~

Devi was lost in reflection, standing in the shadows by the rail, watching the moonlit water sliding by. She heard someone someone softly calling her name and turned to see Achille coming towards her. On his face, he was wearing a happy smile -- well, more like an idiotic grin, to be honest. The reason for his happiness was obvious: somewhere, here in the middle of the sea off the coast of southern Italy, he had managed to acquire a guitar.

She could not help but smile in return as he held it up.

"Look,one of the sailors has permitted me to borrow his guitar! May I play something for you? Or do you wish to be left alone with your thoughts...."

"Yes, please do...is it a good instrument?"

"Not bad at all." He began tuning it, plucking on string and then another and tightening or loosing the keys as needed. "But the poor thing, she doesn't like the sea air. Being on ship board is not always the happiest of circumstances for a guitar."

Once he was satisfied, he began gently strumming a tune, something that sounded vaguely spanish. He looked up from the guitar as he played, an impish twinkle in his eyes.

"So, what brings you up on deck here? the beauty of the night and stars and the water, or did you simply weary of hearing the old gentleman once again regaling the other passengers with his stories of our combat with the sibbiri agents?"

Devi rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Yes indeed...then she paused, her expression betraying a touch of concern. "Did he really join in the fight...or is he just inventing it?

"Oh yes, a pistol in one hand, his sword cane in the other...a most ferocious sight." Achille laughed as he said this, but then dropped his voice and said in a very serious tone, "though in all honesty, I am not sure what I would have done without his assistance..."

Devi nodded. "There is more to the old nonno Foscari then people realise."

"Oh yes, the old Signore was very enthusiastic in his desire to do mayhem to those rascals."

Devi could not help but giggle at the mental image this conjured up.

"Ican imagine Nonno Focari ready to do battle,I have always thought he pretended to be sicker than he really is."

"He is a cagey old fellow...I would not put it past him to pretend to be frail if he thought it would give him an advantage. But in reality he is a fighter..."

Achille paused for dramatic emphasis and then sighed, "Saturnines, on the other hand..."

"Ahhh, Saturnines," sighed Devi. "I suppose he hung back as if he was waiting to see how things went and only then would decide which side to join." She laughed. "A stand-up battle isnot really his preferred way to settle an issue...but don't underestimate him -- he is very good at what he does."

"Oh yes, I am certain of that" agreed Achille, "you know, after all, it was Saturnines' idea to negotiate with the sbirri thug who looked like he would give us the most trouble...he was a rather large gent... the other agent called him "Burly" as I recall."

"Oh?"

"Definitely. Old Signor Foscari was hot to have at them, and I was ready with a club, but it was Saturnines who talked Signor Burly into giving up his boss to us and taking a little blow to the head for show. To his credit, that big fellow could have given us quite a fight, but he saw the good sense in Saturnine's argument...though a little purse of ducats didn't hurt."

"Knowing Saturnines, they probably were counterfeit," Devi snorted derisively. "But he is reliable in his own way. He has been with Nonno Foscari since he was a boy."

"Well, as I said," Achille went on, " they all were a great help. You know it was the old Signor Foscari who came up with the idea of taking that really nasty Sbirri agent -- the one called Rinaldi --and bundling him into a cask with some biscuit and water and sending him on a ship to Istanbul."

"Really?" This was intriguing news to Devi, she had avoided asking about the other agent, as she had assumed he had met the ultimate fate that he arguably deserved.

Achille nodded. "We arranged that when he gets there, he will be drafted into the Turkish navy...I am sure he will make a fine sailor. Hey, the Turks need all the men they can get to fight the Russians."

"So it will be a long time before he is in a position to report to Cristofoli," mused Devi. "And we will all be long gone."

Achille Giglio continued to play softly and commented without looking up from the instrument, "if he survives, that is."

"Oh....I am sure he will...his sort always does," observed Devi.

"Well, if he does not," replied Achille, "at least it is not on our heads...he may have deserved it, but I am glad I did not have to send him to sleep with the fishes on the bottom of the canal...let some Russian cannon ball do the job.And if he makes it back, it is by God's will."

Living as she did in a world where she had known plenty of individuals who would cut your throat for half a loaf of bread -- or just for the sheer fun of it -- she did not often encounter working class people who had much in the way of scruples. Having principles was a luxury, something usually reserved for a few of the well-born who could afford to have them...or who could afford to pay someone else to do their dirty work. But here was this ordinary guy who seemed to have some kind of priorities beyond his own comfort and convenience. Devi found this side of Achille a little puzzling...almost quixotic...but in the end, appealing. She realized that this tavern keeper was a man who was perfectly capable of killing if he had to...but only if he really had to.

