Milan, 29 October 1816, 8:30 p.m.
Seat of the Directorate-General of the Austrian Police
The rain poured loudly as it fell over Milan, as if the city were a flooded river.
In a meeting with Molinari, Sangalli and Bolza, Ziani looked out to it from the office window.
‘If Marais was a spy for Fouché, the French government’s silence can be logically explained,’ the former Commissioner said, extinguishing his cigar into a saucer.
‘Has the officer who didn’t notify of Marais’ presence in the city confessed?’
‘He says Marais paid him so he wouldn’t be placed in our records’.
‘What have you found in his dossier, Molinari?’ asked Ziani.
‘Storti patronises gambling tables and big are his wagers,’ the lady functionary answered.
‘Accordingly, he pandered to Marais without asking so
