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Mercury Gandt quickly recovered his composure. You dont spend as many years in gambling houses and situations with jealous husbands as Mercury has without learning how to create the impression that everything is just fine and nothing unexpected is about to happen.

"Buona sera... what a surprise... it is you, Achille,... who the hell would know you are in Venezia?

Achille Giglio laughed and shrugged. It is not such a big world, Signore. You have encountered Fiorino Pera as well, no? Who would have thought so many people from our island would be in this damp city, eh?

Mercury maintained his card-players face, giving nothing away of his thoughts or emotions. But seriously, he asked in a casual tone,what brought you here from Sorrentina? Are you looking for me?

Oh we are here for many reasons, Don Mercurio, answered Achille. Per favore, come have a seat if you will...we do in fact have some things to discuss that may be to your advantage

Mercury Gandt nodded and sat down thoughtfully. You have my attention, Achille.

Achille continued. As for why I am here...I am acting in the service of Don Aldo...

Don Aldo? I haven't heard of him for ages. How is he? Mercury tried to look quite nonchalant as he said this, but he could not help feel a twinge of worry, remembering the debts he left behind in Rocca Sorrentina.

Throughout this exchange, Devi moved closer, and leaned against the wall near Achille, but she remained completely silent.

Achille smiled. Don Aldo? He is well, thanks be to God. Devi handed him a bottle and some cups, and Achille poured a cup of wine for Mercury. Then his expression became a bit more serious.

May I ask, Signore...do you prosper here in Venezia?

Mercury shrugged, but forced himself to look cheerful. Oh yes of course! I have no reason to complain.

Achille sighed and looked a bit sad. I am sorry to hear that.

Devi raised an eye brow at this. Mercury on the other hand, coughed, and then burst into laughing. Why are you sorry to see me prospering?

Achille Giglios smile disappeared and his voice became very dry and serious.

Because, Don Mercurio, one who says he is prospering, while being involved with the Sbirri, is either not entirely being truthful...or he is prospering because of his involvement with the Sbirri.

For the first time in the course of the meeting, Devi smiled. It was not, however, a teribly pleasant smile.

After a pause, Mercury shook his head. I don't have an idea what you are talking about."

Devi made a sound that conveyed a certain level of exasperation

Signor Gandt...I am a patient man, said Achille quietly, but the good lady here, however, she may not be so much. Do you recognize her?

Mercury stated that he did indeed recognize her to be Devi. He also observed that she had drawn a knife. Achille indicated to Devi that such was not needed...yet. Mercury meanwhile, continued to maintain that there must be some mistake. that all this was a misunderstanding.

Achilles expression did not change. Oh? then you have not been visiting the sbirri headquarters? And they are not seeking for the Contessa Elena's whereabouts? Look, let us put our cards on the table...you have been seen by truly reliable witnesses going in and out of the sbirri headquarters...Don Aldo has visitors in Sorrentina who have explicitly stated that the sbirri are seeking the Contessa...one may safely assume the two are connected. If you are involved in their search for her, I can assure you they will not find her, which means at some point, they will have no use for you. I think, my dear Signor Gandt that you are in some truly deep and spectacular shit. Permit me to describe a probable outcome for this situation as things now stand: eventually the Sbirri will get tired of looking for her, at which point they will see you as a liability and you end up in their cellars as a long term guest.

If you are lucky, muttered Devi.

Yes, good point, Devi, agreed Achille. But permit me to propose a different scenario: we provide Signor Gandt with some information that we want the Sbirri to have...information that in truth is misleading, but which will appear to be useful to them...it will all be presented in a way that will lead to them providing you, Don Mercurio, with papers enabling you to travel...in fact to permit you to travel south, ultimately back to Sorrentina, where you will be beyond their reach...and you, my dear Signor Gandt, will no longer be under their thumb. So...which of those two outcomes holds more appeal for you?

