"There was a proposal. Some days ago I saw Granaglia." "Well?" "Pardon me, Excellency. If I had known, not for worlds would I have called you--" "Come, come my Calabressa," said the other, good-naturedly. "No more apologies. What is it you have to say?--the proposal made by the Cardinal? Yes; we know about that." "And it has not been accepted?--the decree remains?" "You waste your breath, my friend. The decree remains, certainly. We are not children; we do not play. What more, my Calabressa?" But Calabressa had to collect his thoughts. Then he said, slowly, "It occurred to me when I was in England--there was a poor devil there who would have thrown away his life in a useless act of revenge--well--" "Well, you brought him over here," said the other, interrupting him. "Your object? Ah, Lind and you being old comrades; and Lind appearing to you to be in a difficulty. But did Lind approve?" "Not quite," said Calabressa, still hesitating. "He allowed us to try. He was doubtful himself." "I should have thought so," said the other, ironically. "No, good Calabressa; we cannot accept the services of a maniac. The night has got dark; I cannot see whether you are surprised. How do we know? The man Kirski has been twice examined--once in Venice, once this morning, when you went down to the _Luisa_; the reports the same. What! To have a maniac blundering about the gates, attracting every one's notice by his gibberish; then he is arrested with a pistol or a knife in his hand; he talks nonsense about some Madonna; he is frightened into a confession, and we become the laughing-stock of Europe! Impossible, impossible, my Calabressa: where were your wits? No wonder Lind was doubtful--" "The man is capable of being taught," said Calabressa, humbly. "We need not waste more breath, my friend. To-night Lind will be reminded why it was necessary that the execution of this decree was intrusted to the English section: he must not send any Russian madman to compromise us." "Then I must take him back, your Excellency!" "No; send him back--with the English scholar. You will remain in Naples, Calabressa. There is something stirring that will interest you." "I am at your service, Excellency." "Good-night, dear friend." The figure beside him had disappeared almost before he had time to return the salutation, and he was left to find his way down to the gate, taking care not to run unawares on one of the long cactus spines. He discovered Edwards precisely where he had left him. "Ah, Monsieur Edouarts, now you may clap your hands--now you may shout an English 'hurrah!' For you, at all events, there is good news." "That project has been abandoned, then?" said Edwards, eagerly. "No, no, no!" said Calabressa, loftily; as if he had never entertained such a possibility. "Do you think the Council is to be played with--is to be bribed by so many and so many lire? No, no. Its decree is inviolable." "Well, then?"