‘I am not sure of that,’ I answered. ‘Humbert is not a politician. He has been stirred up because Luccheni killed a woman, which, in my opinion, was an unwise action. We ought to choose our victims more carefully. It is absurd to pick off a man like Humbert, when there are such enemies as ---- and ---- alive.’ My remarks were received in ominous silence. The other four exchanged looks of disappointment. The Bear was the first to protest. ‘It is the curse of Anarchism that every one wants to have his own opinion. It seems to me that when men like ourselves, who have guided the movement for years, are agreed on the right course of action, a new comrade ought to accept our decision.’ I did not retort that the word Anarchist, if it meant anything, meant one who had his own opinion and refused to be guided by the agreement of others. There is nothing a fanatic resents so much as reason, except ridicule. Instead, I affected to be surprised. ‘Do you mean that you disapprove of the execution of ----?’ I demanded, naming a man whose reputation for cruelty and bigotry was world wide. ‘The removal of Humbert ought to come first,’ was the answer. ‘Do you say that deliberately? Have all our comrades made up their minds, or is it merely your own opinion?’ ‘It is the judgment of us four,’ said The Bear. ‘That ought to be enough.’ ‘We are willing to provide funds for any comrade who will undertake the mission,’ added Peters. ‘But not for any other mission, such as one against ----?’ I ventured to object. ‘We have not said that. We are ready to consider an application.’ The last answer came from the lame watchmaker, who had kept his eyes fixed on me with a close scrutiny during the whole conversation. It was evident that this man was more cautious than the other three, and that he had begun to distrust me. Perhaps he thought I was a boaster; perhaps his suspicions went deeper. ‘Well, I am not under anybody’s orders,’ I said, rising to my feet. ‘Show me that I can serve the cause better by Humbert’s removal than any one else’s, and I will take the mission.’ The four let me come away in silence. I had now no doubt whatever that there was some very strong motive in the background behind all this talk about the Venice conference, and I sent a fresh wire to the threatened King--‘_American group absolutely determined on your death, and offering bribes._’ This telegram was treated with the same indifference as its predecessor. Ferretti was naturally more inclined to trust me than were the others, thanks to my London friend’s recommendation. I was, therefore, not surprised to receive a call from him the next day, and to find that he was at last going to show his hand. ‘It is right, is it not,’ he began, ‘that you are prepared to undertake the removal of one of our enemies, provided you are satisfied that you are doing good to the cause?’ ‘That is all I ask,’ I responded; ‘Humbert or another, what does it matter to me?’