human
I understand why you are anxious that the Palazzo Conti should not be watched just now, Malipieri said.
gpt
For my part, as I do not believe in your government, I cannot be expected to believe in its laws. It is not my business whether you respect them yourselves or not.
human
Who is breaking the law? asked the Baron roughly.
gpt
It is absurd to talk in that way. But as the government has taken it into its head to suspect that you do, it is not advisable for me, who am a staunch supporter of the government, to see too much of you. I am sure you must understand that--it is so simple.
human
In other words?
gpt
I cannot afford to have it said that you are living in the palace for the purpose of helping dealers to smuggle objects of art out of the country. That is what I mean.
human
I see. But what objects of art do you mean, since you have already sent away everything there was?
gpt
It is believed that you had something to do with that ridiculous affair of the copies,
human
They were gone when I moved in.
gpt
I daresay they were. But it would be hard to prove, and of course the people who bought the pictures from the dealer insist that they are genuine, so that there may be trouble some day, and you may be annoyed about the things if you stay here any longer.
human
You mean that you advise me to leave Rome. Is that it?
gpt
You certainly cannot stay any longer in the palace,
human
You seem to be badly frightened, observed Malipieri.
gpt
I really cannot see why I should change my quarters until we have finished what we are doing.
human
I am afraid you will have to go. You are looked upon as very 'suspicious.' It would not be so bad, if your servant had not been a convict.
gpt
How do you know that?
human
Everything of that sort is known to the police, answered Volterra, whose manner had become very mild.
gpt
Of course you have your own reasons for employing such a person.
human
He is an innocent man, who was unjustly convicted.
gpt
Oh, indeed! Poor fellow! Those things happen sometimes, I know. It is more than kind of you to employ him. Nevertheless, you cannot help seeing that the association of ideas is unfortunate and gives a bad impression. The man was never proved to be innocent, and when he had served his term, he was involved as your servant in your political escapade. You do not mind my speaking of that matter lightly? It is the safest way to look at it, is it not? Yes. The trouble is that you and your man are both on the black book, and since the affair has come to the notice of the government my colleagues are naturally surprised that you should both be living in a house that belongs to me.
human
You can explain to your colleagues that you have let the apartment in the palace to me, and that as I pay my rent regularly you cannot turn me out without notice.
gpt
Surely, said the Baron, affecting some surprise,