After spending the day with Carlo in the Sassi, Martin sat alone in his hotel room that night, turning pages in the journal and studying Anselm"s cryptic messages under the dim electric light by his bed. A brighter light fixture was in the center of the ceiling in this modest room, but Martin decided not to use it since it would light up his window and he preferred the townspeople to know as little as possible about him – including what time he went to bed.
But his judgment was off because some low-level light still escaped through the curtains by his window, and it created an impression in the town that Martin was engaged in furtive activities within.
Outside the hotel, on the street below, two men observed the light. One pointed to Martin"s room and whispered something; the second man