Meanwhile, Achille was playing some snatches of Boccherini. Finally, he said quietly, "Yes, we all made quite a good team...you did your job with getting Signor Gandt where he needed to be, old Signor Foscari and Saturnines helping me spring the trap for those guys...and we can't forget the young lady...she played her part well...very well indeed."

"Ah yes, the young lady," said Devi drily. "I am very curious about her."

"Oh?"

"I am not really sure who she is..where she came from...andare they really married? You know back at the villa, Nonno Foscari acts like he's on death's door half the time...he even has a chair with wheels and will tell people he can't walk!!! What kind of a husband would that be for a young woman?"

"Well for one thing, I think we all know that feeble old man routine is pretty much a charade. And as for what kind of a husband he'd make...a rich one to be sure."

Devi snorted. "Humph! I am notentirely sure they are actually married in the eyes of the law and church. Besides,the old man has been a widower for many years...a new marriage will not affect his heirs...oh, but Elena will be so shocked!"

"She has had to deal with stranger things in life, I am sure. But what do you thinkthe Conte will say?" asked Achille.

Devi giggled. "I bet the Conte will be surprised...I can't wait to see the expression on the Conte's face when we get to Sorrentina and he sees this traveling comedy troupe we are bringing with us."

Achille smiled at this, but offered no further comment and continued to play. Except for the gentle sounds of the guitar, a silence fell as Devi turned and looked back out over the rail at the flecks of moonlight that danced on the waves, and the stars that so utterly filled the cloudless night sky.

After several minutes Devi spoke again.

"So ....what is this Sorentina like?"

"Ah...Sorrentina...have you not been there?"

"No...I know its somehwere south...but when Elena went there she left me behind at the Malcontenta,and that would have been fine, except my brothers came to take me home." She made an expression of disgust.

Achille Giglio stop playing the guitar and stood beside Devi at the rail. "Then you have missed the closest thing to Paradise that one may find in this sorry world," he said quietly.

Devi looked at him, not entirely sure if he was serious. He shrugged and added, "at least in my humble opinion...but then I grew up thereand have lived most of life on or near the island...soI am not objective about it."

"It is beautiful there?" she asked.

"I think so...it is almost always pleasantly warm...I have never known it to snow there. The waters and sky are a brilliant blue...the island a small multicolored jewel in the Bay of Naples...the green orchards and vineyards, flowers of all sorts of hues, the red tile roofs and yellow and pink stucco of houses and white marble of old buildings...very old.

"You do make it sound like paradise. I hated the mountains when it snowed. Everything...white and grey...and cold. Living in a caravan is nice enough in the summer, but in winter..and much of spring and autumn as well, it comes through every crack in the boards and eats into your bones. What is it like to live there?"

"Pleasant is an inadequate word for it. Coffee in the coffee house, with friendly people and good conversation. Local wine and honey and fruits...fish from the sea, fresh each day...and the grandest sunsets you will see anywhere can be viewed from the table just outside my tavern by the docks. Go out on a boat and look back at the island and you see little houses that are comfortable, but not ostentatious, piled up like a child's building blocks on the hillside...even the great villa is not a massive sprawling palace,but like something that grew from the earth and the rocks...like nature..balanced and perfect in its imperfections..."

"So it's not like Venezia?"

"Oh no, nothing like Venezia...it smells like sea breezes, clean salt and flowers...not fetid water, stale piss and dead fish."

Devi looked at Achille and laughed. "Not all of Venezia smells like that!"

"The parts I was in did."

Devi decided to not argue the point. It did all sound lovely. "How long until we get there?I long to see it."

Achille was beginning to tune the guitar again. "A couple days," he answered. "We have to tack up the coast past the straits and then catch the westerly breeze." He paused a moment and than asked, "do you think you will be able to stay a while on la Rocca?"

Devi frowned. "I guessthat will depend on the Conteand whatever message he has from my father." She appeared to be lost in thought. "You know, I have never been on a ship for so long before...this is a new experience for me. I have only really been to vist two other places besides the mountains."

Achille looked surprised. "I would think with you heritage of the Sinti, you would be very well travelled."