Mercury Gandt put down the cup of wine he had sipping... Look, Achille...the appearances are against me, but I assure you... it's only partly true. They have paid my debts here in Venice... and have given me some advance for some services I haven't done yet. But my situation is precarious... I need income. And you must admit, I don't owe anything to the Foscaris in return the blessing they brought to me.

Devi snarled, you refer to what, exactly?

Mercury Gandt lost his temper at this point, I should kill you both for what you know about me, he hissed.

Devi deftly flipped her dagger so the blade was between her fingers. Achille could tell she was preparing to throw. Meanwhile, Mercurys was already reaching for the hilt of his sword. The situation was well on its way to a bad ending.

Achille held up his hand. Come now! we live in an age of reason...Devi there is no cuase to force the gentlemans hand. And Signor Gandt...drawing steel would be foolish and unnecessary...yes, you could possibly do us some injury...though I suspect Devi can throw that dagger faster and more accurately than you could advance upon her with your smallsword: in fact, she could probably throw well before your blade is fully drawn...and Devi, if you miss or only wound him, there are many unpleasant possibilities to be considered. No I ask you both to be calm and thoughtful.

After a moment, Devi the tension eased from Devis posture and she put away her dagger. Mercury likewise relaxed and picked up his wine cup again.

In fact, Mercury stated drily, if Don Aldo knows about it anyway.... there is no point to killing you...

Very true, agreed Achille. There...see? We are making progress. No one is going to kill anyone else...and we are getting much closer to the truth of things than we were when we started. Let us return back to your argument that you owe nothing to the Foscaris...in a sense that is true...on the other hand, one could argue that you do owe Don Aldo something...who do you think has covered your debts in the Kingdom of Naples since you left?

Mercury looked slightly puzzled. I have no idea, Achille.

It has been Don Aldos task to pay your debts and see that you good name...such as it was...is intact back home. And in addition to preserving your reputation, he has looked after your home and your furnishings...all will be in good order if you choose to return there.

But...why? asked Mercury suspiciously.

Achille could only shrug. That I cannot say for sure...although I do know that he has some plans in which he thinks you might be useful...but I suspect there is more to it than simply that. I have my suspicion that he actually rather likes you.

God knows why, grumbled Devi under her breath.

Achille pretended he did not hear Devis Comment. See here, Signore, consider the possibilities....should you assist the Padrone with this project he has in mind to mislead the Sbirri, he would then be in your debt...which is not a bad place to be. Don Aldo is a man who has more honor in his left earlobe than the entire sbirri have, each and everyone of them together, from head to toe. Having Don Aldo indebted to you could pay off in a number of ways.

Mercury reached over and took the bottle from the middle of the table to pour himself another cup of wine. All right, He said in a low voice, tinged with a bit of resignation, the truth is that Venezia begins to become a too hot place for me... the longer I stay here, the bigger the trouble I'm in... I would gladly leave it, but the sbirri are watching me...

Devi smiled, Achille has a plan to address that nasty little situation...

Achille laughed. Well, Devi is too generous...not my plan, but that of the Padrone...and yes, the Conte Foscari, he has had a hand in this too...I have merely served to work out some of the details.

The Conte, interjected Mercury. He knows about my situation as well? Is he in Venezia?

A silence fell over the room. Achille sat looking at Mercury for a moment and then finally he spoke. I do not know where the Conte is... and even if I did, I could not share that information. The main thing for you to keep in mind is that the Padrone on Rocca Sorrentina has looked after your debts, and seen to it that your possessions were protected...and that he will in fact cheerfully get you out this mess you are mired in at present. And furthermore, as I understand it, he intends to offer you some opportunities for the future.

Mercury had trouble believing what he was hearing. For the first time in a good while, he was starting to feel some hopefulness about what was to come. But what about the Conte? he asked.

As for the Conte, replied Achille, keep in mind he is aware of your involvement with the Sbirri,,,and he knows that the Sbirri are looking for the Contessa, as a means to get at him, and what you will be asked to do in the course of this business will help him address that reality.

Mercury looked extremely thoughtful. What do you want me to do?

