"The Tower of the Seven Hunchbacks" "Manola was a very proper girl whos only defect is an abundance of superstition" "The girl says that a cat is what brings her bad luck" "and if you turn a chair around she gets upset and cries" "The superstitious ones do some funny things" "Are you superstitious sir?" "Would you open an umbrella indoors?" "If there's a leak." "And are you superstitious?" "Very much so." "Do you think black cats are bad luck?" "Because you have one there." "Don't turn a chair around, it's bad luck." "The problem was that Manola couldn't go outside on her own, not on Fridays or on Tuesdays or 13ths." "Do you know what she did?" " You don't know what she did?" " I do." "What did she do?" "She played the piano!" "That's it, she stayed home and played the piano." "On behalf of the Beautiful Medusa" "At last I can have dinner with you tonight after the show but my mother has to come as well." "B. M." "Listen, do you think three people can make a meal of a chip?" "Well, it's not about the chip, it depends on their appetites." "And what if there were two and four?" "That could work too, as long as you mean four chips." "No, it's that one of these people eats enough for two." "20 black." "29 black." "Place your bets." "Hello, how are you Leonardo?" "I'm well, take a look around." "Do you play?" "Yes, I'm going to bet a chip hoping to turn it into four." " Good luck." " Thank you." "Three red." "Place your bets." " Three red." " That's six times in an hour." "Place your bets." "24 black." "Place your bets gentlemen." "I still have a peseta." "Your hats, if you please." "We'll only be here a moment." "It doesn't matter, you must leave them." "No one is allowed entry with a hat." " It'll only be a moment." " It's quite forbidden." "Place your bets gentlemen." "Zero." "No one can win with that man around." "They shouldn't let one eyed people in." "What one eyed man?" "I don't see anyone." "He's just ahead, don't you see him?" "I don't think you should play more young man, you seem very nervous." "Nervous, me?" "Place your bets gentlemen." "Three red." "Will you leave that in play?" "No sir." "I mean, yes, I'll leave it." "Three red." "My, it must be because of that one eyed man you saw." "Place your bets." "I like men who don't get scared." "It depends of what." "No more." "20 black." "Say loverboy, I think you'll have to take me dancing." "I can't." "I have plans." "Place your bets." "Come." "Shouldn't take advantage of my streak?" "No, the streak is over." "If you keep betting you will lose." "Come with me, we must talk." "18 red." "Listen!" "You won again with those chips you dropped." "Thank you very much." " Are you leaving?" " Yes." "Why don't you keep going?" "Because he won't let me." "Who won't let you?" " The one eyed man." " Who did he say?" "The one eyed man." "Have you seen a one eyed man?" "I haven't." "Neither have I. He must be mad." "It was a good day for you Mr. Basilio, we were told it was a wonderful run of good luck." " We should celebrate it." " I can't today, perhaps tomorrow." "Right now I must accompany this gentleman." "See you tomorrow." "Hey, who did he say he had to accompany?" "He motioned towards here... and there was no one there... and he left on his own." "That boy is not well." "Well, we have arrived." "I'm very grateful Mr..." "Mantua." "Robinson de Mantua." "Basilio Beltran at your service." "Mr. Mantua, I would be very grateful to know your system." "At first I thought it was a simple geometric progression but later when" "It's something much simpler." "Before the ball is even in motion I see what number will win." "What?" "You see the number?" "And you say that's easy?" "Yes, very easy, but we'll talk of this some other time." "I have sought you out because I need you." "If I can be of help in some way I'm at your disposal." "Well, to get someone to see me as you see me now, to get someone to hear me as you hear me now, this was the hardest part, and it's been accomplished." "You are a man very sensitive to hidden sensations." "Excuse me?" "I mean to say that your imagination goes beyond the workaday world." "Perhaps..." "I just hadn't realized it." "Could you help me in a strange undertaking?" "You possess extraordinary faculties." "Come with me, that's my home." "I'm very pleased to have met you." "The pleasure and luck has been mine." "Careful, what is" "Don't be afraid." "It's an old wound, it caused my death." "Well, goodnight, at your service, goodbye." "I would like to see you again." "Tomorrow at 10, would you come to this house?" "Yes sir." "Very well." "A favor for a favor, you help me with my experiments and I'll tell you where the ball will land." "And don't forget that the Beautiful Medusa waits for you." "No sir." "How did you know" "Make way!" "This hasn't been a dream." "We have a lovely steak with potatos." "Oh, how horrible!" "No