As I watched, yet another person--a well-dressed woman of about forty--recognizing the girl's companion, smiled as she passed, while he, on his part, raised his hat. The woman who had passed struck me as being either English or American, for there are many English-speaking residents in Florence. For a second I debated within myself, and then a moment later I followed her until she turned a corner in the Via di Porta Rossa. Then I hurried, and overtaking her politely raised my hat. "I trust you will pardon me, Madame," I exclaimed in English, as she started and looked at me askance. "I presume you are either English or American?" "I am American," she replied with a pronounced drawl. "Please forgive my inquisitiveness, but I seek your aid in a little matter which is of greatest consequence to me," I went on. "A moment ago, as you crossed the Piazza, you encountered an Italian gentleman and a girl. Could you tell me the gentleman's name?" "What, the person I bowed to a moment ago?" she exclaimed. "Oh! that's Doctor Moroni." Moroni! I recollected the name. He was one of the mourners! "And the girl?" I asked. "Ah! I do not know. I saw her out with an old woman the other day. But I have no idea who she is." "Is Doctor Moroni a doctor of medicine?" I inquired. "Yes. The people at the _pension_ of the Lung Arno where I live, always call him in. I was ill six months ago, and he attended me. He lives in the Via Cavezzo, near the Porta Romona--number six, I believe." "I am sure I am extremely obliged to you," I replied very gratefully. "I have a very strong reason for asking these questions--reasons which concern the young lady," I added. The American woman smiled, and then, reiterating my thanks, I raised my hat and left her. At least I had discovered the identity of the girl's companion. He was a doctor, hence it was most probable that she was under his charge. Nevertheless, it was strange that he should take her to the Duomo and pray at her side. Doctors do not usually act in that manner with their patients. When I returned to the Piazza the pair were nowhere to be seen, therefore I strolled to the nearest café, and sat down with a cigarette to think out the remarkable affair.