My Lost Self Volume 1

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 Excerpt: ... I cannot give you much time now, I am on duty. How can I serve you? Tell this good creature that I want a bed here for a day or two and that as she refuses to understand my Italian, she must get me such food as she likes. He laughed, and turning to the woman acted as interpreter. She was a shrewd body, and laughed and gestured and apologised for her supposed mistakes with a very natural air, and with a promise to do all she could to make me comfortable, hurried off to give the necessary orders. Then I put a question or two about the sulphur mines, and he assured me that there were none within many miles of Levaccio. I persisted, however, that my people would not be likely to have made a mistake. There was a man who could have told you if there is such a thing, Signor Vicino, but unfortunately he is dead. He has been murdered, we fear; and it is to look for the assassin, a ruffian named Beppo Serrano, that I now am engaged, he said. One of a dangerous band. Is there a good newspaper story in it? I asked quickly. As a matter of fact, I may tell you, I have been urged to look into the brigandage question, I added, lowering my voice and speaking with a confidential air. Oh, no, there is nothing of that. Nothing at all. We have no brigandage here, he replied emphatically. His wish to assure me on the point was very evident. More's the pity from my point of view. We have our own toughs and bad men on our side, of course, but our readers like something more picturesque. Oh, no, there is nothing of the kind here. We have put it all down with a strong hand, I assure you. And about the sulphur? Levaccio was the place told to me. He reflected a moment and then burst out into a loud laugh. Of course, he said. I see it now. You have come to the ...