Found

At a wooded spot, somewhere between the villages of Scrofano and Andriano, a dog howled dismally, became excited, started to scratch furiously.

The master of the dog peered into a culvert at his foaming canine, started, peered more closely, drew back, crossed himself, exclaimed: Santa, Madre di Gesu Christo, rushed off for the Carabinieri.

To the spot swaggered three gorgeous Carabinieri, capes a-flowing, swords a-rattling, hearts a-thumping. Near the thicket their pace slowed down. Once the dog moaned, his master prayed fervently. Once the wind tipped the trees and they shivered; the sun hid itself behind a cloud. All the time the master of the dog prayed and crossed himself repeatedly. Carabinieri stopped, hesitated, went on.

In the culvert the Carabinieri saw a decomposed body, a file sticking in its breast. The corps was pulled out, and by the contour of a speccialy treated gold tooth, the shape of the head and the high cheekbones, the Carabinieri knew it was the body of Deputy Giacomo Matteotti, reported murdered some two months ago (TIME, June 23 et seq).

The finding of the body followed the discovery of a bloodstained gray jacket pierced by daggers, with one sleeve missing. The missing sleeve was later found. It was the coat worn by Matteotti on the day he was murdered.

Official confirmation of the find was lacking, but most of the Rome news papers stated positively that the body had been discovered and identified.

The Public Prosecutor stroked his mustacios and ordered the transportation of the corps to Rome for an official autopsy.