As a rule, Mercury Gandt generally tried to avoid places like the one he was now entering. Heavy stone walls, an almost total lack of ornamentation, a sense of weight that settled upon you as soon as you passed through the iron-bound doors. It was evidently designed not only to keep people out, the structure was built to keep people in. Mercury would not have chosen to visit such a place...except, he had received a message to come. It had been written in the form of an invitation, but he thoroughly understood that he had no options in the matter.

He was led through grim hallways to a staircase that descended into a lower level, to an office that felt more like a tomb than a place to do ones work. As he entered the space he had been directed to, he found himself looking into the piercing eyes of a man whose every pore seemed to ooze unpleasantness, distrust...and control.

The man greeted him simply, Signore.

The man did not bother to rise. There was no hint of a bow, not even the slightest nod or tilt of the head.

Mercury replied very directly in return.

Signore... I received a message, by which, if I understand correctly, you have summoned me... my name is Gandt...

Yes, yes, I know, the man answered with almost a hint of impatience. I am gratified you could join me for a little conversation. Please seat yourself.

Mercury found himself slightly annoyed as he realized that involuntarily, out of habit, he had bowed to the man before taking the chair that faced the mans cheaply-made desk. The man sat in his chair behind the desk, and after staring at Mercury for a few moments as if deciding on a strategy, he asked a question that on the surface seemed polite, even friendly...but there was nothing of politeness or friendliness in the mans eyes.

You have been enjoying your stay in Venezia?"

Mercury was feeling a distinct sense of discomfort, but he decided he would play the game.

Yes, I am, Signore, he answered, though I wouldn't call my stay here a very lucky one, as I trust you undoubtedly already know.

The mans face finally lost some of its stony aspect as he smirked a bit.

Yes, of course. And as you can guess, I really do not care if you are enjoying yourself or not. It was merely an attempt at something representing friendly interaction before we get to business. He sighed in a slightly theatrical sort of way. I am told that I need to be more ..um...approachable.

Mercury smiled in return at what he supposed was meant to pass as humor. He also hoped that his smile might somewhat conceal the extent to which he already despised and loathed this fellow, who hadnt even yet bothered to introduce himself.

It almost seemed as if the man could read Mercury's mind as he continued.

Ah, and my manners need work as well. My name is Rinaldi....Arrigo Rinaldi. I am a close subordinate of Don Cristoforo....and I have asked you here for a very specific reason."

I imagine you have received my offer through Madamma Beatrice, Mercury began to reply, but he was cut off before he could finish.

Yes, answered Rinaldi, shrugging. It is of...some interest to us...although you would perhaps be surprised how many people approach us every day with some kind of... offer. Of these many propositions, only a few are actually worthy of our attention."

Mercury crossed his legs and shifted his weight trying to get a little more comfortable in the chair before he replied.

In my case, said Mercury, I have been friendly with the Contessa Foscari for the past few months, and having called upon her regularly here in Venezia, I am somewhat familiar with the circumstances and activities of the Foscaris...

Rinaldi nodded. Yes, we know...and that, as I said, is of some interest to us...

His face suddenly turned into a mask of deadly seriousness.

Are you aware of the Foscaris having any involvement with the Freemasons? he asked.

Mercury was a bit dumbstruck. He really hadnt expected expected a question like this so early in the discussion.

"Of course not. How could I?"

Rinaldi frowned and began to speak in a soft, yet slightly menacing way.

You have, as you said, some access to the household of that family. We know that the Conte Foscari is a member of some subversive secret group...perhaps the Freemasons, perhaps something much worse. But Don Cristoforo, he does not like those who keep secrets...after all, when one is hiding something..it is usually for a reason, no?

As Rinaldi spoke, Mercury noted that his voice was calm, but his fist was clenched...the knuckles actually going white.

Mercury looked back at the man for a second and then shook his head.

Rinaldi looked thoughtful for a moment and went on. Very well. I ask only in hope that we can save ourselves some work...do you know where the Conte is at present?

Again Mercury shook his head. "Actually I never met the Conte... it was my intention to do so, when I came to Venezia, but he had left the city before we arrived. I only met the senior Conte, sua eccelenza Francesco Foscari... and of course, the Contessa's household"

Rinaldi nodded, but Mercury could tell that he was not telling this man anything he did not already know.

