“So there are, if pluck were the only requisite; but something more is needed. If Sir Joseph should not like to acknowledge the debt,--if, on his recovery, he should come to think that the thing might have been better managed, less cost incurred, and so on,--the Government will feel embarrassed; they can't well quarrel with an old supporter; they can't well stick the thing in the estimates; so that, to cover the outlay in some decent fashion, they must give it a public-service look before they can put it into the Extraordinaries; and so Lord S. has hit upon this scheme. You are aware that a great question is now disputed between the Bourbonists of Naples and the party of New Italy,--whether brigandage means highway robbery, or is the outburst of national enthusiasm in favor of the old dynasty. The friends of King Bomba, of course, call it a 'La Vendée;' the others laugh at this, and say that the whole affair is simply assassination and robbery, and totally destitute of any political coloring. Who knows on which side the truth lies, or whether some portion of truth does not attach to each of these versions? Now, there are, as you said awhile ago, scores of fellows who would have pluck enough to treat with the brigands; but there are not so many who could be trusted to report of them,--to give a clear and detailed account of what he saw of them,--of their organization, their sentiments, their ambitions, and their political views, if they have any. You are just the man to do this. You have that knack of observation and that readiness with your pen which are needed. In fact, you seem to me the very fellow to do this creditably.” “Has Lord S. any distinct leanings in the matter?” asked I. “Does he incline to regard these men as political adherents, or as assassins, _purs et simples?_” “I see what you mean,” said my friend, pinching my arm. “You want to know the tone of your employer before you enter his service. You would like to be sure of the tints that would please him.” “Perhaps so. I won't go so far as to say it would frame my report, but it might serve to tinge it. Now, do you know his proclivities, as Jonathan would call them?” “I believe they are completely with the Italian view of the matter. I mean, he will not recognize anything political in these scoundrels.” “I thought as much. Now as to the appointment. Do you think you could obtain it for me?” “You are ready to take it, then?” “Perfectly.” “And ready to start at once?” “To-night.” “Come back with me now, and I will inquire if Lord S. will see us. He spoke to me yesterday evening on the matter, and somehow your name did not occur to me, and I certainly recommended another man,--Hitchins of the 'Daily News;' but I am sure he will not have sent for him yet, and that we shall be in good time.”