There will be information that the Padrone and the Conte want passed on to the Sbirri... information that will make you look very good in their eyes even as it misleads them. It will permit them to trust you enough to put you on a long leash that we can then snip. In fact, the information you bring, and the information that others will add to it, will certainly force them to send you away from Venezia.

I think I am beginning to understand, said Mercury. But how will this work...and does the Contessa figure into this...yes...I was trying to find her for them...

Achille shook his head. No as this plan goes forward, the Contessa will no longer be of interest to them. And anyway, I can assure you, she is nowhere near any place that the Sbirri could get to her, even if they knew where she was...whoever they went would not survive the attempt.

Devi spat, If if anything happened to her, neither would you!"

Mercury lanced at her and then said in a sarcastic tone, When you do see her, kindly give her my best regards, per favore.

Achille gave no indication he had paid any attention to this exchange. Instead he looked thoughtful for a moment or two and then turned to Devi. Time to lay out the plan?

Devi shrugged. It is your call.

Achille turned back to Mercury, who was pouring himself yet another cup of wine while he waited for some answers to his questions.

Don Mercurio, do you know do you know why the Sbirri are seeking some advantage over the Conte?

Mercury pondered this question a moment and then answered, no... although...one thing I remember, they asked me if I knew the Conte had connections with the...freemasons?

Achille nodded. Precisely. they believe he is a member of that secretive bunch of dangerous radicals and subversives, and if they get their claws into the Contessa, they think they could force the Conte to give them information about who else is among the masons in the city...

To Mercury, it was if a candle had been lit in a darkened room. Ahhhhh... that makes sense now.

Achille shrugged, as Don Aldo says, only the Sbirri would think to make a simple task so complicated.

Devi nodded fiercely. They look for Elena to have power over the Conte!!! That is why she had to escape... and yes...we used you as a decoy....but it had to look real.

Mercury could not keep the anger out of his voice. And you decided that it wasnt suitable for that brilliant plan to be shared with me? I spent weeks thinking that the Contessa had been kidnapped! Not to mention being beaten up in the bargain.

We heard what had happened to you....but that wasn't us...that wasnt expected, explained Devi. We needed you to look for her...it had to look real...to give us enough time to get her away.

Glad I was able to help, thank you very much, answered Mercury angrily. He was no where near ready to yet. He turned to Achille. So they need names from the Conte?

Achille nodded. Yes, but that is not what you are going to provide... what you will let them know is that he is, in fact, not a freemason... but he is involved with a secret group...an entirely different group with a different purpose.

And will they believe it? asked Mercury a bit suspiciously.

There will be confirmation coming from other sources, answered Achille. Including Sbirri agents who are currently being held by Don Aldo...and who will be permitted to escape, with evidence enough of this other group.

Devi laughed. Itll most likely work...none of these guys are too bright.

All right, what should I tell them? asked Mercury.

The story that you will present will be that he is helping rebels in the Hungarian part of the Austrian empire. It hasnt been that long since the Hungarians last revolted, so it should be quite plausible. You will present the Sbirri with evidence that the Conte is providing them with cannon and other arms...

Cannon, you say?

Yes, why do you ask?

Well, explained Mercury, because I actually did come across some information about the Conte arranging for cannon to be cast for some mysterious purpose, but I couldnt find out any more about why or for whom.

Did you pass that information on to the Sbirri?

Mercury answered a bit sheepishly, ah..yes...

Ha! this is splendid! Your previous report about the cannon being made for the Conte will dovetail nicely with this new information...in fact, you will direct them to a new shipment of a few cannon that they can intercept and inspect...and which they will more than likely let go, once they have established the apparent truth of what you are saying.

Mercury was pondering the political subtleties of this story. So...I tell them the guns are for rebels in the Austrian empire...oh, this is getting nicer and nicer..that idea will appeal to them, wont it?

Achille smiled. The rulers of Venezia have no love for Austria...they fear and distrust the empire...

And I will be telling them that the Conte does them a service through his secret efforts to weaken the emperor?