potatoes, they're fattening." "I'd like steak without potatos." "Are you sure?" "Yes, I'd like to get rid of 4 or 5 kilos that are bothering me and I'm dying of hunger." "We have salmon in green sauce." "No sauce, it's fattening." "Take it fried." "Oh, not fried." "And what do you want?" "I'll take a bit of lobster with mayonnaise and a bit of steak with potato souffle" "Oh, potato souffle!" "Well, a souffle is no more than air, right?" "Yes maam, we place air inside." "For once." "Oh, don't be such a tease young man." "Don't be such a tease." "Well, I'd like some lobster with mayonnaise and a little bit of steak with potato souffle." "A half portion or whole?" "It doesn't matter." "A double." "And to drink?" "Bring some champagne." "Oh Basilio!" "Has something happened?" "Don't worry." "Champagne champagne or champagne 20?" "Champagne champagne." "You heard him." " Waiter." " Maam?" "You've forgotten dessert." "Oh, forgive me maam." "We have rice pudding, we have sweet breads" "Can you bring us a list?" "I can't contain myself when we're talking dessert." "I like it all." "Hello, how's it going Leonardo?" "What are you doing round these parts in the morning?" "Nothing, I had a meeting but I'm afraid I'm late." "What time is it?" "Eleven." "Were you to meet a lady?" "No, with the man from yesterday." "I couldn't get a bit of sleep last night," "I kept tossing and turning and having one nightmare after another." "Perhaps you ate more than you should have." "Yes, I think I celebrated my luck a bit too much." "At any rate, when I pulled myself together this morning it was already 10:30." "Well, may your luck continue." "Hopefully." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." "Oh boys, go play somewhere else, look what you've done!" "Thank you." "It's alright, would you like me to carry them somewhere for you?" "It's not worth the trouble, I'm not going far." "Miss!" "Miss!" "Here, you left this behind." "Thank you very much." "Listen, does that lady live in this building?" "Yes sir, lady Inez lives behind that door." "Thank you." "Here." "Hey, do me a favor?" "Mr. Robinson de Mantua." "Don't you understand?" "I'm asking if Mr. Robinson de Mantua lives here." "Mother!" "Mother!" "Come out!" "Hello, what is it you want?" "I'd like to know if Robinson de Mantua lives here." "We set up a meeting yesterday." "Set up a meeting yesterday?" "Justino!" "Justino!" "What's going on?" "This man is looking for Professor Mantua." "Yes." "Does he live here or not?" "He doesn't live." "I must be mistaken, he probably lives in a similar place." "He doesn't live here or anywhere else." "He killed himself a year ago." "That's why when you said you had set up a meeting yesterday" "Last night." "A tall thin man dressed like a Lutheran with one eye." "He's the uncle of the lady you asked me about." "Oh, so that's it." "What you're interested in is the girl." "But I had a meeting with the uncle." "I don't understand." "Excuse me." "What is he looking for in this neighborhood?" "Who knows?" "What did he tell you?" "Well, nothing." "That he had eaten too much and had had a bad night." " That's it?" " That's it." "It's incredible, six lobsters among three people!" "Last night it was the same, and with real champagne too." "That woman that says wants to lose weight has eaten a cow between yesterday and today." "I can't believe it isn't making them sick." "Maybe it is." "Who is it?" "It's me, don't be afraid." "Since you showed up to our meeting late this morning" "I've had to come here tonight." "I overslept." "I had a very bad night." "I know, I know." "How do you know?" "I know many things, but in the end" "I didn't come to talk about that, but to tell you that I have sought you out for your extraordinary psychic abilities," "and because at the same time you seem to be a good man." "Thank you." "Tell me, how can I help you?" "I didn't commit suicide, I was killed." "However, hatred didn't guide me to you." "No human feels hatred when he crosses the border between life and death." "The only thing I miss in life is a statuette I had in my parlor, the Venus de Milo." "It must be a copy." "Yes, a copy of no worth, but I admired Venus as a woman." "She was my type." "Everyone has their weaknesses." "This can't be the reason you're looking for me." "No, it's about my niece." "The girl with the books!" "Yes, she's in great danger." "It is something that matters more than life, and I can't do anything." "It has to be you who still belongs in the world." "Tell me, what should I do?" "It's not necessary." "You'll find the way." "I hope that your earthly life is happy, and that your unending life is consigned to the light." "Hello." "Good day." "I'm here." "What did you want?" "Who has called me?" "I didn't." "Perhaps it was that man?" "I haven't called anybody." "Weren't you the ones spinning a night