Again Maruffi shrugged. "How can they take it? My good countrymen are delighted; others, perhaps, not so well pleased."
"But Sabella has friends. I suppose they've marked me for revenge?"
"No doubt! But what can they do? You are the law. With a private citizen, with me, for instance, it would be different. My wife would prepare herself for widowhood."
"How's that? You're not married," said Donnelly.
"Not yet. But I have plans. A fine Sicilian girl."
"Good! I congratulate you."
"Speaking of Sabella," Blake interposed, curiously, "I had a hand in taking him, and I'm a private citizen."
"True!" Maruffi regarded him with his impenetrable eyes.
"You predict trouble for me, then?"
"I predict nothing. We say in my country that no one escapes the Mafia. No doubt we are timid. You are an American, you are not easily frightened. But tell me"—he turned to the Chief of Police—"who is to follow this brigand? There are others quite as black as he, if they were known."