The Professore, Don Aldo Stern, stood gazing at the sculpted portrait of the Blessed Virgin that hung to the side of the altar in the Church of Our Lady of the Angels in Melioria. It was that time of day when no one else was present in the cool, quiet interior of the little church. No one, that is, except a small man in sailors slops, who entered silently and walked up to stand next to Don Aldo. He genuflected before the sculpture of the Holy Mother, and then without a word handed the Professore a large leather couriers pouch. Don Aldo took the pouch, also without speaking. He nodded to the small seafarer, who silently nodded in return, and then genuflected again to the portrait of the Virgin. The little man once more made the sign of the cross, and went out.

As the Professore opened the pouch and looked through the papers it contained, the only sound was the creaking of the big bronze doors of the church, as they closed behind the departing messenger. As he read, Don Aldos brow furrowed and he frowned involuntarily. He stuffed the papers back into the leather pouch, strapped it shut, and looked up once again at the serene face of the Holy Mother. He bowed slightly, crossed himself and strode purposefully out into the brilliant sunlight of the upper piazza.

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Conte Fillipe Foscari was reading in the dappled sunlight that poured through the windows of the sitting room in his lodgings in Melioria. The sea breezes, scented with lilac, wafted through the open windows, gently stirring the light curtains. There was a knock at the door, and as the Conte put down the volume of Rousseau he was reading, his servant escorted in the Assistente Custode from the Accademia, Don Alphonso, an elderly gentleman who was notable for his old-style periwig and gruff manner. Don Alphonsos expression, as always, was one of resignation and permanently lingering irritation, not unlike the look of a dead sea-bass on a market-stall counter by the docks. He bowed stiffly, and the Conte Foscari tried not to smile at the grumpy old scholars stiff and archaic manner.

Buongiorno, Signor Custode, said the Conte.

The scholar coughed and began, Greetings, Signor Conte. The Professore, Don Aldo, respectfully requests that you meet him by the ruins on the eastern side of the island...he has something that he thinks will be of great interest to your honored self. I trust you know the place?"

The Conte nodded. Yes of course, I will come immediately. I am unsure of where you mean. Would you be so kind as to show me the way?

The expression on the old custode's face does not change, but there was the merest suggestion of a sigh. "As the Conte wishes... I am at your service."

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Don Aldo stood in the shade of the tall trees that surrounded the remnants of the old Roman well-head. He could see Don Alphonso and the Conte approaching on the other side of the cascade through the olive grove. The Professore watched as his assistente custode stopped and pointed in Don Aldos direction, then bowed and turned to trudge away in towards the accademia . Don Aldo smiled and bowed as the Conte Foscari climbed up the rise towards him. The Conte graciously bowed in return.

Signor Stern, how wonderful to see you on such a beautiful day. Your good assistente custode indicated you had something I would find of interest. His eyes strayed to the leather couriers pouch the Professore held.

Don Aldo nodded. Signor Conte, a pleasure, as alwaysI appreciate your willingness to come and see me on such short notice."

The Conte responded, Of course, its likewise a pleasure to see you, and I confess at being intrigued your messenger gave me the impression that it was important

In my judgment, yes it is," answered, Don Aldo. You will, I hope, forgive me for asking that you meet me in this curious location...but I thought discretion and some privacy would be...desirable.

The Conte made it clear that he always appreciated discretion, and their discussion quickly turned to the subject of the packet that Don Aldo held: he explained it had been sent by some colleagues of his, associates in a network of individuals who shared a common background and goals. When Conte inquired further about the nature of this group, Don Aldo paused for a moment and looked at the Conte appraisingly before continuing.

Signor Conte, you are aware that various interests...governmental and clerical, have a desire to suppress certain groups and organizations, yes?

The Conte nodded. Yes...are you referring to any specific ones?

Indeed, I am, replied Don Aldo. One of those that I am referring to is one that you, it would seem, are in some way...um...connected with.

Conte Fillipe Foscari wondered if the Professore had guessed correctly; if his informants were accurate, or if he was basing his conclusions on the usual rumors and speculation that circulated in Venezia...but he said nothing yet, and instead waited for the other man to continue.