table?" "No, there's no spiritism here." "It must be on another floor." "I can see you're also from the other side." "Yes I am." "I am Professor Robinson de Mantua." "And who are you?" "I am Napoleon, pleased to meet you." "The pleasure is mine." "So you're sure no one called me?" "No, I haven't called anyone." "I doesn't surprise me." "They call me everywhere." "As soon as five people get around a table to communicate with the spirits they call me." "I'm always on the move." "Look on another floor." "That's what I'll do." "It must be the people on the first floor." "Well, goodnight and forgive me if I've frightened you." "You didn't frighten me." "Goodbye Basilio, and don't forget what I've told you." "After you." "No, you first Professor." " I couldn't do that your Majesty!" " By no means!" "Hello Basilio, what a coincidence, we've found each other at the same spot." "Yes, quite a coincidence." "Let me introduce my friend" "Dr. Sabatino." "If you ever need his services don't be afraid to call him." " Pleasure." " The pleasure is mine." "Have you had any more nightmares?" "Oh, don't even mention it, last night" "I had one that left me more tired than when I went to bed." "It could be you suffer from a nervous condition." "With rest and relaxation it'll pass." "Possibly." "I'd recommend spending some time in the country." "It'd be nice, but until my vacation I can't leave Madrid." "In any case, if you need me don't be afraid to let me know." "Leonardo always knows where I am." "Thank you very much." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." "He seems determined to go inside today." "What could it mean?" "We'll know shortly." "That man is planning something." " Is he a thief?" " Or a madman?" "Another madman in the home." "Come in." "Is Ms. Ines here?" "Who should I say is calling?" "Mr. Beltran." "I'm a friend of her uncle." "Come in." " Good day." " So you say." "Pardon me, if it were up to me" "I wouldn't have come and bothered you." "Well now that you have it would be best if you told me what it is you want." "Yes, that would be best." "I wanted to speak to you..." "I believe that's what you're doing, and besides, you apparently also talk to the porters." "Naturally you must think that was a trick to get close to you." "A trick in poor taste." "You claimed to have met my uncle." "It's true." "I needed to see you, I know your uncle." " When did you meet him?" " The night before last." "Braulia!" "Show the gentleman to the door." "Let me explain, I beg you!" "When I said I wouldn't have come to see you on my own I spoke the truth." "I need to accomplish a mission, a strange mission that's been imposed on me." "Leave him Braulia." "Sit down." "I know your uncle," "Mr. Robinson de Mantua, was murdered." "How do you know he was murdered?" "Because he told me himself." "I didn't mean to say that." "I meant to say that a man like your uncle couldn't have killed himself." "I know he loved you very much and dedicated his life to his work." "Nothing makes one think he was looking for death." "To the contrary, he was suffering from delusions and an overabundance of confidence and told his partner he was on the verge of a discovery that would amaze the world." "And who was his partner?" "Another archeologist, Mr. Zachariah." "Is he alive?" "I don't know, he disappeared the same day my uncle died." "The police made an effort to find him but nothing turned up." "Perhaps he died as well." "Aren't you suspicious of him?" "He wouldn't hurt anyone." "My uncle had no enemies, we had to accept the reason given for his death." "But something inside me doubts that's the way things really were." "I beg you to tell me everything you know." "If I knew something I would tell you because I must gain your trust, but sadly I'm ignorant of many things." "Still?" "So it is." "I beg you to see me as a friend, to be calm and to help me." "I will once I know who you are, and the reason you're interested in this business." "I'm called Basilio Beltran," "I study archeology," "I've read some of your uncle's works, whom I dealt with." "Even though it isn't much of a reason, anyone who doubts my uncle commited suicide seems to me a friend of his, which amounts to being my friend." "Thank you." "Can you tell me where they found the body?" "There." "He had many wounds on his neck." "The weapon was a found few centimeters from his right hand." "Did many people visit this room?" "No, just him and I, few people were interested in these things." "No one ever came, and we shouldn't have either." "This home is haunted, and this room" "Don't mind her, the creaking of the furniture makes her think we're surrounded by ghosts." "And the voices?" "Furniture doesn't talk." "So you heard voices?" "Yes sir." "The master was killed by ghosts and any day now they'll kill us." "And that room?" "A small gallery where he kept all the valuable