[Chapter VI]
THE BAILIFF
The man to whom those significant words A were addressed, and whom the baron called Volpetti, appeared to have just arrived after a long journey. Much dust whitened his clothes, his shoes and his abundant dark hair, which last was in a disorderly condition. He seemed somewhat over thirty, of a southern type, having tanned skin and a heavy beard which extended almost to his eyes. His answer was formal:
"That shall be accomplished tonight."
"Are you certain?"
"Infallibly so. The fool is in clever hands. I am just from London, bringing two boxes of steel implements, scissors and knives, which have served to corroborate my commercial character. Beyond the Channel I was Albert Serra, a Catalan, making purchases in London to smuggle through Gibraltar. Not the devil himself could have spotted me."
"Come to the point," commanded the superintendent. "You are skillful in disguises. I myself hardly recognize you in that beard and mop of hair."
"I have taken these precautions, Excellency, because the Carbonari and the police are on my scent. They are making shrewd guesses and 'twould be very awkward for me to enter London in handcuffs, on the charge of being party to an assault upon that puzzling personage. One must be on the qui vive. I picked out two hardy fellows and gave them only such information as was required for the performance of their parts. Besides, the plan was as simple as sucking eggs. The personage lives in an obscure quarter and opposite his house is a park which is always deserted after nightfall. A Methodist church stands on one side of this park and a college on another. In the centre is a group of big trees which cast a deep shade; indeed, everything was arranged to suit us. The personage takes an evening stroll after his day's work, for he has been warned that failure to take the air will be bad for his eyes which he uses hard all day, looking at the fine mechanism of the watches and machines which he repairs. How have I found all this out? Therein lies my genius, Excellency. I can answer every question concerning that house. The personage, after wandering through certain streets, and visiting his friends, the Prussian mechanic, Hartzenbaume, returns home regularly at a given hour. He is very punctual in his habits and whoever passes through the square at that time is almost sure to meet him."
The superintendent shook his head. The faint creases upon his brow deepened.