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“And the cavaliere ufficiale who manages this place?” he asked. “My friend?”
“He is not here,” the assistant manager said. “For the moment, naturally,” he added.
“Give him my compliments,” the Colonel said. “And have somebody show me to my room.”
“It is the usual room. You still wish it?”
“Yes. Have you taken care of the Sergeant?”
“He is well taken care of.”
“Good,” said the Colonel.
The Colonel proceeded to his room accompanied by the boy who carried his bag.
“This way, my Colonel,” the boy said, when the elevator halted with slight hydraulic inaccuracy at the top floor.
“Can’t you run an elevator properly?” the Colonel asked.
“No, my Colonel,” the boy said. “The current is not stable.”