objects he found." "You who study archeology would know the value of all this." "I can't believe it." "It's magnificent!" "What a pity that those tablets are shattered." "What have you found?" "No one's been here since he died." "A paper on which kabbalist signs are written." "Do you know what this is about?" "What could that mean?" "I can't find a meaning, but you know about these things." " Would you let me take this?" " Why not?" "I'll study it at home." "Hello." "Hello Martinez." "My friend here would like to know some of the details on the death of Mr. Mantua." "Very well, right away." "Go on and sit." "No, not in that chair, it's missing a leg." " Let me just moisten my throat." " Go ahead." "I'm at your disposal sir." "Mr. Robinson de Mantua that lived on Paja Plaza died... on the 15th of February of last year." "Mantua, Mantua..." "I remember it perfectly." "Here you go sir." "The man killed himself." "You think so?" "I know the case." "When it happened I was on duty and was one of the people who took care of it." "The poor man must've been a bit odd." "Do you want to take it to read at home, seeing as you're a friend of Mr. Martinez?" "Thank you, there's no need." "I'll come back if I need to." " It's been a pleasure sir." " At your service." "Goodbye Martinez, drop by once in a while." "Don't worry about accompanying us, we're headed to the archives and I know the way." " Thank you." " Goodbye." "It was nothing, you know where to find me." "Good day Mr. Alfonso." "Good day Martinez." "Mr. Veltran, who it is my pleasure to introduce, has found a heiroglyph that will drive him mad if you don't help him decipher it." "Would you give him a hand?" "Maybe I'll be the one that goes crazy, but I'll try." "Let's see." "Do you understand it?" "Console yourself Basilio." "if Mr. Alfonso isn't able to translate it it means it's quite difficult and your failure is nothing to be ashamed of." "It's quite difficult... or it's quite simple." "I was about to fail for giving it too much importance." "It's an Assyric alphabet, quite easily understood with this book." "Have you deciphered it?" "Yes, now I have." "It must surely be a joke." "It says here exactly:" ""This night in the Tower of the Seven Hunchbacks"" "Would you like to see it?" "The Tower of the Seven Hunchbacks..." "I don't know what this means." "Did you ever hear your uncle speak of the Tower of the Seven Hunchbacks?" "No, I never heard him mention that tower." "However, I vaguely remember him mentioning something that may be related." "Tell me." "Well, you have to understand that none of this will bring my uncle back to life." "It's not about your uncle, but about you." "You're in grave danger." "However did you get that idea?" "He told me." "Who is he, my uncle?" "Yes, but I don't want you getting upset with me again." "Your uncle, or the man I took to be your uncle, came to my home last night." "You were with my uncle last night?" "Yes... and the rest of the night..." "I dreamed of you." "And those extraordinary conversations, do you have them every night?" "By god Ines, I don't want you thinking I'm mad!" "I know that all of this isn't normal but there are phenomena we can't explain and exist regardless." "Tell me, what do you remember about the Tower of the Seven Hunchbacks?" "I seem to remember having read a letter from Mr. Zachariah to my uncle that mentioned a hunchback." "The house had been ransacked a few days before." "Who is Mr. Zachariah?" "The archeologist I mentioned." "He worked with my uncle and disappeared a few days before his murder." "Here's the letter." "Forgive me Robinson but I can't see you until after tomorrow." "If you can come to Morelia St., in front of the house where we met on Thursday." "I'm set to meet a colleague, I don't know if you know him." "He's a man with a hump in his back who is always with another hunchback." "Your uncle received this letter?" "He should have gotten it the day of the murder." "Nothing more was heard of Mr Zachariah, as I told you." "I thought that there might be some connection between these hunchbacks and the tower from the note." "I'll go to Morelia St. right away." "If you'll permit me I'll come see you afterwards." "I'll be home all day." "Thank you." "Goodbye." "How are you?" "What are you doing in this neighborhood?" "I like to stroll through Old Madrid." "Me too." "These old neighborhoods calm the nerves." "By the way, how are yours?" "Much better." "Would you like to continue your walk with me?" "That way you can tell me of your illness." "I'm not sick, you must think I'm crazy but you're wrong." "I don't think you're crazy," "I just think you're a person with a bad case of nerves." "Have you been around Paja Plaza much?" "Why do you ask?" "Leonardo saw you there one day, and I the next, one could suppose you have a love interest there." "Can you tell me the reason