The Professore went on, In the curious way that the world works...there is another group, a group that is very, very different from the one you are associated with, but that is likewise being suppressed by the church and certain governments...a group to which I once belonged...and which now still persists in various forms and in various locations...including the clandestine network which I mentioned...and which has sent this couriers packet from your home city of Venezia. At my request, our associates there have been making inquiries and observations related to this odd situation, in which the Contessa Foscari was lured back to Venezia under false pretenses, while you, Signor Conte, were kept here, far to the south. Well, they have discovered some things: who is behind the letters and trickerywhat they seem to be seekingand as the things they learned seemed a bit surprising, our network went to considerable effort to get this packet of information here to me as quickly as possible, in order that I might do with it whatever I think is best. And I think, clearly what is best, would be to share it with you, my dear Conte.

Really !!! The Conte was quite dumbfounded by all this. Howunusualand potentially risky

Don Aldo smiled. As far as this being risky...welllife is a series of calculated risks. Anyone who thinks that life is predictable and that there is any place or situation in which one can feel entirely safe, they are deluding themselves. Nonetheless, we must weigh the potential benefits and potential risks...and we must ultimately consider what will be the right thing to do. Life is dangerous, life is unpredictable, but that cannot stop us from taking actions that are necessaryor rightand in this case, I have decided the right thing to do is to make you aware of the unusual nature of who is plotting against you and your daughter.

The Conte Foscari looked thoughtful. Hmmmm, I had thought it was business competitors. Then he shrugged. Maybe I had hoped it was just that

The Professore shook his head. In order to determine the course of action I should pursue, I took the liberty of examining the documents contained in this packet. No Signor Conte, most definitely, this is not about business.

What does it say?

I would prefer for you to look at the contents and draw your own conclusions, Signor Conte.

Yes...if you will permit me to take a moment to review the papers, I would like to do so.

Don Aldo opened the pouch and drew out some papers which he handed to the Conte, who, turning slightly away, immediately devoured their contents. As he read, he muttered, ah, Cristofoli!

The Professore nodded. Yes. Cristofoliand his operatives. Please take these papers with you, with my complimentsand use the information they contain to guide you and your friends in making your plans, and do what you feel you must do to look after your own interests.

The Contes eyes flashed. He is a fanatic who has made it his business to attack all Cults as he calls them. It seems they are trying to get to my daughter, the Contessa, as a means of getting an advantage over me, so they could pressure me for informationfor namesYes...I am not so surprised. Then he smiled. They will not gain the upper hand so easily. The Contessa is safe with friends of mine. She had always been taught what to do in an emergency.

And now that you know who is behind this, that gives you an advantage, no?

Hah, so it would seem, Conte Foscari chuckled. I now have a better understanding of the situation and I have options. Then he turned back to Don Aldo. "Forgive me if this soundsmercenarybut tell me how does helping us benefit you and your friends? Under normal circumstances, the organization which I belong to and the one you are associated with would be at odds with one another, no?

Ah, Signor Conte, these are not normal times are they? Don Aldo smiled a curious little smile. Ironically enough, although I am associated with a very different sort of organization than you arewe do share some common circumstances: both the "company" which I once belonged to and your friends have been under attack and driven underground by the church leadership and the authorities in certain kingdoms -- France, Spain, Naples, Portugal, Austria -- and we, as well as you, are reviled for our ways of thinking, which many consider too progressive for their tastes. I believe that if my associates and your organization were to cooperate for a time in various ways, it would not be an unreasonable path to follow. But in the end, I suspect that that the choices I make with regard to matters that involve you and your family are probably not entirely based in reason. If I am honest, I would say that most likely it is personal and largely emotional. I have great respect for you and your daughterand if you will forgive the presumption of the sentiment, I like you both, and if I thought that was not enough reason for my course of action, then what sort of man would I be?

