So...my dear Professore, have things returned to normal?

Normal, my dear Conte, is something of a relative term when applied to life on our odd little island.

The Conte Foscari chuckled. I always suspected as much. And has my ward fully recovered?

The Professor cast his line out a short ways from the boat. Not entirely. It will take some time for her to regain her usual enthusiasm. But she is young and resilient. And now that she has had the fever, Dottore Greymoon tells me that she will not likely get the disease again. This may actually make her an even more effective operative for you, no?

The Conte nodded but did not answer with words. He knew that the Professore had not meant to make him uncomfortable, but the Conte Foscari did not particularly wish to reflect upon the fact that there were practical as well as personal reasons that he wanted Devi to recover fully. He was, in fact, very fond of her. But she was also incredibly useful to him. And it was quite true what the Professore had implied: Devi could now safely go many places that other operatives might find disagreeably unhealthy...all the same, he vaguely wished that Don Aldo had not left his understanding of that reality unspoken.

After a bit of silence, the Professore spoke again.

Have you have had word from Roma?

I have indeed had a pigeon from my man Luca in Roma. Luca is very good at finding things out, and his enquiries have turned up several interesting facts.

Ah. I see. This is why you wished to go fishing with me?

Well, I thought it was a pleasant afternoon, and fishing is very relaxing...just a couple of old friends out trying to snag something for dinner.

And the fact that no one can overhear us out here is entirely coincidental, added Don Aldo with a wry little smile.

The Conte shrugged. Indeed...it is an additional benefit that small boats out in the bay offer one a certain level of privacy.

So here we are, just a couple of old friends out in the middle of the harbor trying to catch some sea bass. And while we wait for the fish to cooperate, we can talk. May I ask what your good fellow Luca has learned so far?"

Quite a bit actually. Firstly it would seem that the unfortunate Maria Cecilia does indeed belong to the Antonnacci Family: she was the second daughter of a certain Pietro Antonnacci, a well respected and successful Goldsmith."

Ah. I assume the 'well-respected' part of the equation is problematic, yes? asked Don Aldo.

Indeed, repleid the Conte. For it would seem that they did indeed disown their daughter, but long before she got herself into a delicate condition. Maria's father had organized a very suitable marriage with a second son of a minor aristocratic family...but Maria would have none of it. The father threatened her with the convent, but she refused that solution and ran away...and then it would seem that she had fallen in with a bad crowd...a crowd who liked to take Maria with them, to...rather Hedonistic parties. As you saw, Maria had no trouble fitting in...she was most attractive and had enough manners and education to mingle successfully. So Antonnacci had already washed his hands of his wayward daughter, and she was staying with a young friend from yet another minor aristocratic family...

The Professore looked thoughtful. Well...this brings us to an interesting point. while she may well have known our friend Don Mercurio...in perhaps both senses of the word...there is, in fact,the possibility that he was not the actual father of the child?

The Conte nodded. As for Sior Mercury's part in this affair, I shall come to that presently. You see, my man Luca got some very detailed information from the household servants before he presented himself to Sior Antonnacci to break the sad news of Maria's death.

But he did eventually delver the sorry news, no?

Oh yes, answered the Conte. Luca broke the news of her death to Maria's father, who although moved to tears and regrets, felt it would be best if his daughter was buried here in Sorrentina...there would be too much to explain.....it would be easier to ay that she died of the fever, whilst traveling.

Fillipe Foscari noted that his friend's usually impassive, benevolent countenance face suddenly darkened. The Conte couldn't quite tell if it was surprise or anger, or perhaps both. He was not entirely used to seeing Don Aldo react to situations with anything other a calm and philosophical demeanor.

Does this surprise you? he asked.

Aldo Stern sighed and then shrugged. "She was their child. Only that. I suppose one can argue that the family's reputation is something that can still be salvaged. and that having the young woman resting close to her home and family is a moot point. The dead are dead...but gossip lives on.

Yes, replied the Conte. I am afraid this is the case. The other thing was that Sior Antonnacci had no idea his daughter was expecting a child...and...well, the Antonnaccis are ambitious to step up into higher social circles. The father has arranged very clever, advantageous marriages for his other daughters...he has three others to be married...and wants nothing to spoil their chances. So I am afraid, according to Luca, the grandfather showed no enthusiasm for his new granddaughter, and thought it splendid if she could be adopted, preferably with no connection to him.