for this interrogation?" "Friend Basilio, there's no interrogation." "It's only a joke, I wouldn't intrude upon your private life." "And now goodbye," "I'll let you continue your walk." "Goodbye." "This night in the Tower of the Seven Hunchbacks..." "Ms. Ines." "What is it Braulia?" "Why haven't you gone to bed?" "The one who should go to bed is the lady, it's quite late." "Right away, let me finish." "If you don't take your medicine don't complain if your head hurts again." "I'm alright, thank you." "Goodnight Braulia." "Goodnight miss." "A tower of about 40 meters instead of resting on the ground sinks beneath the earth." "We were about to close." "Just a moment, I'm bringing a message, I'll be out right away." "Is Ms. Ines home?" "I haven't seen her leave." "Could you tell the lady I'm here?" "Look at the hour!" "It's time to sleep!" "It's true, I'm a bit late." "Ms. Ines?" "Miss?" "She's not here." "Could she be in her bedroom?" "No, I just came from there." "Could she have gone outside?" "Well no, the porter told he didn't see her." "Oh, something terrible has happened!" "Calm yourself and look for her carefully." "But she's not in any of the rooms!" "I'll ask the upstairs neighbors, they're quite friendly with her." "Young sir!" "Did you move this from its place?" "No good, the young lady hasn't left the building or been upstairs, she's disappeared!" "Operator, operator." "Put me through to the police, it's very urgent miss." "Hello, captain?" "Agent Martinez please." "Yes yes, Sebastian Martinez!" "In service where?" "Salon Moderno?" "Very well, thank you." "Listen, have you seen Agent Martinez?" "He was here a moment ago." "Do you want me to look for him?" "Yes, look for him in the hall and I'll look backstage." "Basilio, you ingrate!" "You've made yourself a stranger, we haven't seen you for two days!" "Good evening Mrs. Magdalena." "Belita, look who's invited us to dinner!" "I don't know if I can tonight..." "Hello Basilio, where have you been?" "I have an important errand, I can hardly hold still." "What are you saying?" "Go on, sit down and have a drink." "But I have to see someone." "He can wait." "Who are you looking for?" "Martinez from the Service Agency." "He should be around here somewhere, I'll look for him myself." "Serve him a little drink." "Two whole days without you coming around and now you're here for a man." " Not now Professor!" " What are you saying?" "Nothing, it's passed." "Why did you cover the mirror?" "I covered the mirror?" "I didn't mean to." "Come in." " Hope I'm not intruding." " Not at all." " Sit down." " No no no!" "We have a lot to talk." "I'll be back soon." "Let's go." "Look, that's the house I saw." "The best thing is to go to the police." "They would ignore me because nothing has actually happened." "What of the girl's disappearance?" "It would end up the same way as her uncle's partner who disappeared a year ago." "No, we have to solve this on our own." "That's not possible Basilio." "I'm working on a money forging case." "You could finish that right away." "No, it's not that easy." "I only caught someone who had a fake bill but it seems like he's innocent." "He was given the bill by a hunchback he didn't know." "A hunchback?" "Look." "There you have one." "Who is he?" " He's called Malato." " Is he blind?" "Not at all." "He sees perfectly." "Watch him." "He's not blind, just dumb as a rock." "He thinks he's going to get aims at this hour and in this neighborhood?" "Quiet." "It must be a signal." "Come." "He must have gone inside." "Are you sure?" "He couldn't have disappeared elsewhere." "Let's call the night watchman." "Watchman!" " Listen, does a hunchback live here?" " One called Malato." "No one lives in this house." "It was condemned a few years ago because it's unstable." "But we just saw someone go in." "It can't be." "No one lives here." "It's a house that could fall at any time." "Very well." "Come here." "This door's been opened recently." "Do you think he got in through the keyhole?" "Someone came through here recently." "It can't be, only I have the key." "Open it please, I'm a security agent." "But I'm telling you there's nothing there." "Open it please!" "Watchman!" "If you don't see us here close it and don't worry." " There's no one." " Quiet." "Look what's here." "But where has he gone?" "No one has climbed up." "Let's see what we have here." "Look at this!" "Let's go." "Light those lanterns." "Take it." "Let's see where all these tunnels lead." "I'll take this one." "You take one of the other two and we'll meet here later." "Martinez!" "Martinez!" "Martinez, where are you?" "Hello." " How are you?" " I'm well." "Could you do me a favor and show me your back?" "Ah, you're not a hunchback, right?" "No sir, not at the moment." "It's the first time I've seen you here." "I've just arrived." "Are you called