some
of the plans we already had. That list of hiding-places was made by
Rivarez himself; you can see by the handwriting."

"What sort of men are the soldiers of the guard?"

"That we have not been able to find out yet; the Cricket has only just
come to the place, and knows nothing about the other men."

"We must find out from Gino what the Cricket himself is like. Is
anything known of the government's intentions? Is Rivarez likely to be
tried in Brisighella or taken in to Ravenna?"

"That we don't know. Ravenna, of course, is the chief town of the
Legation and by law cases of importance can be tried only there, in the
Tribunal of First Instance. But law doesn't count for much in the Four
Legations; it depends on the personal fancy of anybody who happens to be
in power."

"They won't take him in to Ravenna," Michele interposed.

"What makes you think so?"

"I am sure of it. Colonel Ferrari, the military Governor at Brisighella,
is uncle to the officer that Rivarez wounded; he's a vindictive sort of
brute and won't give up a chance to spite an enemy."

"You think he will try to keep Rivarez here?"

"I think he will try to get him hanged."

Martini glanced quickly at Gemma. She was very pale, but her face had
not changed at the words. Evidently the idea was no new one to her.

"He can hardly do that without some formality," she said quietly; "but
he might possibly get up a court-martial on some pretext or other, and
justify himself afterwards by saying that the peace of the town required
it."

"But what about the Cardinal? Would he consent to things of that kind?"

"He has no jurisdiction in military affairs."

"No, but he has great influence. Surely the Governor would not venture
on such a step without his consent?"

"He'll never get that," Marcone interrupted. "Montanelli was always
against the military commissions, and everything of the kind. So long
as they keep him in Brisighella nothing serious can happen; the Cardinal
will always take the part of any prisoner. What I am afraid of is their
taking him to Ravenna. Once there, he's lost."

"We shouldn't let him get there," said Michele. "We could manage a
rescue on the road; but to get him out of the fortress here is another
matter."

"I think," said Gemma; "that it would be quite useless to wait for the
chance of his being transferred to Ravenna. We must make the attempt at
Brisighella, and we have no time to lose. Cesare, you and I had better
g