"No," she answered. "You see,the Conte helped my people to come out of the Austrian lands, but I was born after their travel...since they settled in their mountain camp they never went anywhere. The menfolk go down to the valley to trade,but the women don't go with them. Since the persecutions that were suffered, they try not to draw attention to themselves...I only got to travel a bit because of the Conte and Elena. Most of the work I have performed on behalf of the Conte has been in and around Venezia."

"Well," replied Achille in an almost somber tone,"although I would understand how under such circumstances, you might be having a desire to travel widely and see more of the world...if I may say so...after we get to Rocca Sorrentina...it is my hope you will not have to leave again too soon."

She did not reply, a he started playing the guitar again.

"Do you know this one?" he asked. "I just learned it recently." And he began to sing.

"Caro mio ben,
credimi almen,
senza di te

languisce il cor,
caro mio ben,
senza di te

languisce il cor
Il tuo fedel
sospira ognor

Cessa, crudel,
tanto rigor!
Cessa, crudel,

tanto rigor,
tanto rigor!
Caro mio ben,

credimi almen,
senza di te
languisce il cor,

caro mio ben,
credimi almen,
senza di te

languisce il cor"

Devi found herself blushing. "You sing it beautifully...it is the song of someone asking that his heart not be broken by the one he loves."

Achille stopped playing when he finished the song andgently leaned the guitar against the small cannon next to them "As I said...I hope you do not have to leave the island too soon...you know...we have spent much time together...but it has always been about the job...what we do for...for others."

"I do hope I can stay some time also," she answered, not daring to look at Achille. "Yes we each have our orders...our purpose. I and my people owe the Conte a lot...and he is good to us..."

Achille gazed out over the dark waves. "You talk of orders...but I do not follow orders...I do what I do for the Padrone out of duty and my respect and affection for him."

Devi nodded. "Yes, I understand, it is the same for me. The Conte has been like a second father to me. And as you have seen, old Sior Foscari sees me as an extra grandaughter...so maybe they will let me stay."

Achille moved a little closer to Devi. "So...you know...if I ask the Professore...and you ask the Conte...they maybe will not send us away on our separate paths for other missions...perhaps not right away..."

Devi looked at Achille with hope in her eyes. "Yes I will ask him...and if he says no, then I shall ask his father to badger him into saying yes..."

Achille laughed. "Devi...I have never known anyone like you before..."

Il Professore was at his desk in his rooms at the Villa Vesuviana, reviewing the letter he had just finished. It seemed adequate, so now all that remained to be done was to have copies made for the other recipients. This original would go to Don Mercurio. Don Aldo sighed as he thought about this duty he was performing. Necessary, but rather sad. It was always regrettable when a matter such as this involved young men, with their entire lives ahead of them...but as the Baronessa was fond of saying, "life is dangerous." She also was prone to say things like "we all have to die sometime." But Don Aldo hoped that would not be the case for the young men who had chosen this particular path to travel.

After a moment, he decided to review the letter one more time, to make sure he had not missed anything:

To Signor Mercury Gandt and Signor Friedrich von Brenneysen (copies to be sent to your seconds).

Gentlemen,

As the longest-serving Magistrate (and therefore, by default, the senior) who is present upon the island of Rocca Sorrentina (the Baronessa von Khr being absent), I find myself in the position of having to oversee the proper execution of this affair of honor that you seem determined to proceed with.

I trust that in accordance with established traditions your seconds have communicated in an effort to find an alternative. If it seems that there is none to be had, then we must take the next step and settle upon a time and date. I would suggest to you Saturday, November 2nd or Sunday the 3rd, perhaps at 9 or 10 AM? Otherwise, would 1 PM be preferable? Please let me know as soon as possible so that I can make certain arrangements.

Dottore Greymoon has already agreed to serve as the attending surgeon, although under the circumstances you have seen fit to chose, I fear his skills may be of little avail should one or the both of you suffer some misfortune. In fact, if you will entertain a suggestion from a gentleman whose passing of years has enabled him to witness more than enough such encounters, I most respectfully request that you two be willing to consider calling the affair settled with the drawing of first blood. I think such a course would more than satisfy the demands of honor and confirm the courage and steadfastness of both parties.

I look forward to hearing from the both of you at your earliest convenience regarding this matter.

your most obedient servant,
Don Aldo Stern, Magistrate

The letter seemed to be sufficient, so il Professore dusted it with sand to dry, and then carefully folded it and put it in a envelope for delivery to Don Alfonso for copying.

