"You agree, General Morra?"

"I'm afraid I see no alternative. But if the blood of their leader only

infuriates the people, is the third volley...."

"That," said the Baron, "is a contingency too terrible to contemplate.

My prediction would be that when their leader falls, the poor, misguided

people will fly. But in all human enterprises the last word has to be

left to destiny. Let us leave it to destiny in the present instance.

Adieu, dear General! Be good enough to tell my secretary to send in the

Chief of Police."

The Minister of War left the room, and once more Roma rose to go.

"You cannot possibly imagine that a conversation like this...." she

began, but the Baron only interrupted her again.

"Don't go yet. I shall be finished presently. Angelelli cannot keep me

more than a moment. Ah, here is the Commendatore."

The Chief of Police came bowing and bobbing at every step, with the

extravagant politeness which differentiates the vulgar man from the

well-bred.

"About this meeting at the Coliseum, Commendatore--has any authorisation

been asked for it?"

"None whatever, your Excellency."

"Then we may properly regard it as seditious?"

"Quite properly, your Excellency."

"Listen! You will put yourself into communication with the Minister of

War immediately. He will place fifty thousand men at the disposition of

your Prefect. Choose your delegates carefully. Instruct them well. At

the first overt act of resistance, let them give the word to fire. After

that, leave everything to the military."

"Quite so, your Excellency."

"Be careful to keep yourself in touch with me until midnight to-morrow.

It may be necessary to declare a state of siege, and in that event the

royal decree will have to be obtained without delay. Prepare your own

staff for a general order. Ask for the use of the cannon of St. Angelo

as a signal, and let it be understood that if the gun is fired to-morrow

night, every gate of the city is to be closed, every outward train is to

be stopped, and every telegraph office is to be put under control. You

understand me?"

"Perfectly, Excellency."

"After the signal has been given let no one leave the city, and let no

telegraphic message of any kind be despatched. In short, let Rome from

that hour onward be entirely under the control of the Government."

"Entirely, your Excellency."

"The military have already received their orders. After the call of the

delegate of police, the first volley is to be fired over the heads of

the people, and the second at the ringleaders. But if any of these

should escape...."




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