The Cardinal Secretary and his colleagues bowed to the Pope and backed out of the room. A moment afterwards the young Monsignor entered. He was bringing a newspaper in his hand, for as Cameriere Participante he was one of the Pope's readers.
"Holy Father," he said in his nervous voice, "I bring you bad news."
"What is it, my son?" said the Pope, with a pitiful expression.
"The assassin of the Prime Minister turns out to be some one..."
"Well?"
"Some one known to your Holiness."
"Don't be afraid for the Holy Father.... Tell me, Monsignor."
"It is a lady, your Holiness."
"A lady?"
"She has been arrested and has confessed."