"What a plan," he thought to himself. "Well, if young men will be hardheaded and insist upon risking their lives over honor, there is something to be said for doing so in a unique way like this."

Don Aldo had read a good bit about balloons. They seemed a novelty -- a dangerous novelty -- but perhaps they would someday change the course of history, he mused. As he reflected on the situation he decided he would have to write to Dr. Franklin and ask him what he thinks of these devices. If anyone would have interesting ideas about the potential for aeronautical experiments to turn into something useful, it would be Don Beniamino, he thought.

"So...Burly...what happened to you and Signor Rinaldi?"

"If it please your Excellency...I shall offer my full and truthful report. We were on our way to the wharf in the lagoon to take ship and follow the Englishman, Gandt. But mid-way to our destination, in passing a dark alley, we were asked by a young woman for help with something...and upon following her through the dark alley we found ourselves in a small square. I do not recall the place, as it was unfamiliar to me in the dark..but instead of someone needing help we found it swarming with many, many banditi...large, young fellows, very vicious and desperate..."

"I see...and these men...did you recognize any of them?"

"No Excellency, there were so many...two dozen at least...but they all had the look of very cruel fellows...gypsies and other cutthroats."

"Ah...and they did seek to rob you and Don Arrigo?

"Yes, they demanded our purses and weapons and our shoes...but we did not comply..."

"No?"

"No, Excellency. In point of fact, we advanced upon them at once...Don Arrigo led the way... he was most brave."

"I see. So you took on these ruffians...and how did it go?"

"Oh very well at first...together we bloodied a great many of them and sent them howling...but..."

"But..?"

"Well, Excellency, there were so many of them...and they were armed exceeding well with musketoons, and cutlasses, and all manner of dreadful weaponry...they forced me into a corner...and while they held me occupied, I could see them overwhelm Don Arrigo...he went down fighting, but I could see them carry him off..."

"In what direction?"

"oh...um...well I was so busy fighting, I could not really say for sure, but I think it was towards the canal that was nearby...I tried to follow but with their great numbers they forced me back..."

"And of course, you did not make it to the ship to follow Gandt?"

"No Excellency, the ship she was long gone ere I made it to the wharf. And seeing no sign of Signor Rinaldi anywhere, I thought it best I return at once to the headquarters to make my report."

"Alright...let's summarize what we have here...you don't know who any of these dozens of attackers were...you don't know where the attack took place, and you don't know in what direction they carried off Don Arrigo...Have you anything else useful to add?"

"No excellency. That is my full and honest report of the facts to the best of my recollection."

"Very well. This is most regrettable. And by the way...that's a nasty bump on your head there...you might wish to have that seen to...possibly a good bleeding might help. You may go."

"Thank you, Excellency. I do hope Signor Rinaldi is well...he is a most brave and..."

"Burly...just go..."

"Yes, Excellency."
~

Achille was very much ready to be done with Venezia. He had just one last duty to perform, and then he could get back to someplace where it wasn't damp all the time and people could be trusted. But that one last task still remained to be done, and it was not going to be easy.

He was looking at his options and making his plan -- or what passed for a plan under the circumstances -- when he heard a knock at the door of the old tavern.

"Who is it?" he asked.

"Saturnines. Here on behalf of Signor Foscari."

Achille unbarred the door and let the man in. A few things about his appearance struck Achille immediately: Saturnines was rather foppishly dressed, in fact even more so than Achille recalled from the last time he had seen him. He also was wearing a sword -- an old-style heavy bladed rapier. This was not a normal thing for Saturnines.

"Hello Saturnines. I am grateful Signor Foscari got our message," said Achille. "Is there any possibility of some help with this situation?"

Saturnines looked around the shabby tavern common room with the expression of someone who was trying to not to breath in a bad smell. Then he looked at Achille and smiled that greasy sort of ingratiating smile that stewards and head-waiters tend to specialize in.

"Indeed he did. But he already had been making some preparations. He has his own set of informants, you know -- much better than those his son has cultivated, of course -- and he was assuming you would be in need of some assistance with the process."

"How much do you know?"

"We know that Mercury Gandt is leaving on a ship for Ravenna this morning, and that when he gets there he will be traveling to Roma on some assignment for the Sbirri. We also know that some police operatives will be following him, just to make sure things turn out to their satisfaction. And judging from your message, it would seem that is part of your problem."

