nally the investigation of this case; and, his request
having been graciously acceded to, he could not now withdraw without a
humiliating confession that he was overmatched.

The idea of settling the difficulty by a courtmartial had, as Gemma and
Michele had foreseen, presented itself to him as the only satisfactory
solution; and Cardinal Montanelli's stubborn refusal to countenance this
was the last drop which made the cup of his vexations overflow.

"I think," he said, "that if Your Eminence knew what I and my assistants
have put up with from this man you would feel differently about the
matter. I fully understand and respect the conscientious objection to
irregularities in judicial proceedings; but this is an exceptional case
and calls for exceptional measures."

"There is no case," Montanelli answered, "which calls for injustice; and
to condemn a civilian by the judgment of a secret military tribunal is
both unjust and illegal."

"The case amounts to this, Your Eminence: The prisoner is manifestly
guilty of several capital crimes. He joined the infamous attempt of
Savigno, and the military commission nominated by Monsignor Spinola
would certainly have had him shot or sent to the galleys then, had
he not succeeded in escaping to Tuscany. Since that time he has never
ceased plotting. He is known to be an influential member of one of the
most pestilent secret societies in the country. He is gravely suspected
of having consented to, if not inspired, the assassination of no less
than three confidential police agents. He has been caught--one might
almost say--in the act of smuggling firearms into the Legation. He
has offered armed resistance to authority and seriously wounded two
officials in the discharge of their duty, and he is now a standing
menace to the peace and order of the town. Surely, in such a case, a
court-martial is justifiable."

"Whatever the man has done," Montanelli replied, "he has the right to be
judged according to law."

"The ordinary course of law involves delay, Your Eminence, and in this
case every moment is precious. Besides everything else, I am in constant
terror of his escaping."

"If there is any danger of that, it rests with you to guard him more
closely."

"I do my best, Your Eminence, but I am dependent upon the prison staff,
and the man seems to have bewitched them all. I have changed the guard
four times within three weeks; I have punished the soldiers till I am
tired of it, an