"He was a good-looking man when he was young," said Von Zoesch, apparently to himself. Then he added: "This Beratinsky, to whom the Zaccatelli affair has been transferred--what do you think of him? There must be no bungling, Granaglia. What do you think of him--is he to be trusted?" "Your Excellency, if I were to give you my own impression, I should say not in the least. He accepts this service--why? Because he is otherwise lost for certain, and here is a chance: it is perhaps better than nothing. But he does not go forward with any conviction of duty: what is he thinking but of his chance of running away?" "And perhaps running away beforehand, for example?" "Oh no, your Excellency; at least, that has been provided for. Caprone and the brother of Caprone will wait upon him until the thing is over; and what is more, he will receive a hint that these two humble attendants of his are keeping an eye on him." "Caprone dare not go to Rome." "He is ready to go anywhere. They might as well try to lay hands on a ghost." Von Zoesch rose, and stretched his huge frame, and yawned. "So this is the end of the episode Lind," he said, idly. "It is a pity. But if a man plays a risky game and loses, he must pay. Perhaps the warning will be wholesome, Granaglia. Our friends must understand that our laws are not laid down for nothing, and that we are not afraid to punish offenders, even if these be among ourselves. I suppose there is nothing further to be done to-night?" "I would ask your Excellency to remain here for a little time yet," said the Secretary. "Are they coming so near? We must get Calabressa to procure some of them a dozen or two on board the schooner. However--" He sat down again, and lit another cigar. "We must pay Calabressa a compliment, Granaglia; it was well done--very clever; it has all turned out just as he imagined; it is not the first time he has done us good service, with all his volubility. Oh yes; the rascal knows when to hold his tongue. At this moment, for example, he refuses to open his lips. "Pardon, your Excellency; but I do not understand you." The general laughed a little, and continued talking--it was one way of passing the time. "It is a good joke enough. The wily old Calabressa saw pretty clearly what the decision of the Council would be, and so he comes to me and entreats me to be the bearer of the news to Madame Lind and her daughter. Oh yes; it is good news, this deliverance of the Englishman; Madame Lind is an old friend of mine; she and her daughter will be grateful. But you perceive, Granaglia, that what the cunning old dog was determined to avoid was the reporting to Madame Lind that her husband had been sentenced. That was no part of the original programme. And now Calabressa holds his mouth shut; he keeps out of the way; it is left for me to go and inform the mother and daughter." His voice became more serious.