Francesca paid no attention to the remark, except, perhaps, that she raised her eyebrows a little.
"They went out to spend the summer at Subiaco—"
"At Subiaco?" Dalrymple's steely blue eyes fixed themselves in a look of extreme attention.
"Yes, during the heat. They lodged in the house of a man called Stefanone—a wine-seller—a very respectable place."
Lord Redin had started nervously at the name, but he recovered himself.
"Very respectable," he said, in an odd tone.
"You know the house?" asked Francesca, in surprise.
"Very well indeed. I was there nearly five and twenty years ago. I supposed that Stefanone was dead by this time."
"No. He and his wife are alive, and take lodgers."
"Excuse me, but how do you know all this?" asked Lord Redin, with sudden curiosity.