"Certainly. I am very comfortable here." The Baron laughed a little.
"Then," said Malipieri, turning to the detective, "kindly come with me, and I will explain as far as I can."
He took the key from his pocket again, and opened the door of the small room, let in the detective and shut it after him without locking it. He had hardly made up his mind what to say, but he knew what he wished.
"This is a very delicate affair," he began in a whisper. "I will see whether the lady is awake."
He went to the door of the bedroom on tiptoe and listened. Not a sound reached him. The room was quite out of hearing of the rest of the apartment, and Sabina, accustomed as she was to sleep eight hours without waking, was still resting peacefully. Malipieri came back noiselessly.
"She is asleep," he whispered. "Will you not take my word for it that there is nothing to be found in the room which can have the least connection with Sassi's accident?"
The detective shook his head gravely, and raised his eyebrows, while he shut his eyes, as some men do when they mean that nothing can convince them.
"I advise you to go in and wake your wife," he whispered, still very politely. "She can wrap herself up and sit in a chair while I look in."
"That is impossible. I cannot go in and wake her."
The detective looked surprised, and was silent for a moment.