And he went on to say briefly how Pierre had led him to his present concealment, and had ascertained that his rooms and luggage had been searched, his portfolio and sketches scattered about, and his maître d'hôtel thrown into violent alarm at the idea of having entertained a suspicious character.
"There is evident connection," concluded Guy, "between the three circumstances: the presence of the General at your house that day, the disappearance of the Count, and the warning to myself. Let us hope that the Count also received a feather."
"Why suspect wrong from the visit of the General?" asked the Countess. "Who could give information concerning him? No one in the house, but the Count himself, had ever seen him before."
"I have never alluded in any way to the circumstance," said Guy; "but Pierre tells me that the Government has spies everywhere, and no one is free even in his own house, in Rome."
"Boy, are you free to do as you will?" asked the Countess quickly of Pierre, who stood near.
"I am poor and low, lady," said Pierre, "and can escape notice, but I will be wholly free some day. My father was English," he added proudly.
"Find out something of my husband, and I will reward you well. Will you try, and quickly?"
"I will, lady," said the boy. "Give me a note to him, and if he is in Rome, I will bring you his answer. Let your black woman seek me outside your palace with it before day-break!"
"And money,—will you have money also?"
"Money does much: it opens doors and gives messages. Yes, lady, I know those who have some love for the sight of it, and will do good or bad for the sake of it."