The Conte Fillipe Foscari smiled. Yes, I would be very happy to join forces with you personally, and as for your associateseven if it only a temporary alliance, we do suffer the same thorns in our sides: it is a case of not sailing the same ship, but heading for the same port, Signore.

Very good, replied the Professore. I shall ask my associates to continue to gather information for youto watch those who are working against you and your colleaguesto aid you in your plans, if possible

I would certainly be very grateful for thatis there anything I might do for you in return?

In fact...there is something which would be...of great service...

Please tell me how I can help."

There is here in Melioria...a young man of the "Company" who wishes to return to his homelandin England.

Oh...?

It has become obvious that he is an active member of the Society...and as we are technically here a dependency of the Kingdom of Naples, the Bourbons who rule this region would, of course, take issue with his presence, if they became aware of it. Can you arrange for him to be quietly transported back to England?

Yes I can, easilythat should not be a problem. I have a ship going to England very soon, via some other ports...he could perhaps pass as my agent's assistant. The ship is in Naples and sails in a weekit could stop hereso our only problem is to get him on board without anyone noticing...

Don Aldo grinned, Oh, we can package him up nicelyfollow me, if you please, Signore.

The Conte tucked the papers inside his coat and Don Aldo concealed the leather pouch under an ancient stone. They began the long walk back towards the village, but instead of turning by the obelisk to go back down in the direction of the accademia, they turned towards a small villa next to the church. There, between the house and the vineyard beyond, the Conte could see freshly whitewashed bee houses with rows of tidy hives. A buzzing noise filled the air.

Honey? asked the Conte.

Honey and beeswax, replied Don Aldo. it is our new enterprise. But among the crates and casks we load upon your ship, we could include a goodly-sized barrel containing our young gentleman.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, The Conte looked around at the beekeeping operation. Very nice.

Don Aldo smiled broadly, We have a Lady, Donna Anais, who has accepted for herself the role of Mistress Beekeeper...she is approaching it in a very scientific mannerstudying every book on the subject of modern apiculture she can locate. We see it as a good new business for us the bees pollinate the other crops on the island and make the honey and wax we can selland also...I find it personally appealing to be able to have something sweet now and then that does not have to come from the enslaved workers of the plantations in Saint Dominigue or Jamaica

The Conte nodded. I understand entirelyon many levels.

They walked through the vineyard, heading to the path leading down to the harbor.

Well, maybe we should do a deal....for realI do like to mix business and pleasure, commented the Conte.

Ha, of course! It gives us a good pretext for being seen together," answered Don Aldo. "Even now, we can say we are having a business discussion as it were. Oh, and on the subject of business

"Yes, Signor Professore?

Would it be possible for you to find me a battery of perhaps six long-barreled bronze 24-pounder cannon...good pieces with longer range than the short-barreled iron 18-pounders I currently have in the old fortress? I can pay top price for the pieces, but it would be contingent upon their being delivered without any...*coughs*...notice being taken by Neapolitan authorities.

Conte Foscari flicked a bee off his lapel and looked pensive a moment. Hmm.....I can always inquire with Giuseppe Beretta, the armourer in Brescia. He might like such a commission, and he understands how to proceed if discretion is paramountso both fabrication and delivery can be done without any fanfareI shall be glad to arrange it, my friend...

"Grazie...milie grazie, Signor Conte." Don Aldo smiled. And it means a great deal to me to be addressed as 'friend' by youwho would have thought that a gentleman like you, a leader among the free-thinkers, would find yourself in a friendship with a former Jesuit?" Then the Professore laughed and said with a wink, "You must be careful not to mention this friendship with an old ex-priest to your free-thinker friends...it might tarnish your reputation with them.

Now the Conte laughed. But remember I was educated by the Jesuits in Bresciain a sense, I owe a great debt to the 'Company' and I have great respect on many levels for your colleagues in the Society and their commitment to furthering knowledge...and I am not so concerned for my reputation...after all, when everyone owes you money, or favours....they tend to think well of you, regardless of the facts.

The two gentlemen continued down the worn stones of the path towards the docks, making their plans as the seagulls circled and cried overhead.

~