"That's why I'm sure of you, Roma, sure of your love and sure of

your loyalty. Otherwise how could I stay an hour longer after this

awful event, tortured by the fear of a double martyrdom--the

martyrdom of myself and of the one who is dearest to me in the

world?

"The spring is coming to take me home to you, darling. Don't you

smell the violets? Adieu!

"YOUR FAITHFUL HUSBAND."

Roma slept little that night. Joy, relief, disappointment, but, above

all, fear for Rossi, apprehension about his plans, and overpowering

dread of the consequences kept her awake for hours. Early next day a man

in a blue uniform brought a letter from the Braschi Palace. It ran:-

"DEAR ROMA,--I must ask you to come across to my office this

morning, and as soon as convenient. You will not hesitate to do

so when I tell you that by this friendly message I am saving you

the humiliation of a summons from the police. Yours, as always,

affectionately,

BONELLI."

VI

The Minister of the Interior sat in his cabinet before a table covered

with blue-books and the square sheets of his "projects of law," and the

Commendatore Angelelli, with his usual extravagant politeness, was

standing and bowing by his side.

"And what is this about proclamations issued by Rossi?" said the Baron,

fixing his eye-glasses and looking up.

"We have traced the printer who published them," said Angelelli. "After

he was arrested he gave the name of the person who paid him and provided

the copy."

The Baron bowed without speaking.

"It was a certain lady, Excellency," said Angelelli in his thin voice,

"so we thought it well to wait for your instructions."

"You did right, Commendatore. Leave that part of the matter to me. And

Rossi himself--he is still in England?"

"In France, your Excellency, but we have letters from both London and

Paris detailing all his movements."

"Good."

"The Chief Commissioner writes that during his stay in London Rossi

lodged in Soho, and received visits from nearly all the representatives

of revolutionary parties. Apparently he united many conflicting forces,

and not only the Democratic Federations and the Socialist and Labour

Leagues, but also the Radical organisations and various religious guilds

and unions gathered about him."

The Baron made a gesture of impatience. "It's a case of birds of a

feather. London has always been the central home of anarchy under

various big surnames. What does the Commissioner understand to be

Rossi's plan?"




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024