"Exactly. We too were given the impression that someone would be tailing Signor Gandt, and my job is to delay those fellows enough to make sure they don't get on that ship to Ravenna. Devi is on her way to get on that ship as well, to make sure Don Mercurio keeps going in the direction we want him him to...but if those Sbirri men are also on board, the riskiness of this enterprise is vastly increased. Does Signor Foscari have some resources he can make available to me?"

Saturnines smiled a thin, wicked little smile. "Oh yes indeed, he does. Quite a few resources actually...and quite honestly, we think we can do better than merely delaying those Sbirri fellows for a little while. Much, much better, in fact..."

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

The sun was just coming up as Arrigo Rinaldi and one of his men were proceeding along on their way through the dimly lit streets, heading towards the wharf on the lagoon. The Sbirri officer was feeling pretty good about his decision to follow Mercury Gandt to Roma himself. If there was indeed a large shipment of muskets for Hungarian rebels in that city, he wanted to see it with his own eyes, as he had with the heavy bronze cannon that had already been intercepted, inspected, and then sent on their way. He wanted there to be no mistakes, and he wanted to be as certain as possible that the Conte Foscari's suspicious secret activities actually were all about helping rebels who would hurt Austria. and not about something that might be dangerous to the Republic, such as consorting with freemasons.

The man he had picked to go with him was no genius, but he would come in handy, especially as they would be traveling through the Papal states, which these days were beset with banditi and desperate, unpredictable peasantry. He wasn't sure of the man's real name...everyone at headquarters just called him "Burly" or "that really big guy." Both were apt descriptions. Rinaldi was confident he would have no issues with mere banditi or simple peasants along the way, thanks to Burly.

As they came to a corner, they noticed a very shapely, attractive young lady. She seemed to be concerned about something, and she requested their assistance, assuring them it would not take long. They had plenty of time to get to the ship...and besides the lady was very, very pretty, so with very little convincing, they agreed to follow the young woman through a dark passageway...

The lady was in fact, the young and undeniably pretty wife of the elder Signor Foscari. And the fact that she accosted these two men at this particular time and on this particular corner was no coincidence....

~

Arrigo Rinaldi, second in command of the Sbrri secret police of Venezia, was shuffling through some maps and papers on his desk at Sbirri headquarters when he heard someone enter. He looked up to see one of the thugs he had assigned to follow Hugo and the women to Sorrentina.

Glancing at the unfriendly face of the Doge in the grim painting behind his boss's desk, Vito the thug looked very uncertain. "Hello Signor Rinaldi," he said tentatively.

Rinaldi was surprised to see him. "Ah number 49, where in the name of beelzebub's backside have you been?"

Vito coughed and looked around nervously.

"and take off your hat, damn you, show some respect!" Rinaldi added sharply.

Vito whipped his hat off his head and held it in his hand, sheepishly muttering in a low voice "I am here to report Signore..."

Rinaldi cut him off. "Damned right you areyou were supposed to following the merchant and those two doxies"

"We did Signore," Vito answered, "even to their ship and out of the harbor."

"And?"

"We, um ..... well .... ," Vito's gaze wandered and he twirled his hat, nervously.

"Yes?" Rinaldi was growing visibly impatient.

"We were detained, butbut... but all is not lost, Signore!"

"DETAINED?!!" Rinaldi roared. "By whom?"

"Men from Rocca Sorrentina, they surprised us, Signore."

Vito thought that Rinaldi was going to strike him, but he gathered his courage and went on. "They said we were their guests," as his gaze dropped to the floor once again.

The Sbirri officer swore under his breath and shook his head. After a pause he spoke a bit more calmly. "So ...they locked you up?"

"Yes Signore, I have never in my days heard of a guest being locked up like that!"

"Hmph, they probably called it protective custody or something like that. At least that's what I would have done."

Vito chewed on the inside of his lip, waiting for what would come next.

Rinadli sighed. "Did you at least get to see who those people were going to meet?"

"We were not permitted to roam the island .... but I did hear some things."

Rinaldi was about to explode once more, but Vito's last statement prevented the detonation. He was suddenly very interested in what Vito had to say. "Oh? what sort of things did you hear?"

"I heard that the man Dieter and the women made it there safely."

This time, Rinaldi did explode. He slammed his hand on his desk and bellowed, "SAFELY??!!! Do you think I care two busted coppers if they are healthy or not?!!"

Vito winced and cringed but he made up his mind to go on. "There is more ..... if it would please you for me to say?"

"Please me? it would please me if ye choked on your own tongue, you scrofulous sore on society's backside! Didn't you learn anything useful, you wretched lackwit?!