And the Contessa, do you know where she is? asked Rinaldi.

Mercury sighed heavily. No... I assure you, I would gladly share this information with you if I could"

She has ...not been a good friend to you has she? Rinaldi commented drily.

Mercury paused for a moment, wondering exactly what this man and his associates knew and what they didn't. Finally, he responded, "It's my concern, Signore, to judge my friends. Sadly, the Contessa doesn't seem to be among them."

"Yes, I understand, replied Rinaldi. And if you will forgive me for commenting anyway, I can tell you this is not surprising. People of her class are accustomed to only thinking about their own needs and desires. They do not think of those around them, and their selfishness extends to their disregard for the well-being of the Republic.

Mercury was surprised at the edge of anger that had crept into the mans voice, but he said nothing as Rinaldi continued.

But...it is clear that even though you would give us her location if you could...at present you cannot do so?"

No, I'm very sorry, Signore, I can't, answered Mercury, with just a hint of dejection in his tone.

Arrigo Rinaldi coughed, and sat looking at Mercury for what seemed like an eternity to the Englishman. Mercury had a sense that the man was deciding how to proceed.

Finally the man behind desk seemed to have made up his mind.

Very well...

After another pause, Rinaldi spoke again, but his tone changed. becoming friendlier...almost jocular. "Have you ever watched children playing with dominoes?"

He had once again managed to catch Mercury by surprise. What a curious question, Signore...no, I haven't, answered the Englishman.

Rinaldi waved his hand in the air as he started his explanation, like a professor giving a lecture to a befuddled student. Well, you see, not knowing the rules for playing a proper game of dominoes, children simply set them up on end and push them over. If they line them up carefully and then push one, it knocks down another, then the next, then the next...

He looked at Mercury inquiringly to see if the inglese was comprehending this at all, before he went on.

The reason why we hoped to find the Contessa was to get to the Conte...if we can't knock down that domino, we must get the next one in line...and that most probably would be the Contessa's serving woman...do you know her? a sciattona called Devi?

Mercury was seeing where this was going. Yes, I met Devi at the Contessas palazzo - an unkind, suspicious creature - I would never trust her for a minute."

Ah then, if that is the case, replied Rinaldi, you will have no regrets about seeing if you can get information regarding her whereabouts...so that we can take her into custody and extract information from her about the contessa...so that we then will be able to get hold of her, which in turn will give us the means by which we will be able to have influence over the conte...and induce him to give us information about his associates and their subversive activities...and then everyone will be happy.

As he concluded this explanation, Rinaldi smiled in a way that was not at all attractive.

Mercury shrugged. Very well, I don't care whatever you do to her...but how can I help you to catch her? I don't know her whereabouts either - perhaps they are together somewhere in Italy, in one of the duchies of Italy - the Contessa has many royal friends among the Italian duchesses."

Well, my friend...that is up to you, answered Rinaldi, once again with a touch of impatience in his voice. Look here, you offered to help us accomplish our goals...you are an adaptable fellow...the likes of you would not still be alive if you werent...but if any of the people we want from the Foscari household is going to be here in the city, it will most likely be the servant woman. She is the logical target to be looking for, and we need to know when and where we can find her...so we need that information, and you should be able to find an opportunity to discover what we need to know. How you find a way to do that...if you can...I leave that up to your inventiveness...

Mercury sighed as he thought about Devi. "Very well, I have some ideas where to go to find her if she's in town.

Rinaldi nodded and began to spin a coin on his desk top as he continued, You have been to visit the old conte and his appallingly common wife, yes?

Ah, yes, said Mercury, smirking. I hoped he would tell me where the Contessa was."

Rinaldi shrugged. Not a bad idea...but if anyone in that household knew her location and circumstances, that greedy wretch Saturnine would have already sold us the information. He paused a moment and then went on. Perhaps you can use your connections there more productively than he has...you are better looking and younger than that decaying goat. Perhaps you can seduce the conte's wife, or something dreary like that... He grinned maliciously, Go...be inventive...if you have some fun along the way, we won't mind.

