"And suppose we were to go into the matter," the Minister said. "What attitude would your Lordship adopt?" "Well--my attitude would be this," Nassington replied. "You give me the proper concession, signed by the Ministers, and I guarantee to find the capital among my personal friends in financial circles in London. But on one condition," he added. "That the whole matter is kept secret. Afterwards, I venture to think the whole country, and especially the rural population will be grateful to your Excellency." Boncini instantly saw that such a move would increase his popularity immensely in the country. The idea appealed to him. If Lord Nassington's friends were ready with capital, they would also be ready, he foresaw, with a very substantial sum for bribery. Personally he cared not a rap for the progress of Italy. While in office, he intended to amass as much as he could. He was the all-powerful man in Italy at the moment. But next year he might be--well where more than one Minister as powerful as he, had found himself--in prison! "There are difficulties," his Excellency said with some hesitation. "My colleagues in the Cabinet may raise objections. They may not see matters in the light that I do. And the Senate, too--they--" "I know. I quite understand your Excellency," exclaimed his Lordship, lowering his voice into a confidential whisper. "Let us speak quite frankly. In a gigantic matter of this sort--a matter of millions-- certain palm-oil has to be applied--eh?" The old man smiled, placed his hands together and nodded. "Then let us go further," Lord Nassington went on. "I submit in all deference--and, of course, this conversation is strictly in private between us, that should you think favourably of the scheme--my friends should secretly place a certain sum, say one hundred thousand pounds sterling at your Excellency's command, to apply in whatever way you may think best to secure the success of the proposition. Are you willing?" The old man rose from his chair, and standing before the younger man stretched forth his hand. "Perfectly," he said as the other grasped it. "We agree." "And if I frame the form of the concession you will agree to it and, in return for an undertaking of the payment of one hundred thousand pounds into--where shall we say--into the head office of the Credit Lyonnais in Paris in the name of your nominee, you will hand me the legal concession confirmed by the Italian Government?" "I agree to hand you the necessary documents within a fortnight," responded his Excellency. "The adoption of motor-traction in the remote districts for bringing wine and produce to the nearest railways will be of the greatest boon to our country." "Of course, my friends will leave the whole of the details, as far as finance on your side is concerned, to you," his Lordship said. "You can administer the official backsheesh so much better than any one else."