He
also seemed relieved at the prospect of leaving the vicinity of the office
where he was convinced that spies surrounded him, and having thanked and
re-thanked me over and over again for my proffered assistance, he led the
way down the ladder, and together we gained the street. I was horribly
shocked at the haggard strained look of the unfortunate Italian which the
clearer light down here revealed. He had aged ten years since his arrival.
We made our way towards a small restaurant in Soho frequented principally
by the lower order of _cocotte_, and here over a savoury but
inexpensive meal we discussed our plans.
"I can scarcely dare believe that this hell is coming to an end!"
exclaimed Giannoli. "The assurance of your sympathy is already lightening
my burden. I am beginning once more to take hope and courage! Oh, to have
at last left that awful den where night and day I have felt myself watched
by unseen treacherous eyes, and my every breath noted by my enemies! I
shall never put foot there again. You and Kosinski must get my things away
from there to-night, and to-morrow I leave London by the first continental
train."
"Where do you purpose going?" I inquired.
"To South America, as soon as the arrival of funds will allow it, but,
this not being practicable for the moment, I propose going first to
Lisbon. There I will hide for a few weeks until I restart for Buenos
Ayres, and I trust that this will have the advantage of putting my
'friends' off the track.
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