from his pocket. When the Baron went away he stopped and spoke with
the porter. First he gave him five francs; then he informed him that
his wages would be raised in future by that amount; and finally he
told him that Signor Malipieri was an architect and would superintend
the repairs necessary to the foundations at the north-west corner,
that while the work was going on even the little postern door was to
be kept shut all day, and no one was to be admitted on any condition
without Signor Malipieri's express permission. The fat Baron fixed his
eyes on the porter's with an oddly hard look, and said that he himself
might come at any moment to see how the work was going on, and that if
he found anybody inside the gate without Signor Malipieri's authority,
it would be bad for the porter. During this conversation, Malipieri
stood listening, and when it ended he nodded, as if he were satisfied,
and after shaking hands with the Baron he went up the grand staircase
without a word.

It was all very mysterious, and the porter shook his head as he turned
into his lodge after fastening the postern; but he said nothing to his
wife about what had passed.

From what he had been told, he now naturally expected that a number of
masons would come in a day or two in order to begin the work of
strengthening the foundations; but no one came, and everything went on
as usual, except that the postern was kept shut. He supposed that
Malipieri was not ready, but he wisely abstained from asking
questions. Then Malipieri asked him for the address of Pompeo Sassi,
and wrote it down in his pocket-book, and went out. That was on the
morning after he had dined at the Baron's house, for it was not his
habit to waste time when he wanted information.