Madonna of the Seven Moons Page #6

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- How nice...

- It may be the means of finding Mummy.

- Could you come with me?

- I? Good gracious, no!

I'm offtomorrow to meet a dear friend,

Mrs Brunswick.

She's just got her divorce and

that's always the critical period.

So you see, I couldn't go to Florence

because I shall be a week away in...

- Did you say Florence?

- Yes.

That's just where I'm going.

What a small world!

I'll pick you up in the morning.

- Pick that up. Put it down properly.

- Don't be too hard on her, Nino.

She'll be putting powdered glass

on my spaghetti instead of cheese.

- I think vitrum is more in her line.

- She wouldn't go that far.

Would you, Vittoria?

Has old Bossi paid you yet

for that jewellery you brought?

- Not yet.

- That stuff needs careful handling.

- I'm seeing him this afternoon.

- Has Rosanna told you where she got it?

- No business of yours.

- She takes a nice interest in our affairs!

Perhaps you've got a reason for not saying.

Perhaps you didn't steal it.

Maybe somebody gave it you for something.

- Nino!

- Hello.

Mother of mercy, look who's here! Sandro!

- Sandro!

- Well, well, you old cow!

- It is good to see you again.

- My son.

My lovely boy.

That's the sort ofwelcome

to warm a man's heart.

Hello, Nino.

So the police haven't nabbed you yet.

Hello... Another wanderer

come back to the fold.

Look at him. Silk next to the skin.

And a suit that a prince

would be proud to be buried in.

Stop pawing me, Ma,

and go and get me something to eat.

Food for my son, you cheap slut!

The best in the house. Lots of it.

How's business, brother?

Still content to pick up trifles in this... backwater?

A bit above yourself, aren't you,

since you danced your way into society

in a hired dress suit?

The only way you'd get in

is through the window.

Yes. But I'd bring out something

to pay me for my troubles.

I've danced more money into my pocket

than you'll ever see.

I was doing well with my last partner

then, like a fool,

I went and fell for a friend of hers.

- Ah, this is something like!

- Was the friend equally impressed?

- Didn't get a chance to do my stuff.

- Who was she?

Angela Labardi.

If I had three wishes,

she'd be in every one ofthem.

I was all set to try my luck at her birthday.

Her mother threw a faint and ruined everything.

- She was jealous perhaps.

- No.

Never met the woman.

All I saw was her feet

as they carried her upstairs.

That's all I am likely to see.

She disappeared during the night.

Look out. This fellow mustn't see me.

I'm sorry.

- Phew, that was a near thing.

- Who was he?

An English artist I met in Rome.

It would lower my stock

if he found me in this rogues' gallery.

- I'll show him we don't want artists round here.

- No, I will.

You're too rough.

He'll give the quarter a bad name.

No, I'm afraid I don't remember ever

having seen that pendant before.

Mr Bossi, the lady was positive

she bought it from you.

She may have done. Mine is a large business.

You cannot expect me to remember

things sold so long ago.

What I really want to know

is where did you get it from?

It may have been an unredeemed pledge

or perhaps one of my assistants

bought it over the counter.

But from whom,

it would be quite impossible to say.

- Then you won't help me?

- My dear young lady,

nothing would please me more

than to help you but what can I do?

Mr Bossi.

I believe this pendant was stolen property.

In that case,

you'd better apply to the police, hadn't you?

Good afternoon.

- Ah!

- Well?

Yes, yes, things are going quite nicely.

We've disposed of some ofthem locally

but I'm still waiting to hear from Amsterdam

about the more important ones...

Come off it! I've heard that before.

My dear fellow, it's no use being impatient.

- These things take time...

- Come on! Come on!

Oh, well, perhaps a little on account.

There.

Thanks.

Oh, goodness, how exciting.

I never suspected you

of being a female Sherlock Holmes.

It's a frightful cheek inflicting my troubles on you

but as you're such friends of Lyn's,

I knew you wouldn't mind.

Mind? Of course we don't mind.

We're delighted, aren't we?

Some ofthese San Gimignano types

would do well for the New York gallery.

- Whose idea was it to advertise?

- Well, Lyn thought of it.

But it seems to have led to a dead end.

There was a bunch of beauties there

who had to be seen to be believed.

Was there? Never mind Jimmy.

He's happy talking to himself like this.

- What happened next?

- Nothing.

I showed him the pendant and he pretended

to know nothing at all about it.

- I'm certain he was lying.

- I say, this is rather good.

Come and have a look.

Oh, Jimmy, what a pest you are!

Yes, you're a clever brute

even if you do talk too much.

Heavens, look!

There goes our dinner.

Let's go out and get something we can eat.

Come on, Angela.

Haven't you any other clue except this jewellery?

- Yes. The seven moons.

- Let's have a look at this again.

There you are.

I copied it from the lipstick design Mother left.

And once in her sleep,

she spoke of Rosanna ofthe seven moons.

- Is it the name of a place?

- I'm counting on that.

It's one ofthe reasons I came to Florence.

I'll search it end to end.

Wait a minute. There isn't a shadow of proof

the seven moons is here.

Why say a miserable thing like that?

- There isn't.

- I know.

Mother spent most of her life here

so it must be worth trying.

You may be right but you can't go wandering

about the slums without an escort.

- I was longing for you to say that.

- That's very sweet of you.

It would be like the blind leading the blind.

- I do know it a bit.

- Angela!

Excuse me.

- My dearest Angela.

- You know each other, don't you?

- What brought you to Florence?

- A perfectly ordinary train.

I suppose you're trying to mend a broken heart.

Oh, Millie! Don't mention that girl.

It was a very lucky escape.

- Where are you staying?

- The Barbarelli.

- With your friend, Mrs Fiske.

- That old cockatoo!

- She was very amusing about you.

- Angela, I think we'd better see you home.

- Won't you let me do that?

- Yes, why not?

- I believe you're the man I want.

- You're always the one I want.

Angela, don't let's trouble Mr Barucci.

It's no bother. He'd love to.

Good night. Thanks most amully.

I'll be calling on you in a day or two.

Come on, Sandro.

Meeting you was a bit of luck.

I don't like her going off

with a nasty piece ofwork like that.

- Nor do I. Waiter, bill, please.

- Very good, sir.

Did you happen to notice that ring

he was wearing?

That big, black affair? Couldn't miss it. Why?

I have an idea I've seen it somewhere before.

Quite recently.

Where?

That's just it. Where?

- Do you know Florence well?

- Like the back of my hand.

How would you like to pilot me around?

Angela! There's nothing I'd like better.

- Taxi.

- What did you do that for?

It's a guide I want, not a lover.

To the Barbarelli.

Call for me tomorrow morning at the hotel.

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