"Ah, I see," said the Procurator General, suppressing a smile. "Still I
must ask the lady to make her statement in her natal name."
"Go on, sir," said the Capuchin.
"Your intimacy with the Honourable Rossi has no doubt led him to speak
freely on many subjects?"
"It has."
"He has perhaps told you that Rossi was not his father's name."
"Yes."
"That it was his mother's name, and though strictly his legal name also,
he has borne it only since his return to Rome?"
"That is so."
It was the Capuchin's turn to look surprised. His sandalled feet
shuffled on the carpet, and he prepared to take snuff.
"The Honourable Rossi has been some weeks abroad, and during his absence
you have no doubt received letters from him?"
"I have."
"Can you tell me if in any of these letters he has said anything of a
certain revolutionary propaganda?"
The Capuchin, with his finger and thumb half raised, stopped and said,
"I forbid the question, sir."
"Father General!"
"I mean that I counsel the lady not to answer it."
The Procurator General suppressed another smile, directed this time at
Roma, and said, "Bene!"
"Be calm, my daughter," whispered the Capuchin.
"At least," said the Procurator General, "you can now be certain that
you had seen the Honourable Rossi before you met him in Rome?"
"I can."
"In fact you recognise in the illustrious Deputy the young man condemned
in contumacy eighteen years ago?"
"I do."
"Perhaps in his letters or conversations he has even admitted the
identity?"
"He has."
"Only one more question, Donna Roma," said the Procurator General, with
another smile. "Your father's name in England was Doctor Roselli, and
the name of his young confederate----"
"Courage, my child," whispered the Capuchin, taking Roma's ice-cold hand
in his own trembling one.
"The name of his young confederate was----"
"David Leone," said Roma, lifting her eyes to the face of Father
Pifferi.
"So David Leone and David Rossi are one and the same person?"
"Yes," said Roma, and the Capuchin dropped back in his seat as if he had
been dealt a blow.
"Thank you. I need trouble you no more. My secretary will now prepare
the précis."
Commendatore Angelelli returned with the Carabineer, and there was some
talking in low tones. "Report for the Committee of the Chamber, sir?"
"That is unnecessary at this moment, the House having risen for Easter."
"Warrant for the arrest, then?" "Certainly. Here is the form. Fill it
up, and I will sign."