Mercury could not conceal the extent to which he found the suggestion distasteful, though not because of the lack of ethics inherent in the concept.

"Signore... please...I have no desire to end up dead, with a bullet through the heart, shot by the old Conte if he finds out I have dallied with his wife...you see, I'm not very successful in those kinds of endeavors. And honestly. If I were, I would know already where the Contessa Foscari is," he said in a voice tinged with more than a little regret and disappointment.

Rinaldi sighed again. Well, as long as we are playing at being honest here, I might as well admit that we really don't expect you to be able to find the Contessa's location....the members of that family have eluded far more experienced operatives than you clearly are...but would you like to know the real reason you have been invited here to talk to me?

You already told me - to catch Devi, or not? asked Mercury, just a bit perplexed.

The man behind the desk chuckled. Ha, if you do, that will makes us happy...and you'll get the appropriate thirty pieces of silver for it...but no...Devi is not why we are really interested in you, Signore.

The Englishman now realized that Rinaldi was toying with him, and was in fact enjoying the experience way too much for Mercurys tastes. He adjusted his coat cuffs, pretending he was getting bored with these games.

Rinaldi watched him for a moment and then decided it was time to lay the cards on the table.

No, Signor Gandt, our true interests in you are not related to that Devi creature, or the Contessa, or even the Conte. The simple fact is that we know that you have become involved with a certain French lady...and while in a general sense, this is no great accomplishment...after all, the French are a debauched and unprincipled people..especially among their upper classes...but this particular lady...she has some significant ..um...shall we say... connections ?"

Mercury Gandt looked up in genuine surprise and horror. "You can't mean it. Are you watching my apartment?" He felt his anger rising for the first time since he entered this godforsaken pile of stone. "How dare you...what, do you go about peeking into peoples bedrooms?"

Rinaldi laughed. Oh come now, Signore... The way he said the word carried an inflection that clearly indicated he didn't think Mercury deserved the title. You must keep in mind, this is Venezia. Everyone is watching each other here in Venezia...

"And so what? Mercury asked sarcastically, I assume you don't want to arrest me because of a night with a lady? Why is it your concern?"

Rinaldi shook his head. Of course not. If we did that, half the city would be locked up....probably more than half, actually. No, this is not about censuring you for anything. This is about fostering a situation which ultimately could be mutually beneficial for all those involved.

Mercury said nothing...he tried to compose himself so that he would give away no further information about the matter of the lady. The man behind the desk watched the englishman get control of himself, and then went on in a maddeningly matter-of-fact tone.

Signor Gandt, really...as a man who has experienced such limited success in your other enterprises...your gambling...your other attempts at relationships with the ladies...you should be proud to have succeeded at last in such an affair of the heart...this is something to take pride in....making an accommodation with a lady of that rank and ...beauty. And just as it is an accomplishment...it is also an opportunity.

Mercury found himself listening with interest, in spite of the outrageous nature of the mans words.

The corners of Rinaldis mouth snaked upwards, forming a nasty little smile. He could tell he had the attention of the inglese . So...here is what we want...really...when it is time to go with this lady back to France...as we trust you will, so long as you don't somehow manage to piss away this opportunity like you have most other things in your life...we want you to keep your eyes and ears open...

Mercury Gandt wanted to make sure he absolutely understood what was being asked of him. You mean, I should leave Venezia and go with her to France? Why?

Because if you go with her, Rinaldi answered calmly, you will be close to the French court...to important families and personages...but because of your relative lack of position and importance, you can be like the proverbial fly on the wall. Look, surely you understand that the French have no love for the Serene Republic, and would be thrilled to take away what remains of our commercial prominence...we have long been competition for them...and why do you think we Venetian so dislike Frenchmen? Just because of their terrible taste in music and awful cooking? No, they would bring an end to us if they could...and if you are in a situation where you might get useful intelligence for us...indications of what the Goddamn French might be up to....we could help you cover some of your expenses...

Mercury held up his hand to stop the man for a minute. Wait... so you mean, I would be a spy for Venezia in France? Am I correct it's not really Madame de...the lady in question, who you are interested in, right? Do you think and imply that I have a chance to meet higher persons than her though this affair?

