a conf-founded nuisance, and you wish s-somebody
else had to settle what's to be done with me, without disturbing your
s-sensitive conscience. That's a p-pretty fair guess, isn't it?"

"Listen to me," the Cardinal said, sitting down again beside him, with
a very grave face. "However you found out all this, it is quite true.
Colonel Ferrari fears another rescue attempt on the part of your
friends, and wishes to forestall it in--the way you speak of. You see, I
am quite frank with you."

"Your E-eminence was always f-f-famous for truthfulness," the Gadfly put
in bitterly.

"You know, of course," Montanelli went on, "that legally I have no
jurisdiction in temporal matters; I am a bishop, not a legate. But I
have a good deal of influence in this district; and the colonel will
not, I think, venture to take so extreme a course unless he can get,
at least, my tacit consent to it. Up till now I have unconditionally
opposed the scheme; and he has been trying very hard to conquer my
objection by assuring me that there is great danger of an armed attempt
on Thursday when the crowd collects for the procession--an attempt which
probably would end in bloodshed. Do you follow me?"

The Gadfly was staring absently out of the window. He looked round and
answered in a weary voice:

"Yes, I am listening."

"Perhaps you are really not well enough to stand this conversation
to-night. Shall I come back in the morning? It is a very serious matter,
and I want your whole attention."

"I would rather get it over now," the Gadfly answered in the same tone.
"I follow everything you say."

"Now, if it be true," Montanelli went on, "that there is any real danger
of riots and bloodshed on account of you, I am taking upon myself a
tremendous responsibility in opposing the colonel; and I believe there
is at least some truth in what he says. On the other hand, I am inclined
to think that his judgment is warped, to a certain extent, by his
personal animosity against you, and that he probably exaggerates the
danger. That seems to me the more likely since I have seen this shameful
brutality." He glanced at the straps and chains lying on the floor, and
went on:

"If I consent, I kill you; if I refuse, I run the risk of killing
innocent persons. I have considered the matter earnestly, and have
sought with all my heart for a way out of this dreadful alternative. And
now at last I have made up my mind."

"To kill me and s-save the innocent person