dy, so that they may be able to
start for the plains directly they are sent for. I have undertaken to
smuggle the firearms and ammunition on to Papal territory for them----"

"Wait a minute. How do you come to be working with that set? The
revolutionists in Lombardy and Venetia are all in favour of the new
Pope. They are going in for liberal reforms, hand in hand with
the progressive movement in the Church. How can a 'no-compromise'
anti-clerical like you get on with them?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "What is it to me if they like to amuse
themselves with a rag-doll, so long as they do their work? Of course
they will take the Pope for a figurehead. What have I to do with that,
if only the insurrection gets under way somehow? Any stick will do
to beat a dog with, I suppose, and any cry to set the people on the
Austrians."

"What is it you want me to do?"

"Chiefly to help me get the firearms across."

"But how could I do that?"

"You are just the person who could do it best. I think of buying the
arms in England, and there is a good deal of difficulty about bringing
them over. It's impossible to get them through any of the Pontifical
sea-ports; they must come by Tuscany, and go across the Apennines."

"That makes two frontiers to cross instead of one."

"Yes; but the other way is hopeless; you can't smuggle a big transport
in at a harbour where there is no trade, and you know the whole shipping
of Civita Vecchia amounts to about three row-boats and a fishing
smack. If we once get the things across Tuscany, I can manage the Papal
frontier; my men know every path in the mountains, and we have plenty of
hiding-places. The transport must come by sea to Leghorn, and that is
my great difficulty; I am not in with the smugglers there, and I believe
you are."

"Give me five minutes to think."

She leaned forward, resting one elbow on her knee, and supporting the
chin on the raised hand. After a few moments' silence she looked up.

"It is possible that I might be of some use in that part of the work,"
she said; "but before we go any further, I want to ask you a question.
Can you give me your word that this business is not connected with any
stabbing or secret violence of any kind?"

"Certainly. It goes without saying that I should not have asked you to
join in a thing of which I know you disapprove."

"When do you want a definite answer from me?"

"There is not much time to lose; but I can give you a few days to