require while remaining at Bellaggio. I searched every one of these
myself to see if I could find the hole in the canvas. But the hole in
the canvas was not there. And let me count as I would, I could make
out only six. Now there certainly had been seven on board the
steamer, though I could not swear that I had seen the seven put into
the small boat.

"Mr. Greene," said the lady standing in the middle of her remaining
treasures, all of which were now open, "you are worth nothing when
travelling. Were you not behind?" But Mr. Greene's mind was full,
and he did not answer.

"It has been stolen before your very eyes," she continued.

"Nonsense, mamma," said Sophonisba. "If ever it came out of the
steamer it certainly came into the house."

"I saw it out of the steamer," said Mrs. Greene, "and it certainly is
not in the house. Mr. Robinson, may I trouble you to send for the
police?--at once, if you please, sir."

I had been at Bellaggio twice before, but nevertheless I was ignorant
of their system of police. And then, again, I did not know what was
the Italian for the word.

"I will speak to the landlord," I said.

"If you will have the goodness to send for the police at once, I will
be obliged to you." And as she thus reiterated her command, she
stamped with her foot upon the floor.