when did you leave?" inquired
Mackworth
The first week in June"
why did you leave Paris?"
Pietro shrugged his shoulders and
looked shrewdly at his quest7oner.
'You see, had been there for years"
he answered, and | had posed as
model to all the great artists until
was tired of seeing myself forever on the
walls of the Salon year after year, and III
the picture shops. Then l thought to my
self would try London. | came here
for change"
Remembering the words Carlo had
spoken, Mackworth doubted if this ex-
planation of Pietro's departure from
Paris was correct.
You left Mezza behind you in
Paris?"
"Yes. Then, through drink. he lost
| the place had got for him, and he could
get no other"
'Was he in the habit of drinl1ing?"
Eyes; he had become a drunkard."
''Now," said Mackworth, rising slowly
from his chair and approaching the
model, "was it while you were in Paris
that Mezza, on attempting to draw his
knife, was knocked down in the Rue
Caias by the man of whom he was
jealous ?"
Pietro's eyes met those of his ques-
toner with steady stare, but without
expressing surprise or fear.
"Ah," he said 81 thought you had
come to question me about him-the
Englishrnan who was killed. And he
nodded his head knowingly.
Il have"
''And you will have noticed, signor, l
have spoken to you openly"
you have not answered my last ques-
ton"
mo; was not in Paris when it hap
pened; l was here. can prove it to
you. can prove everything I say"
$50 much the better" replied Mack
worth,
Then you are what is called"
"a detective, yes; and you must tell
me everything you know about Mezza.
And be sure of your statements, for
you will probably be called to repeat
them at his trial"
'You have but to ask. I will tell you
all know" answered Pietro.
What time did Mezza come here ?"
''It was in July, toward the end.
When one evening l had come back
from St. Johns Wood. where had been
posing all day, l found him here wait
ing me"
did you expect him?"
"No."
"Why did he come to London?'
81 will tell you," answered Pietro, af-
ter slight pause.
"The truth"
"The truth, signor. He missed the
Eng1ishman from Paris, and he came
here in search of him"
with the intention of killing him?"
81 will not say so much, but the Eng
lishman, he had struck Mezza and
knocked him down, and Marco said he
would have revenge"
"And he had" suggested Mackworth,
THAT l don't know, signor," replied
Pietro, with serious air.
He remained here with you while he
was in London?"
"He did"
"Then you saw him the night David
Dumbarton was killed."
mo, no. mop answered Pietro, excit-
while; he went to Paris in August"
care you sure?"
THAT I will swear"
"And when did you see him again ?"
Il have not seen him since"
Mackworth frowned and looked at the
model searchingly.
"Do you mean to say that Mezza was
not here in September?" he asked.
II do; you can ask my neighbors.
They will say as have"
''But you know it was he who muir
dered Dumbarton?" Mackworth ven
tured to say.
"No, no; I don't know it was Mezza !;
how could I when I did not see him ~
said Pietro, angrily, "You come here
and ask questions. l answer all know.
You want to make me say what don't
know" And he turned away, muttering
maledictionS to himself.
Every well; tell me where he is
now"
81 can't tell you; I don't know"
"Did you not hear from him ?"
mo. Soon after his going away from
the money he owed me, but I got no
answer I know nothing more"
Had he any other friends in Lon
dom"
"All the Italians here knew him, but
l don't think he had any friends Marco
was not man to make friends; he was
silent, he never laughed, and was often
drunk. Others of our people did not
like him"
"And you don't know where he is
now?" persisted the inspector.
mo, no more than you" answered
Pietro, with dogged air of vexation,
his voice raised in excitement
The inspector took up his hat by way
of preparing for his departure.
"One word before ! 60" he said.
Can you tell me if Mezza had any
other close friend or relative in London
besides his wife?"
mo. If he had I should have known