Still very unwell, my head gave me excruciating pain when next morning I
joyfully took my discharge from the hospital. My first destination was
the telegraph-office, whence I sent a message to Lolita, and afterwards
I went to the _Cavour_, where I found that, in consequence of my
protracted absence, my bag had been taken from my room.
However, I soon had another apartment, although the hotel people looked
askance at my bandaged head, and after a wash and a change of clothes, I
went forth to the Questore, as I had arranged to meet my friend the
_delegato_ to whom I had so fortunately spoken in Biffi's.
In his upstairs room he explained how he had circulated the description
of the two men, Belotto and Ostini, to the various cities and to the
frontiers, and how, owing to the pair being so well-known as bad
characters, he felt certain of their arrest. That day I attended the
official inquiry regarding the death of the woman Lejeune, and after
giving some formal evidence, was allowed to leave.
My great fear had been that Marigold and Logan might be arrested. If so
the arrest of the former must produce a terrible scandal, and if the
latter the result, I feared, must reflect upon my love's good name. My
only hope, therefore, was that they had already passed the frontier
police at Modane, Ventimiglia or Chiasso, and had escaped from Italy.
The chief of police was very emphatic in his order that I must remain in
Milan for an indefinite period, as perhaps my evidence would be wanted
against the men, but after consultation with Mr Martin Johnson, now
most active on my behalf, because he hoped to obtain the good-will of my
cousin, his chief, I resolved to disobey the mandate of the Questore and
slip away from Italy in secret. I was not under arrest, hence the
police had no power to detain me.
Therefore, travelling by Turin, Modane and Paris, I arrived at Charing
Cross at dawn three days later, and took train at once to Sibberton.
What had happened during my absence I feared to guess. On entering my
room at the Hall at noon, I found my table piled with the accumulated
correspondence. I had before my departure from London telegraphed to
the Earl my intention of taking a fortnight's holiday, therefore my
absence had not been remarked. Only Keene and Lolita knew the truth.