Rinaldi sighed. Do not be such a tiresome fellow, Signor Gandt...no, we have no interest in her..she is merely your ticket into the places where you might overhear something useful...

He paused for effect, looked Mercury square in the eye, and then went on, speaking in a low and decidedly menacing voice. Of course...if you refuse to be of help to us in this matter, then the lady does become of interest to us...and the information we have about her activities...with you...might become something that we would find advantageous to share with someone else...others who might not be happy to know that she has taken up with a common and impecunious young englishman...a failed gambler, a mediocre swordsman...I should guess that your chances for survival would be close to nil, should we find it necessary to take our goods to market, as it were.

To his credit, Mercury Gandt blushed with shame as he reflected upon the nature of the mess he had gotten into, and that to come out of it in one piece, he would need to use the vicomtesse as he had been used by others. He did not like the idea of having to betray her trust, but he struggled with the reality he faced, balancing the grim facts against what remained of his better nature and the shreds of ideals that still fluttered somewhere, buried away deep inside him.

Then he came to terms with the situation. Not only was taking Rinaldis offer necessary in order to protect himself -- and the lady too, for that matter -- but it also had the potential to turn out to be a very good bargain. Yes...a very tempting bargain, even though it was a bargain dressed up in threats...very serious threats to the Vicomtesse's reputation.

Mercury realized he knew what he had to do. He was a gambler, after all: he understood very well how life worked. You did the best you could with the cards you were dealt. After a moment, he smiled pleasantly at Rinaldi.

How much do you offer?

Arrigo Rinadli smiled back at Mercury and then took a piece of paper from his desk drawer and slid it across the desk to the Englishman.

Will that be a sufficient amount to begin with? he asked.

Mercury looked at the numbers on the piece of paper for a very long minute. After a pause he said, "I have debts to be settled here in Italy before I leave for France. I would like help in that matter, as well.

The other man nodded, his expression a remarkably convincing imitation of genuine sympathy. I am sure we can make an arrangement, so long as you are truly committed to this service on behalf of the Republic. Just send me a note about what you are needing, and I will discuss it with my superior. But you know, he added, his eyes twinkling slyly, if there is more invested, as a result, we shall have much greater expectations that you will provide useful information.

Mercury did not flinch. He was all in. Grazie, Signore Rinaldi. Oh and on second thought, I need also time in Italy before I depart. I would like to look after my Rocca Sorrentina debts personally. And of course...I need a few more days In Venezia, if I am to see if can discover anything for you about Devi.

Rinadli looked pleased. Ah, certainly....quite alright. We understand. Do what you must. We think of this as the beginning of a long-term working relationship...and if you can help us to get that Devi woman...there will be some flexibility in our expectations. Don Cristoforo is not an unreasonable man.

Mercury was about to say something about being glad to be of service to the Republic and the Doge, but Rinaldi cut him off before he got more than a few words out.

I believe now, you have other appointments to keep? he asked abruptly.

Mercury Gandt understood and rose to his feet.

Please feel free to show yourself out, said Rinaldi.

Send me a note if you have further instructions," replied Mercury.

Oh we will...we will, responded Renaldi. Arrividerci, Signor Gandt.

Without further comment, Mercury wished the man good day, and then proceeded back up the worn stones of the stairway, and out of the dim corridors into the cleansing light of day.

*****************************************

He stood in the bright sunshine, thinking, letting his eyes adjust before setting off again. As he crossed the street to head towards home, he did not notice two figures who were sitting in the shade by the entrance to a nearby church.

Hey, look, said one, isnt that Don Mercurio over there?

His companion pushed back his tricorn and peered at the figure who was disappearing towards the Grand Canal.

Yes. It most certainly is... he replied.

Should we go catch up with him and say hello? the first inquired.

His friend put a hand on his arm to restrain him. No...I dont think so...did you see where he was just coming out of?

No...not really...why?

Over there...you know what that is? Thats sbirri headquarters...you dont go in there unless you have a reason to do so, and you dont come out through the front door like that unless...

Cristo Santo! what do you think this means?

It doesnt mean anything good, that Im sure of. And dont use such language. You were taught better than that. Now come on, lets go. There is someone we need to talk to.