The enraged little deputy understood. And she got Miss Senter out of the drawing-room without attracting notice. "The master wishes to see the signorina," she said, in a concentrated undertone. "I burn with indignation, for it is an insolent intrusion; it is an insult to his Excellency, who no doubt is a prince in his own country. But they _would_ not go, in spite of all I could say. Nor would they tell me their errand--brutes!" And with her skirts quivering she led the way to the outer hall. "Find out what these men want, Barly," said Peter, when his sister appeared. And then the chief officer again told his story. "Mercy!" said Miss Senter, "how dreadful. Somebody was killed, Peter, about seven o'clock this evening, in a cafe near the Rialto, and they say they have just found a clew which appears to track the assassin to this very door! And they wish to search." "What an absurd idea! With the whole place crowded and blazing with lights, as it is to-night, a mouse couldn't hide," said Peter. "Tell them so." "They repeat that they must search," said Miss Senter. "But if you will exert your authority, Peter--make use of your official position--I am sure we need not submit to such a thing." Peter, however, was helpless without his vice-consul; he had no clear idea as to what his powers were or were not; he had never informed himself. Carmela, greatly excited, had drawn Miss Senter aside. "There was a sixth man with those musicians!" she whispered. "I saw him. He did not play, but he sat behind them. And he has only just gone. Five minutes ago." Miss Senter repeated the information to the chief officer. The officer immediately detached two men to follow this important clew; he himself, with the third, would remain to go through the apartment, as a matter of form. "As the rooms are all open and lighted," said Miss Senter in English to her brother, "it will only take a few minutes, if go they must, and no one need know anything about it. But whom shall we send with them? If we call Ercole, it will attract attention; and Florian's men, who were due at another place, have already gone. We could have Andrea come up. But no; Giorgio will do best of all. Call Giorgio to go with these men," she added in Italian to Carmela. "Let _me_ conduct them!" answered the deputy.