"We already knew that they came from Leghorn," the Inspector observed disappointedly; but the Ambassador took no notice of his words. He was re reading for the third time the secret instructions contained in the despatch from the Minister at Rome, and stroking his pointed greybeard, a habit when unusually puzzled. "You, of course, still have the original of that curiously worded letter found in the dead girl's dressing-bag, and signed `Egisto'?" Count Castellani exclaimed presently, without taking his keen eyes off the despatch before him. "Yes, your Excellency," Elmes answered. "I have it in my pocket." "I should like to see it, if you'll allow me," he said in a cold, dignified voice. The detective took out a well-worn leather wallet containing many notes of cases on which he was or had been engaged, and handed to the Ambassador the strange note which had so puzzled the police and the readers of newspapers. His Excellency carefully scrutinised the note. "It is strangely worded--very strangely," he said. "Have you formed any opinion regarding the mention of Bonciani's Restaurant in Regent Street? What kind of place is it? I've never heard of it." "The Bonciani is a small restaurant half-way up Regent Street, frequented by better-class Italians; but what the veiled references to appointments on Mondays can mean, I've at present utterly failed to discover." "This Egisto, whoever he is, writes from Lucca, I see," His Excellency remarked. "Now, Lucca is only half an hour from Pisa, and if the man wished to say adieu to her, he might have taken half an hour's journey and seen her off in the train for the frontier. Have you made any inquiries regarding this strange communication?" "A letter has been written to the British Consul at Leghorn, in whose district Lucca is, sending him a copy of the letter, together with the evidence, and asking him to communicate with the authorities." "Has that letter been sent?" the Ambassador inquired quickly. "No. I only made application for it to be sent when I was round at the Chief Office this morning." "Then stop it," His Excellency said. "In this matter Consular inquiries are not required, and may have the effect of thwarting the success of the police. If you will leave this letter in my hands I shall be pleased to make inquiries through the Ministry, and at once acquaint you with the result." "That will be extremely kind of you, your Excellency," the Inspector said; for he at once saw that the Ambassador had far greater chance of discovering some clue than he had. A request from the Italian representative in London would, he knew, set the police office in a flutter, and all their wits would be directed towards discovering the identity of the writer of the extraordinary missive.