Mr. Zachariah?" "Yes, exactly, Zachariah." "Where did you from, Sabatino's house?" "I'm from Madrid." "Oh, very good, from Madrid!" "And what's going on in Madrid?" "Has it been long since you've been there?" "Yes, a long time." "Though to be honest I can't remember how long." "The entrance was obstructed and since those hunchbacks never finish fixing it, here I am." "I don't mind though, since I have such much work to do." "Were you Professor Mantua's friend?" "Of course I was his friend, close friend." "We were the ones that discovered this subterranean city." "What happened is that instead of staying here with me he decided to go outside, and then what had to happen out there to him happened." "Do you know of his death?" "Yes, they told me a bit afterwards." "He died in a train accident." "A train accident." "It was a shame." "He missed a great deal of work that would have made him quite happy, but he was such an impatient man." "What need did he have of finding the door and leaving this place so soon?" "You've never left?" "How do you want me to leave since a while ago there was a cave-in and we've been trapped here." "And now it's my turn, how did you come in?" "Through the tower." "What do you mean, through the tower?" "That's where Sabatini told me the cave-in happened and there's no hope of finding the exit." "And there's no other exit?" "I think there's one in the synagogue." "One of these days when there's a lull in my work" "I'll go up because I have to get some books on San Bernardo street." "Dear Zachariah, you know that my library is at your disposal." "You just have to say what book you need for you to have it right away." "Thank you, thank you very much, but I'm getting sick of so much work." "I want to take a vacation in Madrid." "Welcome." "Oh, do you know each other?" "Yes, I believe so." "I've had the pleasure of meeting your friend." "He was seen going through the plaza and I came to welcome him." "What brings you to these parts?" "I could ask you the same thing." "Do you follow archeology young man?" "Well, you're on the most interesting site in all of Spain." "This city was founded by Jews who hid in these caves after the Expulsion." "Sit down." "Thank you but I enjoy wandering the city." "In these caves the Jews hid their relics and their gold which is what we're looking for now." "Would you like me to accompany you?" "It'd be my pleasure." "So long." "So long Mr. Zachariah." "Good night, rest well." "Goodbye Doctor, good night." "I haven't asked after the object of your visit because I presume you won't tell me." "If I have to justify it I'd say that curiosity brought me here." "I believe you, and I hope you haven't been disappointed." "This strange city was founded by a group of Jews that disobeyed the expulsion laws." "They took advantage of these caves that were surely created by some seismic movement ages ago and constructed a synagogue." "And did you flee that law?" "No, we run from no law." "Not even the penal ones?" "No." "Here we live and work without feeling the contempt and pity of the rest of humanity and we're happy." "And does the presence of Zachariah bother you?" "No, he's a good man." "Always absorbed in his work, we barely notice him." "Apparently you didn't feel the same way about his partner," "Professor Mantua." "I see that you know more of our lives and our friendships than I had supposed." "I'm happy, it'll make it easier for you to familiarize yourself with all of this." "You won't lack time." "You think so?" "Consider yourself my guest from now on." "Thank you." "A question Doctor." "Can you tell me what's happened to Ines," "Professor Mantua's niece?" "You're interested in the girl." "She's the one that's brought you here." "Can you answer my question?" "Of course." "At the moment she's in my salon in my home." "Come in." "Come in through here." "Careful." "Come in." "Malato." "Where is the lady?" "She's in her room." "Ask her if she would be kind enough to join us." "What of that funhouse mirror?" "An old whim that I'm now ashamed of." "I bought before I had resigned myself to being as I am." "Go on and look." "It was a small bit of vanity," "I laugh about it now." "Here she comes." "Ines, I was afraid I wouldn't see you again, your disappearance frightened Braulia and I!" "It seems to me you get frightened for no reason and what's worse, with no right." "But look" "Doctor, what is this all about?" "This young man must have thought you kidnapped." "I expect him to be convinced otherwise once he's spent some time among us." "He'll be staying here?" "It's convenient even if you disapprove." "I don't understand your attitude Ines." "And I don't understand yours." "Excuse me a moment, I'll have your room prepared." "Don't bother, I plan to leave immediately." "Stay here." "You're very tired and the return trip is more difficult still." "To enter this underground