As he finished this statement, Conte Fillipe Foscari found himself sighing a bit, a wave of sadness washing over him. He was a little surprised at himself. He was nobleman of an old house in the ancient Republic of Venezia. He understood the ways of the world and had witnessed the injustice and sorry outcomes of that reality almost daily. Perhaps he was just tired.

His friend, however, seemed to be showing signs of anger rather than world-weariness.

I have heard enough. So be it, Don Aldo said curtly. We shall put the woman Maria to her rest here, and ...if they wish to have no complications with regards to the infant, we shall deal with that as well. Our good Dottore Greymoon and his Donna Athena will make a good family for her. Perhaps a damned sight better family situation than that of this ambitious goldsmith who should have wished to take her.

Conte Felippe was not accustomed to hearing his old friend cursing. He answered quietly, Yes, my friend...I think the infant may have better chances at happiness with Dottore Greymoon than with a return to her mother's family.

The Professore nodded in agreement and gave his line another flick to try to attract something to take the bait. You know Dottore Greymoon is establishing an apothecary here and plans to practice his craft on Rocca? he asked.

I had heard this, said the Conte. A wonderful idea. I like the Dottore: he only bleeds and purges when necessary, and has a great knowledge of herbal treatments for various afflictions. It will be good to have him and his new family around on the island. Maybe Devi can hlep him out, when she has fully regained her strength....she is very knowledgeable about herbal medicines.

It would be helpful for her to have a task to focus her attention, agreed Don Aldo.

The Conte smiled. Well, Devi is a stubborn young woman, and given she is determined to wait for your man Achile to return, I concur that she should have some sort of gainful occupation.

The Professore smiled and looked at the Conte Foscari with an expression that seemed to reflect his usual philosophical, even-tempered mein. But then suddenly, it seemed that something crossed his mind and a flash of resentment burned in his eyes.

Does this ambitious goldsmith require some payment from us before he will sign documents that will prevent him from making any claim to the little girl in the future? he asked in voice that held a slight edge of menace.

Conte Foscari shook his head. The goldsmith Antonnacci was more than happy to sign the necessary documents...which Luca just happened to have with him. In fact, he was more afraid that Sorrentina was making claims on him for the child's upkeep. I already have the signed documents in my study.

Don Aldo smiled a bit, seemingly reassured. Ah, of course, your good man Luca would have gone prepared, and got the matter settled before any second thoughts might occur to the goldsmith...still I am curious...did Luca have to pay the man some kind of honorarium to seal the bargain?

Luca did indeed go with the document I charged him to prepare, and indeed got the goldsmith to sign before he changed his mind...there was no mention of the goldsmith asking for any kind of payment...but as to whether Luca managed to get some kind of payment for himself from the Goldsmith for facilitating the arrangement...well....I cannot say. But he is a Roman after all...

Don Aldo laughed and resumed moving his pole and line in a pattern that he hoped would attract the attention of something tasty.

The Conte gave his own line a few desultory flicks and began to wonder if his hook was still baited or not. As he gazed out over the calm waters of the bay, he quietly commented, In this case, I think the little girl will do better as an adopted orphan than an unwanted illegitimate granddaughter...

The Professore made a small noise that indicated his agreement. After another pause, Don Aldo sighed and commented, Well, I am glad it is settled then: we can have the christening and Donna Lorsange can be the Godmother as she so ardently desires: the good Dottore and his lady may proceed with beginning their family; and we...as you say...will be back to what passes for normal on Sorrentina.

The Conte smiled. I shall be pleased to be godfather, if the Greymoons concur, he added. And I will stand by the trust I set up in my daughter's name for the education of the child."

"That is most kind of you, my friend."

"Miliegraze It is the least I can do in these unfortunatecircumstances."

"But what of Don Mercurio and his possible role in this?"

