Atlas Nightshade

Day 120

“_Alberto Montani_, confectioner, deposes that he was among the

first to ascend the stairs. Heard the voices in question. The

gruff voice was that of a Frenchman. Distinguished several words.

The speaker appeared to be expostulating. Could not make out the

words of the shrill voice. Spoke quick and unevenly. Thinks it

the voice of a Russian. Corroborates the general testimony. Is an

Italian. Never conversed with a native of Russia.

“Several witnesses, recalled, here testified that the chimneys of

all the rooms on the fourth story were too narrow to admit the

passage of a human being. By ‘sweeps’ were meant cylindrical

sweeping brushes, such as are employed by those who clean

chimneys. These brushes were passed up and down every flue in the

house. There is no back passage by whi