"They have cannons, I heard the guards whispering ..... they thought I didn't hear, but I did!"

The Sbirri officer's expression immediately changed to something more receptive. "Wait...did you say... cannon?"

Vito nodded vigorously. "Yes!! The island has cannons, new cannons ... how many I do not know, but I heard them say it, in hushed tones."

"New cannon? from where?"

"They did not speak of where the cannons came from.But yes, newly delivered cannons,...but not stayingwaiting to go somewhere else....uh...they spoke of revolution,"

"Revolution...hmmmany hint of where they are going?"

"One of the guards whispered 'Vienna,' Signore ......um... it is in Austria, yes? I do not know what they meant, I did not hear the whole part of the conversation."

Rinaldi sighed once again. And then he almost smiled. Not quitebut almost. "Yes, you dolt. It's in Austria. Well, in spite of yourself you seem to have stumbled on to something useful."

This was a great relief to poor Vito. He puffed out his chest and smiled. "The Signore is pleased that we escaped to tell you these things?"

Rinaldi suddenly felt a wave of suspicion. "Tell me...just how did you escape?"

Vito beamed proudly. "The customs officers were to take us to Naples, I think, and they weren't looking after we landed and we ran off into a crowd, Signore."

"Neapolitans? They were taking you to the mainlandand it was on the mainland that they were inattentive and you slipped away??"

Vito nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! We ran away in the confusion in order to keep serving you and the Republic!"

The wheels inside Rinaldi's head were turning over and over, mixing his preconceived notions about southerners with things he wanted to hear. His fears were now allayed. "Yes, yes, the Republic thanks youand I will simply thank God that they put you into the hands of some fellows actually stupider than you two are."

Vito felt like things were looking up. He was in fact starting to wonder if there was any chance of getting paid

Rinaldi was looking thoughtful. Suddenly he gestured to Vito. "Here now, step closer, 49."

The thug cautiously inched closer to the man behind the desk, halfway expecting to be struck with some heavy, blunt object.

But instead of a club, Rinaldi extended some coins, gold ducats, shining in his hand. His voice was calmer than it had been during the entire conversation. "You have done reasonably well, 49. And you show good loyalty in coming back"

But just as Vito began to reach for the money, his boss snatched the coins back, closing his fist around them. "BUT do not make these kinds of mistakes again, you hear?" he snarled.

Rinadli looked Vito dead in the eye as he said this. Vito realized he was a very lucky man. As he nodded humbly, the Boss reached out once more and this time pressed the coins into his hand.

"Thank you! A thousand thanks, Signore!" Vito bowed over and over again. "I shall try to do better, Signore, all for the Sbirri and the Republic!"


Rinadli waved him away. "You will, I'm surenow be off. Go have a drink, but keep your damned mouth shut, and be back here in the morning for a new job...you understand?

Vito backed away slowly, still bowing as he went ..... "Si, Signore!"

As Vito scurried away to find the nearest brothel and a drink, Rinaldi sat at his desk once more and began writing a memorandum:

" My dear Don Cristoforo:

We have received corroborating evidence from a reasonably reliable source that confirms the other information we have received regarding the Conte Foscari's activities. As your Excellency will recall, Gandt had given us more information about another shipment of guns from the previously mentioned foundry. That proved correct and we did find the cannon which were being shipped at the time and place Gandt had directed us to. We now have been told by one of the operatives under my supervision that the guns are in fact being shipped by an indirect path through southern ports, and are ultimately destined for rebels in the Austrian empire, just as Gandt had reported.

So it appears that we now can safely conclude that the secretive business being engaged in by the Conte Foscari is not so much involvement with freemasons, but instead is in support of rebels in Austrian territory, most likely Hungary. As your excellency so wisely directed, we shall permit these activities to proceed, as they will in effect serve only to confound our less than friendly neighbors to the north. It also indicates that we can indeed trust Gandt and allow him a little longer leash. As you suggested, he seems to be the perfect agent to gather information on the other arms that the Conte is reportedly shipping from Roma, as he seems to be known and trusted by those involved. And if something bad happens to him, it is no skin off our noses. I shall, with your permission, prepare the papers for him to leave the city and proceed on our behalf to Roma"

~

~

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.

~

~

Mercury Gandt was perusing the fruit stalls on the market square when he heard a familiar voice call his name behind.

"Don Mercurio! What a coincidence!"

