“Thank you; if you will permit me, I should prefer to look at the original;” and the General, without more ado, stretched out his hand and took the note-book.

What he read there, as he quickly scanned its pages, shall be told in the next chapter.  It will be seen that there were things written that looked very damaging to his dear friend, Sabine Castagneto.

CHAPTER XVIII

Ripaldi’s diary—­its ownership plainly shown by the record of his name in full, Natale Ripaldi, inside the cover—­was a commonplace note-book bound in shabby drab cloth, its edges and corners strengthened with some sort of white metal.  The pages were of coarse paper, lined blue and red, and they were dog-eared and smirched as though they had been constantly turned over and used.

The earlier entries were little more than a record of work to do or done.

“Jan. 11.  To call at Cafe di Roma, 12.30.  Beppo will meet me.

“Jan. 13.  Traced M. L. Last employed as a model at S.’s studio, Palazzo B.

“Jan. 15.  There is trouble brewing at the Circulo Bonafede; Louvaih, Malatesta, and the Englishman Sprot, have joined it.  All are noted Anarchists.

“Jan. 20.  Mem., pay Trattore.  The Bestia will not wait.  X. is also pressing, and Mariuccia.  Situation tightens.

“Jan. 23.  Ordered to watch Q. Could I work him?  No.  Strong doubts of his solvency.

“Feb. 10, 11, 12.  After Q. No grounds yet.

“Feb. 27.  Q. keeps up good appearance.  Any mistake?  Shall I try him?  Sorely pressed.  X. threatens me with Prefettura.

“March 1.  Q. in difficulties.  Out late every night.  Is playing high; poor luck.

“March 3.  Q. means mischief.  Preparing for a start?

“March 10.  Saw Q. about, here, there, everywhere.”

Then followed a brief account of Quadling’s movements on the day before his departure from Rome, very much as they have been described in a previous chapter.  These were made mostly in the form of reflections, conjectures, hopes, and fears; hurry-scurry of pursuit had no doubt broken the immediate record of events, and these had been entered next day in the train.

“March 17 (the day previous).  He has not shown up.  I thought to see him at the buffet at Genoa.  The conductor took him his coffee to the car.  I hoped to have begun an acquaintance.

“12.30.  Breakfasted at Turin.  Q. did not come to table.  Found him hanging about outside restaurant.  Spoke; got short reply.  Wishes to avoid observation, I suppose.

“But he speaks to others.  He has claimed acquaintance with madame’s lady’s maid, and he wants to speak to the mistress.  ’Tell her I must speak to her,’ I heard him say, as I passed close to them.  Then they separated hurriedly.

“At Modane he came to the Douane, and afterwards into the restaurant.  He bowed across the table to the lady.  She hardly recognized him, which is odd.  Of course she must know him; then why—?  There is something between them, and the maid is in it.