The Beast with Five Fingers Page #5

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or is this an expression

of your unofficial sympathy,

This is no time for jests,

Signor Conrad.

It was a dreadful accident,

entirely unexpected.

Yes, accidents usually are.

Will you join me

in a bit of marsala?

Merely to appease our mutual grief.

Oh, one glass,

if you don't mind.

A la sant!

And, Signor Conrad,

in a case like this...

Whom does one condole?

To whom does one express

his grief and sympathy?

To me.

I made a very fair living

playing chess and gambling with him.

Eating his food,

drinking his wine...

Now that he's gone...

I'm without doubt the chief mourner.

He had no family?

He left to no one?

Yes, there's a brother-in-law

and a nephew just arrived from England.

You'll find them in the library.

Better you present me if you please,

that I may offer proper consolation.

Of course... This way

to the grief-stricken relatives.

Sorry to interrupt gentlemen...

this is Signor Ovidio Castanio

...Commissario of police.

Mr Raymond Arlington

and his son Donald.

Police?

Please Signor Conrad, explain...

I'm here merely to express

my heartfelt sympathy...

my profound regret,

my deepest condolences

on this unhappy occasion.

I think you've expressed it

very well yourself.

Thank you very much.

Do you expect other members

of the family to arrive?

We are his only relatives.

Francis was married to my sister.

Ah... you are American?

Yes... living in England.

What unearthly noise is that?

They're professional mourners.

They've been hired to chant

until sunrise.

Unless you'd care

to extend the time.

You mean they'll keep that up

all night?!

It is an ancient custom Mr Arlington.

Your brother-in-law was a man

of great eminence in this community

It is only natural his passing should be

attended by a certain amount of lamentation.

Our grief as you see,

is very great.

But having known Francis well,

I'm sure he would have preferred

that the lamentation

be somewhat less vocal.

In a word, Commissario, ask those witches

to stop howling.

As you say, signor...

I shall merely explain your desolation

as very great...

and under the circumstances

you would prefer quiet and solitude.

The Commissario does have a way

of putting things, doesn't he?

Dad, this has a crest with a bull

and three swords

Yes, it once belonged

to one of the Borgias.

The Borgias, eh?

Why that chest will bring

at least 300 at Christies.

There's a small fortune

in these books and antiques.

If you gentlemen are really interested

in authentic antiques...

Look!... Roma, 1743.

La Vita de Lorenzo Borghese.

This is worth 100

at the British Museum.

History of the Constellation

Florence, 1603.

I wish you'd keep your hands

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