Yes...in effect, they are more likely to believe this because you are telling them something they want to hear. And the key will the actual cannon...I will give you details on some cannon that are ready to be shipped...you will tell the Sbirri when and where... they will find the cannon and hey, presto, you will seem very trustworthy to them...

And then?

And then you will tell them that there is another shipment of arms for the rebels -- muskets, most likely -- that are being shipped by the Contes organization through Roma...and that you have been engaged to helped oversee the shipment...and you want to find out more information for them."

And they will give me papers to travel to Roma, you think?

I would be very much surprised if they did not.

What if they send one or more of their agents with me?

That would be unfortunate, but acceptable. The Professores colleagues in Roma will take care of them. Those same colleagues of his will help you with evading anyone who is following you and get you to the Kingdom of Naples.

Sounds logical.

Achille nodded. It is not too complex...in misleading the Sbirri away from the Contes possible involvement with the Freemasons, we arrange to make you look good in their eyes...you tell them there is something else you must follow up on that will involve you going to Roma...then you have papers that get you as far as Roma -- which is the hard part during which the papers will be essential -- and from there all you really have to worry about is bad water and banditti.

Mercury drummed his fingers on the table thoughtfully. Sounds tempting... but you mean, of course, I don't stay long in Roma, correct?

Achille laughed, oh you can if you want to, but unless you are dying to see St. Peter's, I would suggest yourself the hell to Rocca Sorrentina as fast as you can.

Yes, I get it, Mercury replied. I suppose Don Aldo is eager to meet me... Mercury Gandts mood was decidedly improving and a hint of smalie came to his face. It sounded like a good bargain... he can keep the sbirri money, even getting a passport from them, and he can escape from them too... the world becomes a brighter place, eventually...

Then Achille interrupted his happy thoughts. I am sure he will discuss with you the reality that there is, of course, a quid pro quo for all this...the job or jobs he has in mind for your special talents. But that will also be an opportunity for you. I am sure they are jobs for which you would be well compensated...

Mercurys smile faded a bit at this. I see... and I assume you don't know what kind of jobs?

No...I cannot say that I do...I must be honest about that. But...he has never asked me to kill anyone in the course of the jobs I have done for him.

Mercury coughed involuntarily. Ah.... I see... anyway, I wouldn't be a very talented assassin...

Achille laughed. No, should he ever need one I think I know where he could find the perfect candidate. He arched an eyebrow at Devi, who blushed coyly.

Signor Gandt...may I ask what you are thinking? asked Achille.

Will I meet the Conte Foscari too? So far you mentioned Don Aldo...

It is entirely possible... but, I am not privy to the plans of the Conte. I can only speak for what I have been told by Don Aldo. But let me assure you...you will be treated fairly in any enterprise in which Don Aldo has a role.

I'm intrigued by the possibility of meeting him. Mercury paused a moment and then stated firmly, alright, sounds like a good bargain... if you help me to escape from the sbirri, keeping their money and my credit in their eyes... I'm in

That is splendid news...we will commence execution of this immediately, and I have every confidence you will be back in Rocca Sorrentina before much time has passed at all, answered Achille.

By the way, asked Mercury, who are the cannon really for?

Oh, they are for Don Aldo. He requires them for some entirely separate project.

Mercury though about this moment and then stood. Achille, it is a pleasure to do business with you...what is next?

Achille also stood and extended his hand. We will provide you with everything you require for this enterprise. You need only to act your part in a convincing manner.

When Mercury grasped Achilles hand, he noticed that the tavern-keeper had crooked his thumb over the first joint of Mercury's index finger. Although he recognized its significance, he did not respond as they shook hands.

Achille smiled pleasantly. Very well. One of the apprentices is waiting outside to direct you home...you will have all you need by morning."

Mercury Gandt said his farewells to Achille and Devi, who had unlatched the door. After he went out and the door was once again closed, Devi looked at Achille and sighed. I still think it would be far simpler to send him on a long walk off a short pier.

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