"In the performance of my duty," objected the detective, "I must go through the house, to see whether there are any traces of blood. I am sure that you will make no opposition."
Fate was closing in upon Malipieri, but he kept his head as well as he could. He opened the door that led back to the hall.
"Will you come?" he said, showing the way.
The detective glanced at the other door, but said nothing and prepared to follow.
"I will stay here," said the Baron, settling himself in the armchair again.
"Oh, no! Pray come," Malipieri said. "I should like you to see for yourself that Sassi was not hurt here."
Volterra rose reluctantly and went with the rest. His chief preoccupation was to get rid of the detective and his men as quickly as possible. Malipieri opened the doors as he went along, and showed several empty rooms, before he came to Masin's.
"This is where my man sleeps," he said carelessly.
The detective went in, looked about and suddenly pounced upon a towel on which there were stains of blood.
"What is this?" he asked sharply. "What is the meaning of this?"