area is much simpler and above all much less dangerous than to leave." "I'll leave and Ines will come with me." "You have no right to talk that way!" "Don't strain yourself friend Basilio." "It's better if you spend the night." "I'll be right back." "Sit." "Listen to me Ines, you mustn't remain here surrounded by these men, it was them that killed your uncle." "Impossible." "I don't know what force or curse keeps you among these shadows but from the moment I saw you I knew this time would come and that I would have to save you." "I know there's an exit we can escape through." "I know the exit but I'm staying." "The one that should go back to the city is you." "What's wrong Ines, I don't understand." "I'm sure you're not feigning, however..." "It'd be preferable if you wouldn't bother me anymore." "You shouldn't have followed me here." "I came because I believed you were in danger," "I was afraid I would never see you again... and I realized that I love you Ines." "I won't leave without you." "Your feelings don't interest me." "Your room is ready." "It's quite late and time to rest." "But I" "You need rest as well." "Sleep and tomorrow we'll talk." "Besides, Ines has had a very trying day, isn't that so?" "Yes Doctor." "Thank you very much." "Poor thing, she's very tired." "Malato, take Mr. Vasilio to his room." "Good night." "Until tomorrow." "Could you answer some questions for me?" "Yes, but speak softly;" "I'm still your friend, if I could've avoided you being he" "Don't worry about it, tell me, what's Ines doing here?" "I don't know." "Today is the first day she's come." "Leonardo brought her, I suppose she was about to discover the entrance." "And will they let her leave?" "No, not for now." "First she will have to perform her act." "What's that?" "We have to commit a crime, a murder to oblige you to keep the secret." "And will they let me leave?" "I doubt it." "It's not so easy to leave this place." "Dr. Mantua was here and he managed to leave." "True, but Professor Mantua died before he could speak of the existence of this city, and Zachariah will never leave." "Understood Malato." "Now forget what I've said and try to rest." "Have a good night." "Good night." "Do you need anything?" "No, thank you." "What's that?" "Nothing, the hallways are just so dark..." "Do you know this policeman called Martinez?" "Yes, he's a friend of mine, has something happened to him?" "He's had an accident." "And the scream?" "Who was that?" "Malato?" "You're very nervous." "Lay down and rest." "Tomorrow you'll see things more optimistically." "Until tomorrow." "Ines, what's gotten into you?" "!" "Freeze." "Another step and I'll shoot." "Go in." "Let her go." "Take her." "Hold it!" "I didn't know you also forged money." "You're quite inquistive." "I would have preferred that you had been more reasonable, but I see that you're set on your goals, and I'm sorry." "Walk, and don't try to escape." " Where is the synagogue?" " Have you become a jew?" "Where is the synagogue, where can I escape?" "The synagogue's over there and the exit is behind the armoire at the bottom!" "Listen!" "You have to go down a spiral stairway!" "I want you to search the hallways that lead to the church, you go up the tower and see if you can see him escaping." "You go check the Rollo St exit, and we'll go check the synagogue." "No, he didn't come through here, he would've left a trail." "Stay here and be prepared in case he shows up, don't let him escape." "Wouldn't it be better if we were further down, in the synagogue?" "Are you afraid?" "No, I just think it'd be better if we were further down." "You're a bunch of cowards." "You'll answer with your lives if you let him escape." "Can we have the light at least?" "I'll leave it there." "Are you afraid?" "Yes, a bit." "And you?" "I'm superstitious." "Look at that!" "Look at how it moves!" "Come with me!" "It was a rat." "There's no reason to be scared." "We shouldn't lose our heads." "Listen!" "Listen!" "Oh Mother Mary, who are you?" "Don't be afraid maam, I'm not a ghost." "You're a..." "HELP!" "HELP!" "What's going on?" "Who are you?" "He's a ghost!" "No maam, I said I'm not a ghost." " He's a dead man!" " Not that either!" "A man or a dead" "Oh god, get me out of here and I'll tell you who I am!" "Give me a minute, I'll go let the watchman know." "Are you sure you're not a dead man?" "Maam..." "Try to stay calm." "The disappearance of the policeman is what will prompt the search for this city." "Without that no one would believe Basilio's story." "It doesn't matter if they discover the entrance to the first galleries." "Let them find where the policeman fell, that'd be better." "that way they'd think it's a dead end." "What we have to do is blow up the rest of the galleries starting with the tower entrance and the halls leading to Professor Mantua's home." "We need to take care