“Miss Barkley?”
“The English lady nurse.”
“His girl,” the wife said. She patted my arm and smiled.
“No,” the porter said. “She is away.”
My heart went down. “You are sure? I mean the tall blonde English young lady.”
“I am sure. She is gone to Stresa.”
“When did she go?”
“She went two days ago with the other lady English.”
“Good,” I said. “I wish you to do something for me. Do not tell anyone you have seen me. It is very important.”
“I won’t tell anyone,” the porter said. I gave him a ten-lira note. He pushed it away.
“I promise you I will tell no one,” he said. “I don’t want any money.”
“What can we do for you, Signor Tenente ?” his wife asked.
“Only that,” I said.
“We are dumb,” the porter said. “You will let me know anything I can do?”
“Yes,” I said. “Goodbye. I will see you again.”
They stood in the door, looking after me.
I got into the cab and gave the driver the address of Simmons, one of the men I knew who was studying singing.