"Of the utmost importance."
The Deputy smiled, and showed he was well pleased; but he asked no more questions, save one only.
"Is there anything else about which you wish to interrogate Ucelli?" he inquired.
"Yes. I should like to know if he is aware where Silwood, alias Russell, went to in England?"
"London," said the Syndic; "but he intended going to America eventually."
"That is all, I think, at present," said Gilbert to Signor Vinci.
"Should some other point occur to you later," suggested the Deputy, "you will have an opportunity of putting it to him in Rome, whither we must proceed with all speed."
"I had thought of setting out for London at once," said Gilbert. "The information I have obtained should be acted on without delay. Besides, my father is very ill."
"If you could spare one day! You are a witness to the confession of Ucelli, and I desire you to make a deposition with respect to it before the Minister of Justice himself."
"I certainly owe you as much as that," acquiesced Gilbert.