Page 48 (1/2)

"Mr Rossi," said Bruno, between a puff and a blow

"Yes?"

"Have you tried the cylinder that came first?"

"Not yet"

"How's that, sir?"

"The ht it said the friend who had spoken into it was

dead" And then with a shiver, "It would be like a voice frohost speaking to a man, certainly--especially if the friend was

a close one"

"He was the closest friend I ever had, Bruno--he was my father"

"Father?"

"Foster-father, anyway For four years he clothed and fed and educated

me, and I was the same as his own son"

"Had he no children of his own?"

"One little daughter, no bigger than Joseph when I saw her last--Roma"

"Roma?"

"Yes, her father was a Liberal, and her name was Roma"

"What became of her?"

"When the doctor came to Italy on the errand which ended in his

i of soe of her then Besides, I left

England shortly afterward and went to America"

"Where is she now?" said Elena