He then relapsed into silence, and the two friends sat together,
engrossed in their own reflections, without saying a word.
After a time Giannoli turned to me: "I will write to you as soon as I
reach Lisbon, Isabel, and let you know how I am getting on. There
at least I am little known, and I will stay with an old friend whose
sincerity is above suspicion--Avvocato Martini. You and Kosinski are the
only two persons whom I regret in leaving London. You have done more for
me than I can ever thank you for. You have saved my life, and although
I do not value life for itself, it may be of value to our Cause, and
I hope yet to give it for some good purpose. Give what explanation you
think fit of my disappearance. Above all, let no one suspect where I am
gone."
The train left at ten o'clock. Giannoli was deeply affected at parting
from us, and as the train was about to leave he seized our hands and
embraced us. "Something tells me," he exclaimed, "that I shall never see
either of you again. Write to me sometimes and bear me in mind. Do not
believe any lies you may be told about me. I have only our principles at
heart. Good-bye," and the train steamed out of the station.
I remained alone with Kosinski. The hour was still quite early, and
there was much to be talked over together. "Let us go to some picture
gallery," I suggested, "so as to talk things over and to settle what we
are to give out concerning Giannoli's disappearance."
"No, please, don't," answered the Russian in genuine alarm; "you know
how I hate art, Isabel. It goads me to madness. We must think of some
other place."
We strolled out of the station together and wended our way across the
bridge and along the Strand, up by St. Martin's Church, and eventually
found ourselves close to old St. Giles's Churchyard. "Let us sit down
here," I said, indicating a seat; "I am tired of walking."
"It is little better than a picture gallery," murmured Kosinski, "but it
will do if you are tired," and we sat down. Kosinski advised me to feign
absolute ignorance of Giannoli's whereabouts and to set afloat the idea
of his having committed suicide. He asked me to let him know as soon
as I received news from the fugitive, and he, in the meantime, would
investigate the matter of the "conspiracy." As we parted he said to me:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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