He turned to see Fiorino Pera, one of the apprentices he had known on Rocca Sorrentina. The boy seemed genuinely glad to have run into him, and to be honest, Mercury found it refreshing to see a friendly face and hear a congenial word for a change. The Sbirri were starting to get impatient -- it had been a while since he had provided them with any new interesting information. He had been unable to learn more about the cannons that seemed to have some connection to the Conte Foscari, and of course he had no news at all about the Contessa Foscari. To say that the Sbirri agents were greeting him with friendly faces when he met with them was something of an understatement. It crossed his mind that if any of them actually ever smiled, their faces might break.

But here was Fio, of all people: they talked of why the apprentices had come to Venezia and how they fared; they spoke of things back on the island (and Mercury felt a little twinge of regret due to the realization he was unlikely to ever go back to that place); they talked of life in Venezia and what they liked and disliked about the great city. Mercury bought some melon for Fio, and another whole one for him to take back to his fellow apprentices to share with them.

It was, all in all, one of the more pleasant times that Mercy could recall during the last several months. Even so, the more he talked to Fiorino, the more he found himself missing the situations and individuals he had left behind to pursue this adventure in the serene republic.

Ultimately the conversation turned to people they knew. Mercury -- partly out of curiosity and partly in the forlorn hope that he might learn a bit of new and potentially useful information with which he could keep the Sbirri off his back for a little while -- asked if Fio knew anything about the whereabouts of the Contessa Elena Foscari.

Mercury asked the quetion in a very causal way, both to avoid arousing any suspicions by seeming unduly interested, and because he was not really expecting any positive response. To his surprise, Fio replied that although he himself had no knowledge of where she might be, he did know some people who might.

He then asked if Don Mercurio would perhaps like to meet these people.

Mercury found himself agreeing to rendezvous with Fio the next evening, and together, they would make the effort to see if these people could be contacted.

Consequently, the following the night they met at the appointed time. Fio took Mercury though a series of darkened streets and alleys, following a route that Mercury realized would be difficult for him to remember, and also that would be sufficiently complex to shake off anyone who might be following them. He was beginning to wonder about the wisdom of agreeing to do this after Fio took him into a lonely church...and then out a side door and through some passageways and a back lot of a darkened house. Nonetheless, he kept going. Then they came out on a small dingy street that was utterly unfamiliar. They stopped in front of the door of what seemed to be a mouldering tavern. Fiorino bowed, saying, "the people who may be able to help you are within. Now I must attend to another matter, so with your permission, Don Mercurio, I shall leave you to your inquiries."

Without actually waiting for the gentleman's permission to do so, he then turned and disappeared into the darkness before Mercury could react.

Seeing no other option at this point, Mercury tried the door, despite feelinga distinct sense of unease that was mixed in with his hope and curiosity The battered door opend with a creak, and there inside an extremely well-used common room were a few tables and chairs, some stools, and a counter with wine bottles. A shapely female figure sporting a spectucular head of hair was behind the counter, turned and working on something so that Merucry could not see the woman's face. At a table in the corner was the only other occupant of the room: Merucury was intirugued and a little surprised to recognize Achille Giglio, the tavern-keeper from Rocca Sorrentia.

"Buona sera, Don Mercurio," said the tavern-keeper, in a not unfriendly way. "In case you are wondering, you have come to the right place."

Mercury mumbled some greeting and moved closer to the man. As he did so, he heard a gentle sound from behind him. He did not need to turn around to know that woman who had been behind the counter had quietly latched the door. She now moved to stand hear Achille and for the first time, Mercury could see her face. The expression she wore was not at all friendly or sympathetic. And to make matters just a little more problematic, as she stepped into the light where he could see her better, Mercury immediately recognized the face: it belonged to Devi, that damned creature who worked for Elena Foscari.

~

~

M ercury Gandt was not having the best day of his life. But hey, the cards are dealt and we see what we have to work with, eh?.

He was hoping that the day was going to improve, but in all honesty, his expectations were pretty low. He did in fact, have some information for the Sbirri, but he was unsure that it was going to be enough to keep those bastards happy for a while...it was just some odd snippets he had overheard about the Conte Foscari and some cannons that were being cast...no big deal, but maybe it would mean something to Cristofoli.

Mercury involuntarily sighed, squared his shoulders, and resolutely strolled into the main entranceway of the Sbirri headquarters.