"Ah," the Conte continued, "as for our Sior Gandt and his involvement in this strange and sad affair -- Luca has managed to talk to the servants that were working at the particular party that both Sior Gandt and Maria attended. Now, the news concerning Sior Gandt is very interesting: as I said, Luca was able to interview several of the servants present. And Sior Gandt did indeed linger in Roma, to take advantage of various games of chance...it would seem that he had plenty of money to play with.....but his luck was mediocre, and he probably lost as much as he won. Mind you, there was a lot of revelry in the Palazzo where the party was held that evening...a very boisterous crowd....a lot of laudanum and opium smoking as well as good wine...and Maria Cecilia was there also, rather the worse for wear."

The Professore looked up from his fishing, extremely intent upon the Conte's report. Please go on, my friend.

The Conte nodded and resumed his narrative. The servants stated that they saw two gentlemen, well-known sons of great families, plying her with drink...one of the maids said she saw them pour something into the drink before they gave it to Maria, and that after a while Maria lost sensibility...the gentlemen carried her into a nearby room. The maid made it clear what their intentions were. Meanwhile, about this time, Sior Gandt was having a break from his gambling, and was wandering around the Palazzo. It would seem that the two gentlemen were in the process of taking advantage of Maria's insensibility when Sior Gandt happened into the room. At this point, according to one of the footmen Luca spoke to, a small fight ensued between Sior Gandt and the two aristocrats, which was prevented from going any further by the arrival of the said footman...after which Sior Gandt, helped the footman, carried the semi-conscious Maria to a coach. Sior Gandt went with Maria in the coach, presumably to see her safely to her friend's house. Luca then talked to the coachman, who didn't seem to think that anything untowards happened during the short coach ride, but did observe that by the time they had arrived, Maria had regained most of her senses...Sior Gandt gave Maria into the care of the house servants, and the Coachman took him back to the party, where apparently he carried on gambling.

Don Aldo had an odd little smile on his face. I see...and naturally, she drew an incorrect conclusion from the circumstances...yes?

Yes, answered the Conte. It would seem that it might have been that Maria only remembers being taken home, and not what happened at the party, and came to incorrect conclusions as to the identity of her child's father. This information is also interesting in that, if I recall correctly, during the course of the card reading that Merry Chase did for the infant, there was some indication that the father of the child was actually a person of some importance. Not that our dear Don Mercurio isn't important in his own unique way...but from the perspective of most of the world, even a minor Roman nobleman has a bit more degree of importance than a landless young Briton who is a part-time police informer and full-time gambler and n'er-do-well.

As I said, things back to their normal status for life on Rocca...slightly confused, slightly complicated...a festival of irony and never dull....and speaking of which, I have some other news for you.

Oh? Other news?

Don Aldo smiled rather broadly this time. Yes, indeed...and good news, actually. Perhaps Devi will not have to wait so long. I have had word from Achille that with Abu bin Malachi's help, he has located and secured the worldly remains of the noble lady who had been taken to North Africa.

Ahhhhh...interesting...so Achille is on his way home?

Well, they have arranged to have what was left of the lady cleaned up, as is appropriate. So the bones are packed and he will accompany them to the lady's home and her family in the Duchy of Tuscany, where he will present the remains and the evidence that these are indeed the bones of their loved one.

A sad mission for Achille, said the Conte. But Devi will be delighted, I am certain.

At this point, as Don Aldo pulled on his line, he seemed to feel something tugging at it. He gave a slight jerk to engage the hook and began to draw it in. Whatever he had caught did not seem to be putting up much of a fight.

As he held it up, Conte Fillipe Foscari drily commented, An interesting catch Professore...what do you propose to do with it?

Oh perhaps I shall have Merry make a stew of it," laughed Don Aldo. "Will you join me for dinner if I induce her to do so?'

I am correct, that is, in fact, a lady's shoe, is it not?

Indeed, my friend, it does seem so. From a rather large lady, unless I am very much mistaken.

The Conte peered at it more closely. There is something oddly familiar about it. And while immersion in the water of the bay does not seem to have improved it any, I am compelled to observe that its former owner does not seem to have been possessed of much in the way of good taste or fashion sense.

Well, at least we have something. Let us take our catch of the day and proceed home. I wonder what Merry will tossin the kettle with it to make something delectable of this.