"Give me time!—give me time!" was Franchi's answer. He raised his head, and eyed them all with a look of feigned surprise. "Is it possible no one has heard it?"
He was answered by a general protest that nothing had been heard.
"Nobody knows what has happened at the Universo?" Franchi asked with unusual energy.
"No, no!" burst forth from Malatesta and Orsetti. "No, no!" sounded from behind.
"That is quite possible," continued Orazio, with a cynical smile. "To tell you the truth, I did not think you had heard it. It only happened half an hour ago."
"What happened?" asked Count Orsetti.
"A secret commission has been sent from Rome." There was a breathless silence. "The government is alarmed. A secret commission to examine Count Marescotti's papers, and to imprison him."
"That's his uncle's doing—the Jesuit!" cried Malatesta. "This is the second time. Marescotti will be shut up for life."
"Did they catch him?" asked Orsetti.
"No; he got out of an upper window, and escaped across the roof. He had taken all the upper floor of the Universo for his accomplices, who were expected from Paris."