Signor Busisi nodded.
"Agent for whom?"
"For two tradesmen from Seggiano."
"But what could they want with Farfalla?"
"In their hands she would certainly come to a pitiful end. But...." Signor Busisi came back to the table; he seemed quite out of breath.
"But what?"
"I detected something in the face of the Chief," the Signore went on. "At first it was only a flicker, then it burst into flame, bright as the morning sun. You see, he had been charged to buy Farfalla, but suddenly the truth struck him. He did not want to forward the mare to Seggiano. He wanted to keep her for himself."
Doctor Celli sat on the very edge of his chair. "What did you tell him?"
"I told him what I once told you."
"You mean about life being a puzzle with odd-shaped pieces?"