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Two gentlemen met in the rotunda of the Villa Vesuivina, at a time they had agreed upon.

Buongiorno, Don Mercurio.

Greetings, Professore.

I regret that we have not had time to meet before this....I trust all is well?

Yes, I think all is well.

I am gratified to hear thatlet us proceed up to the Conte Foscari's apartment.

They went up the narrow stairway to the second floor and knocked on the door to one of the apartments. After being admitted and greeted by the Conte, they were seated, and the Professore initiated the cautious conversation:

Conte, I was telling Don Mercurio that I very much regretted not having been able to meet with him immediately after his arrival

The delay is my fault, Professore: I had the chance to move into another rental in the town, and such things take a good deal of time and attention

Signor Gandt, you have been on the island a while now, I believe? asked the Conte.

Mercury nodded. I haveand things have been very busy indeedAnd you have very busy office hours, too, Professore... I was literally on a waiting list for you to receive me...but I have been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to meet with you and the Conte.

Mercury was being only slightly dishonest when he said this. In some ways this was a moment he had been waiting for, and he decided to push the conversation in a risky direction.

Yes, I have been awaiting this opportunity for agesat least since the point when your dear daughter hired me to escort her to Venezia.

The Conte seemed unconcerned that Mercury was already taking the discussion into territory where it might get uncomfortable.

Yes, Signor Gandt, I am not surprised by that. I am aware of this situation being one about which you would probably have some questions.

The professore coughed. The diplomat in him wanted to keep the conversation from getting messy too quickly. If I may, gentlemen...I would suggest that perhaps at present, the less said about the recent past, the betterother than I must thank you Don Mercurio for undertaking a small mission to my friends in Roma. I most sincerely appreciate your diligence in delivering a package to them, and for bringing another package from them to us here.

Mercury did not seem to be listening. He was glaring at the Conte with a demanding look, hungry to know what really happened in Veneziaand why.

The Conte was unperturbed by this. Do help yourself to some Grappa, he said pleasantly.

No one helped himself to the Grappa.

So if I understand things, eccelenza, said Mercury, your daughter is quite well, in spite of the fact that I lost track of her.

The Conte smiled enigmatically at Mercury. Yes. My daughter is well, Signor Gandt.

Believe me," answered Mercury, "I was the most desperate man in Italy that it happenedwhen she disappeared. It is a great relief for me, to know she was not harmedbut

The Conte interrupted him. I regret that you were attacked, but please let me assure you that the Foscari family had nothing to do with the assault upon you.

The professore sighed. Life often takes its odd turns, then continues.

Mercury was not finding the discussion to be terribly satisfying. Your daughter promised me that she would introduce me to you in Venezia, and that I could do you some services, but alas, it didn't happen because of the circumstances

The Conte cut him off once more. But my dear Signor Gandt, you did do us service in Veneziaalbeit it somewhat unwittinglybut you did do us service nonetheless, and for this, I am grateful."

Mercury was now feeling a bit uncomfortable, as he remembered other services he performed for others in Venezia, but kept silent.

At last the Professore spoke again. Well...there are many other services that you can do, after allsuch as making the journey to Roma to see my friends. And it is gratifying that you were able to so expeditiously return to us here

The Conte nodded in agreement, then frowned slightly. While it was good that you could assist the Professore, it is perhaps not so good that you also saw fit to help some other people who are not exactly my friends. I do very much regret you felt it necessary to involve yourself with the Sbirii in Venezia, although I can appreciate your confusion about the best course of action to take in those circumstances."

Mercury winced involuntarily at the word sbirrii, but the profesorre smiled and commented in a not unfriendly way, one could argue, that in the situation, you really no choice but to do what you did.

Mercury looked at the Professore for a moment and then replied, Yes, I hate to admit it, but there is some truth in that statementbut is it also not true, after all, that my connection with the Sbirii helped you to execute a plan of your own, to pass on false information and mislead them... and that went well, no?

Before the professore could answer, the Conte interjected, did they pay you well, Signor Gandt? I do hope so.

Mercury Gandt looked a bit chagrined, but only for a moment. Then he matter-of-factly replied, yes, in fact they did. So well, that right now I have a surplus in my resourcesand I can rent a nicer apartment now

The Conte chuckled. Indeed, and it saves me having to pay you!

Mercury continued, But please keep in mindI may have their gold, but they have not bought my loyalty. When Achille the tavern keeper made me aware of what the Profesore wantedthat I should go to RomaI did not betray him to the Sbirri. Instead, I went to Roma as the professore wanted me to, and have been discreet You have a special set of friends there, Don Aldo

Yes, you were very discreet, Signor Gandt. My people tell me you performed well in Rome, comment the Conte drily.

Don Aldo shrugged casually. In essence, you passed the test. Which is all the more reason why we should not dwell upon what transpired in Venezia. You delivered what you were supposed to deliver in Roma. And the package that you picked up there, you immediately deposited with Don Alfonso when you arrived here. I am greatly appreciative of this.

Conte Foscari smiled as well. Actually, you also have passed the tests I had my daughter set for you.

Before Mercury could inquire as to the Contes meaning in saying this, the professore began speaking again. While I cannot say what the Conte may have in mind for you at this point...I do have some other services for which an English-speaking gentleman would be of great value. I wish to know...would you be interested in undertaking a few simple...assignments, shall we say?

Well, answered Mercury, Achille already told me in Venezia that I owe you much, and in return I can do some service to you. How could I say no? That is a fair deal, of course only if my skills allow me to do it. How could I refuse?

Don Aldo smiled. Oh one may always refusebut yes, there is the small matter of your debts here, which I settled on your behalf...

Not so small, I'm afraid, interjected Mercury with a frown.

No my friend, it is merely money, and as such, it is most certainly no more than a small matter, responded Don Aldo. More importantly, there is the matter of trust. What do you think, Conte...can we trust Signor Gandt to assist us in some of our joint enterprises?

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