"I said open the door at once!" answered Giovanni. "Can you not recognise the officers of the law when you see them?"
"No," grunted Pasquale, "I have never seen much of them. Did you say I was to open the door?"
"Yes!" cried Giovanni angrily, for he wished to show his zeal before the officer. "Blockhead!" he added with emphasis, as Pasquale disappeared again and was presumably out of hearing.
They all heard him dragging the furniture away again, the box-bed and the table and the old chair.
Zorzi came up as Pasquale was clearing the stuff away.
"They want you," said the old sailor, seeing him and hearing him at the same time. "What have you been doing now? Where is the young lady?"
"In the main furnace room," whispered Zorzi. "Do not let them go there whatever they do."
Pasquale gave vent to his feelings in a low voice, as he dragged the last things back and began to unbar the door. Zorzi leaned against the wall, for his lameness prevented him from helping. At last the door was opened, and he saw the figures of the men outside against the light. He went forward as quickly as he could, pushing past Pasquale to get out. He stood on the threshold, leaning on his crutch.
"I am Zorzi," he said quietly.
"Zorzi the Dalmatian, called the Ballarin?" asked the lieutenant.