of the upstairs entrance, but who can do one so large?" "And the girl, they'll keep looking for her." "They must find her dead under the rubble." "All of that is my business." "You go carry out my orders." "Destroy all access to the city." "And the large gallery?" "It's too long." "The one who blows it up stays there." "I've told you it's my business." "You keep living however you can." "The girl must die, she's a danger otherwise." "Leave me." "They told me it was a prehistoric cave, in old times the Jews hid in them and constructed a city." "That's where they're forging the money." "You swear on your parents you're not drunk?" "It's been many days since I've had alcohol." "Give me some men and I'll take them to the subterranean city." "There are many entrances and I know them." "If this is a trick you know what will happen." "It isn't a trick, they've kidnapped a woman who's life is in danger!" "You say she lives on Paja Plaza?" "Yes, there's a path leading to the city from her house." "How long has the young lady been missing?" "Since yesterday, everything I've told you happened overnight." "Well, let's go to that house together, but if you've lied to me" "I assure you you'll be spending some time underground." "Let's go." "Braulia went out early today but she left me the keys in case the milkman came." "It's alright, leave us here." "These men are police." "That's the door to the library where she was when the kidnapped her." "Come on." "What's going on?" "Oh, it's you." "I must have fallen asleep, my head hurts." "Why didn't you come last night?" "But Ines, we were together last night." "Not last night, yesterday afternoon." "You said you'd come back and never did." "I waited until I fell asleep." "You don't remember anything of the underground city, of the knife?" "The knife?" "I don't understand, what are you trying to say?" "Who are these men?" "They're policemen, I've brought them to show them the entrance to the city." "Come along." "Through here." "There's nothing of what you told us here." "I believe there is, you'll see." "Give me that sir." "This is heavy but it can be moved." "This stone has never moved, perhaps you're mistaken?" "I'm telling you, behind this stone is the entrance to the city, you'll see." "It's very tight!" "I think that's enough." "I don't understand, just last night I came through here!" "Spending some time in the dark will cure your need to trick the police." "This isn't a trick Commissioner, I assure you I don't know what's happened." "Nothing of what's happened recently makes sense." "You'll have time to think about it in jail." "Please forgive him Mr. Comissioner, this young man is helping me with some archeological studies related to the death of a family member of mine." "It's likely he's suffered a hallucination from working too hard." "What he's done is drink too much." " I haven't drank!" " Perhap's you're right Mr. Comissioner." "But Ines, I swear I haven't drank, you know that" "In any case, please forgive him Mr. Comissioner," "I know him and he wouldn't have done this on purpose." "I should arrest him now but I won't for your sake Miss." "Thank you very much Mr. Comissioner but I guarantee that" "Enough!" "If you mention the underground city again" "I'll lock you up immediately." "Porter, accompany the men." "The comissioner was right, a man as hard working and imaginative as you shouldn't drink." "You still say that?" "Is it possible you don't remember last night?" "You can stop now, the comissioner's gone." "I'll keep looking, the deaths of your uncle and my friend will not go unpunished." "But let's not talk about that now." "Try to remember Ines, remember, you were in Sabatino's power, you tried to kill me." "I tried to kill you?" "Yes, and then you fainted, I took you in my arms and tried to escape, but they caught me." "I had to flee alone." "Basilio, I'm starting to worry about you." "Everything you're telling me is a product of your imagination." "It's the truth, I'll find the words to make you remember what's happened." "There was a time when your coldness made me desperate." "What are you saying?" "I talked to you of love, I told you I was crazy about you." "Does that remind you of anything?" "I don't know." "Perhaps." "The only thing I do remember is... something like a dream." "This time it wasn't a dream, it was solid and real, a tangible and defined love that throughout this fantastic night has only grown stronger." "I love you Ines, I love you." "Oh Basilio!" "Basilio, Sabatino has died, now I will settle accounts." "Professor!" "What are you saying, is this more of your madness?" "That might not be so bad," "I think my madness might have brought me happiness." "What are you doing?" "Having life, you may kiss her," "I hope you don't find it too inconvenient." "Not in the least." "Everything's well Basilio, everything's well."