"I did see it," said Beroviero. "Giovanni left it where it was, and I folded it myself this morning. Zorzi did not steal the mantle. I take back that accusation."
"Nor has he stolen your secrets. Take that back, too, if you are just. You always were, till now."
"I have searched the place where he and I put the book, and it is not there."
"Giovanni searched it twelve hours earlier, and it was already gone. Zorzi saved it from your son, and then, in his rage, I suppose that Giovanni accused him of stealing it. He may even have believed it, for I can be just, too. But it is not true. The book is safe."
"Zorzi took it with him," said Beroviero.
"You are mistaken. Before he was arrested, he said that I ought to know where it was, in case anything happened to him, in order to tell you."
Beroviero rose slowly, staring at her, and speaking with an effort.
"You know where it is? He told you? He has not taken it away?"
Marietta smiled, in perfect certainty of victory.
"I know where it is," she said.