When he came out a short while later, he felt considerably better than he had. Things were looking up. That smarmy little weasel he was reporting to had seemed very interested in the cannon story..and of course Mercury had embellished things only slightly to make for an enhanced, more dramatic narrative.

It felt about right: he had improved the story just enough to make the situation seem a bit more sinister...a bit more like there was something there. But at the same time, he had not gone overboard with the embellishments. If the story turned out to be something insignificant, it wouldn't seem like he had fabricated the whole thing. That was the trick: to get a nice mix of truth and artful embroidery, not unlike what worked well with certain ladies who were blessed with a tad more navetthan was good for them. He was feeling rather pleased with himself, and decided he deserved a little reward in the form of a drink or two at one of his favorite haunts.

In his enthusiasm to go collect his reward, he did not notice that he was being watched from across the street.There, in the shawdows by a fruit vendor's stall, was a figure that -- had Mercury been a little more observant at the time -- he would have easily recognized as someone he knew.

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

Achille Giglio was reading some letters from the Padrone when he heard a key being inserted in the lock on the ancient door. Having decided it was unwise to return to the House of Foscari, He and Devi had established thier headquarters in a moldering little medieval house on a side street just off the Fondamente Nove, not far from the former Jesuit church of Santa Maria Assunta. Although he had a pretty good idea of who it was, Achille quietly stood up and moved to a darkened corner of the room that was at an angle to the door, and gently pulled the hammer of his blunderbuss back to full cock.

As he expected, Devi came in...and there was no one with her, so he unobtrusively let the hammer back to half cock and set it against the wall in the corner.

Devi took off her cloak and and threw it over the back of a chair and stood by the mantel, staring into the fire that was fighting a losing battle against the damp from the nearby lagoon that seemed to permeate everything in the vicinity.

You look thoughtful," said Achille. "I can tell you have learned something of interest...and perhaps of concern?

Devi still looked into the fire. Finally she spoke.

"Yes, I have...In fact, I have had a very interesting discussion, with Fiorino Pera.

Achille arched an eyebrow. Fiorino...you mean Fio, the apprentice from Rocca Sorrentina?

She nodded. The same.

A good fellow. And, I would think, a source for reliable and useful information, no?

Yes...certainly...and what he told me was indeed of both interest and concern. He was actually looking for me or the Contessa...to let us know that he and one of his friends had seen Mercury Gandt coming out of the offices of the Sbirri not terribly long ago. And it's not the first time, they have seen him there.

Now it was Achilles turn to look thoughtful. What did Fio offer in the way of details? Did Signor Gandt appear as if he had been locked up for awhile...any visible injuries...disheveled-looking and so on?

No...and that is what is of concern...he came out the front door, unescorted by guards, looking hale and hearty...dapper as ever...like he had just made a social call...

Achilles face showed no emotion whatsoever. Or a business call, he offered drily.

Devis eyes flashed with anger. Hes sold someone out. Or hes working for them now...or both. And I have a bad feeling who he has ..or is going to be trying to sell out.

Achille still looked remarkably unperturbed, which Devi found irritating for only a moment. She suddenly realized how much she preferred this kind of thoughtful, measured reaction, rather than the over-dramatic theatrics that most men she knew would have responded with. She laughed and asked sweetly,You are already cooking up a plan, aren't you?

There are a number of possibilities.," he replied. "But I assume you have a few ideas of your own, yes?

Oh, of course...my first thought was that we could see how well Signor Gandt can swim with some masonry blocks tied to his feet...but I am guessing you have something more subtle in mind?

Achille smiled a little. Well, as a matter of fact, I do think pushing him off the Fondamente Nove into the lagoon would be a wasted opportunity.... especially as Don Aldo has written me to let us know that he has got his hands on two low-level agents of the Sbirri down on la Rocca....he and the Conte are going to feed them with false intelligence and then arrange for them to make an escape...we could augment what those idiots have to say to their boss with some information through Don Mercurio.

Now it was Devis turn to smile a little. As long as we dont make things too complex...the best plans are simple ones.

Yes, of course. But we have the chance here to do something that not only could misdirect Cristofoli away from the Conte and his activities...we also might be able to buy some leverage to help us find out what happened to one of our friends...the sacristan at the old cathedral in Casserta, who is still missing.

And after that, THEN we can push Signor Gandt into the lagoon?

Achille sighed. The Padrone seems to have some inexplicable fondness for Don Mercurio...I do not entirely understand it, but hey, the Padrone usually knows what hes doing. I suspect he has some other role planned for Signor Gandt.